Set up cellular service on iPhone
- June 7, 2024
- Apple
Table of Contents
iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later can digitally store an eSIM provided by your carrier.
- Go to Settings > Cellular, then tap Add Cellular Plan.
- Do one of the following:
- Set up a new plan with a QR code provided by your carrier: Position iPhone so that the QR code appears in the frame, or enter the details manually. You may be asked to enter a confirmation code provided by your carrier.
- Install an assigned cellular plan: If you get a notification from your carrier that a plan was assigned to you, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.
- Transfer a SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone: Choose your phone number from the list.
If you don’t see your phone number, make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID on both iPhone devices. Transferring a SIM to an eSIM isn’t supported by all carriers or for all cellular plans. For more info, see the Apple Support article Transfer a SIM from your previous iPhone to eSIM on your new iPhone.
- Tap Add Cellular Plan.
- If the new plan is your second line, follow the onscreen instructions to set how you want the plans to work together.
Alternatively, you can activate your cellular plan through your carrier’s app (if supported). Go to the App Store, download your carrier’s app, then use the app to activate a cellular plan.
You can store more than one eSIM on your iPhone, but you can use only one eSIM at a time. To switch eSIMs, go to Settings > Cellular, tap the plan you want to use, then tap Turn On This Line.
If you have a nano-SIM, you can use it as your second line. Dual SIM works only if you have one physical SIM and one eSIM installed in your iPhone. See the Apple Support article Using Dual SIM with an eSIM.