How to Activate an eSIM on iPhone 14 and 14 Pro in the US

Apple has taken the covers off the new iPhone 14 series lineup. And the new iPhone 14 series phones won’t ship with a physical SIM card slot in the US. Instead, Apple acquired the eSIM technology for its newest edition of the iPhone lineup. So, if you just bought a new iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro and want to activate eSIM on your new iPhone, here’s an easy guide on setting up eSIM on the iPhone 14.

Although Apple uses the eSIM technology for years, the iPhone 14 series is the first iPhone that ships without a physical SIM card slot in the US. While the 14-series is shipping with a dedicated nano-SIM card slot in other countries such as the US neighboring Canada, Australia, France, Germany the UK, India, and more.

The new technology allows you to store at least eight different eSIMs on your iPhone, you can use two SIMs at one time, confirmed by an Apple spokesman to The Verge.

eSIM on iPhone 14

Before we look into the steps that you need to follow to activate your eSIM on your iPhone, you first need to know what network carriers support eSIMs. Here is a list of network carriers that support eSIM in the US.

Wireless Carriers: eSIM Carrier Activation Support List

  • AT&T
  • Boost Mobile
  • C Spire
  • Cellcom
  • Credo Mobile
  • FirstNet
  • H2O Wireless
  • Spectrum Mobile
  • Straight Talk
  • Strata
  • T-Mobile USA
  • Tracfone
  • US Cellular
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Xfinity Mobile

Wireless Carriers: eSIM Quick Transfer Support List

  • AT&T
  • C Spire
  • T-Mobile USA
  • US Cellular
  • Verizon Wireless

Wireless Carriers: eSIM Multiple Activation Method Support List

  • Appalachian Wireless
  • AT&T
  • Boost Mobile
  • C Spire
  • Carolina West Wireless
  • Cellcom
  • Chat Mobility
  • Consumer Cellular
  • Copper Valley Telecom
  • Credo Mobile
  • Cricket
  • FirstNet
  • GCI
  • H2O Wireless
  • Metro by T-Mobile
  • Mint Mobile
  • Nemont
  • Nex-tech Wireless
  • Northwest Cell
  • Optimum Mobile
  • Pioneer Wireless
  • PTCI
  • PureTalk
  • RedPocket
  • Republic
  • Spectrum Mobile
  • Straight Talk
  • Strata
  • T-Mobile USA
  • Thumb Cellular
  • Tracfone
  • Truphone
  • Ubigi
  • Union Wireless
  • United Wireless
  • US Cellular
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Visible
  • West Central Wireless
  • Xfinity Mobile

Now that you have a good idea of what network providers have eSIM support as well as the type of activation methods, now let’s take a look at the various methods you can follow to activate the eSIM on your new iPhone

How to Activate eSIM on iPhone 14 – eSIM Carrier Activation

In this method, you will first have to contact your network provider and request them to transfer your number to the eSIM for your iPhone. Once they have transferred it to your iPhone you can follow these steps.

how to activate esim on iPhone 14
  1. Ensure that your iPhone has been switched on and is connected to a WiFi network.
  2. You should be getting a notification on your iPhone that says Cellular Plan ready to be installed.
  3. Tap on the notification.
  4. The Settings app will open. Tap on Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to be installed.
  5. Now, tap on Continue.
  6. In a few seconds, you should see the network bars on your iPhone.
  7. Simply test the network by making a call and ensure that you’ve got good cellular connectivity.
  8. If everything is working perfectly, well and good, or else, contact your network provider.

eSIM Quick Transfer from old iPhone to new iPhone

If you have older iPhones with an active eSIM and now want to transfer it to your iPhone 14 then this is the guide you need to follow. Follow this method if you wish to transfer your sim from an older iPhone to your newer iPhone.

  1. Open the Settings app on your newer iPhone and navigate to Cellular followed by Add Cellular Plan.
  2. Now, choose the cellular plan that you wish to transfer from your iPhone to the newer iPhone.
  3. If you do not see any numbers, tap on the Transfer From Another Device. Both iPhones need to be running on iOS 16.
  4. On the older iPhone tap on Transfer.
  5. You might also be asked to enter a code that is displayed on your newer iPhone.
  6. Wait for a few minutes. The sim on your older iPhone will be deactivated and your newer iPhone will now have the eSIM.
  7. You might also see a banner on your new iPhone about the Setting up the Carrier Plan. Tap on it to finish transferring the eSIM to your new iPhone.

Convert Physical SIM to eSIM on newer iPhone 14

Now, if you are someone that doesn’t have an older iPhone or maybe you have a physical SIM, you can also transfer the SIM by yourself. Here are the steps you need to follow.

  1. On your new iPhone, launch the Settings app and tap on Cellular.
  2. Now, tap on the option that says Convert to eSIM.
  3. Next, tap on Convert Cellular Plan.
  4. Tap on the button that says Convert to eSIM.
  5. All you need to do is wait for a few minutes and your eSIM should be activated. The physical sim card will now be deactivated right away.
  6. If you are using an iPhone with the physical sim, you can now remove the sim as your iPhone now has an eSIM activated.

Activate eSIM via QR Code

You can follow these methods if your network provider doesn’t support the above-mentioned eSIM activation methods.

  1. While setting up your iPhone for the first time,
    • Tap on the Use QR Code when you reach the Setup Cellular Screen.
    • Simply follow the instructions on-screen and you are good to go.
  2. Activate eSIM after setting up iPhone
    • Request the QR Code from your network provider.
    • Now, launch the Camera app and scan the QR Code.
    • The Cellular Plan notification should now appear.
    • Tap on Continue and finally, Add Cellular Plan.

How to manually add eSIM information

If none of the above methods work for your network carrier, the last resort is to enter all your details manually. Here is how you can do that.

  1. Contact your network provider and ask them to send you the details required to set up an eSIM.
  2. Once you have the details in hand, launch the Settings app.
  3. Tap on Mobile Data or Cellular.
  4. Now, tap on Add Cellular Plan.
  5. Here is where you will have to manually enter in all the details that have been provided to you by your network provider.

These are the various methods that you can follow to activate an eSIM either on your brand new iPhone 14 or maybe on older iPhones that support eSIM options. We hope this guide has helped you understand activating an eSIM and also what network providers currently support eSIM options.

Any questions or queries? Feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

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Joshua D'souza

Enjoy games, 90's hip-hop, and tech. Loves exploring the infinite world of laptops and food. Every ready to provide assistance in anything that rocks his boat. Will gladly enjoy capturing memories through various lenses. Worked previously at PiunikaWeb as an author and researcher.

1 thought on “How to Activate an eSIM on iPhone 14 and 14 Pro in the US”

  1. I’m trying to connect my service to a 2nd line with ESIM..and still keep my account active with my current company.. I have a iPhone 13 on iOS the new 16.2 update. Please let me know if this is possible! Thanks in advance!

    Reply

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