Google Pixel 8 eSIM: eSIM & Mobile Connectivity Explained
Yes, the Google Pixel 8 supports eSIM, so you can add a travel data plan without swapping a physical SIM card. Buy a plan, tap Install on Android in the delivery email, and the eSIM installs on your phone. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked, and Pixel 8 Pro owners can follow the same steps.
Updated 27 October 2026
In one sentence
The Google Pixel 8 eSIM is the built-in digital SIM in Google's Pixel 8 phone, which lets you add a mobile plan by installing a profile instead of inserting a plastic SIM card.
In detail
The Pixel 8 launched in October 2023 with eSIM support, and the Pixel 8 Pro supports it too. The eSIM is a small chip soldered inside the phone, and it can hold several downloaded plans (called profiles). You can keep your home number on the physical SIM or on one eSIM profile and add a separate travel data plan alongside it. The phone needs to be unlocked from its original carrier, because a locked phone may refuse plans from other providers. Pixel phones from the Pixel 6 onwards support eSIM, so the Pixel 8 is part of a well-established line.
How it works
After you buy a plan, a delivery email arrives with an Install on Android button. Tap it on your Pixel 8 and the phone downloads the eSIM profile and adds it to your SIM settings, which needs Android 10 or later. A QR code is also included, which is handy for sharing the eSIM or installing it from another screen, and you can scan it from Settings if you prefer.
Why travellers should care
With a Pixel 8 you can sort out mobile data before you board, rather than hunting for a SIM shop after a long flight. Because the eSIM sits alongside your normal SIM, you keep your home number for calls and texts while the travel plan handles data. Plans cover 190+ destinations, and prices vary by destination and are set by each store.
Related terms
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 6
- dual SIM
- eSIM profile
- unlocked phone
Example
Priya is flying from Sydney to Lisbon with her Pixel 8. The night before, she buys a Portugal data plan from a creator's eSIM store and opens the delivery email on her phone. She taps Install on Android, and the plan appears in her SIM settings in under a minute. On landing, she switches on the travel eSIM for mobile data, keeps her home SIM for incoming calls, and has maps working before she reaches the taxi rank.
Key takeaway
The Pixel 8 supports eSIM, so as long as it is carrier-unlocked you can install a travel plan with one tap before you leave home.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Google Pixel 8 support eSIM?
Yes. Both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro support eSIM, and they can store more than one eSIM profile. You can use an eSIM alongside your regular SIM, which makes it easy to add a travel data plan.
How do I install a travel eSIM on a Pixel 8?
Open your delivery email on the Pixel 8 and tap Install on Android, then follow the prompts. The phone needs Android 10 or later and an internet connection, so Wi-Fi is the safest option. You can also scan the QR code from another screen if that is easier.
Can I use two SIMs on a Pixel 8 at the same time?
Yes. The Pixel 8 supports dual SIM, so you can have a physical SIM and an eSIM active together, or use two eSIM lines depending on your setup. A common travel setup is your home SIM for calls and texts, with a travel eSIM set as the mobile data line.
Does my Pixel 8 need to be unlocked to use a travel eSIM?
Usually, yes. If your phone is locked to the carrier that sold it, it may refuse eSIM plans from other providers. Contact your carrier to unlock it before you travel, because some carriers need a few days to process the request.
Is the Pixel 8 eSIM the same as the Pixel 7 or Pixel 6 eSIM?
The idea is the same. The Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 all support eSIM and install plans the same way, using Install on Android or a QR code. The main difference is the phone, not the eSIM, so a plan that works on one should work on the others as long as the phone is unlocked.
Where you'll use this
More esim glossary
Sources
- Google Pixel Help — Use eSIM on your Pixel phone
- Google Store — Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro tech specs
- GSMA — Embedded SIM (eSIM) overview
- Android Open Source Project — Android Developers: Euicc and eSIM support