This guide will walk you through the steps required to install an eSIM on an Apple iPhone running iOS.
The screenshots below were taken using an Apple iPhone running iOS 16.3. The appearance and settings on your phone may differ slightly from those shown in the guide.
This guide covers two installation options: "installation using a QR code" or "manual installation".
Before you begin installing the eSIM, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- strong internet connection – e.g. Wi-Fi or a good 4G/5G connection
- phone that supports eSIM installation – if you are not sure, check here
- phone not locked by the carrier – if you are not sure whether your phone is carrier-locked
*Don't forget to enable "Data Roaming" after installing the eSIM!
Step 1
Scan the QR code. There are two ways to scan the QR code:
Method 1
1.1) Open the camera on your phone > Scan the QR code you received by email > Tap "Cellular Plan"
Method 2
1.2) Go to "Settings" > Tap "Cellular" > Tap "Add eSIM" > Tap "Use QR Code" > Scan the QR code
Step 2 Tap "Continue" > Wait up to 10 minutes for the eSIM to be activated > Tap "Done"
Step 3 There are two options at this stage — we recommend option 3.1
Either
3.1) Tap "Continue" and go to Step 4
or
3.2) You can change the label of the added eSIM "<<name of added eSIM>>" instead of using the default name.
If you want to change the default eSIM label before moving to the next step:
Tap ">" (right arrow) > Then choose a name from the list or type your own in the "Custom Label" field > Tap "Done" > Tap "Continue"
In this example the new eSIM name was changed to "My eSIM".
*Note: option 3.2 presented here will not be available if you already have eSIMs installed. In that case, "Custom Label" can be changed after the eSIM installation is complete.
Step 4 Configure the newly added eSIM:
- Set Default Line to "Primary" > Tap "Continue"
- Set iMessage & FaceTime to "Primary" > Tap "Continue"
- Set Cellular Data to the name you set earlier for the new eSIM, in our example "My eSIM"
WARNING! The "Allow Cellular Data Switching" option is off by default — we recommend keeping it off when abroad in a country where your primary number does not have a special data plan (if this option is on, the phone may use your primary number instead of the new eSIM for internet access and unexpectedly incur roaming charges) > Tap "Done".
Step 5 The new eSIM is installed and configured.
IMPORTANT: The "Data Roaming" option MUST be enabled for the eSIM to work correctly.
Go to "Settings" > Tap "Cellular" > Select the eSIM > Toggle "Data Roaming" to on
Manual eSIM installation
Step 1 Go to "Settings" > Tap "Cellular"
Step 2 Tap "Add eSIM" > Tap "Use QR Code" > Tap "Enter Details Manually"
Step 3 Enter the "SM-DP+ Address" and "Activation Code" > Tap "Next"
Leave "Confirmation Code" empty
Step 2 Tap "Continue" > Wait up to 10 minutes for the eSIM to be activated > Tap "Done"
Step 3 There are two options at this stage — we recommend option 3.1
Either
3.1) Tap "Continue" and go to Step 4
or
3.2) You can change the label of the added eSIM.
- Set Default Line to "Primary" > Tap "Continue"
- Set iMessage & FaceTime to "Primary" > Tap "Continue"
- Set Cellular Data to the name of the new eSIM
IMPORTANT: The "Data Roaming" option MUST be enabled for the eSIM to work correctly.
Go to "Settings" > Tap "Cellular" > Select the eSIM > Toggle "Data Roaming" to on
