It looks like Apple is gearing up to expand its eSIM-only approach with the iPhone 17 lineup.
According to a report from MacRumors, Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU have been asked to complete mandatory training on eSIM support by September 5—just days before the iPhone 17 announcement on September 9. The deadline was spotted in Apple’s SEED app.
That timing feels a little too convenient to be a coincidence.
A Bigger Push for eSIM
Apple first dropped the physical SIM tray in the U.S. with the iPhone 14 series back in 2022, leaving users with digital eSIMs only. Since then, the feature hasn’t gone global, but this new training requirement strongly suggests that more countries are about to join the U.S. in going trayless.
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also predicted that the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will be eSIM-only “in most, if not all, countries.” And given Apple’s history, the Pro models likely won’t be far behind.
Why eSIM?
Apple pitches eSIMs as more secure (since they can’t be removed if your iPhone is lost or stolen) and much more convenient for frequent travelers. You can store multiple numbers without swapping cards—no more hunting down a local SIM at the airport.
What to Expect
If the training rollout is any indication, Apple may flip the switch for most of Europe this year, with China possibly being one of the few holdouts. That means millions of iPhone buyers worldwide might soon have no choice but to embrace eSIM.
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This shift has been rumored for a while. MacRumors points out that The Information reported last year that Apple planned to eliminate physical SIMs in more countries.
Now, with the iPhone 17 launch around the corner, it looks like that plan is becoming reality.
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