Tag: eSIM

How To activate an eSIM?

The concept of eSIM has been around for a while but tech giant Apple brought the technology to the forefront by eliminating a physical SIM card slot in its latest iPhone 14 lineup. While Apple’s decision to remove the SIM card slot is exclusive to the USA for now, it is only about time that other countries like India and more also see this change. eSIM is not a new concept for India as carriers like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have been providing them for a while. However Indian users are yet to fully embrace it. Before I tell you how to activate an eSIM on your device, let’s have a look at what eSIM actually is.

What is an eSIM? 

The eSIM in the simplest terms is a virtual SIM card. It stands for Embedded-Subscriber Identity Module and is a type of SIM that is embedded onto a device virtually. Readers should note that it is not possible to have a physical SIM card and an eSIM for the same mobile number. Once an eSIM is activated, a physical SIM with the same number does not stay operational. While regular SIM cards can hold a single profile for each customer, an eSIM can hold multiple profiles. Another thing to note is that users cannot physically replace eSIMs like SIM cards. One upside to eSIM-exclusive smartphones is that if stolen, no one can swap the SIM card for another one and use the device as their own. However, one downside to having an eSIM is that if a smartphone is ever damaged then a user cannot simply swap the SIM card for an instant replacement. 

How to activate an eSIM on Jio India?

  1. Note down your device’s IMEI and EID number 
  2. Send SMS – GETESIM with the 32-digit EID number and 15-digit IMEI to 199 from your Android device having an existing Jio number 
  3. You will receive a 19-digit eSIM number and profile configuration details 
  4. Send another SMS to 199 with the 19-digit eSIM number 
  5. You will get an update about the eSIM process after 2 hours
  6. After receiving the message, confirm it by sending ‘1’ to 183
  7. You will receive a call on your Jio number asking you to share the 19-digit eSIM number
  8. Your eSIM will be shortly activated 

How to activate eSIM on Airtel? 

  1. Make sure your email ID is registered with Airtel to activate your Airtel eSIM
  2. Send SMS- eSIM (space) registered email address to 121
  3. You will receive a reply message from 121 to confirm your activation
  4. Reply to the SMS with ‘1’
  5. You will then receive another message from 121 to provide consent through a call for eSIM activation 
  6. Once done, you will receive the final message from 121 for a QR code which will be sent to your registered email address

How to Activate Your Airtel & Jio eSIM on iPhones & Android Phones?

Bharti Airtel and Jio are two of the largest and most preferable telecom operators in India. When Reliance launched Jio and endeavoured various competitive prepaid and postpaid plans, Airtel was the only telecom operator who stayed put and fought hard. The two rivals not only offers their users physical SIM cards but also offer eSIM functionality for supported devices. The two telecom stalwarts also grant an option to convert your physical SIM to eSIM for devices that support it.

What is eSIM?

eSIM or embedded Subscriber Identity Module is installed directly into your smartphone or any device and can connect you to any operator offering eSIM services. The eSIM option allows smartphone makers to save space in a device and add more features instead. The Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G smartwatch was the first device to implement an eSIM. Currently, only Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola offer phones that support eSIM functionality in India.

Step-by-step guide for Airtel SIM holders:

Let’s take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to activate your Airtel eSIM, but before you go ahead, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi throughout the activation process.

  1. Send a message – eSIM <space> registered email ID to 121.
  2. If your email ID is valid, you will receive an SMS from 121 to confirm the initiation of the process.
  3. Reply to this SMS with 1 and confirm the e-SIM request within sixty seconds.
  4. If your email ID is invalid, then an Airtel representative will call you to take the final consent to reinitiate the process under the correct email ID and guide you through updating the email.  
  5. If the provided email ID is valid, you will receive another SMS from 121 asking you to provide consent over call.
  6. Once confirmation is done, you will receive a final SMS from 121 regarding the QR Code, which you will find on your registered email ID.
  7. The QR code is unique and applicable for one device and the one-time purpose only.
  8. While scanning the QR code, be sure not to select the Delete option for the settings, as this will permanently delete your eSIM profile. 
  9. If you don’t receive an email with the QR code within 30 minutes, or the scanning process gets aborted in the middle, you will have to send an SMS NOSIM to 121 to avoid disconnection of the physical Airtel SIM.
  10. The process takes 2 hours for eSIM activation; till then, your physical SIM will continue to work.

Further Steps- for iPhone users:

  1. Go to Settings and tap on Mobile Data
  2. Tap on Add Data Plan
  3. Scan the QR code received on your registered email ID to activate the e-SIM and follow the prompts.

Further Steps- for Samsung users:

  1. Head to Settings and tap on Connections
  2. Tap on SIM Card Manager and select Add Mobile Plan
  3. Tap on Add Using QR Code
  4. Scan the QR code received on your registered email ID to activate the e-SIM and follow the prompts.

Further Steps- for Google Pixel users:

  1. Go to Settings and select Network & Internet
  2. Select Mobile Network and tap on Advanced
  3. Tap on Carrier and then Add Carrier
  4. Scan the QR code received on your registered email ID to activate the e-SIM and follow the prompts.

Further Steps- for Motorola Razr users:

  1. Head to Settings and select Network & Internet
  2. Select Mobile Network and tap on Carrier, followed by Add Carrier
  3. Scan the QR code received on your registered email ID to activate the e-SIM and follow the prompts.

Further Steps- for Motorola Razr 5G users:

  1. Go to Settings and select Network & Internet
  2. Tap on + sign besides Mobile Network and Hit Next (Download your SIM).
  3. Scan the QR code received on your registered email ID to activate the e-SIM and follow the prompts.

Step-by-step guide for Jio SIM holders:

Now, it’s time to take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to activate your Jio eSIM, but before you go ahead, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi throughout the activation process.

  1. Head to Settings and then About phone for EID and IMEI numbers. (Please note down the EID and IMEI numbers to avoid hassle during the process)
  2. Send SMS GETESIM <32 Digit EID> <15 Digit IMEI> to 199 and soon you will receive a 19-digit eSIM number and eSIM profile configuration details.
  3. Next, send SMS SIMCHG <19 digits eSIM number> to 199
  4. You will get an update on eSIM processing in the next two hours.
  5. Once you get the message, confirm by sending SMS 1 to 183
  6. Then, you will get an automated call that will ask you for the 19-digit eSIM number.
  7. After successfully confirming the 19-digit eSIM number, you will receive a confirmation SMS for your new eSIM.
  8. If you receive a notification to configure the profile, click on it, select Install data plan, and press continue.

Further Steps- for iPhone users:

  1. Head to Mobile Data in Settings
  2. Tap on Add Data plan and then tap Enter details manually on the bottom
  3. In the SM-DP+address column, enter smdprd.jio.com
  4. Enter the activation code you received (Step 2 – eSIM profile configuration details) in the Activation code section
  5. Tap on Next and then tap on Add Data plan
  6. Choose the Data Plan Labels, press continue, and your Jio eSIM should now be activated.

Further Steps- for Samsung users:

  1. Go to Settings and tap on Connections > SIM card manager > Add mobile plan  
  2. Select Scan Carrier QR code and Tap on Enter code instead  
  3. Enter the Activation Code in this format- LPA:1$smdprd.jio.com$ followed by the 32 digit activation code received via SMS/ email with space and tap on Connect
  4. Your Jio eSIM should now be activated.

Further Steps- for Google Pixel users:

  1. Go to Settings and tap on Network & Internet 
  2. Select Mobile network and tap on Download a SIM instead  
  3. Tap Next and enter activation code manually by tapping on Need help?  
  4. Enter the Activation Code in this format- LPA:1$smdprd.jio.com$ followed by the 32 digit activation code received via SMS
  5. Select Activate, then tap on Done, and your Jio eSIM is now activated and configured.

Further Steps- for Motorola users:

  1. Head to Settings and select Network & Internet 
  2. Select Mobile network and tap on Next
  3. If you have a Motorola Razr Select Mobile network, tap on Advanced > Carrier > Add Carrier > Next
  4. Tap Next and enter activation code manually by tapping on Need help?  
  5. Enter the Activation Code in this format- LPA:1$smdprd.jio.com$ followed by the 32 digit activation code received via SMS
  6. Select Activate, then tap on Done, and your Jio eSIM is now activated and configured.
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