User Guide
Set up cellular service on iPhone
Your iPhone needs a physical SIM or an eSIM to connect to a cellular network. (Not all options are available on all models or in all countries and regions. On iPhone 14 and later, some models only use eSIM.) Contact your carrier to get a SIM and set up cellular service.
Set up an eSIM
Supported iPhone models can digitally store an eSIM provided by your carrier. If your carrier supports either eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer, you can turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM during setup.
If you already completed setup, do the following:
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to an available Wi-Fi or cellular network. eSIM setup requires an internet connection.
- Add an eSIM using one of the following methods:
- SIM Carrier Activation: Some carriers can assign a new eSIM directly to your iPhone; contact your carrier to initiate this process. When you receive the “Finish Setting Up Cellular” notification, tap it. Or go to Settings
> Cellular, then tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- eSIM Quick Transfer: Some carriers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them (requires iOS 16 or later on both devices).
- On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number. On your previous iPhone, follow the instructions to confirm the transfer.Note: After your phone number is transferred to your new iPhone, it stops working on your previous iPhone.
On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number. On your previous iPhone, follow the instructions to confirm the transfer. Note: After your phone number is transferred to your new iPhone, it stops working on your previous iPhone.
> Cellular, then tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
