How to activate your iPhone eSIM data package

In order to activate your iPhone eSIM, we need to change a few of your iPhone settings. On certain devices “Cellular” might actually say “Network” instead.

Settings > Cellular (or Network)

Now you’ll choose your newly-installed eSIM from the list. Your iPhone named it something automatically (maybe “Travel” or “Secondary” or “Cellular Data”) but you can rename it soon.

Settings > Cellular > Select your eSIM

It’s a good idea to give your eSIM a custom name, especially if you are going to be installing eSIMs for multiple countries and regions. Tap “Cellular Plan Label” to give it a name you’ll recognize.

Settings > Cellular > Your eSIM > Cellular Plan Label

We need your eSIM to be switched on and allowed to “roam” so we can connect you to the best supported network at all times. You can even do this before arriving in the country/region, and you won’t activate your data package until you are “local” to connect to a supported network.

Settings > Cellular > Your eSIM > Turn Data Roaming “ON” and toggle Turn on This Line “ON”

eSIMs don’t come with phone numbers, so if you want your phone number to work (now and when you’re travelling), your Default Voice Line must always be your Primary SIM.

Settings > Cellular > Default Voice Line > Select your Primary SIM

Even if you’re not travelling for a few more days, it’s fine to toggle Data Roaming off now for your Primary SIM. When you’re at home, your SIM doesn’t need to “roam” anyway, so it won’t affect your ability to have data, make/receive calls, or send/receive texts on your regular phone number.

Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans > Primary > Turn Data Roaming “OFF” and keep Turn on This Line “ON”

Your eSIM APN (Access Point Name) was likely set up automatically when your eSIM was installed, but it’s still a good idea to check that it says “alosim” in the Name and APN fields.

Settings > Cellular > Your eSIM > Cellular Data Network > Make sure it says “alosim” in the Name field and “alosim” in the APN field

In case you decide partway through your trip to disable your phone number, it’s a good idea to make sure iMessage is connected to your Apple ID email address, too.

Settings > Messages > iMessage > Make sure your Apple ID email address is checked off for receiving and replying to messages, as well as starting new conversations

Just like with iMessage, it’s a good idea to make sure FaceTime is connected to your Apple ID email address, too. Then you will be able to use FaceTime (video calling) with or without access to your phone number.

Settings > FaceTime > Make sure your Apple ID email address is checked off

You’ll be using your eSIM for all mobile data once you’re travelling, but if you leave your Primary SIM active, your home carrier may charge for active calling minutes and texts that occur internationally.

Scroll down and select your carrier below if you’d like to see what you can expect to pay for international calling and texting fees

You did this in the step above, but now is a good time to make sure your eSIM is toggled on and allowed to “roam” to new data networks.

Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans > Your eSIM > Turn Data Roaming “ON” and toggle Turn on This Line “ON”

This setting tells your iPhone to only use your eSIM for data right now, and not to ever switch between your eSIM and your Primary data plan.

Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > Select your eSIM and make sure “Allow Cellular Data Switching” stays “OFF”

Since you’re about to leave the country, now is a good time to make sure your Primary SIM isn’t going to “roam” and rack up expensive fees while you travel internationally. Make sure Data Roaming is toggled “OFF” and that you aren’t enrolled in a carrier travel plan. Keep your Primary SIM active if you want to use your regular phone number for calling and texting while you’re away. (If you don’t want to use your phone number, you can toggle it off completely.)

Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans > Primary > Turn Data Roaming “OFF” and keep Turn on This Line “ON”

If you’ll be flying to your destination, put your iPhone on Airplane Mode before takeoff according to the instructions of your flight crew. (You can skip this step if you’re already located in the correct country, ready to use your data.)

If you were flying to your destination and turned on Airplane Mode during your flight, make sure you toggle Airplane Mode off again now that you’ve arrived.

Your eSIM will not work (and neither will a Wi-Fi connection) if Airplane Mode is on. Your screen may show “No SIM” as it looks for a supported network to use, so it could take a few minutes to make a connection.

Depending on your device and your physical location, your iPhone eSIM might take up to 15 minutes to connect to a local supported network.

After completing the above steps, please make sure you’re not on Wi-Fi and wait a few minutes to see if your eSIM will connect. You can test this by opening an internet browser and doing a test search.

Your iPhone eSIM data package should now be active, and if you log into your aloSIM account and tap on your eSIM, it should show a green “ACTIVE” bar. If not, tap the blue “ACTIVATE” button below.

Log into aloSIM > Tap your eSIM > See if it says “ACTIVE”

If you have completed the steps above, but your data doesn’t seem to be working yet, please contact aloSIM Technical Support via email (support@alosim.com), in-app chat, or live chat on aloSIM.com.

Need help? aloSIM’s Support team is available 24/7 if you have questions about any part of the iPhone eSIM activation process.

Even though you’re now using your eSIM for all mobile data, remember that keeping your phone number active while you’re in another country means that your home carrier may charge for active calling minutes and texts that occur internationally.

Select your carrier below > See what you can expect to pay for international calling and texting fees