Quick answer: No MacBook currently supports eSIM. Unlike iPhones and cellular iPads, every MacBook ever sold, including the latest M4 models, connects only via Wi-Fi. But that's about to change: Apple is reportedly building its first MacBook Pro with 5G and eSIM, expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Here's how to get your MacBook online anywhere in the world today, and how to be ready the day cellular MacBooks arrive.
How to get internet on your MacBook today (no Wi-Fi needed)
The fastest way to connect your MacBook abroad is a personal hotspot from your phone, running on a Firsty eSIM on the Classic or Unlimited plan (hotspot needs one of these two). If you only need basic connectivity on your phone itself, Firsty Free covers that at no cost.
If you have an iPhone (Instant Hotspot):
Install the Firsty app on your iPhone and activate your eSIM (takes about 2 minutes, once, before you travel).
Land anywhere. Firsty connects automatically, no local SIM hunting, no roaming charges.
On your MacBook, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Your iPhone appears under "Personal Hotspot."
Click it. You're online. No password needed, Instant Hotspot works automatically when both devices use the same Apple ID.
If you have an Android phone:
Activate your Firsty eSIM in the app.
Turn on your hotspot: Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering.
Connect your MacBook to the hotspot network like any Wi-Fi network.
Battery tip: Tethering drains your phone. Connect your phone to your MacBook with a USB cable, you'll charge the phone and get a faster, more stable connection at the same time (enable USB tethering on Android; on iPhone, hotspot over USB works out of the box).
How much data does a MacBook use? More than a phone. Video calls run 0.5 to 1.5 GB per hour, and macOS loves to sync photos and download updates the moment it sees a connection. On Firsty, pick the Unlimited plan for work trips, or Classic (from €0.98/GB) if you mostly need email and browsing.
When will MacBooks get eSIM?
Apple is working on it, and for the first time, there's hard evidence rather than just rumors:
Code discovered in Apple software confirms a MacBook Pro with cellular connectivity is in active development. The code specifically referenced the C1 modem, codename "Centauri," the same chip that debuted in the iPhone 16e and supports standard eSIM.
By the time it ships, Apple may use a newer chip instead. C1X and C2 are the next generations in that modem family and are both plausible candidates, but neither has been directly tied to the MacBook Pro code found so far.
Timeline: late 2026 at the earliest, more likely early 2027, with reports pointing to possible delays from the global memory chip shortage.
Like cellular iPads, cellular MacBooks are expected to be eSIM-only, no physical SIM slot.
We track every credible development on our 5G MacBook rumor tracker.
Firsty on your cellular MacBook: day one
When Apple ships a MacBook with eSIM, Firsty will be there. The same eSIM approach that keeps 1.2M+ travelers connected on their phones, on your Mac:
One eSIM, 170 countries. No per-country plans to juggle
Same price in every country. No surprises
Pause anytime. Pay only when you travel
Don't wait for the hardware
You don't need a cellular MacBook to travel connected today. Get Firsty, activate on your phone, and your MacBook is online wherever you land, no waitlist, no waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MacBook support eSIM?
No. As of July 2026, no MacBook model supports eSIM or has cellular connectivity. Apple's first cellular MacBook Pro is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Does MacBook have cellular data?
No. Every current MacBook, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the newly released MacBook Neo, connects only via Wi-Fi. There's no cellular modem in any Mac laptop today.
Does the MacBook Neo have eSIM or 5G?
No. The MacBook Neo, released in March 2026, is a budget model built around the A18 Pro chip. It has no cellular modem and no eSIM support. It's a separate product from the rumored cellular MacBook Pro covered on this page, and the two shouldn't be confused despite both being recent Apple laptop news.
Can you get cellular data on a MacBook Air?
Not built in. The MacBook Air has no cellular modem. The best option is a personal hotspot from a phone with a travel eSIM like Firsty.
Why don't I see a Cellular option in my MacBook's Settings?
Because it isn't there. Unlike an iPhone or cellular iPad, macOS has no Cellular settings pane at all, since no Mac has ever shipped with a modem. If you're looking for it, you won't find it, that's expected, not a bug.
How do I use an eSIM on my MacBook right now?
You can't install one directly, but you can get the same result with a phone hotspot. Activate a Firsty eSIM on your phone, then share the connection over Wi-Fi or USB. See the setup steps above.
Can I use my phone's Firsty eSIM to connect my MacBook?
Yes. Activate Firsty on your phone and share the connection via personal hotspot. Hotspot/tethering is supported on Firsty's Classic and Unlimited plans.
Will the 5G MacBook use eSIM or a physical SIM?
Almost certainly eSIM-only, like every cellular iPad and US iPhone since 2022.
Which MacBook will get 5G first?
Reports point to the MacBook Pro line first, with Apple's in-house modem built into future M-series chips extending to other Macs from 2027.
