Updated September 2026: in 2022 I wrote about my worry using an eSIM as my main number on an iPhone 11: if the phone was damaged or its software failed, I would lose access to my number and to the bank OTPs tied to it. I have rewritten it with how eSIM recovery actually works in India and how to reduce the risk.
I used the iPhone 11's dual SIM with one line on eSIM and one on a physical card. What worried me was the eSIM line. If the phone broke or a software update failed, there was no card to move to another phone, and with two-factor authentication, much of my banking depends on receiving OTPs on that number.
What happens to your eSIM if your phone breaks?
The number is not lost. It belongs to your account with the operator, and the eSIM profile on the phone is just a way of connecting it. If the phone fails, the operator can issue a new eSIM profile, or a physical SIM, for the same number after verifying your identity. The practical problem is the gap between the phone failing and that reissue, when you cannot receive calls or OTPs.
How do you get your number back quickly?
- Visit the operator's store with your ID to get a replacement physical SIM or a new eSIM, which is usually the fastest route.
- Use the operator's app on another phone, where it offers an eSIM reissue option.
- Expect a short delay on SMS after a SIM change; operators temporarily restrict SMS on newly issued SIMs as a fraud safeguard.
How can you reduce the banking risk?
- Keep your bank's app set up with an authentication method that does not depend only on SMS, where the bank supports it.
- Register a second number with important accounts, where allowed.
- Keep your primary banking number on a physical SIM if the phone supports one, and use eSIM for the secondary line.
Is eSIM still worth using?
Yes, for most people. An eSIM cannot be removed by a thief the way a physical card can, and it makes dual SIM easy. Some newer phones, such as the iPhone Air, are eSIM only, so understanding recovery is becoming necessary rather than optional. The risk I worried about in 2022 is real but manageable, as long as you know how to reissue your number before you need to.
What should operators still improve?
A faster, fully online eSIM reissue with strong identity checks would remove most of the anxiety. The temporary SMS restriction after a SIM change protects against fraud, but it also delays OTPs exactly when you need them.