How do i activate esim on my iphone

Important: If you order a SIM card for your iPhone, you must activate service with your physical Fi SIM card before you can activate Fi with an eSIM.

You can activate Google Fi on iOS with an embedded SIM card (eSIM) instead of a physical SIM. You can also use cellular services with an eSIM.

eSIM benefits

  • Quick and easy set-up process without the need for a physical SIM card. 
  • You can't lose an eSIM.
  • SIM card waste is eliminated and reduced.
  • You can easily switch between your Google Fi eSIM and your carrier's physical SIM card. No need to remove the physical SIM card. 

Eligibility: Google Fi on iOS with an eSIM only works on iPhones SE (2020 version), XR, XS, XS Max, and 11 and up.

View a tutorial on how to set up your eSIM on iPhone.

Step 1: Join Fi and check iPhone compatibility

  1. Go to the Google Fi website.
  2. At the top right, tap Join Fi.
  3. Select your iPhone from a list of models.
    • If you select “Newest models” or "Newer models," you can opt in to "Quick setup" to activate Fi on with an eSIM. With this option, the user doesn't receive a physical SIM card.
    • If you select "Recent models" or "Older models," follow the on-screen instructions. eSIM doesn't work with older iPhone models.

If eSIM works with your iPhone model, opt in to “Get set up in 15 minutes” during sign up so you can activate Fi with an eSIM.

Step 2: Go to the Google Fi iOS app

  1. If you haven't downloaded it already, download the Google Fi iOS app.
  2. Once you opt in to eSIM activation on the Fi website, the Google Fi iOS app will perform device and iOS compatibility checks.
    • If both are compatible, select Get started to begin eSIM activation.
    • If either are incompatible, you'll get an error. You'll be asked to order a physical SIM or to upgrade your iOS.

Step 3: Begin eSIM activation

If the QR code doesn't work: Refresh the QR code page and scan the new QR code. If you need help, contact support. If the QR code page is on a computer and you can't find the instructions, increase the width of your browser window.

If you don't have a second device available

  1. Select "Don't have a computer?"
  2. Follow the instructions on the Fi app.

Switch between a physical SIM card and an eSIM

If you're already a Fi user, you can switch between a physical SIM and an eSIM.

Important: Before you suggest these steps, verify that the user is in the US. Activation must take place in the US, if the user switches SIMs while roaming internationally, it may affect their ability to roam.

To switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM:

  1. Make sure your physical SIM is inserted.
  2. Delete and reinstall the Google Fi iOS app.
  3. Sign in to the app with your Fi account.
  4. When prompted to set up the physical SIM card or eSIM, tap Set up using eSIM.

To switch from an eSIM to a physical SIM:

  1. Make sure you have an active eSIM and insert the physical SIM.
  2. Delete and reinstall the Google Fi iOS app.
  3. Sign in to the app with your Fi account.
  4. When prompted, tap Continue.

Tip: When you switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM, your iPhone may have multiple cellular profiles associated with your number. If you can’t make or receive calls, delete the old physical SIM cellular profile. For more information, visit support.apple.com.

  • Activate your Google Fi service
  • Set up and manage eSIM

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It’s no surprise at this point that the iPhone 14 series in the US doesn’t have a SIM tray. As a result, you’re forced to use an eSIM on your brand-new iPhone. The fact that there’s no SIM slot on the iPhone might scare some users. But, activating an eSIM isn’t that tough. We’ll tell you how you can activate an eSIM on your iPhone by following a few simple steps.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

There are a few different scenarios for activating an eSIM on the iPhone. We will cover all the possible situations including converting your physical SIM into an eSIM, transferring an eSIM from one iPhone to another, and using Dual SIM with an eSIM. So, grab your new iPhone, and let’s get started.

What Is eSIM

A lot of you may be wondering what is eSIM in the new iPhone 14. Is it new? Is it the first time Apple has introduced eSIM on an iPhone? Let’s answer all of those questions. Well, eSIM eliminates the need for a physical SIM card and instead, replaces it with an electronic or virtual SIM card.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

The concept of eSIM isn’t new. In fact, it has existed for years now with multiple phones supporting it across the world. eSIM on iPhone was first introduced with the iPhone XS. Since then, every new iPhone has had support for eSIM. However, it was only optional as all older iPhones also had a physical SIM slot. With the iPhone 14, though, using the eSIM is compulsory.

Which iPhones Support eSIM

As mentioned, the iPhone 14 isn’t the first iPhone with eSIM support. It’s merely the first iPhone to eliminate the SIM tray. Here’s a list of all iPhones supporting eSIM:

  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone SE (2020 & 2022)
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max

You can activate an eSIM on all of these iPhones.

Prerequisites for Activating an eSIM on iPhone

Before we start the process, it’s important to make sure you have everything that’s required to set up and use the eSIM on your iPhone. Here’s everything you need:

  • An iPhone from the list of supported devices above.
  • A connection with a carrier that supports eSIM. This includes common carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile in the US. If you’re unsure whether your carrier supports eSIM or not, it’s best to call them and check.
  • Unless you have a phone from the new iPhone 14 series, your iPhone needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to activate eSIM.

With that out of the way, let’s see how to set up eSIM on your iPhone.

How to Activate a Carrier Assigned eSIM on iPhone

This is the first type of eSIM activation that’s possible on your iPhone. If you’ve bought a carrier-locked version of an iPhone without a physical SIM tray, it will come with a carrier-assigned eSIM by default.

All you have to do to activate this eSIM is turn on your phone and go through the initial setup process. You will now see a pop-up that says ‘Cellular plan ready to be installed’. Tap on it and follow the on-screen instructions. Your eSIM will be activated and ready to use.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Alternatively, if you’re getting a new connection, you can request your carrier to directly provide you the connection as an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card.

How to Convert a Physical SIM into eSIM on iPhone

This is probably the most common use case if you’ve bought an iPhone 14 series device. Given that you would be using a physical SIM earlier, you would want to convert it into an eSIM to use on your new iPhone.

The steps to do this can be different for different carriers. Some carriers support direct on-device conversion from physical SIM to eSIM, while some require you to send an SMS or scan a QR code. We’ll go through all the methods.

I. Converting to eSIM on iPhone Directly on Supported Carriers

If your carrier supports direct eSIM conversion on the iPhone, here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select Cellular/Mobile Data.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 2: Look for the ‘Convert to eSIM’ option and tap on it. If you don’t find this option, it means your carrier doesn’t support it.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

As discussed earlier, there are multiple methods of switching physical SIM to eSIM. So, go through the next few sections where we have discussed all the possible methods to convert your SIM to eSIM and use your preferred one.

II. Converting Physical SIM to eSIM via QR Code

Some carriers can send you a QR code which you can scan to convert your physical SIM into an eSIM. Before we get started with the steps, you must contact your carrier and request a QR code first to convert your connection. Once you have it, proceed with the steps.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to the Cellular/Mobile Data section.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 2: Tap on Add eSIM.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 3: Since your carrier doesn’t support direct conversion/transfer of eSIM, you will see an error. Ignore it and select Other Options at the bottom.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 4: Now, tap on ‘Use QR Code’.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 5: Scan the QR code sent by your carrier and follow the on-screen instructions to activate your eSIM.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Once your eSIM gets activated, you can get rid of the physical SIM since it will become inactive.

III. Converting Physical SIM to eSIM via SMS

Some carriers let you convert your physical SIM into an eSIM by sending an SMS. Here’s how to go about it. We’re performing these steps in India with Reliance Jio as the carrier. The steps may vary for you depending on your carrier and region, so it’s best to contact your carrier for detailed instructions.

Before we get started, you will require your iPhone’s IMEI number and EID. Here’s how you can obtain both.

Obtaining IMEI and EID

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 2: Tap on About.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 3: Scroll down to the bottom and you will see both the IMEI and EID of your iPhone.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Note down this information somewhere and proceed to the next step.

Activating the eSIM

Step 1: Insert your physical SIM into your iPhone. If your iPhone doesn’t have a physical SIM slot, you will need another device to put the SIM into and send a message.

Step 2: Open the Messages app on the phone and type in the relevant message for your carrier. The message varies depending on your carrier so you can visit the carrier’s website or contact them for the exact message to send. Generally, it consists of a code along with the IMEI and EID of your iPhone.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 3: You will now receive an SMS consisting of the virtual eSIM card number along with further instructions.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 4: Follow the instructions as per your carrier to confirm the conversion of your physical SIM into eSIM. This is an important step.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 5: You should now see a notification on your iPhone that says ‘Data plan ready to be installed’. Tap on it.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to activate the eSIM. Once done, you will see a prompt that says Activating eSIM. Tap on Continue.

How do i activate esim on my iphone
How do i activate esim on my iphone

The eSIM will be activated in a short while on your iPhone. You have successfully converted your physical SIM into an eSIM.

III. Entering the eSIM Details Manually

Some carriers may choose to send you information related to the eSIM that you need to manually enter on your iPhone to activate it. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select Cellular/Mobile Data.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 2: Tap on Add eSIM.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 3: Select Other Options at the bottom of the screen. This will give you alternate methods.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 4: Now, tap on Use QR Code.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 5: Select Enter Details Manually. Contact your carrier to obtain all the details.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 6: Enter the relevant details and tap on Next.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Follow the on-screen instructions to activate your eSIM.

How to Transfer eSIM From One Phone to Another

You may already be using an eSIM on your older phone and would want to transfer it to your new iPhone. Again, there are two ways to do this depending on your carrier and the older device with the eSIM. Let’s go over both.

I. Transferring eSIM From Old iPhone to New iPhone

If your old phone is also an iPhone and your carrier supports it, you can directly transfer the eSIM from your old iPhone to the new one by following a few simple steps. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your new iPhone. Navigate to the Cellular/Mobile Data section.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 2: Tap on Add eSIM.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 3: When asked to choose a phone number, select the eSIM you wish to transfer from your old iPhone. The option should be available if your carrier supports it.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

If it’s greyed out, it means you cannot use this method. Skip the following steps and move to the next method.

Step 4: Once you select the number to transfer, bring your old iPhone close to the new iPhone. You will see a pop-up that says Transfer Phone Number. Tap on Continue.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 5: Enter the verification code shown on your new iPhone.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 6: Follow further instructions on the screen and your eSIM will be transferred from your old iPhone to the new one.

II. Transferring eSIM From Android to iPhone

While this process is mainly applicable for transferring your eSIM from Android to iPhone, it can also be used to transfer an eSIM from an iPhone to another iPhone if your carrier doesn’t support the abovementioned method.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Obtain the IMEI and EID of your new iPhone using the steps mentioned above. Then, follow the same process as mentioned under the converting Physical SIM to eSIM via SMS section. The only difference would be that you send the SMS using the old phone with the eSIM installed.

How to Use Dual SIM With eSIM on iPhone

You can use 2 SIMs on your iPhone simultaneously. This can be a combo of 1 physical SIM + 1 eSIM or 2 eSIMs on devices that don’t have a physical SIM slot.

The process to activate the secondary eSIM remains exactly similar to the ones mentioned above. To recap, this is all you have to do.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your new iPhone. Navigate to the Cellular/Mobile Data section.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Step 2: Tap on Add eSIM.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

Now, follow any of the processes mentioned earlier to convert your physical SIM to an eSIM or transfer it from your old phone to your new iPhone.

How to Check if eSIM Is Active on Your iPhone

Once activated, you will be able to see two active SIMs in the Cellular/Mobile Data section on your iPhone.

How do i activate esim on my iphone

You can tap on the respective SIMs to change their individual settings.

Frequently Asked Questions About eSIM on iPhone

1. Where to buy eSIM for iPhone?

You can contact your existing carrier for an eSIM. Depending on where you live, you will find a few carriers that support eSIM.

2. Can I use physical SIM and eSIM at the same time?

Absolutely. If your iPhone has a physical SIM slot, you can use 1 physical SIM and 1 eSIM at the same time.

3. Does eSIM work without an internet connection?

You need an internet connection to activate an eSIM unless you have an iPhone without a physical SIM tray. Once activated, you can use the eSIM without the internet.

4. What is the advantage of eSIM?

eSIM is quicker to activate, is more secure, and saves the environment since there’s no use of plastic.

5. How do I remove an eSIM from my iPhone?

You can delete an eSIM by going to the cellular settings on your iPhone and tapping on the Delete button. Some networks may have different methods, so it’s best to contact your carrier before deleting your eSIM.

6. Can I use WhatsApp on eSIM?

Of course! You can use all your apps on eSIM just the way you would with a physical SIM.

7. How long does an eSIM take to activate?

It entirely depends on your carrier. Sometimes, your eSIM may get activated instantly, whereas some carriers take about 2 hours to activate the eSIM.

eSIM on iPhone: Boon or Bane

While an eSIM is convenient to use, the process to activate it and get it to work is extremely fragmented. Every carrier has its way of activating or transferring an eSIM making the process more complicated than it should be. If you’re intimidated, you’re not alone. Just follow the relevant instructions on activating eSIM on your iPhone depending on your carrier or region and you should be good to go.

How do I activate my eSIM?

To download your eSIM profile on your Android device, you may receive an “activation code” from an eSIM carrier. The activation code is in fact a download link. It is often in the format of a QR code that you will scan with the camera of your phone or tablet to install and activate your eSIM profile on your device.

How do I activate eSIM manually?

Go to 'Scan carrier QR code'. – Press 'Enter code instead'. – Enter the activation code and press 'connect'. Press 'Add and use it now'.

Why is my eSIM not working on iPhone?

Make sure that your nano-SIM card is seated properly in the SIM tray: Remove the SIM tray and inspect the SIM cards for signs of damage or corrosion. Remove your SIM card from the SIM tray, then put the SIM card back. Make sure that you close the SIM tray completely, so that it isn't loose.

How do I know if I have eSIM on my iPhone?

To learn if your iOS device is eSIM compatible and carrier unlocked, you will need to: Go to Settings> General> About. Scroll down to view the “Carrier lock” section. It should say “NO SIM restrictions”, which means that the device is unlocked.