If you can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone
Find out what to do if you can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone.
What is an eSIM?
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.
What you need
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.
An active mobile plan and eSIM on your iPhone from a a network provider that supports eSIM.
Your iPhone or iPhone devices need the latest version of iOS that they can use.
Follow these steps
After following each step below, open Control Centre by swiping down from the top right-hand corner of the screen. Check if your network provider appears in the status bar. If not, go to the next step.
Go to Settings > Mobile data and check if the number you're trying to activate is displayed. If it is, turn off the line and then turn it back on again.
Restart your device.
On iPhone models running iOS 18, you can download the latest version of the Apple Support app to run additional diagnostics that may help determine the source of your device's issue.
Check the network provider settings
Check the network provider settings on your device. Tap Settings > General > About, and scroll down to the eSIM section. Next to Network Provider is your iPhone’s network provider name and a version number. Tap the version number. If an update is available, you'll see a prompt to select OK or Update.
Contact your network provider
If you still can’t set up an eSIM on your iPhone, contact your network provider.
Gathering the following information ahead of time may be helpful:
Note the error message you are seeing on your iPhone.
Collect your iPhone and network provider account identifiers:
Your phone number
Your network provider account password and/or PIN
Your iPhone’s IMEI or EID. To find them, go to Settings > General > About.
