eSIM technology represents new features and a brand-new experience of user comfort in staying connected without a physical SIM card. The iPhone 13 supports eSIM, thereby allowing users the flexibility to switch between carriers, get multiple numbers on one device, and have a more streamlined set-up of their device. This tutorial will take you through how to activate an eSIM on your iPhone 13, covering all prerequisites to troubleshooting common issues.
Prerequisites
Before you activate eSIM on your iPhone 13, make sure the following prerequisites are in place:
iOS Version: Make sure your iPhone 13 is running the latest version of iOS, which is important for it to remain up-to-date and compatible with new features and security updates. The update can be downloaded by going to Settings -> General -> Software Update.
Carrier Support: Ensure that your mobile service operator supports eSIM technology. Most major carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer their eSIM services.
Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi and that your connection is stable. The process of activating eSIM may ask you to download the carrier settings, hence requires an internet connection.
Acquiring the eSIM
Before you can use the eSIM to activate your iPhone 13, you must have the correct eSIM activation details from your carrier. This can be achieved in different ways:
Reach Out to Your Carrier: Get in touch with your carrier’s customer care to ask for an eSIM. They will provide you either an eSIM activation code or a QR code, and in some instances, these details can also be shared by the carrier over email.
Carrier App or Website: Some carriers allow you to get an eSIM through the use of their app or merely by visiting their website. This mode is arguably the most convenient and allows one to complete the procedure without necessarily having to wait for a physical mail delivery.
Activation is possible once you get the eSIM activation code or QR code.
eSIM Activation via QR Code
Activating the eSIM on an iPhone 13 is just about as easy as could be with a QR code. Below are the steps to go through:
Go to Settings: Navigate and find the Settings app from your iPhone.
Choose Cellular: Click on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
Add Cellular Plan: Click “Add eSIM.”
Scan the QR Code: Now, take out your iPhone and open the camera. Point the camera toward the QR code that your carrier will provide to automatically fill in the information that your iPhone requires.
Follow On-Screen Instructions: Finish the setup by following through all onscreen instructions. If asked to, enter the confirmation code that was sent to you from your carrier.
Your eSIM has been activated. To check, go to Settings > Cellular and check if your new cellular plan is listed under Cellular Plans.
How to Download eSIM on iPhone 13?
To activate an eSIM on your iPhone 13, you won’t be “downloading” it in the traditional sense, but rather activating it. Here’s how you can do it:
- Contact Your Carrier: First, make sure your carrier supports eSIM for your plan. You’ll need to get an eSIM activation code from them, which usually comes as a QR code.
- Open Settings: On your iPhone 13, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
- Scan the QR Code: Use your iPhone’s camera to scan the QR code provided by your carrier. If your carrier provided a URL instead, you can enter it manually in this section.
- Follow On-Screen Instructions: Once the QR code is scanned or the URL is entered, follow the on-screen instructions to activate the eSIM on your iPhone 13.
- Label Your Plan: After activation, you can label your eSIM plan to help you distinguish it from your physical SIM.
- Restart Your iPhone: Finally, restart your iPhone to complete the activation process.
Remember, you’re not downloading an eSIM file; you’re activating a cellular plan that uses the eSIM feature built into your iPhone 13.
Activating eSIM via Carrier App
If your carrier has an app, you’ll be able to use it to activate your eSIM directly. This will be easier and often more user-friendly. Here is how you can do this if your carrier has an app:
Download the Carrier App: If you haven’t done so already, download your carrier’s app from the App Store. Common carrier apps are MyAT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Open the App: Open the app on your iPhone 13.
Locate eSIM Activation: Look for the eSIM activation category of the application; it should generally fall under either account settings or device management.
Follow the Instructions: Follow what the app says to add and activate your eSIM. Most of the time, you will have to log into your account, click on one of the options to add an eSIM, and then confirm the phone number of that line, among other things.
Finish Setup: Once you did the above steps, the app will say that your eSIM is activated. It will prompt you to restart your iPhone. Once your eSIM is activated, you can check it in the settings of a cellular menu. Under settings, this new eSIM plan should be found under the Cellular Plans.
Manually Enter eSIM Information
In the case that you are not able to scan any QR code or use your carrier’s application, there is an option to input eSIM details manually. You shall have to do this in collaboration with your carrier, since some of the required information shall consist of an SM-DP+ address and an activation code. The steps below will guide you on how to manually input your eSIM information on the iPhone 13.
Settings: Tap the option of settings on your iPhone.
Select Cellular: Tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
Add Cellular Plan: Click on “Add Cellular Plan.”
Enter Manually: If, for some reason, a QR code isn’t scanning, then pick the Enter details manually.
Input Information: Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code, with any additional detail that is provided by the Carrier. This information is made accessible through email or documentation from your Carrier.
Follow On-Screen Instructions: Continue following the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once finished, all the details will be filled in. This should activate your eSIM. To verify whether activation is completed, proceed to Settings > Cellular and see if the new cellular plan displays under Cellular Plans.
Verify eSIM Activation
Post the activation process, ensure that your eSIM has been activated and is working perfectly. Here is how you check eSIM activation on your iPhone 13:
Check Cellular Settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Select “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
Inspect Cellular Plans:
- The new eSIM plan will now appear in the Cellular Plans. It will say one plan is loaded with the carrier name, and further down it may have other information, such as your telephone number.
Test Connectivity:
- Make sure you are able to receive a call and to make calls with the new eSIM.
- Verify if you can send and receive an SMS message.
- Check if you can use the web on Mobile Data by turning off Wi-Fi and surfing the web.
Carrier Settings Update (If Required):
- At times, it may require a carrier settings update. If the case is such, kindly update your carrier settings when prompted to do so. Also, you can check for carrier setting updates manually under Settings > General > About.
Restart Your iPhone:
- If you run into any problem, try rebooting your iPhone. Doing this may possibly help finalize the activation process and eliminate tiny nuisances.
Contact Carrier Support:
- Should an eSIM not work as expected, the customer is able to receive assistance by contacting the carrier’s customer support. They might be able to troubleshoot and confirm everything is in place for your eSIM to be properly activated.
By following these steps, you can confirm that your eSIM is active and working properly on your iPhone 13.
Troubleshooting
If you follow the above steps correctly, you might still face problems during or after activating your eSIM. Common issues and possible solutions are provided to help you resolve them.
Common Problems and Fixes
eSIM Not Showing in Cellular Plans:
- Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, the simplest of solutions can do the job. Press and hold the power button, swipe off, and then turn on your iPhone.
- Check for iOS Updates: Ensure your device runs the latest iOS version. To do this, navigate to: Settings -> General -> Software Update.
- Re-scan the QR code: If you used a QR code for activation, re-scan it. Go to “Settings,” then tap on “Cellular” and “Add Cellular Plan.” Rescan the QR code.
Cannot Make or Receive Calls:
- Check Your Cellular Settings: Navigate to Settings > Cellular and ensure your eSIM plan is configured correctly.
- Check Network Signal: Ensure you are receiving a good signal. In case you are in an area with weak reception, consider relocating to another area.
- Contact Your Carrier: If the above does not work, you can contact your carrier for assistance. They may have to reset your eSIM profile on their end.
No Internet Connection:
- Enable Mobile Data: Ensure Mobile Data is enabled: Settings > Cellular then, enable the switch.
- Check Data Plan: It is also possible that your data plan has expired or you ran out of data. Call your carrier for details.
- Reset Network Settings: If after all the network settings remain unresponsive, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This is going to reset all network settings including Wi-Fi passwords and hence you shall have to re-enter these.
Activation Error Messages:
- Correct Data: Ensure that you have entered the SM-DP+ address and activation code correctly.
- Carrier Support: At times the displayed error messages are those that will need a carrier’s intervention. Contact your carrier’s customer care for clarifications and specific solutions for error codes.
eSIM Activation Failed:
- Try Again: In some cases, problems can be solved by simply retrying the activation process. Try running through the activation steps once more either by QR or manual entry.
- Use Carrier App: If you have not yet, try to download and use the carrier application to activate.
Most of the issues and problems you’ll get on eSIM activation for your iPhone 13 can be resolved and fixed through basic troubleshooting with these common issues and respective solutions.
Deactivate/Remove eSIM
If for any reason you want to disable or erase an eSIM from your iPhone 13, here is the way you will do it. This includes changing your carrier, when you no longer need the service of the eSIM, or in case you are experiencing problems that might necessitate a fresh setup.
eSIM Removing
- Go to Settings: Launch the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone.
- Select Cellular: Tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
- Select eSIM plan: Tap the eSIM plan you want to deactivate.
- Remove Cellular Plan: Click on “Remove Cellular Plan.” This would then take off and delete the eSIM from your device.
- Remove Confirmed: Follow other instructions on the screen to complete the eSIM removal.
eSIM De-activation
If you are more comfortable deactivating the eSIM without removing it from the phone, you just switch off its line:
- Go to Settings: Open the settings application in your iPhone.
- Select Cellular: Tap on the option that is labelled “Cellular.”
- Select the eSIM Plan: Click to select the eSIM plan you wish to deactivate.
- Turn Off This Line: Flip the switch beside “Turn On This Line” to the off position. Doing so will turn off the eSIM, not remove it, so you can turn it back on later if you choose.
Activating an eSIM
If you have already deactivated an eSIM and wish to reactivate it:
- Go to Settings: Launch the “Settings” app from your iPhone.
- Tap Cellular: Tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile.”
- Enable eSIM plan: Choose the eSIM plan that you disabled under step 1 above.
- Turn On This Line: Just slide the switch next to “Turn On This Line” to ON and your eSIM will be switched ON again.
By following this series of steps, you’ll take precise control over the deactivation or removal of the eSIM on your iPhone 13 so that the device will remain flexible to your needs.