Quick answer
How do I set up an eSIM on iPhone?
Use a reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, then open Settings and tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data — whichever label appears on your iPhone. These are common labels for the same iPhone settings area where SIMs, eSIMs, mobile plans, and mobile data are managed. Tap Add eSIM. If your iPhone shows Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan instead, tap that. Then use the setup method shown in your eSIMbundle order, such as a QR code, activation link, or manual SM-DP+ details. After installation, label the eSIM clearly, then choose the travel eSIM as your mobile data line when you are ready to use it abroad.
Important: installing the eSIM profile is not the same as using mobile data. Your plan details, validity, and usage rules are shown during checkout and in your order instructions.
iPhone setup snapshot
- SettingsMobile Service / Cellular / Mobile Data
- InstallQR code, link, or manual SM-DP+
- AbroadSet travel eSIM as mobile data line
What you avoid
- Setup stress in the airport
- Deleting a one-time eSIM profile
- Accidental home-carrier roaming charges
Before you start
Do the setup while you still have reliable internet. The worst time to find out that your iPhone is unsupported, carrier-locked, or missing the activation details is after landing.
- iPhone supports eSIM
- iPhone is carrier-unlocked if using another provider
- Your iPhone is updated to a recent iOS version
- You have your eSIMbundle order email, QR code, activation link, or manual SM-DP+ details
- You have reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data
- Your iPhone has enough battery
- You know which line is your home SIM and which line is your travel eSIM
If the setup screen looks slightly different, look for Mobile Service, Cellular, Mobile Data, Add eSIM, Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan.
Not sure your iPhone supports eSIM?
Use the compatibility checker before you buy a travel plan.
Check eSIM compatibilityDoes my iPhone support eSIM?
Most travelers with iPhone 11 or newer are fine. That includes iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and newer models, including mini, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max versions. Older supported models include iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE 2nd generation or newer. iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, and older do not support eSIM.
Model and regional support can vary, especially for devices sold in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao. Use the compatibility checker if you are unsure.
Method 1: Set up with QR code or activation link
Most travel eSIM orders use a QR code, activation link, or manual setup details. Use the method shown in your eSIMbundle order.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data — whichever label appears on your iPhone.
- Tap Add eSIM. If your iPhone shows Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan instead, tap that.
- Choose Use QR Code if your order includes a QR code.
- Scan the QR code or tap the activation link from your order.
- Follow the iPhone prompts.
- Label the eSIM clearly, such as Travel eSIM or the destination name.
iPhone Settings walkthrough
Settings → Mobile Service / Cellular / Mobile Data → Add eSIM → Use QR Code
Settings
Airplane Mode
Wi-Fi
Mobile Service
also Cellular or Mobile Data
General
Step 1
Open Settings, then tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data — whichever label appears on your iPhone.
Mobile Service
SIMs
Cellular Data
Add eSIM
also Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan
Step 2
Tap Add eSIM. If your iPhone shows Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan instead, tap that.
Add eSIM
Use QR Code
From your eSIMbundle order
Transfer From Nearby iPhone
Other Options
Step 3
Choose Use QR Code if your order includes a QR code. If your order provides an activation link, follow the link instructions from your order instead.
Use QR Code
Scan QR code
Use the camera viewfinder
Enter Details Manually
Step 4
Scan the QR code from your eSIMbundle order, or use the activation link or manual details shown in your order.
Do not repeatedly scan the same QR code or delete and reinstall the eSIM. Some eSIM profiles can only be installed once. Apple says carrier-link setup requires iOS 17.4 or later. If your order uses an activation link, follow the link instructions shown in your order.
Method 2: Set up manually with SM-DP+ and activation code
If QR setup does not work or your order provides manual details, you may need to enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code manually.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data.
- Tap Add eSIM, Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan.
- Choose Use QR Code if needed, then tap Enter Details Manually.
- Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order.
- Enter a confirmation code only if your order provides one.
- Follow the iPhone prompts and label the eSIM clearly.
Manual iPhone setup
Add eSIM → Enter Details Manually → SM-DP+ address + activation code
Add eSIM
Use QR Code
Enter Details Manually
Enter SM-DP+ and activation code
Other Options
Step 1
Use manual setup only if QR setup does not work or your order provides manual SM-DP+ details.
Manual setup
SM-DP+ address
Activation code
Confirmation code (optional)
Placeholders shown. Use the exact values from your eSIMbundle order.
Step 2
Enter only the manual details from your eSIMbundle order or support team.
Only use manual details from your eSIMbundle order or support team.
Other iPhone setup methods
iPhone also supports Carrier Activation, Quick Transfer, carrier app setup, carrier links, and transfer from another device when the provider supports those methods. For travel eSIM purchases, QR code, activation link, and manual SM-DP+ details are the most relevant setup paths.
Choose labels: home SIM vs travel eSIM
iPhone lets you label plans so you know which one is used for calls, messages, and mobile data. For travel, keep the home SIM label for your normal number and label the new eSIM as Travel eSIM or the destination name.
- Home SIMKeep for calls, SMS, and verification codes if needed
- Travel eSIMUse for mobile data abroad
- Home SIM data roamingKeep off if avoiding home-carrier roaming charges
- Travel eSIM data roamingTurn on only if your plan instructions require it
- Included VPNTurn on in the app when you want privacy, security, and unrestricted internet
Choose the travel eSIM for mobile data
Your iPhone can use one mobile/cellular data network at a time. When you want to use the travel eSIM for data abroad, choose it as the mobile data line.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data.
- Tap Mobile Data, Cellular Data, or the data-line selector shown on your iPhone.
- Choose the travel eSIM for mobile data.
Choose data line
Settings → Mobile Service / Cellular / Mobile Data → Cellular Data
Cellular Data
Home SIM
Calls · SMS · Verification codes
Travel eSIM
Mobile data abroad
Choose the travel eSIM for mobile data. Keep your home SIM available for calls, SMS, or verification codes if needed.
Your home SIM can stay available for calls, SMS, and verification codes if needed. Do not use your home SIM for mobile data unless you understand your carrier's roaming charges.
Data roaming on iPhone
Read this before you toggle anything
Travel eSIMs often connect through roaming agreements with local networks, so the travel eSIM line may need data roaming turned on. The travel eSIM roaming setting and the home SIM roaming setting are separate. Do not turn on roaming for your home SIM unless you understand your home carrier's roaming charges.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data.
- Tap the travel eSIM or travel mobile plan.
- Turn Data Roaming on only if your plan instructions require it.
Data roaming per line
Travel eSIM settings → Data Roaming
Travel eSIM
Turn On This Line
Data Roaming
Only if required
Network Selection
Turn Data Roaming on for the travel eSIM only if your plan instructions require it.
Keep home SIM roaming off if you want to avoid home-carrier charges.
How to check if your eSIM is installed and ready
After setup, check that the travel eSIM appears in your iPhone mobile network settings and is turned on. This does not mean you should use mobile data before you are ready, but it helps confirm the profile was added correctly.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data.
- Look for the travel eSIM in your list of SIMs, eSIMs, or mobile plans.
- Tap the travel eSIM and confirm the line is turned on.
- Confirm the travel eSIM is selected for mobile data when you are ready to use it.
- Open Safari, Maps, WhatsApp, or another internet app to test data when you are at your destination.
Confirm the travel eSIM is installed
Settings → Mobile Service → SIMs / Cellular Data
Mobile Service
Home SIM
Turn On This Line · On
Travel eSIM
Installed · On
Cellular Data
After setup, confirm the travel eSIM appears in your iPhone mobile network settings and is turned on.
If your plan instructions require travel eSIM data roaming, turn it on for the travel eSIM only. Keep home SIM data roaming off if avoiding home-carrier roaming charges.
What to do when you arrive
- Open Settings → Mobile Service / Cellular / Mobile Data.
- Confirm the travel eSIM is turned on.
- Choose the travel eSIM for Mobile Data / Cellular Data.
- Keep home SIM data roaming off if avoiding home-carrier charges.
- Turn travel eSIM data roaming on only if your plan instructions require it.
- Test Safari, Maps, WhatsApp, banking, or travel apps.
- Turn on the included VPN in the app when wanted.
What not to do
- Do not delete the eSIM while you still need it.
- Do not delete and reinstall repeatedly. Some eSIM profiles can only be installed once.
- Do not turn on home SIM data roaming unless you understand the charges.
- Do not assume the included VPN is on automatically.
- Do not wait until you are abroad with no internet to start setup.
One-time credential
Treat your setup details like a one-time credential
Keep your order email, QR code, activation link, or manual SM-DP+ details until the eSIM is installed and working. If setup fails, contact support instead of repeatedly deleting and reinstalling.
If your iPhone eSIM does not work, check in this order
Walk through these steps in order before contacting support. Most issues are settings, not the eSIM itself.
- Confirm your iPhone supports eSIM.
- Confirm your iPhone is carrier-unlocked. Go to Settings → General → About and look for Network Provider Lock or Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, the iPhone is unlocked.
- Update iOS if your iPhone is far behind on software updates.
- Confirm the eSIM is installed under Mobile Service / Cellular / Mobile Data.
- Confirm the travel eSIM is turned on.
- Set the travel eSIM as the mobile data line.
- Turn mobile data on.
- Turn data roaming on for the travel eSIM if your instructions require it.
- Keep home SIM data roaming off if avoiding home-carrier roaming charges.
- Do not repeatedly scan the QR code or delete/reinstall the eSIM. Some eSIM profiles can only be installed once.
- If QR setup fails, use the manual SM-DP+ address and activation code if your order provides them.
- Toggle airplane mode for 20–30 seconds.
- Restart the iPhone.
- Move to an area with better signal.
- Contact support with your order details.
Official sources referenced
This guide is based on official Apple documentation, then adapted for travel eSIM setup with eSIMbundle.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my iPhone say Mobile Service instead of Cellular?
Some iPhones show Mobile Service, while others show Cellular or Mobile Data. These labels refer to the same iPhone settings area where SIMs, eSIMs, mobile plans, and mobile data are managed.
Which iPhones support eSIM?
Most travelers with iPhone 11 or newer are fine. Older supported models include iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE 2nd generation or newer. iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, and older do not support eSIM. Regional support can vary, so use the compatibility checker if you are unsure.
Can I install an eSIM manually on iPhone?
Yes, if your order provides manual details. Open Settings, tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data, then choose Add eSIM, Set Up Mobile, Set Up Cellular, or Add Mobile Plan. Use Enter Details Manually and enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order.
How do I know if my iPhone is unlocked?
Open Settings, tap General, then About. Look for Network Provider Lock or Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked.
Do I need Wi-Fi to set up an eSIM on iPhone?
Usually, yes. Apple says iPhone setup normally needs Wi-Fi or hotspot, with limited regional exceptions. Set up your eSIM before your trip while you still have reliable internet.
Can I keep my normal SIM active on iPhone?
Yes. Many travelers keep their home SIM active for calls, SMS, and verification codes, then use the travel eSIM as the mobile data line abroad.
How do I choose the travel eSIM for mobile data?
Open Settings, then tap Mobile Service, Cellular, or Mobile Data — whichever label appears on your iPhone. Then open Mobile Data, Cellular Data, or the data-line selector shown on your iPhone and choose the travel eSIM for mobile data. iPhone can use one mobile/cellular data network at a time.
Should data roaming be on for the travel eSIM?
Follow the setup instructions for your plan. Travel eSIMs often connect through roaming agreements, so the travel eSIM line may need data roaming turned on. This is different from turning on roaming for your home SIM.
Can I delete the eSIM and install it again?
Do not delete the eSIM while you still need it. Some eSIM profiles can only be installed once. If setup fails, contact support instead of repeatedly deleting and reinstalling.
Does the included VPN turn on automatically?
No. VPN is included at no extra cost, but you turn on the included VPN in the app when you want privacy, security, and unrestricted internet abroad.
