This thread will focus on all the questions not covered by Apple, and for iOS 12. Head here for iOS 13.

There are three ways of activating an eSIM . Know which method your carrier uses, because that will determine how you get eSIM working on your phone: Method #1 involves the carrier having involves the carrier having physical QR Codes with an ICCID (just like a normal SIM card). When you activate via this method, all the carrier need is the ICCID on the card. The eSIM swap process is identical to a normal SIM's. AT&T and Optus does that. Method #2 involves the carrier collecting your EID (eSIM ID) and the secondary IMEI. Then, you need to scan the QR Code or enter manually your carrier's SM-DP+ address, and your phone will automatically retrieve the SIM profile. ( involves the carrier collecting your EID (eSIM ID) and the secondary IMEI. Then, you need to scan the QR Code or enter manually your carrier's SM-DP+ address, and your phone will automatically retrieve the SIM profile. ( Verizon and T-Mobile do that). Method #3 involves using a carrier app. involves using a carrier app. T-Mobile USA , Verizon, Gigsky and Truphone do that. The process is easy and transparent for the user.



​

Read more about the eSIM GSMA standard here . ​

Any carrier that supports one of the activation methods above (or GSMA methods) can support the iPhone, even if Apple does not list them officially. (eSIM+ is an example)

iPhone XS and later (XS Max, XR)

iPad Pro 2018 and later

iPad Air (3rd gen.) and later

iPad Mini (5th gen.) and later

General Questions ​

​

A: Yes.​

Q: Does that mean I can always locate a lost iPhone?​

A: No. In fact, Apple missed what could have been the greatest feature of all time: In fact, Apple missed what could have been the greatest feature of all time: as per these screenshots and video , an iPhone with eSIM activated has the eSIM profile persist restores, even DFU restores. That means that a thief can’t just throw away your SIM and call it a day.​

BUT… It can’t be located. It won’t get past Activation Lock, but you won’t be able to locate it either even though your lost phone is technically connected to the internet.​

Fix that, Apple.​

A: No. iOS 12.1 doesn’t allow an eSIM to be set up out of the box: the iPhone needs to be set up to scan a QR Code (tried on iPhone XR restored with 12.1 beta).​

A: No. Once it has been activated with a phone, it can't be used on another phone.​

A: Yes but only for a limited time. I was able to delete and re-add an AT&T eSIM, but after two days it wouldn't​

A: No. It can only be used with your phone.​

A: Yes.​

​

A: Your phone must be connected to Wi-Fi when activating the eSIM, because it needs internet to retrieve the profile.​

​

A: the "Primary" IMEI is the IMEI of the physical SIM slot, and the "Digital SIM IMEI" is for the eSIM. Because the iPhone XR/XS is dual-standby (can be connected to two carriers at the same time), the IMEI can't be the same for two active SIMs.​

​

A: More than 3 for sure, but the limit is unknown.​

​

A: No. Dual-SIM is only with one eSIM and one physical SIM.​

​

A: It depends. If when you travel, you want to set-up a GigSky plan on your phone, you won't be able to use both your home carrier and GigSky because you can do dual-SIM only with one eSIM and one physical SIM.​

On the other hand, having your main carrier on eSIM means that someone can't just take the SIM out of your phone to get 2FA codes.​

There are many variables to consider.​

​

Q: Can the physical SIM be turned off too?​

A: Yes, with iOS 12.1.1.​

​

A: No. But you can install WhatsApp Business as an effective second instance of the app, thereby having one app per line. This allows registration of the second app to the second line, or vice versa. Then, regardless of data source (WiFi or mobile data on either line), both apps continue to work completely independently. If using dual sim for personal/business, this is a foolproof method of keeping the relevant contacts and conversations separated. Either app can be used to communicate with any and all contacts, regardless of preferred line settings for calls or iMessage/SMS.​ But you can install WhatsApp Business as an effective second instance of the app, thereby having one app per line. This allows registration of the second app to the second line, or vice versa. Then, regardless of data source (WiFi or mobile data on either line), both apps continue to work completely independently. If using dual sim for personal/business, this is a foolproof method of keeping the relevant contacts and conversations separated. Either app can be used to communicate with any and all contacts, regardless of preferred line settings for calls or iMessage/SMS.​

​

​

The keypad dialer will always use the default line

When dialing using Contacts or recent calls, it will respect the tags assigned (Primary or Secondary for example)

The Apple Watch can have more than one eSIM plan: if your secondary SIM provider supports the Watch, then you can add it too (it's greyed on my screenshots because I am roaming).

A: Yes.​

​

A: Yes, but before you can start using a different line for an iMessage/SMS conversation, you need to delete the existing conversation and start a new one.​

​

Q: What happens if someone sends an iMessage/SMS to a different line?​

A: If your phone is locked, you must unlock both IMEIs (the Physical SIM IMEI and the eSIM IMEI). Unlocking only one of them doesn't work.​

​

A: Restoring your device does not erase the eSIM.​

If you're planning to sell your eSIM device (iPhone or iPad Pro 3rd Gen), do not simply restore your phone. Restoring your phone through iTunes will not erase the eSIM!​

​

The only way to erase the eSIM profiles is in the device's settings.​

You need to go in Settings > General > Reset.​

There, you have two choices:​

- Tap Remove All Data Plans, then restore by any method or;​

- Erase All Content and Settings, and click "Erase All" when prompted.​



International Travel eSIM Providers ​

This post is a wiki, so if you have an eSIM, see a question and know the answer, feel free to add the question and the answer.Q: How to permanently remove the eSIM profiles?database for finding travel eSIMs by region/country(Data Only) eSIM+ (Data only)(Data only) Gigsky (Data only)(Data only) Truphone (Data only) Ubigi (Data only) (thanks @OpenTeq Thanks to njcyx6649250 for helping building this Q&A!