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 that allows you to activate a mobile plan from your service provider without having to use a physical SIM. You can install eight or more eSIMs on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time.

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.*

eSIM on iPhone is not offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models feature eSIM. Find out about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. 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

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.  With either method, to activate your eSIM during setup, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions.

Some service providers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. Make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID on both devices, or make sure your previous iPhone is unlocked, is nearby with Bluetooth turned on and is running iOS 16 or later.

You can also use these options later to add or transfer an eSIM. If these options aren't available, contact your carrier to activate your eSIM using a QR code or your carrier's iPhone app.

If you purchased an iPhone 14 model or later in the United States, your iPhone will activate with an eSIM. To activate your eSIM using eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, or another activation method, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions.

Use eSIM Provider Activation on iPhone

Some providers and worldwide service providers can assign a new eSIM to your iPhone, making the setup process easy. This usually happens when you purchase from a carrier 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 instructions to activate your eSIM.

If you're switching to iPhone (from an Android phone, for example), contact your carrier to transfer your phone number to your iPhone through eSIM Carrier Activation or by scanning a QR code from your carrier.

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 carriers support SIM transfers 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.

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 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.

Learn more

• If you can’t set up an eSIM.

• If necessary, erase your eSIM.

• Find out how to use Dual SIM with eSIM.

• Find wireless service providers and worldwide service providers that offer eSIM service.

• Use eSIM while travelling abroad with your iPhone.