Set up your eSIM
Want to activate an eSIM on your new device or switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM? You’re in the right place. This guide will help you get started quickly and easily, so you can stay connected without the hassle. Not sure what an eSIM is? No worries, learn about eSIM here.
In this article
New eSIM
An eSIM works by downloading a profile onto the chip built into your phone. If you’ve just picked up a new device and want to set up a new eSIM profile. simply choose your operating system below to see the right steps for your device.
Before you start:
- A stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection
- A QR code from 2degrees to download your eSIM profile
- Follow the steps below to set up your eSIM
Before you get started, make sure your phone is connected to WiFi or Mobile Data. Backup your contacts if they're saved to a physical SIM.
Step 1: Download your eSIM
- Open Settings > Mobile > Add eSIM.
Note: Depending on your phone's language settings, this may be called Data Plan, Mobile Data Plan or Cellular Plan.
If you don't currently have a physical SIM you're good to go!
Step 2: Choose labels for your plans
- These labels are used to identify your plans in settings & when making calls/texts. You can change these in settings later.
- Create a new label for your SIM under "Custom Label"
- We recommend calling it "2degrees eSIM". Note: "your new 2degrees plan” is your eSIM.
Step 3: Select your default line
- This will be used for all calls/texts going to an unknown contact.
- Choose ‘2degrees eSIM’ as your default line.
- If you're using dual SIM, choose the connection you'd prefer to make calls/texts from.
Step 4: Set up iMessage & FaceTime
- Choose ‘2degrees eSIM’ as your default line.
- Choose the number you want to use as your primary plan for iMessage and FaceTime.
- If you're using dual SIM, choose the plan connection you'd prefer to use.
Step 5: Choose your plan for Mobile Data use
This will be the plan that your phone uses for all mobile data use. You can change this later in settings.
- Choose ‘2degrees eSIM’.
- If you’re using dual SIM, choose the connection you want to use mobile data.
Step 6: Remove your physical SIM
- If you’re moving from a physical SIM to eSIM, you’ll need to remove your physical SIM. If you’re using dual SIM, you can ignore this step.
- Take your physical SIM out of your phone once you eSIM is up and running.
- Go to setting > Mobile > Tap on your physical SIM connection (This will say “No SIM”) > Tap Update Contacts.
- You may need to turn Airplane Mode on and off to reset your connection.
Step 7: VoLTE and WiFi calling
VoLTE and WiFi Calling may be turned off by default. You may need to turn these back on.
- VoLTE: Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data Options > Voice & Data > Toggle “VoLTE” to on.
- WiFi Calling: Settings > Mobile > (see your eSIM settings) > Wi-Fi Calling > Toggle “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” to on.
- iMessage and FaceTime may need to be set up manually if you weren't prompted during setup or you're having issues.
- iMessage: Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > Select your phone number or the name of your SIM connection.
- FaceTime: Settings > FaceTime > Select your phone number or the name of your eSIM connection.
Note: If you can’t see your number go to: Settings > Phone > My Number > Type your number in.
Before you get started, make sure your phone is connected to WiFi or Mobile Data. Backup your contacts if they're saved to a physical SIM.
Step 1: Download your eSIM
- Samsung: Open your Settings > Connections > Sim Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan > Add using QR Code
- Oppo: Open your Settings > Mobile network > eSIM > Turn eSIM on & tap Enable > tap Add eSIM
If you don’t currently have a physical SIM in your phone, you’re good to go! You may need to turn Airplane Mode on and off to reset your connection.
Note: If you’re already using dual SIM, SIM 2 may need to be disabled before you can use your eSIM.
Step 2: Choose preferred SIM
- If you currently have a physical SIM, follow the next step to set up defaults:
- If you’re swapping to eSIM, we recommend choosing your eSIM at this step.
- if you’re using dual SIM, choose the SIM you’d prefer to make calls / texts from.
Before you get started, make sure your phone is connected to WiFi or Mobile Data. Backup your contacts if they're saved to a physical SIM.
Step 1: Download your eSIM
- Open Settings > Mobile > Add eSIM > Use QR Code
Select ‘Enter activation code details manually”, the details you need to enter are found in the QR code email.
Step 2: Choose labels for your plans
- These labels are used to identify your plans in settings & when making calls/texts. You can change these in settings later.
- Create a new label for your SIM under "Custom Label"
- We recommend calling it "2degrees eSIM". Note: "your new 2degrees plan” is your eSIM.
Step 3: Select your default line
- This will be used for all calls/texts going to an unknown contact.
- Choose ‘2degrees eSIM’ as your default line.
- If you're using dual SIM, choose the connection you'd prefer to make calls/texts from.
Step 4: Set up iMessage & FaceTime
- Choose ‘2degrees eSIM’ as your default line.
- Choose the number you want to use as your primary plan for iMessage and FaceTime.
- If you're using dual SIM, choose the plan connection you'd prefer to use.
Step 5: Choose your plan for Mobile Data use
This will be the plan that your phone uses for all mobile data use. You can change this later in settings.
- Choose ‘2degrees eSIM’.
- If you’re using dual SIM, choose the connection you want to use mobile data.
Step 6: Remove your physical SIM
- If you’re moving from a physical SIM to eSIM, you’ll need to remove your physical SIM. If you’re using dual SIM, you can ignore this step.
- Take your physical SIM out of your phone once you eSIM is up and running.
- Go to setting > Mobile > Tap on your physical SIM connection (This will say “No SIM”) > Tap Update Contacts.
- You may need to turn Airplane Mode on and off to reset your connection.
Step 7: VoLTE and WiFi calling
VoLTE and WiFi Calling may be turned off by default. You may need to turn these back on.
- VoLTE: Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data Options > Voice & Data > Toggle “VoLTE” to on.
- WiFi Calling: Settings > Mobile > (see your eSIM settings) > Wi-Fi Calling > Toggle “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” to on.
- iMessage and FaceTime may need to be set up manually if you weren't prompted during setup or you're having issues.
- iMessage: Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > Select your phone number or the name of your SIM connection.
- FaceTime: Settings > FaceTime > Select your phone number or the name of your eSIM connection.
Note: If you can’t see your number go to: Settings > Phone > My Number > Type your number in.
Before you get started, make sure your phone is connected to WiFi or Mobile Data. Backup your contacts if they're saved to a physical SIM.
Step 1: Download your eSIM
- Samsung: Open your Settings > Connections > Sim Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan > Add using QR Code > Enter activation code details manually
- Oppo: Open your Settings > Mobile network > eSIM > Turn eSIM on > Select ‘Enable’ > Add eSIM > Enter activation code details manually
The details you’ll need to enter can be found in the QR code email you were sent.
If you don’t currently have a physical SIM in your phone, you’re good to go! You may need to turn Airplane Mode on and off to reset your connection.
Note: If you’re already using dual SIM, SIM 2 may need to be disabled before you can use your eSIM.
Step 2: Choose preferred SIM
- If you currently have a physical SIM, follow the next step to set up defaults:
- If you’re swapping to eSIM, we recommend choosing your eSIM at this step.
- if you’re using dual SIM, choose the SIM you’d prefer to make calls / texts from.
Apple Quick Transfer
Quick Transfer lets you move your SIM from your old device to your new one.
If you're transferring an eSIM from a different brand of device, converting your current physical SIM to an eSIM, or switching from another mobile provider, you'll need to visit your nearest 2degrees store to complete the transfer. This process may take up to 2 hours.
Note: Quick Transfer only works between iPhones or between iPads. Transfers between iPhone and iPad (or vice versa) aren't supported.
Before you start:
- Sign in to your Apple Account on both devices
- Make sure your previous iPhone:
- has been unlocked with the passcode
- is nearby with Bluetooth turned on
- is using iOS 18.5 or later
- has your active 2degrees plan on the SIM (it doesn’t matter if it is an eSIM or a pSIM)
Note: If you don’t have access to your current iPhone, please head in to your nearest 2degrees store to transfer your eSIM.
While you’re setting up your new device, you will be asked if you’d like to transfer your SIM during the setup process. Follow the onscreen instructions to transfer your pSIM or eSIM from an older device. If you need to transfer more than one SIM to your new iPhone, transfer your additional SIM by following the steps below.
Note: both devices need to be logged into the same Apple account and be connected to the same WiFi network.
If you’ve already set up your iPhone, but would like to transfer your SIM from you old phone to your new one, or if you have a second SIM you’d like to transfer, you can follow these steps.
Step 1: Add eSIM
- Open Settings > Mobile > Add eSIM.
Step 2: Select your number
If you don’t see a list of numbers, tap ‘Transfer from Nearby device’.
Note: This requires both devices to have iOS 16 or later.
Step 3: Check your old iPhone
Your previous phone will have a prompt to confirm the transfer.
Tap ‘Transfer’ or, if asked for a verification code, enter the code that's displayed on your new device.
Step 4: Wait patiently
Wait for the cellular plan to activate on your new device.
Your previous SIM is deactivated when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates.
Step 5: Complete set-up
If a banner appears on your new iPhone that says ‘Finish Setting Up Your Carriers Plan’, tap on it. You will be redirected to your carriers webpage to transfer your eSIM. If you need help, contact your carrier.
Transfer from physical SIM to an eSIM in my current device
If you have an older model iPhone, or a phone on a different operating system, you’ll need to transfer your old pSIM to an eSIM via an eSIM swap. This process can take up to 2 hours to complete. Head in-store and our team will be able to get you set up.
Can I reuse a QR code once it has been scanned?
The QR code can be scanned to download the eSIM profile using the same device that performed the initial eSIM profile download. It cannot be used on a different device.
Handy tip: We recommend that you store the QR code for your eSIM in a handy place so that you can easily find it in future if you need to download the eSIM profile again.
