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nikkis92
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Lost connection on all eSIMs on the iPhone 18 Pro Max

I bought a new iPhone 18 Pro Max this September during a trip to the USA. I needed to restore several eSIMs from different countries — Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Russia. I planned trips to these countries to get the eSIMs reissued, as they unfortunately require an in-person visit to the office.


The Turkish and Kazakh eSIMs are working fine, and one Russian eSIM (from Beeline) installed successfully. However, the second Russian eSIM — from MegaFon — started the installation process but got stuck on "Activation."


After that, none of the SIMs would connect to a network; there is no service.


I also had eSIMs saved from a few previous trips, so I tried deleting them. I selected the option to delete the eSIM and went through all the steps. The status showed "Removing," but after restarting my iPhone, the eSIM was right back there as if nothing had happened.


I contacted my carrier, MegaFon, and they gave me a new QR code to activate an eSIM, but it got stuck during the "Activating" stage. I also ordered an eSIM through another online service, but that one won't activate either.


None of the old eSIMs are connecting to the network anymore, even though they were working just yesterday.


I contacted Apple Support; they ran diagnostics and asked me to reset the network settings, but that didn't help. I am waiting for a call from a senior specialist.


But I’m really upset. It looks like I’ll have to plan a trip to several countries again to restore all the eSIMs 😭

Posted on Oct 8, 2026 6:16 PM

2 replies

nikkis92 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 9, 2026 3:56 AM in response to SravanKrA

My issue isn't that I can't get a QR code to activate an eSIM; the problem is that eSIMs have stopped working on my iPhone altogether—across all carriers and countries—all at once.


I’ve already been in touch with Apple Support, and the phone diagnostics revealed an issue with the eSIM module. It’s frustrating that this is happening on a new iPhone.


I’ve already traveled to several countries to get new eSIMs, and now, because I have to replace the phone, I’ll have to go through that process all over again.

SravanKrA
User level: Level 10 (454,138 points)

Oct 9, 2026 12:00 AM in response to nikkis92

Apple Inc. does not issue QR codes for activating a SIM/eSIM on behalf of your cellular service provider, nor does it activate your SIM/eSIM for you. These responsibilities lie entirely with your cellular service provider (carrier). Your carrier is responsible for issuing the eSIM QR code, provisioning the mobile plan, verifying your account, and completing the activation process. Apple does not have a role in these carrier-specific procedures.


Furthermore, there is no separate setting on the iPhone that allows you to independently activate a SIM/eSIM without the necessary support and provisioning from your carrier. Although iOS provides options to add, configure, and manage cellular plans, the actual activation depends on the carrier's systems and procedures. If your eSIM QR code is not working, your SIM/eSIM activation is pending, or your carrier requires additional verification, you must contact the carrier directly.


The same principle applies to carrier locking and unlocking. A carrier lock is a restriction imposed by the carrier that supplied the iPhone under its network-locking policy. If your iPhone is locked to a particular carrier, Apple cannot independently remove that restriction. You must contact the carrier that locked the device and request an unlock, subject to its eligibility requirements and policies. There is no iPhone setting that allows you to bypass a carrier lock.


Apple's official support document explicitly addresses this requirement:

"To use two network providers, your network provider must unlock your iPhone, or both plans must be from the same network provider. Contact your network provider for details. If you have an enterprise or corporate data service plan, check with your company administrator to see if they support this feature."


Official Apple Support document: Using Dual SIM with an eSIM


Therefore, whether you need an eSIM QR code, assistance with SIM/eSIM activation, or the removal of a carrier lock, your first point of contact must be your cellular service provider, not Apple Support. Apple provides the iPhone and its software capabilities, but the carrier is responsible for the network-side services, eSIM provisioning, and carrier unlocking.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256372846