How to activate an eSIM on your iPhone | Apple Support

Learn how to activate an eSIM on your iPhone using eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, and other methods. You can also learn how to activate a plan from Settings after your iPhone is set up.

Topics covered:
0:00 - Intro
00:23 - Before you start
00:42 - eSIM Carrier Activation
1:20 - eSIM Quick Transfer
2:17 - Other activation methods
2:42 - Activate an eSIM after setting up your iPhone

To learn more about this topic, visit the following article:

Additional Resources:

[FlyingColors]

In settings App “ Delete eSim” is a direct option, it should ask the password or Face ID before deleting it. What if kids accidentally clicks the delete eSim

[juss_james]

After using the iPhone 15 I’m began loving the E Sim option and don’t have to go through the hassle of popping a SIM card in each device

[Reikotsu]

eSIM should be an option, not be forced down our throats. This ruins it for people that wanna do a quick switch between different phones or for people that travel abroad. Completely unnecessary and ruins customer experience by forcing people to use something that is not fully supported yet.

[suviilms]

Quick question: If I were to quickly setup which is when I use another phone and transfer all that data and if that phone were to not have service, would it still make me setup the eSim or will it just complete and I’ll have to do it in settings? I know doing it in settings isn’t hard or anything but just wanted to know!

[ashermai]

What’s the benefit of eSIM over physical SIM and why is Apple so aggressively pushing eSIM’s adoption by removing physical SIM card tray?

[iLoveEmilia]

important note.
if you’re trading in your primary device, activate eSIM before you trade it in OR take out your physical sim. Especially in store as they will want to prompt you to erase your device and trade it in then and there. I was prompted with a verification code request to my phone number which I had no access to and had to go to my carrier the next business day to activate my eSIM.

I had a party to attend the same day and finding someone to lend me there phone so I can make a call to be let inside at 10pm is quite nerve racking.

[pocopython]

Can we do VoLTE wifi calling (like physical sim on other phones) through eSim if signal quality is poor or almost 0 ????

[AlvisWuNYC]

I just loving using Esim on my old iPhone 11 on iOS 16.0 update 100% ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[bijin.]

This is going to be very useful, come transfer time

[roselangston]

where do I get my qr scan from for a new iphone user? I have a pixel. I set everything up and now I can't make calls or get txt because I need my esim

[SpartanVissepo]

Such a hassle good God, that was more than 10 steps, and if you travel international frequently and the carrier doesn’t support eSIM then you sure are out of luck. Thanks Apple.

[aaronjaye]

can a non-us citizen activate esim in the usa on an iphone 14?

[uniquerod]

Something even I thought of and Apple didn’t think of and I’m certain that, thats a common question. Before we setup the new eSIM iPhone, do we remove the SIM card from the other device which we already have installed in other word moving from a old device to a new device. And I assume you can either toss away of keep it.

[cheddar]

How would I do it if I were to go from a physical sim card in my current Pixel 6 Pro to the iPhone 14 with Verizon? I'm guessing I'd go to their store and wait around for a while.

[nicoletiana]

I currently have the 13 pro max and an unboxing video of it on my channel, I have it in white. I think ima sit this one out and upgrade next year and I want the black one!

[tbell]

If you don't see these options call your carrier and get them to text you a temp one time pin which you have to repeat back to the representative you are on the phone with. After you repeat it back to them they will set up your phone remotely so you can use the eSim feature. After they do that restart your phone and then theses options will appear.

[TheExxl]

Sounds all great but does it transfer all my contacts too since they are all on my physical simcard?

[Maru]

What if old iPhone like iPhone 6, 6 plus, 6s, 6s plus, and iPhone 7 to eSIM new model 14, and 14 pro.

[leonardogutierrez]

I have my iPhone for +2yr (iPhone SE, 2nd GEN, iOS 16.3).Transfer a physical SIM to eSIM was done in a breeze, Settings-- Cellular-- Convert to eSIM-- & follow the prompts (if "Convert to eSIM" is not active, you need to go to your carrier). The physical SIM was deactivated & I was able to replace the physical SIM with other of a different country & carrier, iPhone should be unlocked for this to be possible. Now just to manage the best custom options to handle 2 active lines. This video, as well as related Apple support articles were very useful.

[omies_here]

Love you can convert the physical SIM card to eSIM!