This post is a wiki, so if you have an eSIM, see a question and know the answer, feel free to add the question and the answer.
This WikiPost will focus on all the questions not covered by Apple in the support documents below.
Some carriers are also listed on Apple's website.
airalo
AirSim
aloSIM
BNESIM
DENT Wireless
eSIM+
Flexiroam
GigSky
MTX Connect
Redtea Mobile
Soracom Mobile
Truphone
UPeSIM
Ubigi
USIMS
Webbing
3HK
Q: Can you set up eSIM out of the box?
Q: Can you re-use a eSIM QR code card to transfer the service on another phone (like swapping a physical SIM)?
Q: Can you use the same QR code to add your eSIM account back, if you accidentally delete your eSIM account?
Q: If I mistakenly lost my eSIM QR card, which has been used to activate my current line, do I need to worry about?
Q: Can I use Wi-Fi calling on both lines?
Q: Is there a hidden dual-SIM tray on iPhone XS Max and XR sold outside of China?
Q: Can I use WhatsApp with two phone numbers?
Q: My phone is locked. What do I do?
Thanks to njcyx6649250 for helping building this Q&A!
This WikiPost will focus on all the questions not covered by Apple in the support documents below.
Table of Contents
- General Info
- Support documents from Apple about eSIM
- Devices with eSIM
- International Travel eSIM Providers
- General Q&A
- New eSIM features by iOS version / by iPhone model
General Info
Support documents from Apple about eSIM
- About eSIM on iPhone and iPad, and ways to activate an eSIM
- Breakdown of eSIM services offered by mobile networks around the world (e.g. eSIM Quick Transfer or eSIM Carrier Activation)
- Using Dual SIM with an eSIM
- Use eSIM while traveling abroad with your iPhone
- Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau)
- If you can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone
- If Dual SIM with eSIM isn't working on your iPhone
- How to erase the eSIM on your iPhone
- Activate an eSIM on your iPhone or iPad in Turkey
- Use Dual SIM with Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) and Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular)
Devices with eSIM
- iPhone XS and later (XS Max, XR)
- iPad Pro 2018 and later
- iPad Air (3rd gen.) and later
- iPad Mini (5th gen.) and later
eSIM Only Devices
- iPhone 14 (including Plus/Pro/Pro max) - US Models only
Worldwide eSIM Providers (Travel)
esimdb - database for finding travel eSIMs by region/country.Some carriers are also listed on Apple's website.
airalo
AirSim
aloSIM
BNESIM
DENT Wireless
eSIM+
Flexiroam
GigSky
MTX Connect
Redtea Mobile
Soracom Mobile
Truphone
UPeSIM
Ubigi
USIMS
Webbing
3HK
General Q&A
Q: Does the eSIM survive a restore?A: Yes.
Q: Does that mean I can always locate a lost iPhone?
A: Yes, since iOS 15.
Q: Can you set up eSIM out of the box?
A: Yes, during initial setup it will ask.
Q: Can you re-use a eSIM QR code card to transfer the service on another phone (like swapping a physical SIM)?
A: Depends on the carrier. Most carriers only allow single use though. If you want to transfer service to another device, you usually have to get a new QR code from the carrier.
Q: Can you use the same QR code to add your eSIM account back, if you accidentally delete your eSIM account?
A: Depends on the carrier. I was able to delete and re-add an AT&T eSIM, but after two days it wouldn't
Q: If I mistakenly lost my eSIM QR card, which has been used to activate my current line, do I need to worry about?
A: No. It can only be used with your phone.
Q: Can I use Wi-Fi calling on both lines?
A: Yes.
Q: Any special tips to activate eSIM card?A: Your phone must be connected to Wi-Fi when activating the eSIM, because it needs internet to retrieve the profile-Except for the iPhone 14 models sold in the US, which are eSIM-only and can activate even without Wi-Fi.
Q: Why does my iPhone have two different IMEI/MEID?A: The IMEI can't be the same for two active SIMs or eSIMs thus your phone has two IMEI.
Q: Is there a hidden dual-SIM tray on iPhone XS Max and XR sold outside of China?
A: No.
Q: How many eSIMs can I store on my phone?A: More than 3 for sure, but the limit is unknown.
Q: Can I use dual-sim with two eSIMs?A: Yes, since the iPhone 13/Pro/Max/mini.
Q: Is it better to use eSIM or a physical SIM with my main carrier?A: It depends. If when you travel, you want to set-up a GigSky plan on your phone, you won't be able to use both your home carrier and GigSky because you can do dual-SIM only with one eSIM and one physical SIM (this does not apply for the iPhone 13/Pro/Max/mini, which can do dual-eSIM).
On the other hand, having your main carrier on eSIM means that someone can't just take the SIM out of your phone to get 2FA codes.
There are many variables to consider.
Q: Can I use WhatsApp with two phone numbers?
A: No. But you can install WhatsApp Business as an effective second instance of the app, thereby having one app per line. This allows registration of the second app to the second line, or vice versa. Then, regardless of data source (WiFi or mobile data on either line), both apps continue to work completely independently. If using dual sim for personal/business, this is a foolproof method of keeping the relevant contacts and conversations separated. Either app can be used to communicate with any and all contacts, regardless of preferred line settings for calls or iMessage/SMS.
Q: Does the Apple Watch support Dual-SIM too?A: Yes! But not Dual-Standby and:
- The keypad dialer will always use the default line
- When dialing using Contacts or recent calls, it will respect the tags assigned (Primary or Secondary for example)
- The Apple Watch can have more than one eSIM plan: if your secondary SIM provider supports the Watch, then you can add it too (it's greyed on my screenshots because I am roaming).
A: Yes.
Q: Can I send an iMessage/SMS to the same person from different line?A: Yes. Starting in iOS 15, you can go in the conversation settings to switch the line of an active conversation.
Q: What happens if someone sends an iMessage/SMS to a different line?
Q: My phone is locked. What do I do?
A: If your phone is locked, you must unlock both IMEIs (the IMEI 1 and IMEI 2). Unlocking only one of them doesn't work.
Q: How to permanently remove the eSIM profiles?A: Restoring your device does not erase the eSIM.
If you're planning to sell your eSIM device (iPhone or iPad Pro 3rd Gen), do not simply restore your phone. Restoring your phone through iTunes will not erase the eSIM!
The only way to erase the eSIM profiles is in the device's settings.
You need to go in Settings > General > Reset.
There, you have two choices:
- Tap Remove All Data Plans, then restore by any method or;
- Erase All Content and Settings, and click "Erase All" when prompted.
New in iOS 17
New Features
- Different ringtones for different lines.
New in iOS 16
New Features
- eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone: Some carriers support SIM transfers from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them.
- Transfer a physical SIM or eSIM on your previous iPhone to an eSIM on your new iPhone after setup.
- Convert a physical SIM to an eSIM
- Dual SIM Message Filtering : Filter conversations in Messages by individual SIM.
New in iOS 15
New Features
- Added ability to manually switch the line used for SMS or iMessage conversation.
New with iPhone 13/Pro/Max/mini
New Features
- Dual-eSIM: two eSIMs, or one eSIM and one SIM can be active at the same time. Earlier iPhone generations could only do one physical SIM + one eSIM active at the same time.
New in iOS 14
New Features
Changes to existing features
- Prior to iOS 14, when turning off an eSIM line in the settings, the number would be immediately deregistred from iMessage/FaceTime. Now, the number stays registered for 30 days.
New in iOS 13
There have been some new changes to eSIM in iOS 13. If you discover new features, please add them to this Wiki!New features
- Dual-SIM simultaneous calls: you can now place calls on two different lines at the same call, and call waiting works for incoming calls on another line.
For this to work, calls must be made/received while on VoLTE, and both lines need to have active data.For this to work, You will need to turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching when you are on a call that isn't your default data line and have Wi-Fi Calling enabled. - If you have data active on one line, and the other line doesn't have cellular service and the provider supports VoLTE, service will function using the active data on the other line. Essentially, it's like having Wi-Fi Calling, but it uses the data of one of the lines.
There is no ability to force this. It will only happen when there is No Service on one line but service and data on the other line. Some people have reported you can force this by selecting manually a network you know your carrier doesn't allow (e.g. a competitor's) This also work while roaming: you can have one line with data, and have you secondary line use the data of the first line without incurring roaming charges. Tested with TELUS roaming in the US for data and Freedom Mobile line without roaming.
Changes to existing features
- iMessage and FaceTime now supports two phone numbers, and you can start and iMessage conversation or FaceTime call with either number.
Thanks to njcyx6649250 for helping building this Q&A!
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