One UI 3.1 update enables eSIM functionality on Galaxy S20 series: Report

The eSIM functionality involves the “downloading” of a digital SIM card from your manufacturer which then works on your phone as if you had a regular, physical SIM inserted into the device.

An eSIM is an integrated SIM chip that comes in your smartphone, if it is compatible, and is compliant with all the supported mobile network operators. (Pixabay)

Many flagship phones from manufacturers like Apple, Google and Samsungs these days come with dual sim functionality but only contain a single SIM slot. This is because they offer the second SIM functionality via Embedded SIM (or eSIM) functionality. However, for some reason, the S20 series is only getting eSIM functionality via a recent update, according to reports.

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The eSIM functionality involves the “downloading” of a digital SIM card from your manufacturer which then works on your phone as if you had a regular, physical SIM inserted into the device. However, the same eSIM functionality which was available for S20 series users in other regions was not working in India for unspecified reasons, according to Gizchina.

The report says that after the S20 received the recently released update to Android 11-based One UI 3.1, the ability to add an eSIM appeared in the network settings of the phones. This setting is called “Add a mobile plan” and allows you to add the virtual SIM to your phone. However, this is a hidden change, as the new functionality has not been included in the changelog for the device.

You can set up your eSIM if you want to, right after you update your device to the latest One UI 3.1 release. Once you reboot and the update is installed, go to the settings app, then go to the SIM card manager and look for the Add mobile plan option showing under the SIM 1 and SIM2 options. You will then have to connect with your carrier, get a sign-up QR code and scan it to get started right away.