How To Put Esim In Iphone

How dual sim (physical + eSIM) work on iPhone

The iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are dual SIM capable smartphones that allow you to use both a nano-SIM card and an eSIM card at the same time. On those devices, you can insert a sim card (the one you insert in your nano-SIM slot), plus use an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate a mobile rate plan with an operator without having to use a physical nano-SIM card, instead, you directly download the plan on your phone. Please note that eSIM is not available on Apple devices bought in China.

Having an eSIM will allow you to use your dual SIM in many ways, and basically enable everything that dual sim devices allow :

Add a local data plan when you travel abroad.
Use one number for work and another for private calls.
Use a separate voice and data bundle.
Make and receive voice and FaceTime calls (since iOS 13), as well as send and receive iMessages, SMS, and MMS messages.

Should my primary line remain my Nano-sim ?

On your iPhone, you can either decide that you want to use your physical sim card as your main sim, or vice-versa, if your main operator allows eSIM.

At esims.io, we think it makes more sense to use your physical sim card as your primary sim, meaning that by default, your main plan, phone line and data connectivity rely on this sim, and to use your eSIM as an on-purpose sim to which you can setup different plans when you travel.

What you will need :

An iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later model running iOS 12.1 or later.
Ensure your iPhone is unlocked, or that both your sim card and eSIM are from the same operator.
A mobile operator offering the eSIM service. At esims.io, we have worked on finding most of mobile operators that offer eSIM data plans for travelling. Have a look here.

How to setup your eSIM :

An iphone with a sim card and a dual sim

Ok, so you've bought your eSIM. Your eSIM provider has sent you a QR code which contains your eSIM information, and/or the same eSIM information to enter manually. Some operators might also send you a confirmation code to activate your eSIM card.

01. Install the eSIM on your iPhone

Scan the QR code your received :

Open the Camera app , scan your QR code.
Touch the Cell Plan Detected notification when it appears.
Touch Continue at the bottom of the screen.
Touch Add a cell plan.
If you are prompted for a confirmation code to activate the eSIM card, enter the number provided by your operator.

If you don't have a QR code, add your eSIM information manually :

Go to Settings.
Touch Cellular Data or Mobile Data.
Touch Add Cellular Plan.
Touch "Enter information manually" at the bottom of your iPhone screen.

By using the operator application : Instead of providing you your eSIM information, some operators require that you use your app to directly add your eSIM on your iPhone.

Log in to the App Store and download your operator's app.
Launch the app and buy a mobile plan.
Install a mobile package that has been assigned to you
With iOS 13, some operators may assign you a mobile rate plan that you must then install. Contact the phone operator for more information.

02. Activate your eSIM

You eSIM is installed, now, let's activate it. Please note that once your eSIM is activated, it means it will be officially on. This is from this moment that many operators will consider your eSIM is activated and in-use, so we suggest you don't activate your eSIM until you are in the country (or countries) it's supposed to be used in and you actually need it.

If you're already in your destination country, make sure that you primary sim data is turned off (you probably don't want to pay roaming fee).

To activate your eSIM,

Go to Settings.
Touch Cellular Data or Mobile Data.
Touch your eSIM plan (under Cellular plans)
Turn it on "Turn on this line"
Your eSIM should now be on, connected to a network, with online access. If you don't have internet connectivity, double check eSIM instruction provided by your operator. Some operators require that you setup an access point network (APN) information in the "Cellular Data Network" section of your eSIM parameters

Can I have multiple eSIM on my iPhone :

You can store more than one eSIM card on your iPhone, but you can only use one at a time. To change your eSIM card, touch Settings, then touch Cellular Data or Mobile Data, and then touch the plan you want to use. Touch Activate this line.