Dealing with phone tech can sometimes feel a bit like navigating a maze blindfolded, can’t it? But honestly, with a bit of guidance, most issues are pretty straightforward. Today, we’re diving into the world of eSIMs on your iPhone – a feature that’s becoming more and more common. It’s essentially a digital SIM card built right into your phone. This nifty little thing means no more fiddling with tiny physical cards when you want to change networks, especially handy when you’re jetting off abroad.
Now, using an eSIM is brilliant for flexibility and convenience, but sometimes getting it set up, moved, or even taken off can feel a bit daunting. Don’t fret, we’re going to walk through activating your eSIM, transferring it to a new iPhone, and how to remove one if you need to.
What Exactly is an eSIM?
Think of an eSIM as a programmable chip inside your iPhone. Instead of needing a physical SIM card from your network provider, the information is downloaded digitally. This means you can switch between different mobile plans without ever swapping out a physical card. You can even manage eight or more eSIMs on one device, though you’ll likely use two phone numbers at once with Dual SIM capability.
Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need
To use an eSIM on your iPhone, you’ll typically need a few things:
- An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or a later model.
- A wireless network provider or worldwide service provider that actually supports eSIM. Not all do, so it’s worth checking!
- Usually, your iPhone will need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network for activation. However, iPhone 14 models and later purchased in the US (which are eSIM only) can sometimes activate without Wi-Fi.
- It’s also a good idea to make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Keeping your software updated can prevent all sorts of glitches.
How to Activate An eSIM on iPhone
There are a few ways to get your eSIM up and running, depending on your network provider and when you’re setting it up.
1. During Initial iPhone Setup:
If you’re setting up a brand new iPhone, especially if you bought an iPhone 14 model or later in the US (as these are eSIM only in the US), the process is often quite straightforward.
- Just turn on your new iPhone and follow the onscreen instructions.
- If your network provider uses eSIM Network Provider Activation, they might have already assigned an eSIM to your iPhone when you bought it. It should activate automatically during setup.
- If your provider supports eSIM Quick Transfer, you might be able to transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to the new one during the setup process without needing to call them. You’ll see prompts on the screen asking you to transfer your physical SIM or eSIM.
2. After Setting Up Your iPhone:
Already set up your iPhone? No problem, you can add or transfer an eSIM later.
eSIM Network Provider Activation (after setup)
If your provider has set this up, you might get a notification saying “Provider Mobile Data Plan Ready to Be Installed”. Tap this notification. You can also find this in Settings > Provider Mobile Data Plan Ready to Be Installed. Follow the prompts and tap Continue. Make a call to check it works. If it replaces a physical SIM, remove the old SIM and restart your iPhone.
eSIM Quick Transfer (after setup)
You can transfer from a previous iPhone if both devices have iOS 16 or later.
- On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data (or Cellular) > Add eSIM.
- Choose a plan to transfer from another iPhone. If you don’t see a list, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
- Look for instructions on your previous iPhone to confirm the transfer. You might tap Transfer or enter a verification code shown on the new iPhone.
- Wait for the plan to activate on the new iPhone. Your old SIM will be deactivated.
- You might see a banner saying “Finish Setting Up Your Network Provider’s Data Plan”. Tapping this may take you to your provider’s web page to complete the transfer.
Using a QR Code
Your network provider can give you a QR code.
- After setup, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Add Mobile Data Plan (or Set Up Cellular/Add eSIM). You might need to tap “Use QR Code” or “Other Options” first.
- Scan the QR code provided by your carrier using your iPhone’s camera. Position the phone so the code is in the frame.
- When “Mobile Data Plan Detected” appears, tap it.
- Tap Continue.
- Tap Add Mobile Data Plan.
- You might need to enter a confirmation code from your provider.
- Pro tip: If you get the QR code in an email or on a webpage on an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, you can often touch and hold the code and tap Add eSIM directly.
Using a Link
Some providers send a link instead of a QR code (requires iOS 17.4 or later). Just tap the link to start setup. When prompted, tap Allow, then Continue.
Using Your Carrier’s App
If your provider has an app that supports eSIM activation, download it from the App Store and follow their instructions within the app.
Manual Entry
In some cases, you might need to manually enter the eSIM details provided by your network provider.
- Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Add Mobile Data Plan.
- Tap Enter Details Manually.
- Enter the information your provider gave you.
Once you’ve completed the steps, your eSIM should be active. To check, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) and see if the new line is listed and turned on.
Transferring Your eSIM to a New iPhone (or Converting a Physical SIM)
We touched on Quick Transfer for activating a new iPhone, but you might want to transfer your number after initial setup, or even convert a physical SIM you already have to an eSIM on the same phone.
Transferring from Previous iPhone (eSIM Quick Transfer):
- As mentioned above, on your new iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data (or Cellular) > Add eSIM.
- Choose the plan from your previous iPhone or tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
- Follow the prompts on both phones to confirm. This works best if both iPhones are nearby, have Bluetooth on, and are running iOS 16 or later. Your previous iPhone might need to be unlocked with the device passcode or signed into the same Apple Account.
- Remember, once the plan activates on the new iPhone, it will be deactivated on the old one.
- If you don’t have access to your previous iPhone, you’ll need to contact your network provider to transfer the eSIM.
Transferring from a Non-Apple Device:
If you’re moving from an Android or other non-Apple phone, you’ll need to contact your network provider. They will typically transfer your eSIM via eSIM Network Provider Activation or by providing a QR code for you to scan.
Converting a Physical SIM to eSIM (on the same iPhone):
If your network provider supports it, you can convert your existing physical SIM card to an eSIM on the same iPhone.
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data (or Cellular).
- Tap Convert to eSIM.
- Important: If you don’t see this option, your network provider doesn’t support this specific method. You’ll need to contact them to move your number using Network Provider Activation or a QR code instead.
- Tap Convert Mobile Data Plan, then Convert to eSIM.
- Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your physical SIM will be deactivated.
- Finally, remove the physical SIM from your iPhone and restart the device.
Troubleshooting Transfer Issues
If your eSIM transfer isn’t working, there could be a few reasons. Basic steps often help:
- Check your iOS version is up to date.
- Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on and you have a strong internet connection.
- Ensure your phone is unlocked and you have your device passcode handy.
- Keep the devices close together.
- Sometimes, resetting network settings can help clear bugs. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Phone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Be aware this removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings.
- A force restart of your iPhone can also resolve temporary issues.
- If you’ve tried these steps and the transfer still fails, you’ll likely need to contact your network provider or Apple Support.
How to Remove (Erase) Your eSIM
There are specific reasons why you might need to erase an eSIM from your iPhone:
- You’ve transferred the data plan or phone number to another device.
- You’re going to sell, trade in, or give away your device.
Crucially, Apple advises against erasing your eSIM as a general troubleshooting step unless your network provider specifically tells you to. If you erase it, you will need to contact your provider to get a new one and set it up again. Some users have reported losing their plan entirely or having difficulty reactivating after removing an eSIM without their carrier’s guidance.
Here’s how to erase an eSIM from your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- If you have a single plan, tap Delete eSIM.
- If you have multiple plans, tap the specific plan you want to remove, then tap Delete Plan.
When you erase all content and settings from your iPhone, you’ll be given the option to erase your eSIMs as well or keep them.
A Note on the “Remove All eSIMs” Reset: In some online communities, users discuss a specific reset option under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Phone > Reset > Remove all eSIMs. This option is mentioned by some users as having fixed their “stuck activating” issues.
However, it’s important to understand that this is a more drastic step than simply deleting an individual plan, and some users have reported this causing problems, including the deletion of working eSIMs that were not stuck. Proceed with caution if using this method, and be prepared to contact your network provider afterwards to get your plan reactivated or reissued if necessary.
When Things Get Sticky
If you encounter issues:
- Check your network provider: Ensure they support eSIM and the activation method you’re trying to use.
- Verify your iPhone model and location: Not all models support eSIM (XS or later are needed). iPhone models sold in China mainland do not support eSIM, while certain models in Hong Kong and Macao use two physical nano-SIMs. US iPhone 14 models and later are eSIM only.
- Ensure a stable internet connection: Wi-Fi or cellular is usually needed for activation and transfer.
- Update iOS: Outdated software can cause compatibility problems.
- Contact your network provider: They are your primary point of contact for activating, transferring, or troubleshooting your specific mobile plan and eSIM details.
- Stuck Activating? If your eSIM shows “activating” or “activation failure” especially when travelling, it might just be waiting for you to arrive at your destination country and connect to a local network. Sometimes, simply waiting can resolve it. If it persists, deleting and re-adding the eSIM profile (with help from your carrier) has worked for some.
Using an eSIM offers loads of advantages, making managing your mobile plans much smoother. While the setup and transfer process is designed to be easy, knowing the different methods and potential troubleshooting steps means you’re well-prepared for whatever comes your way.
If you hit a wall, remember your network provider is the expert on your specific plan, and Apple Support can help with device-side issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them!
