How to set up and activate your eSIM on iPhone

Updated October 3, 2026

How does an eSIM work on iPhone?

An eSIM is an electronic SIM that comes built into your Apple device. You can use it to activate a cellular data plan from your carrier or to get a connection in another country, without a physical nano-SIM card.

An eSIM, also called a digital SIM, works on iPhone the same way it does on phones from other brands. Activation is simple and you don't have to do anything complicated on your phone.

You can also convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on your iPhone, or use Dual SIM to have two phone lines with internet access and calls.

How do I set up an eSIM on iPhone?

What you need to add the eSIM to your iOS device

  • An iPhone that supports eSIM. Check the full, up-to-date list of Apple phones compatible with eSIM.
  • The installation QR code, which should arrive in your email right after you buy an eSIM data plan.
In mainland China, eSIMs aren't offered for iPhone. In Hong Kong and Macao, the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) and iPhone XS include an eSIM. Learn how to use Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao.

Watch the video below to learn how to install the eSIM on your iPhone:

Watch the video on YouTube →

How to set up a Simlimites eSIM on iPhone

  1. 01Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. 02Tap “Cellular”.
  3. 03Tap “Add eSIM”.
  4. 04When the “Set Up Cellular” screen opens, tap “Use QR Code”.
  5. 05Point your phone's rear camera at the QR code so it can read it.
  6. 06You can also save the QR code as a screenshot. When the camera opens to scan the code, tap “Open Photos”, which takes you to your gallery. Select the QR code and it loads automatically.
  7. 07Once the code is scanned, a blue Continue button appears. Tap it. While the eSIM activates, the button turns gray and a loading wheel appears next to the word “Activating”.
  8. 08When the eSIM is activated, tap “Done”, shown in blue.

How to change the label names:

  1. 01Your travel eSIM shows up in Cellular with a default label, usually below your main line.
  2. 02Tap the gray tab right below your eSIM's name. It may be labeled Personal by default.
  3. 03Under “Custom Label”, enter any name you like. We use Simlimites.
  4. 04Tap Continue.
  5. 05Your iPhone now asks you to choose a default line. Pick your local line for now, and use it for iMessage, FaceTime and Cellular Data too. We'll switch to the travel eSIM in a later step.
  6. 06Now go back to “Cellular” in Settings. Under SIMs, select your main line.
  7. 07Turn off the “Turn On This Line” switch for your local line (it turns gray), then tap OK.
  8. 08Now, on the Simlimites eSIM line, turn on data roaming.
  9. 09Back in Cellular, tap Cellular Data to confirm that data is being used from the Simlimites eSIM.
  10. 10Under “Default Voice Line”, also select the Simlimites eSIM.

How to activate the Simlimites eSIM manually, without a QR code

It's not common, but if your QR code doesn't work for some reason, you can enter the international data plan details yourself. You'll need the eSIM serial number that came in your email along with the QR code.

To set up and activate the eSIM manually, follow these steps:

  1. 01Go to Settings.
  2. 02Tap Cellular (Mobile Data on some iPhones).
  3. 03Tap Add eSIM (Add Cellular Plan on older iOS versions).
  4. 04Select “Enter Details Manually” at the bottom of the iPhone screen.
  5. 05Keep following the instructions on the screen.