If you can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone
Learn 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 cellular plan and eSIM on your iPhone from a carrier 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 Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen. Check if your carrier appears in the status bar. If not, go to the next step.
Go to Settings > Cellular and check if the number you're trying to activate is shown. 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 carrier settings
Check the carrier settings on your device, tap Settings > General > About, and scroll down to the eSIM section. Next to Carrier is your iPhone's carrier 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 carrier
If you still can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone, contact your carrier.
Gathering the following information ahead of time might be helpful:
Note the error message you are seeing on your iPhone.
Collect your iPhone and carrier account identifiers:
Your phone number
Your carrier account password and/or PIN
Your iPhone's IMEI or EID. To find them go to Settings > General > About.
