Learn what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your device, how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM, and what to do if eSIM is not working on your iPhone 16.
What is eSIM on iPhone 16?
An eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical SIM. You can install eight or more eSIMs on an iPhone 16 and use two phone numbers at the same time.
eSIM on iPhone 16 is not offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone 16 models feature eSIM.
How to set up an eSIM on iPhone 16
Setting up your eSIM is usually just a matter of turning on your new iPhone 16 and following the onscreen instructions.
You can activate your eSIM while you’re setting up your iPhone 16 if your carrier supports eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer. With eSIM Carrier Activation, your carrier assigns an eSIM to your iPhone when you purchase it. With eSIM Quick Transfer, you transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting your carrier. With either method, to activate your eSIM during setup, turn on your iPhone 16 and follow the instructions.
Some carriers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. Make sure that you’re signed in with your Apple Account on both devices, or make sure that your previous iPhone is unlocked, nearby with Bluetooth turned on, and using iOS 16 or later.
You can also use these options later to add or transfer an eSIM. If these options aren’t available, contact your carrier to activate your eSIM using a QR code or your carrier’s iPhone app.
If you purchased an iPhone 16 in the United States, your iPhone activates with an eSIM. To activate your eSIM using eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, or another activation method, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions.
Use eSIM Carrier Activation on iPhone 16
Some carriers and worldwide service providers can assign a new eSIM to your iPhone 16, making setup easy. This usually happens when you purchase from a carrier and you provide your cellular-plan details. If an eSIM was assigned to your iPhone when you bought it, turn on your iPhone 16 and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM.
If you’re switching to an iPhone 16 (from an Android phone, for example), contact your carrier to transfer your phone number to your iPhone 16 through eSIM Carrier Activation or by scanning a QR code from your carrier.
If you contacted your carrier for an eSIM after you set up your iPhone 16, and they set up eSIM Carrier Activation, follow these steps:
- When a notification appears that says Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed, tap it.
- In the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.
- Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
- Make a call on your iPhone to check its cellular connectivity. If you can’t make a call, contact your carrier.
If the plan you activated replaces the plan on your physical SIM, remove your physical SIM. Then restart your iPhone.
Use eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone 16
Some carriers support SIM transfers from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. You can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM.
If you don’t have access to your current iPhone, contact your carrier
to transfer your eSIM.
While you’re setting up your iPhone 16, if you’re asked to transfer your SIM, follow the onscreen instructions to transfer your physical SIM or eSIM. If you need to transfer more than one SIM to your new iPhone, transfer your additional SIMs following the steps below.
Transfer a physical SIM or eSIM on your previous iPhone to an eSIM on your new iPhone 16 after setup
- On your new iPhone 16, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
- Choose a cellular plan to transfer from another iPhone. If you don’t see a list of numbers, tap Transfer From Another iPhone. This requires your other device to have iOS 16 or later.
- Check for instructions on your previous iPhone to confirm the transfer. To confirm, tap Transfer or, if asked for a verification code, enter the code that’s displayed on your new iPhone.
- Wait for the cellular plan to activate on your new iPhone. Your previous SIM is deactivated when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates.
- If a banner appears on your new iPhone that says Finish Setting Up Your Carrier’s Cellular Plan, tap it. You will be redirected to your carrier’s webpage to transfer your eSIM. If you need help, contact your carrier.
Convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone
You can convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone, if your carrier supports it. Follow these steps:
- On your iPhone 16, go to Settings > Cellular.
- Tap Convert to eSIM. If you don’t see Convert to eSIM, your carrier doesn’t support this option. Contact your carrier to move your phone number from your physical SIM to an eSIM using eSIM Carrier Activation or by scanning a QR code.
- Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
- Tap Convert to eSIM.
- Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your iPhone activates.
- Remove the physical SIM from your iPhone. Then restart your iPhone.
Use a QR code
You can use a QR code from your carrier to set up eSIM on your iPhone 16.
To activate your eSIM while setting up your iPhone 16:
- When you get to the Set Up Cellular screen, tap Use QR code.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
To activate your eSIM after you set up your iPhone 16, contact your carrier to get a QR code. Then follow these steps:
- Open the Camera app and scan your QR code. When the Cellular Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.
- If receive a QR code from your carrier in an email, or from the carrier webpage, touch and hold the QR code, then tap Add eSIM.
- Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Add Cellular Plan.
- If you’re asked to enter a confirmation code to activate your eSIM, enter the number that your carrier provided.
Other eSIM activation methods
Some carriers may send you a link instead of a QR code to download your eSIM.
- On your iPhone 16, tap the link to set up your eSIM.
- When the Activate New eSIM notification appears, tap Allow.
- Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
If your carrier supports activating eSIM using an app, download your carrier’s app from the App Store and follow the instructions.
Enter the eSIM information manually if necessary
- Contact your carrier to get the eSIM details you need to enter.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Tap Add Cellular Plan.
- Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of your iPhone screen.
If you can’t set up your eSIM on iPhone 16
After following each step below, open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen. Check if your carrier appears in the status bar. If not, go to the next step.
- Update your iPhone’s software (Settings > General > Software Update.)
- Make sure that your carriers support coverage in your area and that there are no service outages.
- Turn Airplane Mode on and off (Settings > Airplane Mode.)
- Go to Settings > Cellular and check if the number you’re trying to activate is shown. If it is, turn off the line and then turn it back on again.
- Restart your iPhone (Settings > General > Shut Down.)
If necessary, erase your eSIM.
Warning! Don’t erase your eSIM as a troubleshooting step unless directed to by your carrier.
If you erase your eSIM, you’ll need to contact your carrier to get a new one. Then set up your new eSIM.
To erase your eSIM on your iPhone 16:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular. Then:
- If you have a single plan, tap Delete eSIM.
- If you have multiple plans, tap the plan that you want to erase. Then tap Delete Plan.
Further help
If you still can’t set up your eSIM on iPhone 16:
- Contact your carrier for support.
- Download the latest version of the Apple Support app to run additional diagnostics that may help determine the source of your device’s issue.
