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User profile for user: renée149
renée149 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Unlocked iPhone 11 Pro cannot use esim.

I have an iPhone 11 Pro, that I bought unlocked, and used multiple SIMS throughout the world with no issue, but cannot install an eSIM (tried several).


My settings clearly say that my phone is unlocked (in General/About), and I have attempted to install the esim with and without my local SIM cards in the physical phone.


The error I get when I try to install the esim (either with the QR or manually) varies, but the latest is:


Cellular Plans from "insert esim carrier" Cannot be Added. Your device can only use cellular plans from a different carrier.


or


Unsupported eSIM


This eSIM is from a carrier that is not currently supported on this iPhone. To use this eSIM contact your carrier and request to unlock this iPhone."


To be clear, my "current provider" has clearly stated to me that my phone is unlocked and very confused as I never bought the phone with them - and in fact I have never had a contract on my phone, as I have lived in several different countries in the world with this iPhone and continuously change my SIM cards and plans.


I have never had any issues with installing any other kind of SIM card, just eSIMS (which I have tried several and tried installing with the QR codes and Manually). Also tried resetting my phone and turning it on and off.




iPhone 11 Pro

Posted on Nov 19, 2022 3:35 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Brittany1416
Brittany1416
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Nov 21, 2022 2:39 PM

Hello renée149,


Please ensure all of the requirements to use eSIM have been met successfully, so we can make sure that's not part of the issue. This link will guide you though how to ensure the requirements have been met, and may help with the eSIM setup: About eSIM on iPhone


What you need

• An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later
• A wireless carrier or worldwide service provider that supports eSIM
• Your new iPhone needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.*

eSIM on iPhone is not offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models feature eSIM. Learn about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. For travelers visiting China mainland who wish to use an eSIM for prepaid data plans, these are offered by many worldwide service providers. 
* iPhone 14 models that are eSIM only can activate without a Wi-Fi network.


If the requirements have been met, and you continue to experience an issue, please check out the suggestions in this link, which may help with eSIM setup issues: If you can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone


Follow these steps

Go to Settings > General > About and look for any numbers under EID. If there are no numbers, contact Apple Support.

After following each step below, open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen. Check if your carrier appears in the status bar. If not, go to the next step.

1. Turn Airplane Mode on and off.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular and check if the number you're trying to activate is shown. If it is, turn off the line and then turn it back on again.
3. Restart your device or devices.

If you still can't set up your eSIM, contact your carrier.


Thanks!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Brittany1416
Brittany1416
User level: Community Specialist

Nov 21, 2022 2:39 PM in response to renée149

Hello renée149,


Please ensure all of the requirements to use eSIM have been met successfully, so we can make sure that's not part of the issue. This link will guide you though how to ensure the requirements have been met, and may help with the eSIM setup: About eSIM on iPhone


What you need

• An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later
• A wireless carrier or worldwide service provider that supports eSIM
• Your new iPhone needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.*

eSIM on iPhone is not offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models feature eSIM. Learn about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. For travelers visiting China mainland who wish to use an eSIM for prepaid data plans, these are offered by many worldwide service providers. 
* iPhone 14 models that are eSIM only can activate without a Wi-Fi network.


If the requirements have been met, and you continue to experience an issue, please check out the suggestions in this link, which may help with eSIM setup issues: If you can't set up an eSIM on your iPhone


Follow these steps

Go to Settings > General > About and look for any numbers under EID. If there are no numbers, contact Apple Support.

After following each step below, open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen. Check if your carrier appears in the status bar. If not, go to the next step.

1. Turn Airplane Mode on and off.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular and check if the number you're trying to activate is shown. If it is, turn off the line and then turn it back on again.
3. Restart your device or devices.

If you still can't set up your eSIM, contact your carrier.


Thanks!

Reply

Unlocked iPhone 11 Pro cannot use esim.

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