Rogers Launches eSIM for iPhone XS/XR, But for Business Customers Only [u]

Back in December, Apple’s website detailing wireless carriers and eSIM added Rogers and Fido to the list, joining Bell and Virgin.

Eventually, the Apple website was updated to remove references of eSIM for Rogers. But as of writing, Apple lists Bell, Virgin, Rogers, Fido and Lucky Mobile as wireless carriers that offer eSIM service (this Apple site still only lists Fido to go with Bell/Virgin, however).

Now we know the results of these changes, as Rogers has announced on its Community Forums of the launch of eSIM for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, but for new (updated) business customers only:

Good news! Starting today March 25, 2019, business customers can now activate the eSIM portion of their iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Xr. This means business customers can have two lines on one device, one using a physical SIM and the other an eSIM. eSIM line activations are only available on no term plans.

According to Rogers, they have updated the Rogers Direct website to now include the option of eSIM for BYOD activations. “We will continue to ship a physical SIM with New Activation and Hardware Upgrade term orders of these iPhones,” explains moderator ‘RogersMaude’.

Rogers clarifies, “eSIM Card activations are only available to business customers. Consumer-Regular accounts cannot activate an eSIM. In addition, eSIM Cards are currently not available in retail locations.”



With eSIM in the latest iPhones, this digital SIM allows a user to setup a secondary line right from your device, without the need for a physical SIM. In the end, you will have full control over two lines but with a single iPhone, making it convenient for those with work line and personal line.

Currently, Bell and Virgin offer eSIM for consumer lines for those using an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR. Some Bell customers were able to transfer an existing line from physical SIM to eSIM on Apple’s latest iPhones, but the practice appears to be deemed ‘not possible’ publicly.

We’ve reached out to Rogers seeking clarification on whether consumers will ever get eSIM for their iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR. We’ll update this post accordingly.

Update: According to iPhone in Canada readers who have tried to get this for this business plan, here’s what Rogers is saying (thanks Pejman):

• You need to call Rogers for business customer service and they need to order a QR code through their ordering system and ship it to you. but there is a catch (as always with Rogers)
• you can’t port your current number to eSIM
• the eSIM with get a brand new number with no term plan without data which cost you $35/month

[via MobileSyrup]