How to activate eSIM on an iPhone

Are you thinking of going SIM-free with your iPhone? That's a good choice. With a digital SIM intact, there is no struggle we all had throughout the existence of phones – of inserting a small card into your phone.

Activating eSIM technology is much more straightforward, as it lets you do everything electronically. In this article, we will walk you through the process of setting up a permanent eSIM on your iPhone, which is perfect for everyday use.

For our US readers who already actively use eSIM-only iPhones, this explains how to activate temporary travel eSIMs. These are also very handy, as they give you the option of staying connected abroad under better conditions – simply look into the best eSIMs list for suggestions of reputable providers. Now, let's dive into the eSIM setup!

How to set up an eSIM on iPhone

There are a few options to perform a successful iPhone eSIM setup:

Option 1: using a QR code from your carrier

1. Contact your carrier. Before you begin, reach out to your carrier to activate your eSIM plan. They'll provide you with a QR code.
2. Open Settings. On your iPhone, tap on the Settings app.
3. Find Cellular. Look for Cellular and tap on it.
4. Add eSIM. Depending on your iPhone's state, you might see "Set Up Cellular" or "Add eSIM." Tap on whichever option appears.
5. Scan the QR code. Open the Camera app on your iPhone. Hold your iPhone so the QR code from your carrier fits squarely within the camera frame. Your iPhone should automatically detect the code.
6. Activate eSIM. A notification saying "Cellular Plan Detected" will pop up. Tap on it. You might see additional on-screen instructions. Follow them to complete the activation.
7. Wait for activation. Be patient, as activating your eSIM might take a few minutes.

Option 2: entering details manually

1. Contact your carrier. Similarly, as in the QR code method, get in touch with your carrier to activate your eSIM plan. This time, instead of a QR code, they'll provide specific details like:
   1. SM-DP+ address
   2. Activation code
   3. A link
2. Open Settings. On your iPhone, tap on the Settings app.
3. Find Cellular. Look for Cellular and tap on it.
4. Add eSIM. Depending on your iPhone's state, you might see "Set Up Cellular" or "Add eSIM." Tap on whichever option appears.
5. Choose Manual Entry. You might see an option like "Use QR Code" by default. Look for "Other Options" or similar wording and tap on it. Then, select "Enter Details Manually."
6. Enter Carrier Details. Here, you'll enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code provided by your carrier. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
7. Wait for Activation. Again, as in the QR code method, activating your eSIM might take a few minutes.

Option 3: using an external eSIM provider

Before you begin:

1. Choose an external eSIM provider. Research and select a reputable external eSIM provider offering plans for your desired region or data needs. Saily, our top pick in the best eSIMs category, offers an easy setup, 24/7 support, and data plans in over 150 countries, which is especially important when traveling.
2. Check compatibility. Ensure your iPhone model supports eSIM and that your carrier allows using external eSIM providers (not all carriers do).

The activation process (may vary slightly depending on the provider):

1. Purchase a plan. Visit your chosen eSIM provider's website or app and purchase a data plan for your desired region and duration.
2. Download the provider's app (if applicable). Some providers might require you to download their app to manage your eSIM plan.
3. Receive activation instructions. The provider will likely send you an activation code or a QR code via email or within their app.
4. Open iPhone Settings. On your iPhone, tap on Settings.
5. Find Cellular. Look for Cellular and tap on it.
6. Add eSIM. Depending on your iPhone's state, you might see "Set Up Cellular" or "Add eSIM." Tap on whichever option appears.
7. Choose the activation method. These are the most likely options:
   1. Using a QR code or a link. If your provider sent a QR code, scan it with your iPhone's camera app as instructed previously. If it’s a link, simply click on it.
   2. Entering details manually. If you received an activation code, select the option to enter details manually and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
8. Automatic activation. In the best-case scenario, with a compatible provider and phone, your eSIM should automatically activate after scanning the QR code or entering the details. You might receive a confirmation message once it's ready to use.

Iphones that support eSIM

Not all iPhones support eSIM technology. iPhones XR and later models introduced by Apple all have eSIM capability. This means older iPhones like the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 don't have eSIM.

On the other hand, the latest iPhone 15 series comes in a model (USA version) that only works with eSIM and doesn't have a slot for a physical SIM card. Here's a list of iPhones that generally support eSIM:

iPhone Model	Number of active eSIMs supported
iPhone XS	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone XS Max	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone XR	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 11	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 11 Pro	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 11 Pro Max	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone SE (2nd generation)	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 12 mini	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 12	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 12 Pro	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 12 Pro Max	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 13 mini	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 13	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 13 Pro	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 13 Pro Max	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone SE (3rd generation)	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 14	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 14 Plus	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 14 Pro	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 14 Pro Max	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 15	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 15 Plus	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 15 Pro	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)
iPhone 15 Pro Max	Up to 2 (one physical SIM + one eSIM)

Important things to keep in mind:

1. eSIM compatibility can vary depending on the country or region. Mobile carriers might offer eSIM services in some countries but not in others. For example, iPhones from Hong Kong and Macao do not support eSIM cards (with the exception of the iPhone SE 2020, iPhone XS, iPhone 13 mini, and iPhone 12 mini). Before switching to an eSIM, check with your carrier to see if they support it in your area.
2. Your iPhone must be unlocked to use an eSIM from a different carrier. If you're traveling internationally and want to use a local eSIM provider, make sure your iPhone is unlocked from your primary carrier. Otherwise, you might not be able to activate the eSIM.
3. Compatibility might also differ between mobile carriers. Not all carriers support eSIM technology, and even if they do, they might only offer it for certain plans or phone models. It's always best to confirm eSIM compatibility with your specific carrier.

How to transfer eSIM to a new iPhone

Moving your eSIM to a new iPhone is easy, especially if both iPhones have iOS 16 or later. Here's how to do it in a few steps:

If both iPhones have iOS 16 or later:

1. Turn on Wi-Fi on both iPhones.
2. On your old iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Choose your eSIM plan > Transfer Cellular Plan. Confirm the transfer.
3. On your new iPhone, you'll see a pop-up asking you to approve the transfer. Tap it.
4. Wait a few minutes for the transfer to complete. You're good to go!

For iOS 15 or earlier iPhones (only if your old iPhone is an iPhone XS or from later series):

1. Back up your old iPhone (optional but recommended).
2. Set up your new iPhone completely, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Restore from your backup when prompted.
4. During restore, enter the confirmation code sent to your old iPhone's number. This transfers the eSIM.

How to check if eSIM is activated on iPhone?

If you’re unsure whether an eSIM is activated on your iPhone, you can follow these simple steps to know for sure:

1. Open the Settings, scroll down, and tap on Cellular.
2. Look for the section related to SIMs or cellular plans. It might be called "Cellular Plans" or just show icons representing your SIMs.
3. If your eSIM is activated, you'll see it listed here. It might have a name you assigned to it or simply show the carrier information.
4. You can also tap on the eSIM itself (if listed separately) to see additional details about the plan, like data remaining or signal strength.

If you don't see your eSIM listed:

• It might not be activated yet. Contact your carrier to confirm the activation status or complete any necessary steps.
• In some cases, the eSIM might be hidden within a main cellular plan if you have both a physical SIM and an eSIM active.

How to delete eSIM from iPhone?

Here are the steps to follow to delete eSIM from your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Cellular.
3. You'll see a list of cellular plans or SIMs. Locate the eSIM you want to delete.
4. Tap on the eSIM.
5. Look for the option to Delete eSIM. It might be worded slightly differently depending on your iOS version, but it should be clear. You might see options like "Remove Cellular Plan" or "Delete eSIM" itself.
6. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Can I add an eSIM to a locked iPhone?

No, adding an eSIM to a locked iPhone is a no-go. Locked iPhones are restricted to their carrier's network, and adding an eSIM requires downloading a profile from a different carrier's network.

To use an eSIM with a different carrier, unlock your iPhone with your current carrier first, and then you're free to download and activate an eSIM from any compatible carrier.