About eSIM on iPhone

Find out what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone and how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM.

What is eSIM on iPhone?

An eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM built into your iPhone, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card. This innovative feature enables you to switch between SIMs effortlessly, manage eight or more eSIMs, and activate new plans digitally. With eSIM, you enjoy greater flexibility, enhanced convenience, better security and seamless connectivity, especially when travelling internationally.

What you need

• An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later

• A wireless service provider or worldwide service provider that supports eSIM

• Your new iPhone needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network. iPhone 14 models and later that are eSIM only can activate without a Wi-Fi network.

In China mainland, iPhone models do not support eSIM. In Hong Kong and Macao, certain iPhone models feature Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards. For people visiting China mainland who want to use an eSIM for prepaid data plans, these are offered by many worldwide service providers.

How to set up an eSIM on iPhone

If you purchased an iPhone 14 model or later in the United States, your iPhone will activate with an eSIM. Setting up your eSIM is usually just a matter of turning on your new iPhone and following the onscreen instructions.

You can activate your eSIM while you're setting up your iPhone if your carrier supports eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer. With eSIM Carrier Activation, your carrier assigns an eSIM to your iPhone when you purchase it. With eSIM Quick Transfer, you transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting your carrier. You can also use these steps later to add or transfer an eSIM. If you are unable to use either of the below options to set up your eSIM, contact your network provider to activate your eSIM using a QR code or your network provider's iPhone app.

Use eSIM Provider Activation on iPhone

eSIM Carrier Activation usually happens when you purchase from a network provider and you provide your mobile plan details. If an eSIM was assigned to your iPhone when you bought it, turn on your iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions to activate your eSIM.

If you contacted your carrier for an eSIM after you set up your iPhone, and they set up eSIM Carrier Activation, follow these steps: 

1. When a notification appears that says Carrier Mobile Plan Ready to Be Installed, tap it.

2. In the Settings app, tap Carrier Mobile Plan Ready to Be Installed.

3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.

4. Make a call on your iPhone to check its mobile connectivity. If you can't make a call, contact your service provider.

5. If the plan you activated replaces the plan on your physical SIM, remove your physical SIM. Then restart your iPhone.

Use eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone

Some network providers support eSIM Quick Transfer, allowing you to transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. You can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM.

Make sure that you’re signed in with your Apple Account on both devices, or that your previous iPhone is unlocked, nearby with Bluetooth turned on and using iOS 16 or later. If you don't have access to your current iPhone, contact your carrier to transfer your eSIM.

While you're setting up your iPhone, if you're asked to transfer your SIM, follow the onscreen instructions to transfer your physical SIM or eSIM. If you need to transfer more than one SIM to your new iPhone, transfer your additional SIMs by following the steps below.

Use a QR code

You can use a QR code from your service provider to set up eSIM on your iPhone.

To activate your eSIM while setting up your iPhone:

1. When you get to the Set Up mobile screen, tap Use QR code.

2. Follow the onscreen instructions.

To activate your eSIM after you set up your iPhone, contact your carrier to get a QR code. Then follow these steps:

1. Open the Camera app and scan your QR code. When the Mobile Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.

2. If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later and you receive a QR code from your service provider in an email, or from the service provider’s website, touch and hold the QR code, then tap Add eSIM.

3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.

4. Tap Add Cellular Plan.

If you’re asked to enter a confirmation code to activate your eSIM, enter the number that your service provider provided.

Other eSIM activation methods

Some service providers may send you a link instead of a QR code to download your eSIM.

1. On your iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, tap the link to set up your eSIM.

2. When the Activate New eSIM notification appears, tap Allow.

3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.

If your carrier supports activating eSIM using an app, download your carrier's app from the App Store and follow the instructions.

Enter the eSIM information manually if necessary

1. Contact your carrier to get the eSIM details you need to enter.

2. Go to Settings.

3. Tap either mobile or Mobile Data.

4. Tap Add Cellular Plan.

5. Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of your iPhone screen.

Transferring an eSIM from an Android or other non-Apple device

If you are transferring an eSIM from a non-Apple device to an iPhone, you must contact your network provider to have them transfer your eSIM either by eSIM network provider activation or by providing a QR code. If you purchased your iPhone directly from Apple or from a network provider in the US, they may have already assigned an eSIM to your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer your eSIM. If you do not see on-screen instructions, contact your network provider.

Get help

If you can’t set up an eSIM