What an eSIM is and why you might use one
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lives in your iPhone's software instead of as a physical chip you insert. It stores the same information a regular SIM card does — your phone number, carrier details, and plan information — but takes up no physical space. You can switch carriers or add a second phone number without visiting a store or waiting for mail.
iPhones from the iPhone XS onward support eSIM. Some models (like iPhone 14 and newer in the US) use eSIM only and have no physical SIM slot at all. Others let you use both a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time, which is useful if you want a work number and a personal number on one phone, or if you travel and want to add a local carrier without removing your home SIM.
Your carrier must support eSIM for this to work. Most major carriers do — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and many international carriers offer eSIM. Smaller carriers and some regional providers may not. Check with your carrier before you start.
Key Takeaways
- You need an eSIM-compatible iPhone (XS or newer) and a carrier that supports eSIM before you begin.
- The fastest method is to scan a QR code your carrier provides, which takes about two minutes and requires no manual entry.
- If your carrier does not provide a QR code, you can enter the activation details manually through Settings, though this takes longer and is more error-prone.
- You can set up eSIM during iPhone setup or later through Settings > Cellular, and you can have both a physical SIM and an eSIM active at the same time.
- After activation, your phone may need to restart, and it can take a few minutes for service to appear — this is normal.
Getting your eSIM activation details from your carrier
Before you touch your iPhone, contact your carrier and ask for eSIM activation. They will either send you a QR code by email or text, or they will give you an activation code (usually a long string of numbers and letters). Some carriers let you generate the QR code yourself through their website or app.
A QR code is the easiest route — your iPhone can scan it in seconds and pull in all the details automatically. If your carrier only offers an activation code, you will type it manually into your phone, which is slower and leaves room for typos. Ask your carrier which option they support before you proceed.
Keep the QR code or activation code handy. You will need it within the next few minutes. If your carrier sent it by email, open that email on a computer or a different device — you cannot scan a QR code from the same phone you are setting up.
Installing eSIM during iPhone setup
If you are setting up a new iPhone or resetting an existing one, you can add eSIM during the initial setup process. When you reach the "Cellular" or "Set Up Cellular" screen, tap "Use eSIM" or "Scan QR Code" (the exact wording varies by iOS version).
If your carrier provided a QR code, hold your iPhone up to the code and let the camera read it. The phone will recognize the code and pull in your carrier details automatically. If you have an activation code instead, tap "Enter Details Manually" and type the code into the fields that appear.
After the code or details are entered, tap "Next" or "Activate" and wait for the phone to process the information. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. Your phone may restart during this time — this is normal and expected.
Adding eSIM to an iPhone you already own
Open Settings and tap "Cellular" (or "Mobile" on some iOS versions). Tap "Add Cellular Plan" or the plus icon next to "Cellular Plans." Your phone will open the camera and prompt you to scan a QR code.
If you have a QR code from your carrier, position it in front of the camera and hold steady for a few seconds. The phone will recognize it and show you a preview of the plan details — carrier name, phone number, and plan type. Tap "Add eSIM" or "Confirm" to proceed.
If your carrier gave you an activation code instead of a QR code, look for a link or button that says "Enter Details Manually" or "Don't Have a QR Code." Tap it and type the activation code into the field. The phone will validate the code and show you the plan details. Tap "Add eSIM" to finish.
After activation, your phone may restart or show a loading screen for a minute or two. Once it settles, go back to Settings > Cellular and confirm that your new plan appears in the list. You should see your carrier name and phone number listed.
Choosing which SIM to use for calls, texts, and data
If you now have both a physical SIM and an eSIM active, your iPhone will ask you to choose which one handles calls, texts, and data. You can set them differently — for example, use your work eSIM for data but your personal physical SIM for calls.
Go to Settings > Cellular and tap "Cellular Plans" or "Default Line." You will see both your SIMs listed. Tap each one and choose whether it handles "Calls & SMS" or "Data" or both. The phone will remember these choices and switch between them automatically based on what you are doing.
You can change these settings anytime. If you travel and want to switch to a local carrier temporarily, go back to Cellular Plans and flip the data setting to your travel eSIM. When you get home, switch it back.
Troubleshooting if activation fails
If the QR code does not scan, make sure the code is well-lit and fully visible on your screen. Move closer or farther away until the camera focuses. If it still will not scan, try entering the activation code manually instead.
If you enter the activation code and the phone says it is invalid, double-check that you typed it correctly — these codes are long and easy to mistype. Copy and paste the code from your carrier's email if possible, rather than typing it by hand. If the code is correct and still does not work, contact your carrier — the code may have expired or been used already.
If activation appears to succeed but you have no service after 10 minutes, restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on. Sometimes the phone needs a restart to fully activate the eSIM. If service still does not appear, contact your carrier's support line and confirm that the eSIM was activated on their end.
Removing or switching eSIMs later
If you want to remove an eSIM, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans, tap the plan you want to remove, and tap "Remove Cellular Plan." The phone will ask you to confirm. Once removed, that phone number will no longer work on your iPhone.
To switch carriers, simply add a new eSIM using the same steps above. Your iPhone can store multiple eSIMs, though only one can be active at a time (unless you also have a physical SIM). You can switch between them in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans by tapping the one you want to use.
If you are switching to a new iPhone, your old eSIM will not automatically move over. You will need to contact your new carrier or your current carrier and ask them to activate a new eSIM on your new phone. Some carriers can do this instantly through their app or website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes, on most iPhones. You can have both active and choose which one handles calls, texts, and data. However, iPhone 14 and newer in the US have no physical SIM slot — they use eSIM only. Check your iPhone model to see which option you have.
What if my carrier does not support eSIM?
Contact your carrier and ask if they plan to support it. If they do not, you will need to use a physical SIM card. Some carriers that do not offer eSIM directly may work through a third-party eSIM provider, though this usually costs extra and is slower than using your carrier directly.
Do I need Wi-Fi to set up eSIM?
You do not need Wi-Fi to scan a QR code or enter an activation code. However, your iPhone needs an internet connection to validate the code with your carrier's servers. If you have cellular service from another SIM, that works. Otherwise, connect to Wi-Fi first.
Can I transfer my eSIM to a different phone?
Not directly. eSIMs are tied to the phone they are activated on. To use the same number on a different phone, contact your carrier and ask them to deactivate the eSIM on the old phone and activate it on the new one. This usually takes a few minutes.
What happens if I lose my iPhone?
Your eSIM is stored on the phone itself, so it is not accessible from another device. However, you can contact your carrier and ask them to deactivate the eSIM on the lost phone and activate it on a replacement. This prevents someone else from using your number and plan.