How To Activate eSIM on iPhone in 2025

Nothing ruins the excitement of getting a new phone quite like not being able to activate it. If you’ve never used a modern iPhone with an eSIM, though, you might find yourself in exactly that situation.

Don't worry — we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of activating an eSIM on your iPhone, so you can get up and running quickly. We’ll also address common issues that may arise, ensuring a seamless connection in no time.

What you need to activate an eSIM on iPhone

You don’t need much to activate an eSIM on an iPhone — just an iPhone and a wireless carrier that supports the technology. Here’s the rundown:

• A compatible iPhone: You’ll need an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, or later to use eSIM. The XS, 11, 12, 13 series, as well as the 2nd and 3rd gen SE, support both physical SIM and eSIM. The 14, 15, and 16 series are eSIM only in the U.S.
• A wireless carrier that supports eSIM: All three major U.S. carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T) support eSIM. If you’re using a smaller carrier or a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), it’s a good idea to double-check directly with the carrier — they can be hit or miss with eSIM support.
• A Wi-Fi network (maybe): Depending on your phone and the circumstances, you may need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to activate your eSIM. iPhone 14 and newer models support activation without Wi-Fi, but the carrier must also support this feature. If you’re transferring the eSIM from another phone on iPhone 13 or later, you might also be able to skip the Wi-Fi.

How to activate an eSIM on iPhone

Carriers often assign an eSIM to a phone at the time of purchase, so all you need to do to activate it may be turn the phone on and follow the instructions that appear.

If that’s not the case, the easiest way to activate your eSIM is to contact the carrier and have them set it up through what Apple calls eSIM Carrier Activation. Once you’ve done that, follow these steps:

1. Watch for a notification on the phone that says “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.” When it pops up, tap it. Alternatively, open Settings and tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.
2. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
3. At this point, the eSIM should activate. Test the connection by making a call. If it works, you’re all set! If not, you’ll need to contact your carrier for assistance.

Switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM on an iPhone

If you’re on an iPhone that supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, you can convert a physical SIM directly to an eSIM. This can provide you with more flexibility in situations such as traveling abroad.

While traveling, you may want to keep your normal phone number on the eSIM but frequently switch out the physical SIM card as you move between different countries. eSIMs are also generally more secure than a physical SIM, since they can’t be stolen.

Alternatively, you could switch to an eSIM and use a service like NordVPN’s Saily to swap plans as you travel easily.

Here’s how to convert a SIM card to an eSIM:

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Cellular section.
2. Tap Convert to eSIM.
3. Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
4. Tap Convert to eSIM again.
5. Wait while the eSIM activates.
6. Once activated, remove the physical SIM card from your phone and restart it.

Not all carriers support converting to eSIM. If you don’t see the option, your carrier probably doesn’t support it, and you’ll need to contact them directly to have them make the switch.

Other ways to activate an eSIM on an iPhone

There are several other ways to activate an eSIM on an iPhone. Depending on your carrier and how you sign up for your plan, you may be required to use a QR code, click a link provided by your carrier, or manually enter the information.

Using a QR code

Some carriers provide a QR code that you scan on your iPhone to activate the eSIM. Here’s how:

1. Head to the Settings app and tap Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code
2. Alternatively, simply open the camera app and scan the code.
3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen that appears.
4. Tap Add Cellular Plan. You may be asked to enter a confirmation code provided by your carrier.

Using a link from your carrier

Note that you must be running iOS 17.4 or later for this method to work. Some carriers provide a link rather than a QR code. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Tap the link provided by your carrier.
2. A notification will appear that says "Activate New eSIM.” Tap Allow.
3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.

Entering eSIM information manually

Finally, you can enter eSIM information manually. You’ll need to contact your carrier to get the necessary details. Once you’ve got them, follow these steps:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
2. Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the screen.
3. Enter the requested information.

Troubleshooting your eSIM activation on an iPhone

eSIMs are fantastic and usually easy to use, but, like any technology, activation can sometimes go wrong.

Why is eSIM not activating on an iPhone?

There are several reasons why an eSIM may not activate. Some of the most common include:

• Carrier incompatibility: Not all carriers support eSIM — double-check with yours to ensure it’s an option.
• Outdated software: Software updates can have surprising impacts on cellular connectivity. If you’re sure your carrier supports eSIM, your first troubleshooting step should be to check for software updates.
• You need to be on Wi-Fi: Sometimes activating an eSIM requires a Wi-Fi connection. Try re-adding the eSIM profile on Wi-Fi.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, your best bet is to contact your carrier and troubleshoot directly with them.

How do I transfer an eSIM from Android or another non-Apple device to an iPhone?

To transfer an eSIM from a non-Apple device to your iPhone, you’ll need to go through your carrier. The carrier can set up eSIM carrier activation or provide you with a QR code to get started.

FAQs

Bottom line

To activate an eSIM on your iPhone, you just need a recent iPhone, a carrier that supports eSIM, and possibly a Wi-Fi network. You can even convert a physical SIM to an eSIM, and the process is simple and quick.

Using an eSIM isn’t just simpler than a physical SIM, though — it also adds flexibility and security when traveling, especially internationally.