How to Set Up and Activate an eSIM on iPhone
iPhones have supported eSIM since 2018, and setting up a travel data plan takes about five minutes once you know where to look. This guide walks through every step, from checking compatibility to flipping the right switches.
One eSIM app for 196 countries
- Country, regional and global data plans
- Install by QR code, no physical SIM
- Keep your own number for calls and WhatsApp
Scan with your phone camera to open the app
Which iPhone models support eSIM
Apple introduced eSIM technology with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in September 2018. Every model released since then can store and use eSIM profiles alongside a physical SIM card or, in some markets, rely entirely on eSIM.
| Model | eSIM Support | Physical SIM | Dual eSIM Active | Max Stored Profiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS, XS Max, XR | Yes | Yes | No (one eSIM + one physical) | 8+ |
| iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max | Yes | Yes | No | 8+ |
| iPhone SE (2020, 2022) | Yes | Yes | No | 8+ |
| iPhone 12 series | Yes | Yes | No | 8+ |
| iPhone 13 series | Yes | Yes | Yes (two eSIMs active) | 8+ |
| iPhone 14 series (US models) | Yes | No | Yes | 8+ |
| iPhone 14 series (non-US) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8+ |
| iPhone 15 series (US models) | Yes | No | Yes | 8+ |
| iPhone 15 series (non-US) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8+ |
iPhone 14 and 15 models sold in the United States ship without a physical SIM tray. These devices rely entirely on eSIM, which means you can install multiple profiles and switch between them in Settings without swapping plastic cards.
Starting with iPhone 13, you can run two eSIM profiles simultaneously. That configuration works well for keeping your home number active on one eSIM while using a travel data plan on the second. Earlier models require one slot to be a physical SIM if you want dual standby.
Checking eSIM capability on your iPhone
Open Settings, tap Cellular (or Mobile Data in some regions), then look for an option labeled 'Add Cellular Plan' or 'Add eSIM'. If that option appears, your device supports eSIM and is ready to install a profile.
To find the EID - a 32-digit identifier tied to the eSIM chip - dial *#06# in the Phone app. The EID appears below the IMEI numbers. You can also navigate to Settings > General > About and scroll down; the EID is listed there if the hardware supports it.
Carrier lock status matters more than the model number. A locked iPhone will reject profiles from providers outside the carrier's network, even if the eSIM hardware is present. Check Settings > General > About and look for 'Carrier Lock' or 'SIM Lock'. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', you can install any compatible travel eSIM from our regional guides.
Installing a travel eSIM on iPhone step by step
Most travel eSIM providers offer three installation methods: scanning a QR code, using a dedicated app, or entering the activation details manually. The QR code approach is the quickest when you have the code displayed on another device or printed on paper.
Install the profile before you leave home. Open Settings > Wi-Fi and join a stable network; cellular data from your existing SIM works too, but Wi-Fi avoids any roaming charges during the download.
Tap 'Add Cellular Plan' (or 'Add eSIM' on newer iOS versions). The camera viewfinder launches automatically, ready to scan the QR code provided by the eSIM service.
Position the QR code inside the frame. iOS reads the embedded SM-DP+ address and activation code, then fetches the profile from the provider's server. This step takes five to fifteen seconds.
iOS prompts you to assign a label - Travel, Secondary, or a custom name. Pick something that makes it obvious which line carries data when you toggle settings later.
Choose the new eSIM as the default data line if you want it to handle internet traffic. Your primary line can remain the default for voice calls and SMS; you will adjust data roaming separately.
Go back to Settings > Cellular, tap the travel line, then toggle 'Data Roaming' on. This switch must be enabled for the eSIM to connect to local networks abroad. Leave data roaming off for your home SIM to avoid unexpected charges.
If the provider supplies an app instead of a static QR code, download it from the App Store, sign in, and follow the in-app prompts. The app typically generates a QR code or installs the profile directly with one tap. Manual entry is the fallback: tap 'Enter Details Manually' in the Add Cellular Plan screen, then paste the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the provider's email or account dashboard.
Installing a travel plan for Japan, United Kingdom, or Italy follows the same sequence regardless of the destination. The profile sits dormant until the phone detects a compatible network at your destination, so the activation timer does not start during installation.
Setting line labels and toggling data roaming
After installing two or more profiles, iOS displays each line in Settings > Cellular with its assigned label. Tap a line to rename it, choose a different color-coded badge, or turn the line on and off without deleting the profile.
The 'Default Voice Line' setting determines which number appears when you make a call or send an SMS. Most travelers leave this set to their home number so contacts see a familiar caller ID. The 'Cellular Data' setting is separate: point it to the travel eSIM to route all internet traffic through the local data plan and avoid roaming fees on the primary SIM.
Data roaming lives inside each line's individual settings. Open the travel eSIM, scroll to 'Data Roaming', and toggle it on. Double-check that data roaming remains off for your home line unless you want to use both simultaneously and pay the associated charges.
The 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' toggle lets iOS fall back to the other line if the primary data SIM loses signal. Turn this off if you want strict control over which line handles data; leave it on for automatic failover in areas with patchy coverage.
Using two lines at once
Dual SIM on iPhone keeps your home number reachable for calls and texts while the travel eSIM provides data. iMessage and FaceTime attach to your Apple ID rather than a specific SIM, so both services work over whichever line carries cellular data or through Wi-Fi.
When someone calls your home number, the phone rings normally even if that SIM is not the active data line. Outgoing calls default to the line you selected in 'Default Voice Line', but you can override this choice on a per-call basis by tapping the line name above the dial pad.
Text messages sent as SMS or MMS use the default voice line unless you pick a different number in the conversation. iMessages route through the internet connection, so they ride on the travel eSIM's data when that line is set as the data default. Group chats and attachments sent via iMessage consume data from the active eSIM plan; check the plan page for any daily data caps or throttling thresholds.
If you travel to China or another region where certain services require a local number, the travel eSIM provides data only. Voice calls happen through WhatsApp, Telegram, or FaceTime Audio rather than traditional cellular voice channels. Your home SIM continues to handle regular phone calls over its own network, subject to your carrier's roaming rates for voice.
When does the eSIM activate
Most travel eSIM plans start their validity timer the moment the phone registers on a compatible network in the destination country. Installing the profile a week before departure does not burn any days; the clock starts when you land and the device finds a local tower.
A few regional plans activate immediately upon installation, regardless of location. The provider's plan page will state the activation trigger explicitly - 'starts on first connection' or 'activates within one hour of installation'. Read that detail before you scan the QR code.
Install the profile while you are still at home, connected to Wi-Fi, so you can troubleshoot any error messages without the pressure of a departure gate closing. Leave the travel eSIM toggled on but keep your primary SIM as the data default until you board the plane. Once you land, switch the data default to the travel line and confirm that data roaming is enabled for that profile.
Some travelers flip to airplane mode during the flight, then disable airplane mode and select the travel eSIM as the data line immediately after landing. That approach prevents the phone from connecting to expensive roaming networks through the home SIM before you remember to switch.
Common iPhone eSIM problems and quick fixes
If the QR code scanner does not launch when you tap 'Add Cellular Plan', restart the phone and check for an iOS update in Settings > General > Software Update. Older iOS versions sometimes fail to recognize newer eSIM profile formats.
An 'Invalid Response' or 'Unable to Complete Cellular Plan Change' error usually means the SM-DP+ server is temporarily unreachable. Wait five minutes, confirm that Wi-Fi is stable, then try scanning the code again. The QR code does not expire immediately, so you can retry multiple times.
No signal after installation points to data roaming being off or the wrong line selected as the data default. Open Settings > Cellular, tap the travel eSIM, verify that the toggle at the top reads 'On', scroll down to confirm 'Data Roaming' is enabled, then go back and set that line as 'Cellular Data'.
For a full breakdown of error codes, activation delays, and network selection issues, see our eSIM troubleshooting guide. If the profile installs but never finds a network, the phone may still be carrier-locked; contact your original carrier to request an unlock before attempting another installation.
Transferring eSIM to a new iPhone
When you upgrade to a new iPhone, iOS offers to transfer your eSIM profiles during the initial setup via Bluetooth proximity or through iCloud if both devices are signed in to the same Apple ID. This process moves carrier-issued eSIMs automatically in many cases, but travel eSIM profiles often need to be reinstalled manually because they lack the carrier-integration hooks.
Before you erase the old phone, take a screenshot of each travel eSIM's details - the SM-DP+ address, activation code, and any account credentials. Some providers let you download a fresh QR code from their website or app, which you then scan on the new device. Others issue a replacement profile at no charge if you contact support.
Our dedicated guide on transferring eSIM to a new phone covers the step-by-step procedure for moving profiles between devices, recovering lost QR codes, and handling scenarios where the old phone is already wiped. The short version: keep the original installation email or account login details safe, and you can reinstall the profile on the new iPhone as if it were the first activation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install multiple travel eSIM profiles on my iPhone and switch between them?
Yes. iPhones store eight or more profiles at once, and you can toggle individual lines on or off in Settings > Cellular without deleting them. Only two eSIMs can be active simultaneously on iPhone 13 and later (or one eSIM and one physical SIM on older models), but you can switch the active profiles whenever you cross a border or start a new trip.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM card before installing a travel eSIM?
No. Leave the physical SIM in place so your home number remains active for voice calls and SMS. Set the travel eSIM as the default data line and enable data roaming only for that line; your physical SIM stays available for calls without triggering roaming data charges.
Will installing a travel eSIM delete my existing cellular plan or contacts?
No. Adding an eSIM profile is a separate operation that does not touch your primary SIM, contacts, photos, or any other data. The new profile appears as an additional line in Settings > Cellular, and you control which line handles data, calls, and messages independently.
How do I know which line is using cellular data right now?
Open Settings > Cellular and look at the 'Cellular Data' section near the top. The selected line appears with a checkmark. You can also glance at the status bar: recent iOS versions display a small label next to the carrier name when two lines are active, indicating which one is handling data.
Can I use the travel eSIM for phone calls or only for data?
Most travel eSIM plans provide data only, with no phone number attached. Voice calls work through WhatsApp, Telegram, FaceTime Audio, or any other internet-based app. Your home SIM remains available for traditional calls if that line is active and your home carrier's roaming covers the destination.
What happens if I delete the eSIM profile by accident?
Deleting a profile from Settings > Cellular removes it from the device but does not cancel the plan. You can reinstall the profile by scanning the original QR code again, as long as the activation code has not been used beyond the provider's reinstallation limit. Some providers issue a replacement QR code through their app or support team if you lose the original.
Why does my iPhone still show the home carrier name after I land abroad?
Both SIM slots display their respective carrier names in the status bar when active. If the travel eSIM is installed but not set as the data default, or if data roaming is off for that line, the phone will not connect to a local network. Go to Settings > Cellular, tap the travel line, confirm the toggles are correct, and give the device thirty seconds to search for available networks.
Setting up an eSIM on your iPhone takes five minutes and saves you the scramble for a local SIM kiosk at the airport. Install the profile before you fly, toggle data roaming when you land, and you are online the moment the wheels touch down.
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