How to travel internationally with US purchased iPhone with eSIM only

Why my us iPhone doesn’t SIM card tray. I paid full price for unlocked IPhone 14 pro max and received one without SIM card tray. It makes a big difference. How do I exchange it for a good IPhone with tray Incan use in Hong Kong too?

It’s very disappointing and difficult not being able to use SIM cards eSIM is not very popular in the world especially in Hong Kong



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iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 17

Posted on Oct 29, 2023 10:05 AM

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Posted on Mar 14, 2024 9:31 AM

Love the just get an eSIM response. Apple knows this is not possible if it where the international phones also would not have a physical sim slot explain that away. If you been overseas besides Europe you’d know. Saying eSIM over and over doesn’t make it true

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Mar 14, 2024 9:31 AM in response to Pentkowski57

Love the just get an eSIM response. Apple knows this is not possible if it where the international phones also would not have a physical sim slot explain that away. If you been overseas besides Europe you’d know. Saying eSIM over and over doesn’t make it true

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May 8, 2024 11:20 PM in response to Tanglefoot15

I have a company phone and thus don't have access to the account. Sure I could go through the hassle and the hoops of getting them to do things for me but I'd much rather just go to France like I did, go on vacation sightsee, and purchase a European iPhone 15 Pro with the SimCard Tray. Insert my simcard and then Vioala! I have a working iPhone Pro 15.

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Oct 29, 2023 10:14 AM in response to Pentkowski57

Then you should have purchased your iPhone where you live and will use it. Since iPhone 14, ALL US sold iPhones come with dual eSim and do NOT have a sim tray. Phones sold outside the US do have a sim tray and one eSim.


It's not Apple's fault you bought the phone is the US when you don't live in the US, but live where eSim isn't commonly used. That's all on you. iPhone is sold by region and they do NOT have International Warranty either.


As stedman1 suggests, sell the phone and buy the right model for your region. Apple will NOT exchange the phone for you where you live.


If by chance you purchased the phone within 14 days, you can come back to the US and return it for full refund. But you can't exchange it outside the US, nor return it for refund outside the US.

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Oct 29, 2023 10:24 AM in response to Pentkowski57

It doesn't have a SIM tray because devices sold in the US are eSIM only. If you wanted to use it in Hong Kong, or anywhere else in the world where eSIMs are not supported, then you should have purchased it in Hong Kong or whatever country you live and intend to use it in.

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Mar 14, 2024 9:37 AM in response to Tanglefoot15

Tanglefoot15 wrote:

Love the just get an eSIM response. Apple knows this is not possible if it where the international phones also would not have a physical sim slot explain that away. If you been overseas besides Europe you’d know. Saying eSIM over and over doesn’t make it true

Apple is not required to sell a device that works everywhere in the world. But, if you need a phone that takes a physical SIM, the iPhone SE and the 13 meet that requirement.

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How to travel internationally with US purchased iPhone with eSIM only

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