iPhone 15 Pro Max eSIM Compatibility in China

[Patsysh]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased an iPhone 15 Pro Max, but I've run into an issue—my carrier in China doesn't support eSIM. Does anyone have a solution for this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[EugenDoga]

If your carrier in China doesn't support eSIM and you need to use your iPhone 15 Pro Max, here are some potential solutions:

Solutions​

1. Use a Physical SIM Card:
   • The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports both physical SIM cards and eSIMs. If your carrier doesn't support eSIM, you can use a physical SIM card instead.
   • Insert the physical SIM card into your iPhone. Ensure it's properly activated by your carrier.
2. Check for Carrier Updates:
   • Sometimes carriers release updates that can enable new features like eSIM support.
   • Go to Settings > General > About. If there's a carrier settings update available, you’ll be prompted to install it.
3. Contact Your Carrier:
   • Reach out to your carrier’s customer service to see if they have plans to support eSIM in the near future. They might also have specific recommendations or workarounds for using your iPhone 15 Pro Max with their network.
4. Use a Secondary Carrier:
   • If your primary carrier doesn't support eSIM, you might consider using a secondary carrier that does support it. You can have one line on the physical SIM and another on the eSIM, giving you dual SIM functionality.
5. Travel SIM Cards or International eSIM Providers:
   • Some international eSIM providers offer eSIM services that work in multiple countries, including China. This can be a temporary solution until your primary carrier supports eSIM.
   • Look into providers like Airalo, GigSky, or Truphone which offer eSIMs for international travel.
6. Dual SIM Setup:
   • If you need to use two numbers, you can use the physical SIM slot for your main carrier and an eSIM for another carrier or an international eSIM provider.

Steps to Use a Physical SIM Card​

1. Insert the SIM Card:
   • Use the SIM ejector tool that came with your iPhone (or a paperclip) to open the SIM tray.
   • Insert your physical SIM card into the tray and push it back into the iPhone.
2. Set Up the SIM Card:
   • Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
   • Ensure the SIM card is recognized and activated by your iPhone.
3. Configure Cellular Settings:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your cellular settings if prompted.
   • Make sure cellular data is enabled and the network settings are correctly set up.