How to install an eSIM on iPhone

Before you start

• Your iPhone supports eSIM if it’s an iPhone XS, XR or newer. It also has to be unlocked: not tied to your home network. Check your phone.
• Be on wifi. The eSIM downloads over the internet.
• Have your order page or email open. It has your QR code, an install button and the codes to enter by hand.

Option 1: tap the button (easiest)

Reading your order page on the iPhone the eSIM is for? Tap Install on iPhone. Your iPhone opens the eSIM setup by itself. Tap Continue and follow the steps.

On iOS 17.4 or later, you can also press and hold the QR code in your email, then tap Add eSIM.

Option 2: scan the QR code

Open the order page or email on another screen, like a laptop.

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone and point it at the QR code.
2. Tap the Mobile Plan Detected notification.
3. Tap Continue, then Add Mobile Plan.

Option 3: enter the codes by hand

Can’t scan? Go to Settings › Mobile Service (called Cellular in some countries) › Add eSIM › Use QR Code › Enter Details Manually. Copy the SM-DP+ address and the activation code from your order page.

Set it up

Your iPhone asks a few questions after installing:

• Label: call the new line “Rebels”, so you can tell the two apart.
• Default line: keep your home SIM for calls, texts and iMessage.
• Mobile data: leave it on your home SIM for now, and turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching.

When you land

1. Go to Settings › Mobile Service › Mobile Data and choose Rebels.
2. Tap the Rebels line and turn on Data Roaming. That’s how the eSIM reaches the local network, and it costs nothing extra.
3. On your home line, turn Data Roaming off, so it can’t run up a bill.

Give it a minute to find the network. You’ll see the local network name at the top of Control Centre.

Not connecting?

• Check that Data Roaming is on for the Rebels line, and that Rebels is the Mobile Data line.
• Turn Airplane Mode on and off again, or restart your iPhone.
• Still nothing? Under the Rebels line, go to Network Selection, turn off Automatic and pick another network from the list.
• Don’t delete the eSIM. An eSIM can usually be installed only once, so a deleted one is gone. Contact us first: we’ll fix it with you.

Want to keep an eye on your data? Settings › Mobile Service shows what the Rebels line has used. Using Android instead? See installing on Android.

Source: Apple Support, Set up eSIM on iPhone. Menu names can differ slightly per iOS version and country.