Virtual Card Ultimate Guide: Virtual Credit Card, Virtual Membership Card, Virtual Leisure Card, Virtual SIM Card and other detailed teaching

　　Virtual cards, non-physical cards, digital cards, electronic cards, mobile cards etc. refers to cards that have a card number but do not have a physical card. More and more cards have successively launched virtual cards without physical ones, in addition to quickly applying for a card number without waiting for the production or collection of the physical card, it can also be directly tied to the smart phone to reduce the carrying of cards, reduce the weight of the wallet, as long as a mobile phone can achieve the function of many cards, reduce the risk of personal capital leakage, and reduce the probability of contact infection during the epidemic. This article will introduce a variety of virtual cards, so that readers in need can switch from physical cards to virtual cards, simplify and simplify life, reduce resource waste, and protect the environment and love the earth.

1 Preface

　　Virtual cards, non-physical cards, digital cards, electronic cards, mobile cards (especially cards that can be attached to a smartphone or other mobile device), cloud cards, digital card, virtual card or cloud card in English etc., refers to a card that has a card number that issued a card, but does not have a physical card. With the rise of the Internet age and the popularity of smartphones, various physical items have gradually turned to virtualization, such as DVD discs have gradually been replaced by audio and video streaming platforms, and physical cards have also developed towards virtualization. More and more credit cards, membership cards and other cards have successively launched virtual cards without physical ones, in addition to quickly applying for a card number without waiting for the production or collection of physical cards, it can also be directly tied to the smart phone to reduce the card and reduce the weight of the wallet, as long as a mobile phone can achieve the function of many cards.

The card number of the virtual card is mostly the same as the card number of the physical card, which means that if you go out without a physical card, and write down the card number of the physical card or tie it to the smartphone, then there is no difference in function from the virtual card, but it is very different in convenience. The biggest difference between virtual cards and physical cards is that physical cards have one or more physical cards that can be carried and used, and can be applied for online or to physical stores/institutions, but virtual cards can usually only be applied for online from the network, and there will not be any physical cards, so they are usually tied to smartphones.

Therefore, the use of virtual cards has many advantages that physical cards do not have, including the convenience of applying online, not needing to go to the operator’s counter to apply, and not waiting for the physical card to be sent, which can quickly obtain and use the card after verification, and also reduce the number of people who handle it and reduce the risk of data leakage; In addition, there will be no storage and sorting problems, and there will be no risk of loss; In addition, because there is no entity and there is no need to change the card, it can reduce transportation costs, reduce resource waste, and protect the earth; During the epidemic, it can also reduce the contact between goods and people, reduce the risk of infection, and respond to the trend of zero-contact payment during the epidemic. In addition, in the global chip shortage in 2021, many banks said that they will first use virtual credit cards to deal with it, and delay the issuance of physical cards.

In short, the use of virtual cards is more convenient, safe, and epidemic-proof than physical cards, and more environmentally friendly. But what are the cards that can be used as virtual cards? This article will introduce in detail various virtual credit cards, virtual membership cards, virtual electronic ticket cards, virtual SIM cards (eSIM cards), etc., so that readers can reduce the convenience of carrying physical cards when going out as long as they bind the virtual card to the mobile phone, and it is more convenient to reduce the sorting of cards at home, improve the quality of life, and move towards a minimalist life.

2 Introduction to virtual cards

　　Virtual cards are cards that have a set of card numbers but do not have physical cards, and common physical cards in life, such as credit cards, membership cards, electronic ticket cards, SIM cards and other physical cards with card numbers, many of which can be virtualized, the following will introduce these various virtual cards.

2.1 Virtual Credit Cards

　　
Virtual credit card
, digital credit card Refers to only the credit card number but no physical card credit card, the card number of this type of card is based on the issuer identification number (English: Bank card number or Bank Identification Number, abbreviated as BIN) generated by the virtual card number/account number (usually 16 digits), common types can be divided into main card type virtual credit card, attached card type virtual credit card, mapping virtual credit card, variable virtual credit card, physical card virtual code, etc. These different types of virtual credit cards are described in detail below.

2.1.1 Primary Virtual Credit Card

　　A primary virtual credit card is a credit card issued by a bank that has a complete and independent credit card number, is not affiliated with any other credit card, and does not have any physical card. In the past, such virtual credit cards could only be used for online shopping, but now as more and more merchants in physical stores support inductive payment of credit cards (contactless card machines), as long as the card number is bound to a smartphone, you can use the same function as ordinary physical credit cards.

The advantage of applying for a main card virtual credit card is that there is no need to wait for the physical credit card to be sent, after the credit card is approved, you can receive the credit card number and password through the e-mail and mobile phone SMS, and you can use the credit card immediately, but also because of the less production of physical cards and shipping, reduce contact with others and reduce the risk of credit card information leakage, and are not afraid of loss, even if they are stolen in the future, they can immediately replace the card number without having to wait for the card to be sent again. It can also reduce the resource consumption of card production (physical cards also need to be renewed regularly, but virtual cards do not).

Although the advantages of the main card type virtual credit card are very many, but there is the only disadvantage is that it is not possible to swipe the card in the merchant who needs to swipe the physical card, but as the merchant changes to the new card machine that can be used to pay by induction, it is now less and less visible to see the card machine and store that can only swipe the physical card and can not be inductive payment, since most stores can use the physical credit card induction payment, then there is no problem with using virtual credit cards. Unless there are really stores where you can only swipe a physical card but you must go to (there should be fewer such stores now).

In short, convenience, speed, safety and environmental protection are one of the advantages of this type of card, and banks often focus on online shopping, mobile payment, environmental protection and other services and concepts for this type of credit card. However, most of the credit cards provided by most banks are physical credit cards, and only some banks currently provide virtual credit cards, which are sorted out in the form of tables in the common main card type virtual credit cards and issuing banks, as well as their characteristics, application conditions and instructions.

Remark:

• The name of Taishin Bank’s “@GoGo Virtual Seal Card” (including “Richart” and “Richart Life”) after swiping the card is displayed in the APP notification (including “Richart” and “Richart Life”) is “@GoGo Virtual Digital Card”.

2.1.2 Card-attached virtual credit cards

　　Card-attached virtual credit card is necessary to have a physical credit card first, and apply for a virtual credit card through the main card, roughly the same as the general card, the feedback is the same, but less physical card, so this kind of card is of course repaid by the main card, or there may be no need to pay an additional annual fee (or only pay a lower annual fee).

In addition, the biggest advantage of such cards is that they can be safely used as online shopping cards, and if they are shopping on risky and less secure websites, even if they are stolen, they can quickly obtain a new set of virtual card numbers after the card is immediately suspended, without affecting the use of the original physical card.

2.1.3 Mapped virtual credit or debit cards

　　Mapped virtual credit cards, mobile credit cards, mobile credit cards, and mapped virtual financial cards, mobile financial cards, mobile financial cards , is a credit or debit card that uses token technology to codify and use NFC sensing as a type of mobile payment. When using this method of checkout, it is to use a virtual card number to pay, which can reduce the risk of physical card number exposure and theft, is a higher security payment technology, more protection than physical cards, the three major international payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) use this method.

Usually the credit card issued by the bank will have a virtual card and the financial card will not, because some functions of the physical financial card are more difficult to replace by the virtual card, such as the function of using physical services, such as ATM to collect money, deposit money and other services. Although more and more banks support cardless withdrawals and cardless deposits, not most ATMs currently have cardless services, and cardless services usually do not provide interbank (physical cards can deposit and withdraw across banks).

In addition, most banks will only have one financial card (with a few exceptions), so there is irreplaceability, while credit cards are multiple types of credit cards in a bank, so users can freely choose whether there is a physical card or a credit card with only a virtual card. However, if the user only has a bank account and a financial card and no credit card, it is not as convenient as a credit card to bring a financial card when going out, so the use of “mapped virtual card” is one of the few ways that users can bind the physical financial card to the NFC mobile payment APP as a virtual card.

To use this kind of card, you only need to bind the physical card to the APP that supports NFC mobile payment, whether it is a physical credit card or a financial card, you can use this method to quickly turn into a virtual card for use, fast, convenient and safe. In addition, if it is a financial card opened by a digital account, most of them must use natural person credential authentication or upgrade the account at the counter to bind NFC mobile payment. The following is a list of common NFC mobile payment apps and cooperative banks in Taiwan and supported cards.

2.1.4 Variable Virtual Credit Cards

　　Dynamic Virtual Card Number refers to a set of dynamically generated card numbers, and the card number can be entered into the online store to complete the transaction as usual. Also because the card number is dynamically generated every time, the card number can be revoked after consumption, or wait for automatic expiration (usually two months), so there is no need to worry about the real card number being exposed to the network, thereby reducing the risk of card number theft.

At present, the most common variable virtual credit card is the “Mastercard in Control” service provided by Mastercard, an international card issuer, and cooperative banks. Although this credit card is a virtual card, in fact, you still have to apply for a physical credit card in advance, and then through this card, when spending the card, a set of changing cards can be generated, and it can be used and invalidated.

By changing the card number, the card number of the physical credit card can be protected from the risk of leakage, thereby reducing the flow of card information and the occurrence of theft. In addition, this method is different from the mobile phone password verification method, because it only protects the card number, so it will not affect the consumer’s shopping experience.

However, before December 31, 2020, only Far Eastern Commercial Bank in Taiwan provided this service, but after January 1, 2021, Far Eastern Bank also terminated the service. Therefore, if you want to use the Mastercard inControl service, you can only apply for credit cards outside Taiwan (such as credit cards in the United States).

2.1.5 Supplement: Credit cards with physical and virtual codes

The virtual cards described above are cards with a set of card numbers but no physical cards, such as a set of independent card numbers issued by a bank but no physical card (e.g., primary virtual card, attached virtual card), or a set of virtual card numbers simulated by the program or bank at the time of consumption but without a physical card (e.g., mapped virtual card, variable virtual credit card).

But in addition, some banks issued physical cards will send the card number, expiration date, security code (the last three codes), etc. to the sponsor’s e-mail or mobile phone SMS, and can also allow users to query the card number on the network, these card numbers can be directly consumed on the network after the card is reviewed, or directly bound to the mobile payment APP for consumption, and do not need to wait for the delivery of the physical card (physical cards need to apply for input, internal review, card production, mail delivery, It often takes a week to get the card and can’t be consumed and feedback right away).

In addition to having a physical card, this type of card will quickly obtain the card number online after applying for a card and reviewing the card, so it is like a virtual card, you can immediately use the card to spend, do not have to wait for the delivery of the physical card, and have the advantages of immediate consumption of the virtual card, but at the same time will get a physical card a few days after the verification of the card, so it is essentially a physical credit card, not a physical card like a virtual card at all, but the card number (virtual code) of the card will be received before receiving the physical card.

Usually have both a physical card and a virtual code of credit cards, many banks will be the same as virtual credit cards focus on online shopping or mobile payment, the following is a common credit card in Taiwan with both physical card and virtual code credit cards. Since such cards will eventually receive a physical card, they are classified as “supplemental” information, and if it is only for readers who do not need a physical card at all, you can skip to the next chapter to continue reading other types of virtual cards.

2.1.8 Extension: Credit Card Generator (for testing purposes only, not for credit card purchases)

　　Credit card number generator, credit card generator, credit card generator, fake credit card, English: Credit Card Generator, Fake Credit Card Generator, refers to a service platform that can generate a set of virtual credit card numbers, but this virtual credit card number is different from the virtual credit card introduced above. It is not issued by a bank, but is used by a website service platform according to the Luhn algorithm (a simple checksum algorithm that is generally used to verify identification numbers, such as the issuer identifier, the International Mobile Equipment Identity, the US National Provider Identification Number, or the Canadian Social Security Number, The algorithm is now in the public domain and widely used).

If you want to develop a website or system with an online shopping cart, you often need to connect the function of online payment, if you want to make and develop a payment system when you need to test the verification function of the credit card, then you can use the credit card number generator to do the detection to ensure that the card function of the payment system can operate normally.

And some service websites will first require users to enter credit card information, to avoid their own website services abuse, but also can filter a large number of applications for header accounts, such as when applying for some foreign virtual hosting services, even if you do not want to consume immediately just to register, you must first enter credit card information. In addition, it can also prevent users from entering real credit card data on untrusted and unsafe websites and being stolen, so you can use credit card generators to improve personal privacy and information security.

Although the information generated by the generator of such websites is credit card data, it is basically legal, because these virtual credit card numbers generated by the website service platform are generated according to the Lune algorithm, not the real card number issued by the bank (that is, the card number that cannot be used normally), so these card numbers have no balance or limit, and can not be used normally, only for testing purposes. Since “credit card generator” is not a virtual credit card that can be consumed, it is classified as “extended” information, if you do not have this need, readers can skip to the next chapter to continue to learn about other virtual card introductions, the following will sort out the common credit card number generator website service platform.

2.2 Virtual Membership Card

　　Virtual membership cards, digital membership cards, electronic membership cards, mobile membership cards, etc. refer to cards that have a number of membership cards but do not have a physical card, and usually use the web page to apply online, or download the mobile APP and register members in the program.

In various supermarkets, department stores, stores, beverage stores, bookstores, stationery stores, etc., there will often be services to apply for and use membership cards, so that members can gather points when spending in exchange for rewards or discounts. However, as more and more membership cards are applied, the wallets containing physical cards are getting thicker and thicker, causing inconvenience to carry.

If you use a virtual membership card, no matter how many membership cards you have, you can put them in one mobile phone, and you can enjoy various benefits at each store without having to carry several membership cards outside. In addition, some physical cards applied in stores will charge the cost of the card or the handling fee of the application process, and if you use a mobile APP or online to apply for a virtual membership card, you can often waive these fees, and because the information is applied for directly online without going through the store staff of the physical store, personal information protection is taken to a higher level.

The following is a compilation of membership services/membership cards that can be applied for online (web application or app application), and there is no need to collect a physical card, which means that you can apply for a virtual membership card online, or apply for a virtual membership card with a virtual card and a physical card at the same time.

2.2.1 Store Membership Card

The most common membership card is an independent store, or a group operator, and the membership card launched by the user can usually be used by users to collect points (accumulation points/accumulation points). The following is a list of common stores/operators and apps in Taiwan that can apply for a virtual membership card online, and lists the fees of physical and virtual cards, so that you can directly see how much the virtual card can save on applying for membership.

2.3 Virtual Electronic Ticket Cards

　　Virtual electronic ticket card, mobile phone version of electronic ticket refers to the electronic ticket that does not need to have a physical one, as long as the card number of the electronic ticket is bound to a specific mobile device, and the NFC sensing area of the device is close to the deduction induction device, you can normally consume and store value electronic tickets.

The biggest difference between virtual electronic tickets and electronic tickets with physical cards is that when taking the transportation paid with electronic tickets, you do not need to take out the physical card to swipe the sensor, because in the process of taking the transportation, it is necessary to constantly move and move their own position, unlike ordinary stores that can stand still and wait for checkout. Therefore, when a certain distance is required, if the physical electronic ticket is not always in hand, you must take out your pocket or wallet at once when entering the MRT station or train station, put it back at once, and take it out again and put it back again when you want to leave the station. If you don’t want to take it in and out, then you have to hold it in your hand, but the card size is small, the thickness is thin, not as easy to hold as the mobile phone, if you want to use the mobile phone on the way, then pay more attention to avoid the card slipping or lost. According to the statistics of Taipei MRT, from 2016 to 2018, passengers dropped more than 60,000 Leisurely Cards at MRT stations every year, and the number of uncollected cards was as high as more than 30,000, that is, more than 5 million card balances lost every year, and the total number of lost cards in the past three years alone was about 16 million, which is such a staggering number. If the virtual electronic ticket is bound to a smartphone or mobile device, it can avoid the inconvenience of moving, and also avoid the inability to properly sense the electronic ticket card in the mobile phone case (although there are anti-interference isolation anti-magnetic sheets on the market, but also consider the NFC sensing position of the mobile phone and other problems), thickness thickening, heating and other problems.

Since the card of the electronic ticket is traded on an offline device, the transaction data will be saved in the card and device first, and the data will be uploaded and reconciled after a period of time, because if the connected device is used in the transportation, the induction time will increase and delay the departure, and the bus will move at any time, and the location network is unstable, and it is impossible to use the connected device. At present, there are two ways to realize the virtualization of electronic tickets in Taiwan, one is to replace the SIM card of the original mobile phone with an “NFC-SIM” card to the telecom operator, and the other is to use NFC mobile payment that supports electronic tickets and mobile devices/mobile devices (such as Samsung mobile payment Samsung Pay’s “Samsung” Pay Card”), both of which provide mobile phones with secure elements that can support electronic tickets.

In addition, because both of these practices require the NFC function of the mobile phone, the iPhone has not opened up payments other than Apple Pay, so it must be an NFC mobile phone with Android system. Then how to choose to use “electronic tickets that support NFC-SIM cards” or “electronic tickets that support NFC mobile payment APP”, depends on the user’s habits, one is to tie telecommunications, the other is to tie mobile devices, if often NP changes different telecommunications, then NFC-SIM cards may not be suitable, on the contrary, if you often change different brands of mobile phones, then it is not suitable for tying a brand of NFC mobile device APP (for example: Samsung Pay Leisurely Card). The two virtualized e-tickets are described in detail below.

2.3.1 Electronic tickets that support NFC-SIM cards

　　NFC-SIM card, SWP-SIM card, etc. refers to a card with a special specification SIM card as a security chip, and the card number and password are stored in the SIM card, and connected to the NFC controller through the C6 pin on the card, which is commonly used as an electronic ticket.

At present, the “electronic tickets” circulating in Taiwan have four types of cards, such as LeisureCard, All-in-One Card, iCash 2.0, and Money Card, and to use the NFC-SIM version of the electronic ticket, it is necessary to replace the original mobile phone SIM card with an NFC-SIM card by various telecom operators, but the NFC-SIM card issued by the electronic ticket company and various telecom operators is not the same, and there are also differences with the co-branded card (at present, only the NFC-SIM card of China Telecom supporting the co-branded card is replaced).

When the NFC-SIM card replacement was originally opened, the four electronic tickets circulating in Taiwan were open for application, but after far EasTone Telecom stopped replacing the mobile phone money card service in 2018, only three electronic ticket companies remained: Youyou Card, One Card and Aijin Card. At present, the only telecom operator whose NFC-SIM card can support three electronic tickets at the same time is Chunghwa Telecom, and the only electronic ticket that supports Taiwan’s three major telecommunications (Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecom, Taiwan Big Brother) at the same time is the LeisureCard.

In addition, all NFC-SIM cards can be used on Android phones, but they cannot be used on iPhones running iOS, because iPhone’s NFC is currently only available for Apple Pay, and does not open other mobile payments. The following is a compilation of the NFC-SIM version of electronic tickets and integrated mobile applications provided by each e-ticket, as well as telecom operators (including those that have stopped applying) that are open to apply for NFC-SIM card replacement.

Taiwan’s five major telecommunications, Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Big Brother, Far EasTone Telecommunications, Taiwan Star, and Asia-Pacific Telecom, also provide different NFC-SIM card replacement services. Since the opening of the replacement of NFC-SIM, Taiwan Star has not been supported, and Asia-Pacific Telecom has also stopped applying since the beginning of 2020, so there are only three left of China Telecom, Taiwan Big Brother, and Far EasTone Telecommunications, and the supported card types are getting smaller and smaller.

In addition, to open an NFC-SIM card must use the APP provided by the telecom operator to download the electronic ticket, and can directly query the balance of the electronic ticket, at present, only Chunghwa Telecom’s Hami Pay can support three major electronic tickets at the same time, but also contains co-branded cards, you can also use the APP to switch different tickets online, which can be said to be the most complete NFS SIM service.

As more and more operators stop applying for NFC-SIM card replacement, users who need to use NFC-SIM cards may have to seize the opportunity, otherwise Chunghwa Telecom’s NFC-SIM card may only be left to choose from. Although Chunghwa Telecom has the most complete services, but also the price is also the highest among the telecom operators, unlike the previous APT Double 11 event application monthly fee only NT$11, you can enjoy the service of replacing the NFC-SIM card, which has become a great success.

The following is a list of NFC-SIM card replacement services supported by various telecom operators in Taiwan (including the operators that have temporarily suspended the application and the date of suspension), as well as the mobile phone application developed by the telecom operator to integrate electronic tickets with NFC-SIM cards, users can not only check the balance directly in the APP, but also directly replace different kinds of electronic tickets in the APP.

2.3.2 Electronic tickets that support NFC mobile payment APP

To use virtual electronic tickets, in addition to replacing the original SIM card with NFC-SIM in the telecom store, another way is to use international Pay that supports NFC mobile payment function and mobile devices that support this function, such as the mobile payment “Samsung Pay” provided by the newer models of Samsung mobile phones, which provides Samsung Mobile Phone NFC function combined with LeisureCard electronic ticket.

Samsung mobile phones can cooperate with LeisureCard to launch “Samsung Pay Card” because Samsung has key security elements, which can allow the mobile phone to simulate the MIFARE sensor chip of the LeisureCard, and allow the mobile phone to trade with NFC induction after opening the card online. If other brands’ mobile phones also want to support the function of electronic tickets, the mobile phone itself must also have a similar but bound to increase costs, increase costs, and then negotiate cooperation conditions and contracts with electronic ticket companies, so few mobile phones on the market currently support this function. In addition, Samsung Pay Card can also be manually added using credit cards on the mobile phone (currently only limited to Cathay United Bank, China Trust Bank, Yushan Bank, Taishin Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, Commonwealth Bank), to avoid finding extra check-in if the temporary quota is not enough.

In addition to Samsung Pay on Samsung phones supporting Leisurely Cards, Garmin Smart Watch Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay of Fitbit Smart Watch two NFC mobile payments also support the function of electronic tickets, but they cannot be manually added online like Samsung Pay, but Fitbit Pay can use a card co-branded card to automatically add value (currently only support China Trust Bank, Taishin Bank and Commonwealth Bank). The iPhone is because Apple’s Security Element is too complex, the introduction of iOS system by the leisurely card company is huge, so it has not yet opened the leisurely card, Google is only hoping to do “transportation ticket card”, so the current leisurely card company only opens the Three-star mobile phone leisurely card.

Although there are many devices or items on the market that can support electronic tickets, such as watches, straps, bracelets, bracelets, dolls, mobile phone cases, etc. that support the Leisurely Card or a Card, but this can not integrate mobile payment, can not check the balance of the real time, the goods are also very tired, so do not continue to introduce here, interested readers can check the relevant goods on the Internet. The following is a compilation of electronic tickets commonly used in Taiwan using NFC sensing and integrated mobile payment apps, as well as their applicable mobile devices/mobile devices.

2.4 Virtual SIM card (eSIM)

　　Virtual SIM cards, eSIM cards, embedded SIM (embedded-SIM), digital SIM cards It refers to the SIM card specifications launched by the GSMA Association and built under the 4G service, which can be downloaded and enabled by remote means (mostly unlocked by scanning QR Code). Although the eSIM card is often referred to as a “virtual SIM card”, it is actually a chip that is much smaller than the traditional SIM card, which is directly embedded on the circuit board of the mobile device, so it is also a physical card and is built into the device, so it can save the card slot space of the general SIM card.

Now one person has one mobile phone, but many people will have two or more door numbers, such as one number is used to call the other door number for Internet access due to the factors of telecom preferential schemes, or businessmen who need to travel between home and abroad, or want to separate users from private numbers and public numbers. Those who have these needs, unless they use a dual SIM machine, can only use two single card machines, but this will increase the inconvenience of carrying, and even if there are three or more door numbers, even the dual SIM machine is not enough.

If you use an eSIM card, you can use many groups of numbers in the same mobile phone, and you do not have to be limited by whether you have a dual SIM or multi-SIM machine, and you do not need to carry more than one mobile phone. In addition to using more door numbers, there are many conveniences, such as saving the trouble of replacing SIM cards, especially most of today’s smartphones need return needles to be able to replace SIM cards, do not have to temporarily look for return needles, and do not have to worry about breaking or losing the card when changing SIM cards, after all, return needles and SIM cards are mostly smaller items (easy to lose), and there is no need to go to the physical store to get a SIM card or wait for the package to send the card.

Although the use of virtual SIM card/eSIM card can have the advantages of multiple door numbers on one machine, and the convenience of not needing to change cards, it also has two major disadvantages. One is that if the mobile phone is replaced or the mobile phone is lost, when you want to download the door number of the eSIM card again, the telecom operator will usually charge NT$300, and you cannot change the mobile phone like a physical SIM card (but most of the physical SIM card loss also needs to be charged for replacing the card); Second, to use the function of eSIM must have both an eSIM card support device and telecommunications, and currently only some smartphones and other mobile devices on the market support eSIM cards, but fortunately Taiwan’s five major telecommunications all support eSIM replacement services. The following is an introduction to telecommunications and related application information in Taiwan that support eSIM card replacement, as well as smartphones or other mobile devices that can use the eSIM function.

2.4.1 Telecom operators that support eSIM cards

To use the virtual SIM/eSIM function, both smartphones (or other mobile devices, such as smart watches, etc.) and telecommunication services are supported. Compared with mobile phones or other mobile devices that require eSIM support models, Taiwan’s five major telecommunications (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Big Brother, Far EasTone Telecommunications, Taiwan Star, Asia-Pacific Telecom) all support eSIM card replacement services, unless they use the second type of telecommunications (e.g., ibon mobile). 、Frameless action (Circles.Life). etc.), otherwise most users in Taiwan can apply for eSIM card services from the original telecom operator/telecom service provider/telecom company.

Although most users in Taiwan can apply to the original telecom operator to use the eSIM card service, the eSIM service provided by each telecom operator varies. For example, among the five major telecoms, only China Telecom has eSIM services that provide both monthly and prepaid cards, and the other four telecom home operators can only apply for eSIM card services with monthly rental door numbers, while prepaid cards do not; There are also general mobile phone eSIM cards usually only applied for in physical stores, but Taiwan Star provides online stores to apply for eSIM cards, but only for new applications and code-carrying users (old customers must go to physical stores), but far EasTone telecommunications roaming cards (overseas network cards, non-ordinary monthly rental eSIM) can be applied for online. The following is a table of differences in eSIM services provided by Taiwan’s five major telecoms.

2.4.2 Mobile devices that support eSIM cards

The above shows that Taiwan’s five major telecommunications can apply for virtual SIM card / eSIM card service, although most users in Taiwan can apply for an eSIM card, but it should be noted that eSIM must also be supported by smartphones or other mobile devices to be able to use eSIM services normally, because not all smart phones, smart watch brands on the market currently support eSIM, so you must pay attention to whether the device you use has eSIM technology, Otherwise, even if you apply for eSIM service with the telecom provider, you will not be able to use this function normally.

However, even if there are limited mobile devices that can support eSIM technology, most of the mobile devices that can support this function are large manufacturers and popular brands, such as Apple’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, as well as Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and so on. Therefore, the following is a table of mobile devices/mobile devices (including smartphones and smart watches) currently available in the market that support eSIM technology and their models.

Remark:

1. iPhones sold in Chinese mainland have a dual-body SIM card slot and do not offer an eSIM.
2. In Hong Kong and Macau, the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone XS have eSIM capabilities.
3. Google Pixel 3a purchased in Southeast Asia does not support eSIM.
4. Samsung Galaxy S20 hybrid dual SIM card, Samsung produces eSIM and non-eSIM versions of this model
5. The HUAWEI P40 Pro+ does not support eSIM.

3 Conclusion

With the advancement of science and technology, the progress of the times, and the popularity of mobile phones, card issuers have also issued more virtual cards according to different use scopes and offers, and for ordinary users, the use of virtual cards is increasing. Usually the application for a virtual card does not need to be applied for in person like a physical card, you only need to enter the information on the network to apply, which can also avoid the risk of leakage of counter data, and do not need to spend time queuing, filling in information application, and do not need to spend additional card fees, labor costs and other costs. As long as you tie various cards to your mobile phone, you can use one mobile phone to have functions such as consumption, points, transportation, and multiple door numbers.

Using different types of virtual cards can have a variety of advantages for different aspects of life. For example, using a virtual credit card can get the card faster, do not have to wait for the delivery of the physical card for multiple days, you can quickly spend after the card is verified, or you can use the physical credit card to bind the international Pay, reducing the security of carrying the card and increasing the security of the card number; The use of virtual membership cards does not require the application of a large number of physical membership cards, and can also be applied online without going through the store staff, reducing personal information leakage; Virtual e-ticket cards can reduce the risk of losing cards when hitchhiking and moving locations frequently; A virtual SIM card eliminates the hassle of using a return pin to insert a card, as well as damage or loss of a physical SIM and the use of more than two sets of mobile phone numbers.

Even though the benefits of virtual cards are very many, there are still a few places where physical cards can be used, but in most cases alternative methods are found. For example, although there are very few places that only have physical card machines (such as some rural areas, suburbs, traditional stores, etc.), in recent years, to promote mobile payment and digital life, more and more stores have changed to sensor-based card machines, and it is becoming more and more difficult for consumers to encounter stores that only support physical card machines; As long as the membership card is a way to scan the barcode, it can be bound to the mobile phone, unless it is only to look at the physical membership card but not scan the barcode, but there will be fewer and fewer such stores, and more and more stores will replace it with a barcode scanning membership card; As for electronic tickets, there is no physical card to use, and virtual cards can be used instead; In addition to the problem that mobile devices are not supported, and smartphones usually have a physical card slot, virtual SIM cards are also places where no virtual card can replace the physical card when using two (inclusive) or more door numbers.

In short, with the modern hand-to-hand machine, stores have changed to sensory card machines (credit cards), contactless card readers (electronic tickets), member code scanners (membership cards), and more and more technology (SIM cards) that can bind the card number or data of the physical piece to the mobile phone (SIM card), a mobile phone can replace a variety of physical cards, as well as use more door numbers, go out without carrying multiple cards or multiple mobile phones. In addition to increasing convenience, it can also avoid the risk of personal information leakage when applying for physical cards, and can also avoid side recording and remaking when using physical cards, improving information security protection and increasing personal privacy. During the epidemic, it can also avoid the touch of physical cards and people, as long as you use mobile phones to sense or scan barcodes to improve the effect of epidemic prevention. Finally, because the virtual card does not need to make a physical card, and the replacement of the card does not need to replace the physical card, it can reduce the consumption of plastic and chip of the card, reduce transportation resources, card production costs, and do not need to manage a large number of physical cards, save energy, reduce carbon emissions, environmental protection love the earth, reduce carbon footprint and also take a big step towards a minimalist life.

4 Related resources

This article introduces many types of virtual cards, as well as the ability to bind various physical card numbers to smartphones or other devices, to be able to use multiple cards with a single mobile phone when going out, and to reduce the thickness of wallets, wallets, card holders, etc., so that you can travel lightly. But in addition to virtual cards, there are many tools in life that can virtualize things, and the following introduces the relevant resources published on this site: virtual mobile phone number, email address.

4.1 Virtual Mobile Number

　　Virtual mobile phone number refers to the ability to apply for a set of mobile phone numbers (door numbers) online in the network service platform, usually do not need to apply through the telecom operator, different platforms, solutions can be divided into “SMS only”, “SMS only”, “only call”, “simultaneous sending and receiving SMS and call”, “simultaneous sending and receiving SMS, call and Internet access” and other functions.

Because there is no need to apply through the telecom operator, you can use these numbers quickly, simply, without binding, if you temporarily use a set of numbers (such as applying for a network service platform), or in order to protect privacy and do not want to disclose the phone number, you can use a virtual mobile phone number, but at the same time the function is relatively simple, can not be like the various services provided by the telecom operator, but also does not ensure the quality of service, and it is more difficult to find customer service personnel. However, if you want to quickly obtain a temporary set of numbers, then it may be a convenient alternative, detailed resources can be found in the article “Virtual Mobile Numbers“, which is described in detail.

4.2 Virtual mail mailbox (email mailbox)

　　E-mail refers to the mailbox/mailbox that can send and receive e-mail/e-mail online, and can be divided into “personal mailbox (private mailbox)”, “corporate mailbox (multi-user mailbox, custom domain name mailbox)”, “temporary mailbox (clean box, disposable mailbox)”, and “education mailbox (EDU mailbox)” for teachers and students in schools.

Although with the rise and popularity of smart phones, mobile phone numbers may be used more frequently than email mailboxes, but the use of email mailboxes is also irreplaceable, for example, many network service platform account applications in addition to mobile phone numbers need to enter email boxes and receive authentication letters, in order to verify and open user accounts.

In addition, many membership card applications also require an e-mail address, or if you do not want to receive marketing letters at the main mailbox, you can also request a separate mailbox. In addition, more and more banks are now issuing credit cards, as long as they change the physical statement to an electronic statement, they can enjoy the preferential scheme of free annual fee for credit cards, and do not have to receive many physical activity leaflets.

In short, many store members’ physical discount letters, DM to email, credit card physical statements to electronic bills and other methods can reduce the receipt of physical letters, avoid full mailboxes, and also reduce resource waste, energy saving, carbon reduction, environmental protection and love the earth, and enjoy a simpler and simplified life like virtual cards. To find more e-mail addresses, you can refer to the article “E-mails“, which has a variety of common e-mail addresses.

References

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Update History

1. 2022/08/17, Apple Pay supported bank “Mega International Commercial Bank” was added.
2. 2022/05/18, added multi-language version.
3. 2022/05/17, Yushan Bank’s “Yushan Digital e-Card” was added.
4. 2022/05/14, China Airlines co-branded card of China Trust Bank was added.
5. 2022/05/14, the Federal Bank of the Federal Grey Point Card was added.
6. 2022/05/14, the Federal Happiness M Card of the Federal Bank was added.
7. 2022/05/14, the “5688 Co-branded Card” of Wing Fung Bank has been added.
8. 2022/05/14, Cathay United Bank added “Formosa Plastics Co-Brand Card”.
9. 2022/05/14, Yushan Bank’s “Yushan Pi Wallet Credit Card” was added.
10. 2022/05/14, the “Jiekou Co-branded Card” of Taishin Bank has been added.
11. 2022/05/14, the “Momo Card” of Taipei Fubon Bank was added.
12. 2022/05/14, a new chapter on “Credit cards without physical cards” was added.
13. 2022/04/09, “DNSChecker” added.
14. 2022/04/09, Taipei Fubon Bank’s “Open Possible Virtual Card” was added.
15. 2022/03/18, HSBC’s “Virtual Business Credit Card” was added.
16. 2022/03/18, China CITIC Bank International’s “Motion Virtual Credit Card” was added.
17. 2022/03/18, ICBC Virtual Electronic Credit Card (ICBC Virtual Electronic Credit Card) of ICBC Asia (Overseas Branch) was added.
18. 2022/03/18, Apple’s “Apple Card” was added.
19. 2022/03/18, the “Portuguese Joint Virtual Card” of Taishin Bank was added.