eSIM Not Working on iPhone 13 – Top 10 Fix

Want to know why is your eSIM not working on iPhone 13? If yes, then you have stumbled upon the right article.

eSIM is a digital SIM card offering services similar to the traditional physical SIM card on your device without needing to use the physical SIM.

However, sometimes, eSIMs are not able to access your carrier’s network services.

Even though iPhone 13 is one of the eSIM-compatible devices that Apple offers, there may be times when you may face an “eSIM not working on iPhone 13 issue,” and this can be because of many reasons.

I own an iPhone 13 and recently faced a frustrating issue where my eSIM just stopped working. At first, I thought it was a small glitch, so I restarted my phone, hoping it would fix itself.

When that didn’t work, I tried updating my phone’s software, thinking maybe the issue was due to an outdated system. Still no luck.

I even went as far as removing the eSIM profile and adding it again, but nothing seemed to make a difference. I felt stuck and worried because I use my phone for everything, from work calls to staying in touch with family.

Just when I was about to give up, I came across a tip to reset the network settings. It seemed like a long shot, but I was willing to try anything.

To my relief, after resetting, my eSIM came back to life. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I was so thankful to have my phone fully working again.

Why eSIM Not Working on iPhone 13?

There are several reasons why your eSIM might not be working on your iPhone 13.

Here are a few common reasons.

Incompatible Carrier

Not all carriers support eSIM technology for your device. You cannot use an eSIM plan with an iPhone 13 if your carrier does not offer it.

Activation Issues

Your eSIM might not work if it is not properly activated on your iPhone 13. You must check if eSIM is activated on your iPhone 13 by making a call, sending a text, or trying to use mobile data.

Network Problems

Poor network connectivity can be responsible for your eSIM functionality problems on your iPhone model. Your area should have good network coverage for efficient eSIM performance.

Software Updates

Your eSIM will not work satisfactorily if your iPhone 13 runs on outdated software. You must ensure your phone uses the updated software version to enhance performance.

Physical SIM Interference

Sometimes, your physical SIM card inserted alongside your eSIM causes the eSIM functionality not to work on your iPhone model.

Invalid eSIM Plan

Every eSIM provider that offers eSIM facilities to their customers has different eSIM plans that must be purchased before activating eSIM on your iPhone 13.

For example, If you have a free iPhone 13 government phone under the Lifeline or ACP program, your provider may have offered a physical SIM card plan with it.

Apart from these, your eSIM might cause issues due to errors in the carrier’s eSIM profile or failure to meet specific carrier requirements.

Whatever the reason, you can use the fixes in the next section to troubleshoot eSIM not working on iPhone 13.

How To Fix eSIM Not Working iPhone 13

Although the exact solution depends on the cause of the eSIM issues on your iPhone 13, you can try some easy fixes to resolve the eSIM problem.

Restart Your iPhone

To start with the simplest solution to fix eSIM issues, you can restart your iPhone model to fix minor glitches. Power off your iPhone and turn it back on after a few minutes, then check if the eSIM issue persists.

Check carrier compatibility

You can check to ensure your carrier supports eSIM technology and you have an active eSIM plan to use eSIM on your iPhone 13.

Remove Physical SIM

You can remove your physical SIM if you use it along with your eSIM on iPhone 13. Restart your iPhone and see whether you still face eSIM not working on iPhone 13.

Update Software

You should update your device software if your iPhone 13 runs on an older iOS version.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install any available updates. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new update to fix eSIM-related issues.

Toggle Airplane mode

You can toggle airplane mode on and then turn it back off to re-establish the lost connection on your iPhone model, aiding in restoring eSIM functionality.

Reset Network Settings on iPhone 13

You can try resetting the network settings to fix network-related issues with eSIM. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will ease your wi-fi passwords and other network settings.

Please ensure that you back up your data before resetting, as it will refresh your eSIM settings.

Delete and Re-Install eSIM Profile

You can activate your iPhone 13 eSIM profile again if you face activation issues. For this, Go to Settings>Cellular> Add Cellular Plan. Now, use the activation method provided by your carrier to install and activate your eSIM.

These include scanning or generating a new QR code, entering the activation details manually, or downloading and installing any carrier-dedicated app.

Verify for IMEI details

Some eSIM carriers may require your device’s IMEI for eSIM activation to ensure it’s enabled and properly installed on your iPhone. You must ensure you have provided the accurate iPhone 13 IMEI number during the activation.

Check for Carrier Updates

Your free eSIM service carrier for iPhone sometimes releases eSIM profile Carrier Updates. To check, Go to Settings>General > About to check for carrier profile updates.

You must install any available updates to fix your eSIM not working on iPhone 13.

Contact carrier support

If your eSIM isn’t working, contact carrier customer support for assistance. They can help check your eSIM activation or fix any carrier-specific issues.

These are a few fixes that you can try to troubleshoot eSIM not working on iPhone 13.

Additionally, suppose you cannot find any software issues hindering your eSIM services. In that case, you can contact the Apple support team to learn about any potential hardware-related issues that can cause eSIM issues on your iPhone 13.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my eSIM showing no service on my iPhone 13?

Your eSIM can show no service on your iPhone for many reasons, including poor network coverage, activation issues, carrier-specific issues, using older software versions, etc. You can try some fixes in our guide to fix your eSIM not working on iPhone 13.

What should I check if my eSIM is still not working after activation?

You should verify if the eSIM activation is complete according to your carrier’s instructions. Some carriers require you to complete additional steps after scanning the QR code or receiving the activation code.

If you manually entered the activation details, you must double-check for any typing errors.

You should contact your carrier’s customer service to confirm successful eSIM activation and ensure it’s enabled on your iPhone. They can help with any activation issues and provide further assistance.

Can restarting my iPhone 13 fix eSIM issues?

Whether or not restarting your iPhones can fix eSIM issues depends on the specific eSIM functionality problems you face. Although restarting removes temporary minor glitches, it may not necessarily resolve your eSIM not working on iPhone 13.

You might need to follow more advanced solutions to address your iPhone model’s eSIM not working issues.

How long does eSIM activation take on iPhone 13?

The activation time for an eSIM on your iPhone 13 can vary depending on your carrier and the activation method provided. However, it generally takes a few minutes to activate eSIM on iPhone 13.

What should I do if none of the troubleshooting steps work?

You should contact your carrier’s customer support for assistance if none of the troubleshooting steps resolve your eSIM not working issues, as they can provide a solution to fix eSIM problems.

You can also contact the Apple support team to help fix any hardware-related problems causing eSIM issues on your iPhone 13.