Electronic SIM or eSIM is a digital SIM technology that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without a physical SIM card. It’s a convenient feature that saves you from the hassle of swapping SIM cards when you change carriers. However, there are situations where you might need to remove the eSIM from your iPhone, such as when you’re traveling overseas and want to use a local provider or when you’re selling or giving away your iPhone. In this article, we’ll show you how to remove eSIM from iPhone in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Check eSIM Compatibility
Before you proceed with the eSIM removal process, make sure that your iPhone model supports eSIM technology. Currently, eSIM is available on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and iPhone 12 models. You can check if your iPhone has eSIM capability by going to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If you see the “Enter Details Manually” screen, it means your iPhone has eSIM support.
Step 2: Deactivate eSIM
Once you’ve confirmed that your iPhone has eSIM capability, the next step is to deactivate the eSIM plan. To do this, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans, and select the eSIM plan that you want to remove. Tap on the “Remove Cellular Plan” option, and confirm the action by tapping on “Remove” again. This will deactivate the eSIM plan from your iPhone and remove the associated phone number and cellular data plan.
Step 3: Eject Physical SIM Tray
If you’re planning to replace the eSIM with a physical SIM card, you’ll need to eject the SIM tray first. To do this, locate the SIM tray on your iPhone (it’s usually on the right side), and insert the SIM ejector tool that came with your iPhone or a paper clip into the small hole next to the tray. Gently push the tool in until the tray pops out. Carefully remove the tray and the old eSIM from your iPhone.
Step 4: Insert Physical SIM Card
Now that you’ve removed the eSIM and ejected the SIM tray, you can insert the physical SIM card into your iPhone. Make sure that the SIM card is properly aligned with the tray and that the tray is securely closed. You should see the cellular signal bars in the status bar and the carrier name on the top left corner of the screen if the SIM card is activated.
That’s it! You’ve successfully removed the eSIM from your iPhone and replaced it with a physical SIM card. If you’re not planning to use another SIM card, you can skip the last two steps and simply remove the eSIM without inserting a new one.
People Also Ask:
Q: Can I use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time on my iPhone?
A: Yes, some iPhone models allow you to use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time, such as iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. However, you’ll need to check with your carrier if they support dual SIM technology.
Q: What happens if I remove the eSIM from my iPhone?
A: Removing the eSIM from your iPhone will deactivate the cellular plan associated with it, and you won’t be able to make or receive calls, send or receive messages, or use cellular data using that plan. However, you can still use Wi-Fi and other apps that don’t require cellular connectivity.
Q: Can I reuse the eSIM after removing it from my iPhone?
A: It depends on the carrier’s policy and the type of plan you have. Some carriers allow you to reactivate the eSIM on another device or transfer it to another carrier, while others don’t. You’ll need to check with your carrier for more information.