Deploy the emnify Consumer eSIM Global on Microsoft Intune

This guide walks you through deploying and activating the emnify Consumer eSIM Global using Microsoft Intune. It covers checking device compatibility, enrolling supported devices, ordering eSIM profiles, activating eSIMs remotely using Intune’s cellular plan management capabilities, and configuring the APN.

Step 1: Check device and OS compatibility

Before proceeding, ensure that your devices meet the minimum OS requirements for Microsoft Intune:

• Android
  • User-based management: Android 10.0 and later
  • User-less management methods: Android 8.0 and later
• iOS
  • iOS 16.X and later

For the full list, see Operating systems and browsers supported by Microsoft Intune.

Step 2: Enroll your devices in Microsoft Intune

Devices must be enrolled in Microsoft Intune before you can deploy or activate an eSIM.

Choose your enrollment method based on device type and organization requirements:

• Overview: Microsoft Intune enrollment
• Enroll Android devices
• Enroll Windows client devices
• Enroll iOS and iPad OS devices
  • Set up automated device enrollment (ADE)
• Enroll macOS devices

For assistance, contact your assigned Microsoft Intune Technical Account Manager.

Step 3: Order eSIM profiles

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.

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.

For this guide, select I will link profiles using the EID.

Step 4: Assign EIDs to your eSIM profiles

Before your MDM can download profiles to devices, you need to link each device’s EID to the corresponding eSIM profile in the emnify Portal.

Export the EIDs of your enrolled devices from your MDM as a CSV file. Refer to your MDM documentation for the specific steps.

Once you have your CSV, use the emnify Portal to assign the EIDs to your eSIM profiles:

• Single device: In Connected Devices, open the device details, go to the eSIM tab, and click Assign EID.
• Multiple devices: Use the bulk EID assignment. See Assign EIDs in bulk.

After assignment, the eSIM profile status changes to Ready to Download. Only profiles in Ready to Download status can be downloaded via your MDM.

Step 5: Activate your eSIM via Microsoft Intune

Before sending the activation command, make sure:

• Selected devices under the device list are ON, and
• Devices are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular

Microsoft Intune supports eSIM activation through its Update cellular data plan remote action for iOS and iPadOS devices. For more information, see Update cellular data plan for iOS/iPadOS devices.

Activate a single eSIM

Activate multiple eSIMs in bulk

Step 6: Configure the APN on the device

After activation, the Access Point Name (APN) must be set to em.