> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.telnyx.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SIM Cards

> How to order physical Telnyx IoT SIMs and eSIMs through the dashboard or API, what to expect after the order, and how SIMs are shipped and activated.

## Getting SIMs

### Physical SIMs

Physical SIM orders go through [Mission Control](https://portal.telnyx.com/#/wireless/buy-sim-cards) — you can't order them via API.

1. **Order** — Set quantity, add to cart, and check out. Telnyx ships triple-cut SIM cards (2FF/3FF/4FF) to your address.
2. **Register** — Each physical SIM has a 10-digit registration code printed on the card. Register via the portal ([Register SIM Cards](https://portal.telnyx.com/#/wireless/buy-sim-cards) tab, manual or CSV) or the API ([`POST /actions/register/sim_cards`](/api-reference/sim-cards/register-sim-cards)). During registration you assign a SIM Card Group and optional tags.
3. **Enable** — Once registered, activate the SIM on the network via [`POST /sim_cards/{id}/actions/enable`](/api-reference/sim-cards/request-a-sim-card-enable) or the portal.

After registration, the SIM appears as a standard SIM Card resource. All further management is via the API.

### eSIMs

eSIMs are downloadable SIM profiles for consumer devices (phones, tablets, laptops) — not embedded SIM hardware. For eUICC hardware solutions, contact [Sales](https://telnyx.com/contact-us).

Purchase through [Mission Control](https://portal.telnyx.com/#/wireless/buy-esims) or the API (`POST /actions/purchase_esims`):

* **Portal** — Set quantity, assign a SIM Card Group, choose initial status, add tags. \$0.70 activation fee per eSIM. No cart — purchase is immediate.
* **API** — [`POST /actions/purchase/esims`](/api-reference/sim-cards/purchase-esims). Same parameters, same instant provisioning.

Either way, you get an activation code immediately. Provide it to the device via QR code or direct input for OTA provisioning. No shipping, no registration step.

<Warning>
  eSIM activation codes are one-time use. If the device loses the profile, you need a new eSIM purchase — you can't re-download the same profile.
</Warning>

After provisioning, eSIMs become the same SIM Card resource as physical SIMs. All API operations are identical.

## Next Steps

Once you have SIMs in your account, see [Lifecycle](/docs/iot-sim/sim-lifecycle) for state management (enable, disable, standby, delete) and [SIM Card Groups](/docs/iot-sim/sim-card-groups) for fleet configuration.