# iPhone eSIM user guide An eSIM is a digital SIM card that can connect your iPhone to new networks all over the world. ### What is an iPhone eSIM? An eSIM is a digital, downloadable SIM card that most newer devices can accept. ([eSIM stands for “Embedded SIM card.”](/content/what-is-esim-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/index.html)) A digital SIM card can be installed on [any iPhone that supports eSIM](/content/can-my-phone-support-esim/index.html), and it works just like a traditional SIM card by connecting you to new networks. Using eSIM gives your iPhone a steady data connection no matter where you travel, with NO roaming charges! ### Can my iPhone use eSIM? Most iPhones from 2018 onward are eSIM-compatible, which means they’re able to accept digital SIM cards that can connect to different networks worldwide. Sometimes a specific iPhone model might support eSIM, but not when it’s manufactured in certain countries. Not sure if your iPhone supports eSIM? We make it easy to [check if your iPhone supports eSIM](/content/can-my-phone-support-esim/index.html) using a simple eSIM-checker. An iPhone eSIM is perfect for travel because you can have data without roaming charges. ## How to add eSIM to an iPhone Adding eSIM to an iPhone involves first **[making sure your iPhone supports eSIM](/content/can-my-phone-support-esim/index.html)**, then **[buying a data package](https://app.alosim.com/esim-store/region?currency=USD)** and **[installing the provided eSIM](/content/install-esim-on-iphone/index.html)** on your iPhone. ### Make sure your iPhone supports eSIM Most newer iPhones (like iPhone XR and newer) already support eSIM, but take a second and check that **[your iPhone supports eSIM.](/content/can-my-phone-support-esim/index.html)** ### Shop for a prepaid eSIM data package Once you know that your iPhone supports eSIM, you can **[download the free aloSIM app](https://alosim.onelink.me/NWPY/esim)** or **[shop online](https://app.alosim.com/esim-store/region?_ef_transaction_id=¤cy=USD)** and buy a prepaid eSIM data package. ## How to install eSIM on your iPhone Installing an iPhone eSIM data package involves **[downloading and installing a digital SIM](/content/install-esim-on-iphone/index.html)** on any iPhone that supports eSIM, so it’s ready to use now or later. ### Open aloSIM, select "Install Your eSIM" Once you’ve purchased an eSIM data package for your iPhone, open [aloSIM](https://alosim.onelink.me/NWPY/esim), tap on the eSIM you want to install, and **select ‘Install Your eSIM.’** ### Follow our eSIM installation instructions Apple always makes it easy to install an iPhone eSIM, but we’ll also guide you through every step of **[installing your iPhone eSIM.](/content/install-esim-on-iphone/index.html)** ## How to activate eSIM on your iPhone Activating an iPhone eSIM data package involves **[preparing your iPhone to use a new SIM](/content/how-to-activate-iphone-esim/index.html)** and telling your iPhone you’re **[ready to begin using your prepaid data.](/content/how-to-activate-iphone-esim/index.html)** ### Prepare your iPhone for international travel In order to avoid roaming charges, you’ll need to **[follow our eSIM activation instructions](/content/how-to-activate-iphone-esim/index.html)** prior to leaving your home country. ### Activate your package once you arrive When you arrive in the correct country/region for this eSIM, you should be able to instantly **[activate your data package](/content/how-to-activate-iphone-esim/index.html)** and begin using your data. Frequently-asked questions about iPhone eSIM ## What are my iPhone eSIM roaming settings? If you’re new to eSIM, you might be worried about getting your roaming settings correct. After all, no one wants to pay data roaming charges after a vacation! ### Your aloSIM eSIM: Data Roaming ON On your iPhone, go to “Settings” then “Cellular” (sometimes called “Network”), select your eSIM, and **make sure “Data Roaming” is ON.** Your eSIM needs to roam so it can connect to new networks, since we almost always support multiple network in each country. ### Primary SIM: Data Roaming OFF On your iPhone, go to “Settings” then “Cellular” (sometimes called “Network”), select your primary SIM, and make sure **“Data Roaming” is OFF**. [Your never want your primary SIM to roam in another country](/content/how-to-set-your-iphone-for-international-travel/index.html), because then your carrier may charge you roaming fees. ## How to rename an iPhone eSIM If you have multiple eSIMs, it can get confusing if your iPhone automatically names them ‘Travel’ or ‘Secondary.’ Here’s how to rename your eSIMs … ### Select the eSIM you want to rename On your iPhone, go to “Settings” then “Cellular” (sometimes called “Network”) and select the eSIM you want to rename or label. ### Give your eSIM a custom name/label Under ‘Custom Label,’ you can call eSIM anything you’d like. We recommend something like ‘Mexico trip’ or ‘aloSIM France,’ so you can tell it apart. ## How to set iMessage and FaceTime If you’re using an eSIM for mobile data on your iPhone, you might decide to [switch off your primary SIM](/content/how-to-avoid-data-roaming-charges-iphone/index.html). So it’s important iMessage and FaceTime still work, even without your phone number. ### iMessage settings while using an eSIM Go to “Settings” then “Messages,” select “iMessage,” and make sure your **Apple ID email address** is checked off for receiving and replying to messages, as well as starting new conversations. ### FaceTime settings while using an eSIM Go to “Settings” then “FaceTime,” and make sure your **Apple ID email address** is checked off in the section called ‘You can be reached by FaceTime at.’ ## How to remove eSIM from an iPhone Be careful when removing an iPhone eSIM, since you might want to use it again someday. Remember that eSIMs never expire but can’t be re-installed. ### Select the eSIM you want to remove On your iPhone, go to “Settings” then “Cellular” (sometimes called “Network”) and select the eSIM you want to remove from your iPhone. ### Tap "Delete eSIM" to remove it Once you’ve selected the eSIM you want to remove from your iPhone, tap “Delete eSIM” and confirm you wish to delete it. This eSIM cannot be re-installed. ## What's the correct iPhone eSIM APN setting? APN stands for ‘Access Point Name,’ and this setting tells your iPhone eSIM how to connect to a supported data network. ### Tap "Cellular Data Network" for the eSIM On your iPhone, go to “Settings” then “Cellular” (sometimes called “Network”) and select the eSIM, then tap “Cellular Plan Network.” ### Make sure your APN points to 'alosim' If your iPhone screen doesn’t already look like this, type ‘alosim’ in the APN field and the Name field so your APN is set correctly. An eSIM is a downloadable SIM card that lets your iPhone connect to international data networks.