How to Use eSIM on iPhone 11

Using eSIM on your iPhone 11 is a streamlined process that should not cause too much trouble. If you’ve encountered a problem, this article is the place to be. Later in the article, we will dive into the following ways to use eSIM on your iPhone 11:

• iPhone eSIM carrier activation
• iPhone eSIM quick transfer
• Physical SIM to eSIM conversion
• Transfer eSIM with a QR code
• Manual eSIM activation

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When you boot up your phone for the first time, you should be able to follow onscreen instructions that guide you step-by-step to a successful eSIM activation. If you want to add a second account to your unlocked device, there should be an option in your settings that says “Add Data Plan,” which will likewise bring you some onscreen instructions on how to use eSIM on your iPhone 11. 

An Overview of eSIMs

eSIM cards are embedded chips containing all the information that connects your phone to a mobile network. SIM cards, physical or embedded, do the same thing within your phone, but physical SIM cards are programmed to a particular network, while eSIMs cannot be removed from your phone and are reprogrammable. Your SIM card will always connect your phone or device to a mobile network and let you use data. Phones and devices without SIMs can access WiFi networks but not cell towers nationwide. 

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eSIM Applications

While smartphones and smartwatches are likely the only devices whose SIM cards you’ve interacted with, the applications of eSIM cards range far beyond personal devices. Embedded SIM cards save a lot of space in the construction of a device. This is nice in cell phones. New models, like the iPhone series 14 and the Galaxy series S23 are removing the physical SIM port entirely and moving to eSIM only and using the saved space to pack in more processing power and battery life into their devices. The space saved on smartphones is nice, but saving space on tiny smart devices lets them get much more compact and much easier to reprogram. 

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Many manufacturers and large-scale operations use eSIM cards (and iSIM cards) in their new tech to optimize their work further. 

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eSIMs in iPhone 11

Embedded SIM cards in the iPhone 11 models let new accounts load onto the device through the eSIM and create a dual-SIM active device. Dual-SIM active devices are those that contain multiple active accounts at once. With an eSIM on iPhone 11, you can activate one account through the physical SIM and another through the eSIM. This is amazing for businesspeople and travelers who often switch numbers or carry multiple phones to separate their work and personal contacts. Operating multiple SIM cards opens new options on your device, such as creating contact “groups” so your phone can send texts/calls with your business number to Group A and your personal number to Group B. With a few settings, your iPhone 11 will utilize the number you want for talk, text, and data. 

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Using eSIM on iPhone 11 is easy! With just a few clicks, you can add an eSIM phone plan to your device and activate that account. This can be your first or second account — the operational procedure is very similar. In the following section, we will touch on the iPhone 11 models and which one is right for you before a deep dive into setting up your eSIM on an iPhone 11. 

Is the iPhone 11 Right for You? 

Before discussing how to use eSIM with an iPhone 11, we want to jump into the specifics of the phone and how it holds up to the previous and next generation of iPhones on the market. The iPhone 11 is no longer available from Apple, but you can purchase it from various third-party sources like carrier cell phone stores and websites like Amazon.

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A lot of the available iPhone 11s are refurbished. While they are used, there are strict tests that the phone has to pass for it to be good enough for the “refurbished” tag. Refurbished phones are much cheaper and a great way to jump on the iPhone train without paying a steep price. 

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iPhone XR

Price: $230 on Amazon

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The iPhone XR is an excellent choice for an affordable iPhone device. It was released in 2018 and has a nice suite of features like Apple Pay and Face ID, but it lacks the battery life and serious camera you find in the newer models. While it is a much older model, the iPhone XR still performs very well and can run everything save the most demanding phone games and software. iPhones, across the board, are very expensive. The iPhone 14 is currently $800, and the iPhone 13 is still $730.

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All iPhones provide iMessage and Apple Pay, two great services that are widely used around the United States. There’s a big push for everyone to get the latest and greatest iPhone devices. While they are exceptional devices, the innovations arriving with the new devices focus on the camera, battery life, and processing power. This is all good for someone who wants that high-tech from their cell phone. If you don’t, a phone like the iPhone XR or iPhone 11 series might be perfect. 

iPhone 11 

Price: $300 on Amazon 

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For about $70 more, you can get the iPhone 11. This next-gen phone comes with one major upgrade — the camera. The iPhone 11 comes with an additional lens and the “night” mode camera shot, which lets you take a picture in the dark without using your flash. This phone, like the iPhone XR, is also renewed on Amazon, which means it hits the following criteria:

• This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier in the USA
• Passed a battery health test to guarantee a battery capacity of at least 80% compared to original specs
• Passed a diagnostic test to ensure like-new functionality 
• All prior personal user information is wiped 
• Includes a charger and charging cable
• Minimal cosmetic damage (not noticeable when held at arm’s length)

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There are a lot of phones that people return for one reason or another after less than a month of operation, and those phones are prime targets for renewal. 

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iPhone 11 Pro

Price:  $350 on Amazon

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Coming in at $350 is the iPhone 11 Pro. It swings with a bit more battery life and, most importantly, a third 12 MP lens. This is our favorite bet for an affordable iPhone that takes stellar pictures — much closer in quality to what you would see in the 13 and 14 series iPhones. iPhone 11’s are no longer sold through Apple, so the Pro is also available used. 

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iPhone 12 Series

iPhone 12 Price: $630 New (64GB) on Apple

iPhone 12 Pro Price: $518 Renewed (128 GB) on Amazon

iPhone 12 Pro Max Price: $633 Renewed (128 GB) on Amazon

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The iPhone 12 brings 5G connectivity, a big boon for those who want to stream UHD video and game on mobile networks. The iPhone 12 is still available new from Apple, and some cell phone stores, but the other models are discontinued and only available renewed. If you want a new device, the 12 is nice but still mega expensive compared to the older renewed models. Even the renewed pricing on these devices is a few hundred bucks more than the iPhone 11, making them less of an affordable alternative to the new iPhone models. Still, the iPhone 12 delivers an excellent package with a better camera, faster processor, and bigger battery than the XR and 11. 

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How to Setup eSIM on iPhone

Now that you have a bit of info on the older iPhone models, let’s talk about how to use eSIM on your iPhone 11. We covered this process briefly in the beginning, but this section will walk you through all the ways to use eSIM on your iPhone 11 and help you through each step of the process. 

Use eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone 11

The easiest method to use eSIM on your iPhone 11 is with Quick Transfer. This method lets you transfer your SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting your carrier (which is necessary for eSIM carrier activation). 

Some carriers support SIM transfers from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting them. You can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM. 

The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro support dual-SIM activity and there are times that you can utilize eSIM Quick Transfer to add a second SIM card to your device. If you wish to do that, here are the onscreen steps to complete the transfer. 

• Go to Settings - Cellular - Add Cellular Plan
• Choose the cellular plan you want to transfer from another iPhone. To do this, both devices need to operate on iOS 16 or later. 
• Look for a notification on the old iPhone to confirm the transfer. Tapping the notification should complete the transfer or ask for a verification code displayed on your new iPhone. 
• Await the plan to activate the new iPhone. When this happens, your old SIM card will deactivate
• Tap “Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan.” This should bring you to the carrier’s website, which will complete the transfer. 

iPhone 11 eSIM Carrier Activation

If you purchase your iPhone 11 from a carrier store, they can oftentimes assign an eSIM account to your device immediately. Utilizing this service, an eSIM is assigned to your phone when you purchase it, and you should receive a simple set of instructions when you power up your device for the first time. 

If you switch phones from an Android to an iPhone, you can contact your carrier to start the Carrier Activation process or scan a QR code from your carrier. There are a few ways to do it, but each instance of Carrier Activation requires contact with your carrier. 

A word of advice: If you are switching devices or switching carriers and want to use eSIM Carrier Activation, make sure to keep your old phone active to allow you to communicate with your carrier through the device and to make sure you can port over your number to keep your contacts and other information. 

Follow these steps to complete iPhone eSIM Carrier Activation: 

• Look for the “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed” notification
• Tap “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed” in the settings
• Call your best friend to check your iPhone’s cellular connectivity. 

• Contact your carrier if you cannot call 

• Remove your physical SIM and restart your iPhone if you replaced the plan on your physical SIM with your eSIM. 

Note: When switching devices or carriers with eSIM Carrier Activation, keep your old device handy to communicate with your carrier if anything comes up and to make sure you can transfer over your number and contacts. Do not cancel your old service before activating your account on the new service. 

Convert Your Physical SIM to eSIM on the Same Device

If your carrier supports it, you can convert your physical SIM to an eSIM within the same device. You can follow these steps to complete that action: 

• Jump into settings and go to cellular
• Tap “Convert to eSIM”

• If you don’t see this option, your carrier doesn’t support this conversion. You can contact your carrier to port your number from the physical SIM to an eSIM through one of the other options. 

• Wait for your eSIM to activate. Once it activates, your previous SIM card is deactivated, and you can remove your old physical SIM from your iPhone. Restart it to complete the process. 

How to Transfer eSIM with a QR Code

Not all carriers support eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer. If that’s the case, you can scan a QR code to make the switch. 

• Open the camera app and scan the QR code from your cellular provider
• Wait for the “cellular plan detected” notification
• Tap Add Cellular Plan
• You may be asked to enter a verification code to activate your eSIM. Your wireless carrier provides the verification code. 

Your carrier may also support eSIM activation using an app. You can download the app from the app store and follow the provided instructions

Manual eSIM Activation

If you’ve completed all these steps and none work on your device, you can always enter the details manually. Contact your carrier, get the eSIM details, and manually enter them on your device. 

Key Takeaways

Activating eSIM on your iPhone 11 should not cause you much trouble, but if it does, we hope this article has helped solve your issues! Apple has various avenues to make eSIM activation easy, but contacting your carrier’s customer support is a good next step if you are still facing problems. They are excellent sources of assistance for your particular problem. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upgrade to eSIM? 

You want to find a phone plan that supports eSIMs. Many carriers in America have options to give new customers eSIMs or physical SIMs, and once you find a plan that is well suited to you, all you have to do is go through the phone activation process, and you should be good to go. 

Can I use an eSIM if I have a SIM card? 

Yes! You can operate a dual SIM using a physical SIM card and an eSIM. This lets you store multiple numbers on the same device, a convenient option if you have, in the past, carried around two phones. 

What are the disadvantages of eSIM? 

Not being able to remove the card if your device is broken physically is one of the major disadvantages of eSIM. Switching from one device to the next is less convenient than it was with a physical SIM. Some international countries do not yet support eSIM technology, so your phone will not function in those areas. 

Who offers eSIM in the USA? 

Just about every carrier offers and supports eSIM on their network. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all support it, and most of each major carrier’s MVNOs also have eSIM options. While many carriers offer eSIM phone plans, none offer exclusively eSIM phone plans. You can switch to just about any carrier with the confidence that they offer physical SIM cards and eSIMs without focusing their service on one or the other. 

Does eSIM give a better signal? 

The SIM card does not affect your device's internet speeds or cellular reception. eSIMs share serious similarities with SIM cards, so you should not expect a change in the quality of service when changing from one to the other.