Activate your eSIM

Apple Universal Link

Apple Universal Link provides a fast and convenient way to activate your eSIM directly on supported Apple devices. This method eliminates the need to scan a QR code. Instead, you tap a link and follow the prompts.

This guide applies to both Consumer eSIM and Advanced eSIM profiles.

Step 1: Check device compatibility

1

Confirm with your device manufacturer that your device supports eSIM.

2

Make sure your device is unlocked. If it’s locked to another carrier, eSIM activation may not work.

Step 2: Order your eSIM profile

Order your eSIM profiles in the SIM Shop using the regular ordering of SIMs. Select the eSIM profile product and choose how many profiles you need.

emnify creates a device for each eSIM profile you order and assigns the profile to it. This happens for every eSIM profile order, whether the profile is provisioned on a Consumer (SGP.22) or Advanced (SGP.32) eUICC, and whichever installation method you choose.

Your eSIM profiles become available once the order status changes to Delivered.

At checkout, choose an eSIM profile installation method. This choice determines how you get each profile onto a device, and what the order download contains.

  • I will use activation codes: you receive a QR code, universal link, or numeric code to install each profile.
  • I will link profiles using the EID: you link profiles by entering device EIDs individually or in bulk.

The order download follows this choice. With activation codes, the CSV contains the ICCID, activation code, and Apple Universal Link for each profile. With EID linking, the CSV contains the ICCID only. QR code images are never included in an order download. Retrieve them per device from the eSIM tab in Connected Devices.

For this guide, select I will use activation codes.

The eSIM profile installation method at checkout, with activation codes selected.

Once your order status changes to Delivered, download a CSV with the activation credentials for each profile.

1

In the emnify Portal, go to the Orders page and open the relevant order.

2

Click More Details on the order item, then click Download ICCIDs & Activation Codes to download a CSV file.

The CSV includes the ICCID, activation code, and Apple Universal Link for each profile.

This download is only available when the order status is Delivered.

The eSIM profile row on the Orders page, with the Download ICCIDs & Activation Codes button.

Step 4: Activate your eSIM

1

Open the Apple Universal Link on your iPhone or iPad.

2

Tap the link to launch the eSIM activation process.

3

Follow the on-screen instructions to install and activate your eSIM.

Apple Universal Links rely on the apple-app-site-association (AASA) file and only work when tapped from external sources like:

  • Messages
  • Mail
  • Third-party apps

They don’t work if pasted or manually entered into Safari. See Test universal links behavior in the Apple documentation for more information.

Step 5: Configure the APN

After activation, the Access Point Name (APN) must be set to em. For configuration instructions by device type, see Configure the APN.

Once the APN is set, the device establishes data connection. You can verify by browsing the internet or streaming videos.

If you need the Apple Universal Link for a single device, you can find it directly in the device details.

1

In Connected Devices, find and click the device.

2

Select the eSIM tab. The Apple Universal Link for the device’s assigned profile is shown here.

The Install this eSIM profile dialog, showing the Apple Universal Link, QR code, and activation code for a device.