One iPhone with two (or more) different cellular plans? It’s way easier than you might think, and there’s no need to visit your cell phone provider — you can install and activate eSIM data plans on your iPhone all by yourself!
aloSIM makes it easy to add new eSIM cellular plans that can make it easier to travel and do business, and having the freedom to add new lines as needed, on the go, is a game-changer.
But if you’ve never installed or activated an eSIM before, you might be wondering where the heck to start. We’ve got you!
Here at aloSIM, we make it easy to purchase the right eSIM plan from your desired carrier. Your purchase will provide all of the handy-dandy “codes” and details you’ll need to punch in during the steps described below.
Here’s how to install and active an eSIM data plan on your iPhone or iPad …
QR code eSIM installation:
1. Select the eSIM you want to install
2. Select “Install Your eSIM”
3. Share your aloSIM QR code to another device so you can scan it
4. Tap the blue button to add your new cellular plan
5. Label your plan so you can identify it later
Your main data plan might automatically be called “Primary,” and the new eSIM plan might automatically be called “Secondary.” But you can easily tap to rename them, perhaps giving them names like “Personal” and “Travel,” or “Main (Canada)” and “aloSIM (United States).”
6. You may be asked to choose your Default Line for calls and messages (This will be your usual phone number, if you plan on making calls and sending texts while you’re away.)
7. You may be asked to choose your Default Line for iMessage and FaceTime
8. You may be asked to choose which line to use for Cellular Data (This will be aloSIM, if you’re ready to start using your new data.)
If you’re not running the latest iOS, you’ll also want to make sure the APN is set to “alosim.” Read more about double-checking your APN settings.
If you’d rather in stall your eSIM manually, here’s how to do that …
Manual eSIM installation:
1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone or iPad
2. Select “Cellular,” then “Add Cellular Plan”
3. Choose the manual installation option
4. Paste in your eSIM’s SM-DP address
5. Paste in your eSIM’s Activation Code
6. Tap the blue button to add your new cellular plan
7. Label your plan so you can identify it later
Your main data plan might automatically be called “Primary,” and the new eSIM plan might automatically be called “Secondary.” But you can easily tap to rename them, perhaps giving them names like “Personal” and “Travel,” or “Main (Canada)” and “aloSIM (United States).”
8. You may be asked to choose your Default Line for calls and messages (This will be your usual phone number, if you plan on making calls and sending texts while you’re away.)
9. You may be asked to choose your Default Line for iMessage and FaceTime
10. You may be asked to choose which line to use for Cellular Data (This will be aloSIM, if you’re ready to start using your new data.)
If you’re not running the latest iOS, you’ll also want to make sure the APN is set to “alosim.” We can walk you through how to check your APN settings.
How to activate eSIM on your iPhone or iPad:
1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “Cellular”
3. Under Cellular Plans, select your aloSIM data plan
4. Toggle “Turn On This Line” to ON
5. Make sure “Data Roaming” is ON for your aloSIM data plan
6. If you have a Primary data plan from a regular provider, go to Cellular Plans, select your Primary data plan, and make sure “Data Roaming” is OFF for your primary plan so you don’t rack up roaming charges on your monthly carrier bill.
7. Now it’s time to select aloSIM as your only source of data. Tap “Cellular Data”
8. Select your aloSIM data plan
9. If you have a Primary data plan, make sure “Allow Cellular Data Switching” is OFF so your device only uses your aloSIM data
If you take a peek at the top-left corner of your iPhone screen, you’ll also notice two network signals there (instead of just one, like you probably had before). This makes it easy to see which network you’re currently using.
Need to switch back to your regular SIM? No problem!
1. Tap “Settings”
2. Tap “Mobile Data” (or it might say “Cellular”)
3. Under Data Plans, tap the plan you’d like to use
4. Toggle “Turn on this line” to switch it on
Curious about how eSIM technology could work for you? Need help to activate eSIM on your iPhone? Chat with aloSIM about flexible local and regional eSIM service.
