Option to add new esim card is gone

Here is another method from the UK kb article which is not expecting the Add eSIM tag…

To activate your eSIM after setting up your iPhone, contact your network provider to get a QR code, and follow these steps: [we get that when purchasing a plan]

1. Open the Camera app and scan your QR code. When the Mobile Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.
2. If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, and you receive a QR code from your network provider in a default email app or browser, tap and hold the QR code, then tap Add eSIM.
3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap Add Mobile Plan.
5. If you’re asked to enter a confirmation code to activate your eSIM, enter the number that your network provider supplied.

seeqey wrote:

Poland

Settings, General, About, what does it say under Network Provider Lock?

No SIM restrictions or similar means it is not a controlled device.

If so you may he looking at

Backing Up: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

 Restoring: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

FelipeV wrote:

But that shouldn't prohibit the user adding ANY eSIM, correct? Apparently the option in CELLULAR to activate the addition of an eSIM is gone, if I understood correctly. You are right that some carriers because of regulation do not allow you (or transfer from an old phone )eSIMS because of regulation, but maybe that is not the case here.

It certainly could be regulated differently by authorities in different regions and countries. All I can state is I’ve had it happen 3 times since Apple went eSIM in US. All three times I ended up going to AT&T store and they knew exactly what to do and I was in and out in 15 minutes.

But I was slow to learn my lesson. First two times I spent over an hour on the phone, each time, with AT&T support and they couldn’t figure it out and said it was an Apple issue.

you did everything right, the add esim should be there.

I would reset network settings in Settings, Transfer or reset, Reset, , then restart the phone or https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6/ios

Re: “… certain eSIM settings and parameters are strictly controlled by the carrier and cannot be modified by the user …”

Concur.

I’ve indeed experienced this on my own fully unlocked (U.S.) iPhone.

Initially, no means were displayed on the keyboard to “add” an eSIM.

Once the carrier manually-provisioned the “first” eSIM … Voila … the “Add eSIM” feature appeared and I could indeed self-provision the next eSIM.

If you erase your eSIM, you'll need to contact your carrier to get a new one. Then set up your new eSIM.

As already stated … contact your carrier.

They will be able to manually provision your eSIM.

I have added both EU and USA eSIMs on the same phone, either thru direct transfer when setting up the new phone, or adding eSIMS via SETTINGS>>CELLULAR>>ADD ESIM

TIM in Italy will not transfer the eSIM directly when setting up. You have to DELETE the eSIM from the old phone and then scan the ORIGINAL QR phone using the ADD ESIM option. When you get an eSIM, TIM tells you to KEEP the origina QR code because you will need it if you transfer the eSIM to a new phone.

In the DR, because of government regulation you HAVE to contact the carrier (no transfer of eSIM allowed when setting up the phone) and they have to verify it is "you". They then issue a new QR code via email and you set it up by scanning the new QR code.

You need to contact your carrier so your eSIM/SIM card can be provisioned. You can’t do it and neither can Apple.

You must have a carrier provision the eSIM.

You shouldn’t have to reset the device. That won’t resolve the issue. Just take it to the carrier and you’ll be good to go in 15 minutes.

Jeff Donald wrote:

On an iPhone, certain eSIM settings and parameters are strictly controlled by the carrier and cannot be modified by the user. These carrier-managed settings are provisioned through encrypted carrier bundles and eSIM profiles that Apple allows operators to configure directly via their eSIM servers (known as SM-DP+ servers).

But that shouldn't prohibit the user adding ANY eSIM, correct? Apparently the option in CELLULAR to activate the addition of an eSIM is gone, if I understood correctly. You are right that some carriers because of regulation do not allow you (or transfer from an old phone )eSIMS because of regulation, but maybe that is not the case here.

FWIW … I resolved mine completely over the phone. (using another line)

Obviously, individual carrier capability and policies may vary.

Jeff Donald wrote:

You must have a carrier provision the eSIM.

OP said the carrier has set up an eSIM.

iPhones where I live (UK) should have Add eSIM in the settings until all are used up, because until the QR code is presented the phone has no idea which carrier is being added.

I don’t think OP is correct about 8 eSIMS on the iphone 12 though.

On an iPhone, certain eSIM settings and parameters are strictly controlled by the carrier and cannot be modified by the user. These carrier-managed settings are provisioned through encrypted carrier bundles and eSIM profiles that Apple allows operators to configure directly via their eSIM servers (known as SM-DP+ servers).