Are you trying to activate an eSIM on your iPhone but keep getting the frustrating “eSIM cannot be added” error message?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many iPhone users have encountered this issue when setting up their eSIM for the first time.
The good news is, there are a few quick fixes you can try to resolve the problem and get your eSIM up and running smoothly. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the troubleshooting process to help you overcome the “eSIM cannot be added” error on your iPhone.
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But first, let’s briefly cover what an eSIM is and why you might want to use one.
What Is an eSIM?
An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM card. It’s a small chip inside your iPhone that works just like a traditional SIM card.
The eSIM technology was first introduced by Apple in 2018 with the release of the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. Since then, eSIM has been available on newer iPhone models including the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd generation), 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max.
Benefits of Using an eSIM
There are several advantages to using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card:
- Convenience: You don’t need to go to a store to get a physical SIM. You can simply sign up for a cellular plan and activate the eSIM on your iPhone from anywhere.
- Multiple plans on one device: eSIM allows you to have multiple cellular plans on a single device. This is useful if you want to use different plans for work and personal lines, or if you frequently travel abroad and want to use a local data plan.
- Easy to switch carriers: With an eSIM, it’s quick and easy to switch between cellular carriers or sign up for new ones without having to obtain a new physical SIM each time.
- More secure: An eSIM is harder to hack or clone compared to a removable physical SIM card.
- Saves space: Since an eSIM is embedded into your iPhone’s hardware, it frees up the space used for the SIM card slot, allowing for a slimmer phone design or a larger battery.
Why Does the “eSIM Cannot Be Added” Error Occur?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of eSIM, let’s get into the main issue at hand – the dreaded “eSIM cannot be added” error message. This error can pop up for a few reasons:
- The eSIM you’re trying to activate may already be active on another device or account. You need to deactivate it from the previous device first.
- The eSIM activation code (usually provided as a QR code) could have expired. You’ll need to contact your carrier to get a new code.
- There may be some network settings on your iPhone that are preventing the eSIM activation from completing successfully.
Don’t be alarmed if you see this error – it’s usually not too difficult to fix. Let’s go through the troubleshooting steps.
How to Fix “eSIM Cannot Be Added” on iPhone?
Here’s what to do if you encounter the “eSIM cannot be added” error when trying to set up an eSIM on your iPhone:
Step 1: Delete the eSIM from Your Previous iPhone
If the eSIM you want to activate on your new iPhone was previously active on another device, you need to delete it from that phone first. Here’s how:
- On your previous iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data.
- Tap the eSIM plan you want to delete.
- Choose Remove Cellular Plan.
- Confirm by tapping Remove.
The eSIM is now deactivated from your old iPhone and you can proceed to activate it on your new device. If you don’t have access to the old iPhone anymore, contact your carrier – they should be able to deactivate the eSIM for you.
Step 2: Reset Network Settings
If you’ve deactivated the eSIM from the previous device but still can’t activate it on your new iPhone, the next troubleshooting step is to reset your network settings. This will erase your saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, and other network preferences, but it won’t delete any of your personal data like photos, videos, or apps. Here’s what to do:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset
- Select Reset Network Settings. You’ll be asked to enter your iPhone passcode to confirm.
- Your iPhone will restart. Once it’s back on, try activating the eSIM again.
In many cases, resetting the network settings will allow the eSIM activation to complete without the error message.
Step 3: Scan the eSIM QR Code Again
If you’re still getting the “eSIM cannot be added” error after resetting network settings, double check that you’re scanning the correct eSIM QR code provided by your carrier. The QR code is usually sent to you by email or you might have a physical card with the code printed on it.
When scanning the code, make sure you’re doing it in good lighting and that there’s no glare or smudges on the QR code or your iPhone camera lens obscuring it. The code should be clearly visible inside the frame on your iPhone screen.
If you continue to get an error that the QR code is invalid or expired, contact your carrier. They may need to issue you a new activation code.
Step 4: Contact Your Carrier
If none of the above steps resolved the issue and you still can’t activate your eSIM, it’s time to contact your cellular carrier’s customer support. They can check on their end to see if there are any problems with your eSIM activation and guide you through additional troubleshooting steps.
Some carriers also allow you to activate the eSIM right through their mobile app, so check if that’s an option to streamline the process. The carrier’s app and website will have specific instructions for setting up the eSIM that may help you avoid any potential issues or errors.
Additional eSIM Troubleshooting Tips
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind if you’re running into trouble activating an eSIM on your iPhone:
- Make sure your iPhone is unlocked. You need an unlocked iPhone to use an eSIM, especially if you’re signing up for a cellular plan from a carrier other than the one you originally bought the iPhone from.
- Check that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. You need an internet connection to activate the eSIM.
- An eSIM won’t work on an older iPhone model that doesn’t support the technology. Check Apple’s list of compatible iPhones for eSIM.
- Keep your iPhone up to date. Regularly installing the latest version of iOS can help prevent bugs and ensure the eSIM activation process goes smoothly.
- Toggle Airplane mode on and off. Sometimes simply turning airplane mode on, waiting a few seconds, then toggling it off again can resolve any eSIM connectivity issues.
- Reboot your iPhone. A good ol’ restart can work wonders. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until “slide to power off” appears. Drag the slider to shut down your iPhone, then turn it back on by holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- Remove your physical SIM card if one is inserted in addition to the eSIM. Then retry the eSIM activation process.
Conclusion
The “eSIM cannot be added” error on iPhone can be annoying, but it’s usually straightforward to resolve by following the troubleshooting steps outlined above. Deactivate the eSIM from any previous devices, reset your iPhone’s network settings, scan the correct activation code, and if needed, contact your carrier for help.
eSIM technology makes it more convenient than ever to set up and manage your cellular service right from your iPhone. Once you have the eSIM activated, you can enjoy the benefits of a digital SIM like easy carrier switching, multiple plans on one device, and a more secure cellular connection.
Have other questions about using an eSIM on your iPhone? Let us know in the comments below! We’re always happy to help our readers make the most of the exciting technology packed into their iPhones.
