Technological advances and innovations in telecommunications are leading to new ways of using our mobile devices. One of these is the popularisation of eSIMs on smartphones, particularly Apple iPhones. This trend is revolutionising the way we manage our telephone subscriptions and making our daily lives easier. Discover the world of eSIMs on iPhone with our tips and tricks for getting the most out of this new technology.
Understanding what an eSIM is
The eSIM or “Embedded Subscriber Identity Module” is a virtual SIM card integrated directly into your mobile phone, replacing the traditional physical SIM card that we have used for decades to identify ourselves on telephone operators’ mobile networks. With an eSIM, it’s much quicker and easier to sign up to a plan, change operator or manage several phone lines on the same device.
Benefits of an eSIM
- No more compatibility problems: With an eSIM, you no longer need to worry about the size of the SIM card required for your device (mini-SIM, micro-SIM or nano-SIM). Everything is digital.
- Simplified procedures: Subscribing or changing your mobile package becomes child’s play. Contracts are paperless and everything can be activated in just a few clicks directly from your iPhone.
- Easy line management: Linking a business line to your personal iPhone is now possible thanks to the eSIM. A single device is all you need to manage several telephone profiles with ease.
Configuring your eSIM on iPhone
To enjoy the benefits of the eSIM on your iPhone, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to configure it correctly and switch to a suitable plan. The first thing to consider is the list of iPhone models compatible with the eSIM:
- [list of compatible iPhones]
Step 1: Choose the right operator
To start with, you’ll need to choose a telephone operator with eSIM-compatible offers. More and more operators are including this technology in their catalogue, but check in advance to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
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Step 2: Subscribe to an eSIM offer
Once you’ve chosen your operator, you’ll need to sign up to the mobile package of your choice, making sure you specify that you want to activate the eSIM function on your iPhone. You will then receive either a QR code, by email or directly in your customer area, or an activation number.
Step 3: Activate the eSIM on your iPhone
To activate your eSIM on your iPhone, go to your device settings:
- Open the “Settings” application
- Select “Mobile data” then “Add data plan”
- Scan the QR code received from your operator or enter the activation number provided manually
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete activation of your eSIM
Adding an extra line with the eSIM
If you want to add a second phone line to your iPhone using the eSIM, it couldn’t be easier. Simply repeat step 3 and follow the procedure for each new line you want to add. Please note, however, that some iPhone models are limited in terms of the number of additional lines that can be added via eSIM.
Managing several numbers with the eSIM on iPhone
Once you’ve activated your eSIM and added your different phone lines, you can manage them from your iPhone settings. You can assign a name to each line to identify them more easily and choose the usage options (calls, messages, internet connection) to suit your needs.
Editing line names
- Open the “Settings” application
- Select “Mobile data” then select the desired line
- Select “Mobile data plan label” and enter the name of your choice before confirming with “OK”
Managing call and messaging settings
To choose which line will be used by default for calls or messages, follow the steps below:
- Open the “Settings” application
- Select “Phone” then “Default line” for calls or “Messages” then “Default line” for text messages
- Select the desired line
Note that you can also manually choose the line to use for each call by selecting the corresponding button when dialling. Similarly, you can choose which line to use to send a message in the iMessage application by pressing the line change button at the top of the screen.
Defining the line for mobile data
For the Internet connection, you can determine which line will be used by default:
- Open the “Settings” application
- Select “Mobile data” then “Default mobile data”
- Select the desired line
That’s it, your iPhone is now configured and ready to be used with several numbers thanks to the eSIM. This technology offers great flexibility in managing your telephone subscriptions and makes life much easier for travellers or professionals who need several lines. Now all that’s left is for you to take full advantage of this innovation on your iPhone.
