T-Mobile Becomes Third U.S. Carrier to Offer eSIM Support on iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

Monday December 17, 2018 10:37 am PST by Juli Clover
T-Mobile today announced the launch of its new T-Mobile eSIM app (via VentureBeat), designed to allow iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max users to sign up for T-Mobile as a second carrier via the eSIM feature in the newest iPhones.

U.S. customers who want to try T-Mobile, existing customers that want separate lines, and people traveling to the United States can add T-Mobile as a secondary prepaid line to any iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR using the new T-Mobile app.


T-Mobile is offering three different prepaid eSIM plans:

  • T-Mobile ONE Prepaid with unlimited voice, text, and data for $70; 30 day expiry
  • Simply Prepaid with unlimited voice, text, and 10GB of LTE data for $40; 30 day expiry
  • Tourist Plan with 1000 minutes, unlimited text, and 2GB of LTE data for $30; 21 day expiry

Adding T-Mobile as a secondary carrier on a device is as simple as downloading the T-Mobile eSIM app, entering an email address, and following the activation steps within the app.

At the current time, T-Mobile is only offering prepaid eSIM plans, but the carrier says it will also offer postpaid ongoing eSIM plans in the future. For those looking for an immediate postpaid solution to add an ongoing T-Mobile service plan as a secondary eSIM option to an iPhone, our forum members have outlined a possible solution that some users have been able to get working.

The eSIM, or digital SIM, is designed to let new iPhone users activate a cellular plan from a carrier without the need to use a physical SIM card.

With eSIM support, dual-SIM functionality is available on the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, enabled through the existing physical SIM slot and the eSIM in all countries with the exception of China. In China, the new iPhones have two SIM card slots.

T-Mobile is the third U.S. carrier to implement support for the eSIM, following Apple's activation of the feature in iOS 12.1. Verizon and AT&T both added eSIM support to their services last week.

The T-Mobile eSIM app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tags: T-Mobile, eSIM
[ 55 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

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cmaier
13 months ago

I'd like to be the first to announce that AngerFi will be entirely compatible with T-Mobile devices. AngerFi will guarantee full bars everywhere. Making the switch is easy: send over your first $30 payment, wait 2–3 business days to receive a SignalEnhancer, and apply it directly to your device!

You try too hard.
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Got the app, says my phone is locked or incompatible. I already have a Verizon eSIM AMand bought the phone from Apple! I am overseas though so maybe that’s why.

You already have a verizon esim. You can only have one esim at a time.
Rating: 5 Votes
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avatar77
13 months ago
Disappointed it's not yet available for postpaid. That absurd $25 SIM charge must be hard to quit.
Rating: 5 Votes
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AngerDanger
13 months ago
I'd like to be the first to announce that AngerFi will be entirely compatible with T-Mobile devices. AngerFi will guarantee full bars everywhere. Making the switch is easy: send over your first $30 payment, wait 2–3 business days to receive a SignalEnhancer, and apply it directly to your device!



Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
itpro82
13 months ago

I couldn't agree more, but this wouldn't be the first time that you are only able to take advantage of an offer/feature when you sign up as a new customer and lose your existing wonderful plan that you are grandfathered into. :)

The way the post is written, it's not entirely clear...


Carriers are nothing but evil...This why i dream of Apple being MVNO iOS only eSIMs only, One plan billed via iTunes account. I have the T-Mobile One plan on my Postpaid account I had no plan changes or anything when I switch to eSIM.
Rating: 2 Votes
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lyngo
13 months ago
I just did an EID switch through business chat and now my postpaid account is on my eSIM on my XR iPhone. Maybe this will help others.
Rating: 2 Votes
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justperry
13 months ago

Or you can use GigSky, TruPhone or Ubigi for data with your eSIM all around the globe, while maintaining your normal phone number for voice and text in the SIM card slot.


Those prices, better get a local sim, much-MUCH cheaper provided you already have an eSim for your normal number...or the other way around.
Rating: 2 Votes
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ruslan120
22 weeks ago
could you please elaborate? Is there any specific thing you said to customer service?

asking because I would like to try it out for myself. Looks like it’s still not officially supported.

https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/147928?start=930&tstart=0
Rating: 1 Votes
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Wide opeN
13 months ago

Disappointed it's not yet available for postpaid. That absurd $25 SIM charge must be hard to quit.


My sentiments exactly!!!
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so wait, will it be possible to convert an existing T-Mobile ONE plan to ESIM?


Sure... Once T-Mobile finds a way to monetize it.

First time I'm truly disappointed in Legere and company...

Sooo much fail!!!
Rating: 1 Votes
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catean
13 months ago
This will make my life a lot easier next time when I will travel to US.
Rating: 1 Votes
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likegadgets
21 weeks ago

Yes there is, just call customer service and they will activate it for you. I’ve had no problems with my iPhone eSIM being used on T-Mobile for months now.


I think they did at one time though not officially. I have called them and they refused. I guess depends if you get someone willing to look the other way.
Rating: 1 Votes

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