The concept of eSIM was first seen on the iPhone SE2, which was launched way back in 2020. Fast forward 3 years, and now we have the iPhone 14 that supports eSIM as well. However, not everyone is aware of using and activating an eSIM on their iPhone. Moreover, the concept of using eSIM as a dual SIM is also something awkward for many users. Here’s our guide to help users activate eSIM in iPhone 14 and also help them to use dual SIM functionality along with an eSIM.
What is an eSIM?
eSIM stands for electronic SIM. Moreover, the eSIM is completely different from a traditional physical SIM card. While a SIM card stores a phone’s unique identification data so it can join its home network or identify itself while roaming, an eSIM stores everything on a server.
A SIM card allows a carrier to link a specific mobile device to a set of contact and financial details. Even though an eSIM is programmable, it differs from a traditional SIM card in that it is permanently installed on a mobile device.
The information required to communicate with a cellular network can be loaded onto it as easily as onto a removable card with a hardcoded identity. Even though an eSIM performs the same function as a physical SIM card—activation and billing integration—carriers must update their networks to support them.
How to Activate eSIM on iPhone 14?
If you already have your eSIM number, you can get it activated on your iPhone 14 easily. However, if you don’t already have it but have the physical SIM card, you need to contact customer support and let them know.
Once you have notified customer support about issuing an eSIM, they will send you an email informing about the same and also tell you to wait for 24 hours or more, depending on the carrier to carrier. Now, when the time has passed, you will receive a QR code.
That QR code has every information your iPhone needs to set up the SIM card. Follow these steps to add eSIM using QR Code:
- On your iPhone, open Settings.
- Go to Cellular.
- Tap on Add Cellular Plan and scan the QR Code. (Europe)
- On other phones, open Settings.
- Go to Mobile Data.
- Click on Add eSIM.
- Scan the QR code.
Once the scanning is finished, you will see some information, click on Save. When done, you will receive an SMS from your carrier that your eSIM is now activated.
If you don’t receive that message, you will have a phone number in which you can call to verify your details, and then the customer care executive will activate your eSIM.
Can You Convert Physical SIM to eSIM?
While many carriers support in-home conversion of physical SIM cards to eSIM by just logging onto their website and doing some quick formalities, many providers don’t support that. For such providers, you might need to visit their store and get it done.
Moreover, some carriers even send you an in-home executive who will do the entire procedure sitting in front of you. But that differs from country to country and carrier to carrier.
eSIM Vs. Physical SIM
The convenience of not having to deal with SIMs is important. First, activating an eSIM for monthly service or pay-as-you-go plans on your phone typically doesn’t require any interaction with a customer service representative and almost never requires a visit to a physical cellular store.
The second advantage is that you won’t have to wait to get your hands on a SIM card. Third, you no longer have to deal with the hassle of opening the SIM slot, using Apple’s SIM removal tool that you’re sure to never find when you need and resort to a paperclip instead.
While you can easily lose a physical nano-SIM if you keep it on hand, there’s no such thing possible with an eSIM. However, the only convenience is that if you ever switch from an iPhone to another smartphone, you will not be able to take out the eSIM and insert it instantly. You will instead have to go to the official store and make a physical SIM out of it.
However, with the likeliness of you using an iPhone, there’s very less chance of you moving away from an iPhone and switching to some other regular phone or Android. Sometimes, after moving from carrier to another, you might need to update cell towers.
Which iPhones Support eSIM?
The concept of eSIM was introduced way back in 2020 when Apple came up with the iPhone SE. After that, with the release of the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, Apple began supporting eSIMs in addition to the traditional SIM card.
Unfortunately, only the iPhone 14 models sold in the United States miss out on the ability to use both a physical SIM card and an eSIM. However, with an iPhone 13 series device, you can use two eSIMs or one physical SIM, and one eSIM.
Interestingly, in the future, some service providers may activate an eSIM as your primary service. That leaves one eSIM slot available for international travel in either scenario.
The iPhone 14 series reportedly supports up to eight eSIMs that can be stored, though only two can be active at once. Apple has been mum on the topic, so it’s not known if international versions of the iPhone 14 will feature offline eSIM storage alongside its U.S. counterparts.
The ability to keep multiple eSIMs on hand is a great convenience for frequent international travelers. Those of us who don’t travel frequently or far will probably activate an eSIM just for the duration of our trip, with the service expiring after a predetermined period of time.
The Bottom Line
Well, that’s all we have here about how you can activate eSIM in iPhone 14. We hope this guide has helped you. If you still have any doubts or queries, make sure to comment below.
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