This is Why Indonesian People Haven't Switched to Using e-SIMs

According to a Snapcart survey, many Indonesians have not yet adopted embedded subscriber identity module (e-SIM) technology, a digital method of connecting mobile devices to networks without a physical SIM card.

The biggest obstacle to e-SIM adoption, cited by 45% of respondents, is a lack of clear understanding on how to activate it.

Furthermore, 28% of respondents haven't used e-SIMs because their devices are incompatible, and 25% are still comfortable with physical SIM cards.

Another 3% of respondents do not trust e-SIM technology.

"These findings suggest that hesitation isn't necessarily driven by security concerns, but rather by a lack of awareness and readily accessible guidance," wrote Snapcart in its report, Migrate to e-SIM: Are Indonesians Ready to Make the Switch?

In addition, the majority (70%) of respondents still use regular smartphones with physical SIM card slots. New smartphones supporting e-SIMs are not yet common in Indonesia.

"Consequently, Indonesia's current device ecosystem remains heavily reliant on traditional physical SIM cards, naturally delaying widespread e-SIM adoption," Snapcart stated.

Snapcart conducted this online survey from May 26 to June 1, 2025, involving 4,212 respondents across various regions of Indonesia.