Set up cellular service on iPhone (2024)

Select version:

Modifying this control will update this page automatically

iPhone User Guide

Welcome
- Setup basics
- Make your iPhone your own
- Take great photos and videos
- Keep in touch with friends and family
- Share features with your family
- Use iPhone for your daily routines
- Expert advice from Apple Support
What’s new in iOS 17
- Turn on and set up iPhone
- Wake, unlock, and lock
- Set up cellular service
- Use Dual SIM
- Connect to the internet
- Find settings
- Set up mail, contacts, and calendar accounts
- Learn the meaning of the status icons
- Read and bookmark the user guide
- - Learn basic gestures
  - Learn gestures for iPhone models with Face ID
- Adjust the volume
- Silence iPhone
- Multitask with Picture in Picture
- Access features from the Lock Screen
- Use the Dynamic Island
- Perform quick actions
- Search on iPhone
- Get information about your iPhone
- View or change cellular data settings
- Travel with iPhone
- Change sounds and vibrations
- Use the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Create a custom Lock Screen
- Change the wallpaper
- Adjust the screen brightness and color balance
- Keep the iPhone display on longer
- Use StandBy
- Customize the text size and zoom setting
- Change the name of your iPhone
- Change the date and time
- Change the language and region
- Use and customize Control Center
- Change or lock the screen orientation
- Customize sharing options
- Add or change keyboards
- Add emoji and stickers
- Take a screenshot
- Take a screen recording
- - Draw in documents
  - Add text, shapes, signatures, and more
- Fill out forms and sign documents
- Use Live Text to interact with content in a photo or video
- Use Visual Look Up to identify objects in your photos and videos
- Lift a subject from the photo background
- - Get apps
  - Use App Clips
  - Update apps
  - View or cancel subscriptions
  - Manage purchases, settings, and restrictions
  - Install and manage fonts
- - Buy books and audiobooks
  - Read books
  - Annotate books
  - Access books on other Apple devices
  - Listen to audiobooks
  - Set reading goals
  - Organize books
  - Read PDFs
- Calculator
- - Create and edit events in Calendar
  - Send invitations
  - Reply to invitations
  - Change how you view events
  - Search for events
  - Change calendar and event settings
  - Schedule or display events in a different time zone
  - Keep track of events
  - Use multiple calendars
  - Use the Holidays calendar
  - Share iCloud calendars
- - Adjust the shutter volume
  - Adjust HDR camera settings
  - Record videos
  - Record spatial videos for Apple Vision Pro
  - Record ProRes videos
  - Record videos in Cinematic mode
  - Change video recording settings
  - Save camera settings
  - Customize the Main camera lens
  - Change advanced camera settings
  - View, share, and print photos
  - Use Live Text
  - Scan a QR code
- - See the world clock
  - Set an alarm
  - Change the next wake up alarm
  - Use the stopwatch
  - Use multiple timers
- Compass
- - Add and use contact information
  - Edit contacts
  - Add your contact info
  - Use NameDrop on iPhone to share your contact info
  - Use other contact accounts
  - Use Contacts from the Phone app
  - Merge or hide duplicate contacts
  - Export contacts
- - Get started with FaceTime
  - - Make FaceTime calls
    - Receive FaceTime calls
  - Create a FaceTime link
  - Take a Live Photo
  - Turn on Live Captions in a FaceTime call
  - Use other apps during a call
  - Make a Group FaceTime call
  - View participants in a grid
  - Use SharePlay to watch, listen, and play together
  - Share your screen in a FaceTime call
  - Collaborate on a document in FaceTime
  - Use video conferencing features
  - Hand off a FaceTime call to another Apple device
  - Change the FaceTime video settings
  - Change the FaceTime audio settings
  - Change your appearance
  - Leave a call or switch to Messages
  - Block unwanted callers
  - Report a call as spam
- - Connect external devices or servers
  - Modify files, folders, and downloads
  - Search for files and folders
  - Organize files and folders
  - Send files
  - Set up iCloud Drive
  - Share files and folders in iCloud Drive
  - Use an external storage device, a file server, or a cloud storage service
- - Adjust map settings
- - Get started with Fitness
  - Track daily activity and change your move goal
  - See your activity summary
  - Sync a third-party workout app
  - Change fitness notifications
  - Share your activity
- - Get started with Freeform
  - Create a Freeform board
  - Draw or handwrite
  - Add text
  - Add shapes
  - Add files
  - Apply consistent styles
  - Position items on a board
  - Search Freeform boards
  - Share and collaborate
  - Delete and recover boards
- - Get started with Health
  - Fill out your Health Details
  - - Download health records
    - View health records
  - Monitor your walking steadiness
  - - Log menstrual cycle information
    - View menstrual cycle predictions and history
  - - Track your medications
    - Learn more about your medications
  - - Log your state of mind
    - Take a mental health assessment
  - - Check your headphone levels
    - Use audiogram data
  - Register as an organ donor
  - Back up your Health data
- - Intro to Home
  - Upgrade to the new Home architecture
  - Set up accessories
  - Control accessories
  - Control your home using Siri
  - Use Grid Forecast to plan your energy usage
  - Set up HomePod
  - Control your home remotely
  - Create and use scenes
  - Use automations
  - Set up security cameras
  - Use Face Recognition
  - Unlock your door with a home key
  - Configure a router
  - Invite others to control accessories
  - Add more homes
- - Get music, movies, and TV shows
  - Get ringtones
  - Manage purchases and settings
- - Get started with Journal
  - Write in your journal
  - Review your past journal entries
  - Change Journal settings
- - Magnify nearby objects
  - Change settings
- - - Add and remove email accounts
    - Set up a custom email domain
  - Check your email
  - Set email notifications
  - Search for email
  - Organize email in mailboxes
  - - Flag or block emails
    - Filter emails
  - - Use Hide My Email
    - Use Mail Privacy Protection
  - Change email settings
  - Delete and recover emails
  - Add a Mail widget to your Home Screen
  - Print emails
- - View maps
  - Get traffic and weather info
  - Get rides
  - Estimate travel time and ETA
  - Download offline maps
  - Look around places
  - Take Flyover tours
  - Find your Maps settings
- - Measure dimensions
  - View and save measurements
  - Measure a person’s height
  - Use the level
- - Set up Messages
  - About iMessage
  - Send and reply to messages
  - Unsend and edit messages
  - Keep track of messages
  - Search
  - Forward and share messages
  - Group conversations
  - Watch, listen, or play together using SharePlay
  - Collaborate on projects
  - Use iMessage apps
  - Take and edit photos or videos
  - Share photos, links, and more
  - Send stickers
  - Request, send, and receive payments
  - Send and receive audio messages
  - Share your location
  - Animate messages
  - Send and save GIFs
  - Turn read receipts on or off
  - Change notifications
  - Block, filter, and report messages
  - Delete messages and attachments
  - Recover deleted messages
- - Get music
  - View albums, playlists, and more
  - Play music
  - Show song credits and lyrics
  - Queue up your music
  - Listen to broadcast radio
  - Change the way music sounds
- - Get started with News
  - Use News widgets
  - See news stories chosen just for you
  - Read stories
  - Follow your favorite teams with My Sports
  - Listen to Apple News Today
  - Search for news stories
  - Save stories in News for later
  - Subscribe to individual news channels
- - Get started with Notes
  - Add or remove accounts
  - Create and format notes
  - Draw or write
  - Add photos, videos, and more
  - Scan text and documents
  - Work with PDFs
  - Add links
  - Create Quick Notes
  - Search notes
  - Organize in folders
  - Organize with tags
  - Use Smart Folders
  - Share and collaborate
  - Export or print notes
  - Lock notes
  - Change Notes settings
- - Make a call
  - View and delete the call history
  - Answer or decline incoming calls
  - While on a call
  - Have a conference or three-way call on iPhone
  - Set up voicemail
  - Check voicemail
  - Change voicemail greeting and settings
  - Select ringtones and vibrations
  - Make calls using Wi-Fi
  - Set up call forwarding
  - Set up call waiting
  - Block or avoid unwanted calls
- - View photos and videos
  - Play videos and slideshows
  - Delete or hide photos and videos
  - Edit photos and videos
  - Trim video length and adjust slow motion
  - Edit Cinematic mode videos
  - Edit Live Photos
  - Edit portraits
  - Use photo albums
  - Edit, share, and organize albums
  - Filter and sort photos and videos in albums
  - Make stickers from your photos
  - Duplicate and copy photos and videos
  - Merge duplicate photos and videos
  - Search for photos
  - Identify people and pets
  - Browse photos by location
  - Share photos and videos
  - Share long videos
  - View photos and videos shared with you
  - Watch memories
  - Personalize your memories
  - Manage memories and featured photos
  - - Use iCloud Photos
    - Create shared albums
    - Add and remove people in a shared album
    - Add and delete photos and videos in a shared album
    - Set up or join an iCloud Shared Photo Library
    - Add content to an iCloud Shared Photo Library
    - Use iCloud Shared Photo Library
  - Import and export photos and videos
  - Print photos
- - Find podcasts
  - Listen to podcasts
  - Follow your favorite podcasts
  - Use the Podcasts widget
  - Organize your podcast library
  - Download, save, or share podcasts
  - Subscribe to podcasts
  - Listen to subscriber-only content
  - Change download settings
- - Add or remove accounts
  - Make a grocery list
  - Add items to a list
  - Edit and manage a list
  - Search and organize lists
  - Work with templates
  - Organize with tags
  - Use Smart Lists
  - Share and collaborate
  - Print reminders
  - Use the Reminders widget
  - Change Reminders settings
- - Browse the web
  - Search for websites
  - Customize your Safari settings
  - Change the layout
  - Use Safari profiles
  - Use Siri to listen to a webpage
  - Bookmark favorite webpages
  - Save pages to a Reading List
  - Find links shared with you
  - Annotate and save a webpage as a PDF
  - Automatically fill in forms
  - Get extensions
  - Hide ads and distractions
  - Clear your cache and cookies
- Shortcuts
- - Check stocks
  - Manage multiple watchlists
  - Read business news
  - Add earnings reports to your calendar
  - Use a Stocks widget
- Tips
- - Translate text, voice, and conversations
  - Translate text in apps
  - Translate with the camera view
- - Subscribe to Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, or an Apple TV channel
  - Add your TV provider
  - Get shows, movies, and more
  - Control playback
  - Manage your library
  - Change the settings
- - Make a recording
  - Play it back
  - Edit or delete a recording
  - Keep recordings up to date
  - Organize recordings
  - Search for or rename a recording
  - Share a recording
  - Duplicate a recording
- - Keep cards and passes in Wallet
  - Set up Apple Pay
  - Use Apple Pay for contactless payments
  - Use Apple Pay in apps and on the web
  - Track your orders
  - Use Apple Cash
  - Use Apple Card
  - Use Savings
  - Pay for transit
  - Access your home, hotel room, and vehicle
  - Add identity cards
  - Use passes
  - Use COVID-19 vaccination cards
  - Check your Apple Account balance
  - Use Express Mode
  - Organize your Wallet
  - Remove cards or passes
- - Check the weather
  - Check the weather in other locations
  - View weather maps
  - Manage weather notifications
  - Use Weather widgets
  - Learn the weather icons
- Use Siri
- Find out what Siri can do
- Tell Siri about yourself
- Have Siri announce calls and notifications
- Add Siri Shortcuts
- About Siri Suggestions
- Use Siri in your car
- Change Siri settings
- Contact emergency services
- Use Emergency SOS via satellite
- Request Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Set up and view your Medical ID
- Use Check In
- Manage Crash Detection
- Reset privacy and security settings in an emergency
- Set up Family Sharing
- Add Family Sharing members
- Remove Family Sharing members
- Share subscriptions
- Share purchases
- Share locations with family and locate lost devices
- Set up Apple Cash Family and Apple Card Family
- Set up parental controls
- Set up a child’s device
- Get started with Screen Time
- Protect your vision health with Screen Distance
- Set up Screen Time
- Set communication and safety limits and block inappropriate content
- Set up Screen Time for a family member
- Charging cable
- Power adapters
- MagSafe chargers and battery packs
- MagSafe cases and sleeves
- Qi-certified wireless chargers
- - Use AirPods
  - Use EarPods
- Apple Watch
- - Wirelessly stream videos and photos to Apple TV or a smart TV
  - Connect to a display with a cable
- HomePod and other wireless speakers
- External storage devices
- Bluetooth accessories
- Printers
- Share your internet connection
- Allow phone calls on your iPad and Mac
- Use iPhone as a webcam
- Hand off tasks between devices
- Cut, copy, and paste between iPhone and other devices
- Stream video or mirror the screen of your iPhone
- Start SharePlay instantly
- Use AirDrop to send items
- Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable
- Intro to CarPlay
- Connect to CarPlay
- Use Siri
- Use your vehicle’s built-in controls
- Get turn-by-turn directions
- Report traffic incidents
- Change the map view
- Make phone calls
- Play music
- View your calendar
- Send and receive text messages
- Announce incoming text messages
- Play podcasts
- Play audiobooks
- Listen to news stories
- Control your home
- Use other apps with CarPlay
- Rearrange icons on CarPlay Home
- Change settings in CarPlay
- Get started with accessibility features
- Turn on accessibility features for setup
- Change Siri accessibility settings
- Open features with Accessibility Shortcut
- - Overview
  - Lock iPhone to one app with Guided Access
- Use built-in privacy and security protections
- Keep your Apple ID secure
- Create and manage Hide My Email addresses
- Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay
- Use a private network address
- Use Advanced Data Protection
- Use Lockdown Mode
- Use Stolen Device Protection
- Receive warnings about sensitive content
- Use Contact Key Verification
- Turn iPhone on or off
- Force restart iPhone
- Update iOS
- Back up iPhone
- Reset iPhone settings
- Restore all content from a backup
- Restore purchased and deleted items
- Sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone
- Erase iPhone
- Install or remove configuration profiles
- Important safety information
- Important handling information
- Find more resources for software and service
- FCC compliance statement
- ISED Canada compliance statement
- Ultra Wideband information
- Class 1 Laser information
- Apple and the environment
- Disposal and recycling information
- Unauthorized modification of iOS
Copyright

Your iPhone needs a physical SIM or an eSIM to connect to a cellular network. (Not all options are available on all models or in all countries and regions. On iPhone14 and later models purchased in the U.S., you can only use eSIM.) Contact your carrier to get a SIM and set up cellular service.

Set up an eSIM

Supported iPhone models can digitally store an eSIM provided by your carrier. If your carrier supports either eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer, you can turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM during setup.

If you already completed setup, you can do any of the following:

eSIM Carrier Activation: Some carriers can assign a new eSIM directly to your iPhone; contact your carrier to initiate this process. When you receive the “Finish Setting Up Cellular” notification, tap it. Or go to Settings > Cellular, then tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
eSIM Quick Transfer: Some carriers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them (requires iOS16 or later on both devices).
On your new iPhone, go to Settings> Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number. On your previous iPhone, follow the instructions to confirm the transfer.
Note: After your phone number is transferred to your new iPhone, it stops working on your previous iPhone.
See Also
How to Set Up Your New iPhone
Scan a QR Code provided by your carrier: Go to Settings> Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Use QR Code. (You may need to tap Other Options first.) Position iPhone so the QR code appears in the frame, or enter the details manually. You may be asked to enter a confirmation code provided by your carrier.
Transfer from a different smartphone: If your previous phone isn’t an Apple iPhone, contact your carrier to transfer the phone number.
Activate service through a participating carrier’s app: Go to the AppStore, download the carrier’s app, then use the app to activate cellular service.

Note: If prompted, connect your iPhone to an available Wi-Fi or cellular network. eSIM setup requires an internet connection.

Install a physical SIM

You can get a nano-SIM card from a carrier or move it from your previous iPhone.

Note: Physical SIM isn’t compatible with iPhone14 and later models purchased in the U.S.

Insert a paper clip or SIM eject tool into the small hole of the SIM tray, then push in toward iPhone to eject the tray.
Note: The shape and orientation of the SIM tray depend on the iPhone model and your country or region.
Remove the tray from iPhone.
Place the SIM in the tray. The angled corner determines the correct orientation.
Insert the tray back into iPhone.
If you previously set up a PIN on the SIM, carefully enter the PIN when prompted.
WARNING: Never try to guess a SIM PIN. An incorrect guess can permanently lock your SIM, and you won’t be able to make phone calls or use cellular data through your carrier until you get a new SIM. See the Apple Support article Use a SIM PIN for your iPhone or iPad.

Convert a physical SIM to an eSIM

If your carrier supports it, you can convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on a supported iPhone model.

Go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then choose the phone number with a physical SIM.
Tap Convert to eSIM, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Important: The availability of cellular capabilities depends on the wireless network, your iPhone model, and your location.

Consider applicable data, voice, and roaming charges when managing your cellular plans, especially when you travel with iPhone. See View or change cellular data settings on iPhone.

Some carriers let you unlock iPhone for use with another carrier (additional fees may apply). Contact your carrier for authorization and setup information. See the Apple Support article How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier.

Helpful?

Thanks for your feedback.