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How to activate eSIM on your iPhone 14

By Sanjana Prakash published 16 September 2022 Your guide to introducing eSIM on your new iPhone (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Your days with the physical SIM card are numbered - that is, if you're planning to get your hands on the just released iPhone 14 series. Apple launched the iPhone 14 models in the US as eSIM-only, leaving out physical SIM cards altogether. While eSIM is not a new concept, Apple is swimming against the tide by not including a SIM tray on the new iPhones. This drew a lot of concerns from people saying that it will be difficult to use the new phones while traveling to developing countries. Apple has since then published a support document (opens in new tab) that highlights different options of using eSIM on the new iPhones. eSIMs are embedded SIMs that can be electronically programmed. It is a more secure way of enabling a carrier on a phone as it can't get lost or stolen. It also eliminates the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards. Apple introduced eSIM with the iPhone XS and every iPhone model after that has supported the digital SIM card. Many of the best Android phones have also had eSIM capabilities for years. Apple allows you to store up to 8 eSIMs and use two numbers simultaneously (the eSIM version of dual SIMs). We recently found traveling with an eSIM (on an iPhone XR even) is not a hassle as there are many different carriers that offer good voice and data plans abroad. The good news for U.S. users is that some of the best carriers in the country offer eSIM and it is very simple to set up. So if you're in the US and have just got yourself the new iPhone 14, here's how you can set up eSIM on it.

  How to activate eSIM on iPhone 14 

Installing a SIM might sound like a daunting process, but Apple has made it pretty simple, with on-screen instructions doing most of the set up for you. There are different ways to add or enable any eSIM from a carrier on your new iPhone. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) If you have bought an eSIM online and need to activate it, you can do so manually by tapping into Settings > Mobile Data > Add Data plan. You will see a screen that says "Set up mobile service" and will give you two options: transfer from a nearby iPhone or use QR code. Scanning the QR Code will walk you through the quick process to set up the eSIM. (Image credit: Future) You can directly scan a QR Code to enable eSIM as well without going into Settings. Most carriers send push notifications once the QR Code is scanned that then hand holds you through the rest of the steps. You can also use your carrier's mobile app, which will also guide you through instructions on the screen to complete the setup process.

Transferring an eSIM or a physical SIM

Chances are that you would want to transfer your existing number to your new iPhone 14. Luckily, there is a snappy way of doing that with a feature on iOS 16. The new eSIM setup option on iOS 16 is called eSIM Quick Transfer that allows users to transfer their previous iPhone SIM (whether physical or eSIM) to an eSIM on the new iPhone 14. This is one of the easiest ways to transfer SIMs if you're upgrading from a previous iPhone. The only catch is that both the iPhones have to be running iOS 16. For Quick Transfer, open your Settings app, tap on Mobile Data and then "Add data plan". Now choose a mobile data plan to transfer from another device. If you can't see a list of numbers, tap on "Transfer From Another Device". Your previous iPhone should confirm the transfer and might ask you to enter a verification number on your new iPhone. (Image credit: Apple) The mobile data plan should get activated automatically on your new device. Apple says "Your previous SIM is deactivated when the mobile data plan on your new iPhone is activated." To continue setting up the new eSIM for voice and text, tap on "Finish Setting Up Your Network Provider's Data Plan" that should pop up as a banner. This will take you to the carrier's website to transfer your eSIM.

How to activate an eSIM through carriers

If you want to set up a new number on your iPhone 14 then this is the route to take. Most leading carriers provide eSIMs, some of which have the same plans that are offered for physical SIMs. Here's how to set up eSIMs from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile on your new iPhone 14. There are other carriers like Mint Mobile that also provide eSIMs, we are focussing on these three carriers in this guide. Do note that if you experience any issues while setting up your eSIM, it is best to call your carrier provider to complete your set up. AT&T Sign in to your AT&T account (opens in new tab) Click on "My devices" Find your iPhone 14 or any other phone you are setting up and click on "Manage" The click on "Options and Settings" From here you can click on "Get a new eSIM" Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the set up Verizon Sign in to the Verizon app or website Find the device you want eSIM on and set up an eSIM profile You can also scan a QR code to activate an eSIM T-Mobile Sign in to your T-Mobile account on the app or website Find your device you want the eSIM on and select a phone number Follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new eSIM You can also can a QR code to activate an eSIM If you are planning to buy a new iPhone, you can check out our iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro reviews. You can also check out our best iPhone 14 deals to score some of the best deals on the new phones. For more iPhone tutorials, get started with how to enable Sound Recognition on iPhone, which can listen out for and notify you about doorbells, smoke alarms and babies crying. Want a nicer feeling keyboard? Learn how to enable haptic keyboard on iPhone.Today's best Apple iPhone 14 dealsPlansUnlockedNew customers can ... (opens in new tab)No contractApple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Apple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$49.54/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$49.54/mth (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)New customers can ... (opens in new tab)No contractApple iPhone 14 (Installments 256GB) (opens in new tab)Apple iPhone 14 (Installments 256GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$53.71/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$53.71/mth (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)New customers can ... (opens in new tab)No contractApple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Apple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$54.54/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$54.54/mth (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Sanjana PrakashNews EditorSanjana loves all things tech. From the latest phones, to quirky gadgets and the best deals, she's in sync with it all. Based in Atlanta, she is the news editor at Tom's Guide. Previously, she produced India's top technology show for NDTV and has been a tech news reporter on TV. Outside work, you can find her on a tennis court or sipping her favorite latte in instagrammable coffee shops in the city. Her work has appeared on NDTV Gadgets 360 and CNBC. More about smartphones How to set up an Android phone OnePlus Nord N300 5G might be the sub-$300 phone to beatLatest Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer just revealed villainous Kang - and he's gloriousSee more latest ► Topics Smartphones Wireless Carriers See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1It's possible to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a Tesla - here's how2The best organic mattress in 2022: Natural mattresses for healthy sleep3MLB Playoffs live stream 2022: How to watch World Series baseball online4OnePlus Nord N300 5G might be the sub-$300 phone to beat5House of the Dragon finale delivered the fireworks I've been waiting for all season1Best Android browsers in 20222The best weighted blankets in 20223HP Victus with GTX 1650 just dropped to $479 in early Black Friday deal4Best cutting boards in 2022: Tested and rated5It's possible to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a Tesla - here's how