When iOS 12.1 released at the end of October, it brought Dual SIM support for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR users. This new feature allows two SIMs at the same time: one physical card and one digital, via eSIM.
With Dual SIM, you can use two cellular plans at the same time on one device. If you’re travelling, that means you can easily pop in a physical SIM card locally to get the best plan, while retaining your home plan on eSIM (or vice versa).
In Canada, only Bell and Virgin Mobile support eSIM on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. There’s no word when Telus or Rogers will add support.
If you’re looking to setup eSIM on your new iPhone with Bell or Virgin Mobile, the wireless carriers have setup a couple web pages with instructions on how to do so. Essentially, setting up eSIM on your iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR is quite simple.
1. Update your iPhone to iOS 12.1.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. Tap the Add Cellular Plan and scan the QR code below (Bell eSIM page; Virgin Mobile eSIM page):
1. Select Enter Details Manually
2. In the SM-DP+ Address field, copy and paste or type in : CUST-011-V4-PROD-ATL2.GDSB.NET
3. Leave the Activation Code field blank.
If you haven’t noticed, instructions are the same for both Bell and Virgin Mobile, down to the SM-DP+ address. If you’re having trouble setting this up, you may need to ensure your SIM card is associated with your iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR, which requires contacting Bell or visiting a store.
According to Bell and Virgin Mobile, your first line can be any rate plan, while the second line can be activated with a BYOD rate plan. Either line can have voice or voice and data.
You can learn more about Apple’s eSIM from their support page here. Let us know if you’ve setup eSIM with Bell or Virgin Mobile on your new iPhone.
