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BMW eSIM: Activation guide and why to use it

The BMW Personal eSIM allows you to connect your car with your mobile plan and enjoy a long list of connectivity features in your vehicle.

BMW, the iconic German automotive brand, was one of the first to implement eSIM technology into its vehicles, and it has since become an integral part of the BMW experience. Follow along to learn all about the BMW Personal eSIM, including whether your BMW can use it, how to activate the Personal eSIM, and more.

And while the BMW eSIM powers your drive, learn how Holafly’s unlimited data travel eSIMs ensure you stay online beyond your car and across 200+ destinations worldwide.

In this article

What is the BMW Personal eSIM?

The BMW Personal eSIM is s a part of BMW’s Connected Drive feature. It’s a virtual sim built into your car that maximises reception and works as a hotspot for the car’s passengers. While the eSIM technology bypasses your mobile, it does require a dedicated and compatible data plan from your mobile network or eSIM provider.

This feature is available in all vehicles with Operating System 8 or newer – such as OS8.5 and OS9 – and the eSIM option.

Much like eSIM phones or watches, the Personal eSIM is made possible thanks to a chip installed in all BMWs with Operating System 8 or newer and the option “Personal eSIM” (SA 6PA). It allows drivers and their companions to enjoy a whole range of connectivity functions through BMW Connected Drive.

Currently, the feature is only available in certain countries; check in with BMW to see if your location has it. That said, the list of countries is constantly expanding, so keep an eye out for updates even if it’s not yet available in your country.

Disclaimer: The data in this comparison is accurate as of May 29, 2025, and is subject to change.

Who can use a BMW eSIM?

BMW’s personal eSIM cannot be paired with any mobile network or eSIM provider. It is only compatible with certain carriers and mobile phone plans that support integration with BMW’s system. These carriers vary by region; some may only support data streaming, not telephony.

Here’s a list of regions and supported carriers:

USA: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
Germany: Vodafone, Telekom
Australia: Telstra
Bahrain: Batelco
Japan: Docomo
Switzerland: Swisscom
South Korea: KT, LGU+, SKT

You can also use the BMW Personal eSIM with Ubigi in 25 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

If you can’t see your provider on this list, it likely cannot be paired with the BMW Personal eSIM. It’s worth checking in with both BMW and your network or eSIM provider for specific details.

How to activate a BMW Personal eSIM

Before setting up your BMW Personal eSIM, you must first check if your carrier has compatible plans and whether you have an active voice and data plan for the eSIM. Once that’s sorted, follow these steps to activate Personal eSIM on your BMW.

Login to My BMW App or My BMW Web. You can configure Personal eSIM on either one of these platforms.
Go to the Services to third parties menu and locate the Personal eSIM option, then tap on Activate the eSIM.
Select the country and cellular network provider. Enter your phone number (including country code) to activate the eSIM with your cellular network provider.
Follow your mobile provider instructions. You’ll be sent to your network provider page to confirm your details and add your car as a device that shares your phone number.
Choose the configuration you want to activate. Sync your BMW ID and click continue. The select settings will be applied immediately.
Configure your cell phone. You have a choice of whether or not you want to link your primary phone with the Personal eSIM. If you do, your contacts and eSIM settings will be synchronized with your car for an even more convenient user experience.

How to download your personal eSIM profile to BMW

Wondering how to download and use your personal eSIM profile in your BMW? You can activate the Personal eSIM for your BMW ID in the My BMW portal, My BMW app, or the BMW iDrive.

Follow these steps in the My BMW app to activate your BMW Personal eSIM:

Select Profile > Personal eSIM > Activate eSIM and follow the instructions.
Select Check with provider to finalize the activation.

In BMWs with Operating System 8 or newer:

Select Apps menu > All apps > Mobile devices > Personal eSIM.
Follow the instructions on the control display.
Scan the displayed QR code with your smartphone and start the activation process.

Perks and benefits of the Personal eSIM

Sure, connecting your eSIM with your car sounds cool, but what do you actually get out of it? It turns out, with BMW you get quite a lot:

5G capability: All BMWs with Personal eSIM are 5G capable, even if your mobile phone isn’t. This ensures the fastest connection whenever you’re on the road.

WiFi hotspot: You can turn your car into a WiFi hotspot and share data from your mobile plan with all of your passengers. The eSIM is built into the BMW antenna, resulting in strong connections for hotspot.

Turn your BMW into a smartphone: By linking your BMW to your mobile phone contract, you can make calls, send messages, and use mobile internet even if you don’t have your phone nearby.

Improved connectivity: Personal eSIM connects to your car’s external aerial antenna, which improves connectivity

BMW Personal eSIM — the future of connected vehicles

The BMW Personal eSIM essentially turns your car into a driving smartphone, giving you a more convenient way to use navigation, make calls, send messages, or even share WiFi with your passengers.

Unlike simply using Apple Carplay or Android Auto, the Personal eSIM doesn’t require you to have your phone in the vehicle to work. Once you set it up, it functions without the need for any additional devices. While this is a great opportunity and feature, it’s limited to the vehicle and only works with specific carriers and data plans.

Holafly eSIM: Unlimited data, beyond the car

While your BMW’s Personal eSIM keeps you connected on the road, Holafly ensures you stay online when you step out of the car. Why stay limited to one region (or car?) Holafly eSIMs work in most countries around the world.

With eSIMs for over 200 destinations worldwide, Holafly offers unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and the flexibility of matching your plan to your vacation, so you never have to pay for more than you need.

Don’t worry about having special data plans or contracts. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone for Holafly’s international eSIMs to keep you connected effortlessly.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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