iPhone eSIM erased after iOS 18 Update

Overnight I installed the iOS 18 update. Since then my eSIM card has been deleted. I’ve contacted my carrier but they can’t text me a link because text isn’t working. My iPhone 15 Pro Max is now a paperweight. Anyone else having issues?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]



iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 18, 2024 6:23 AM

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Posted on Mar 17, 2025 12:40 AM

Same thing here. 13 mini iPhone eSIM erased after iOS 18 Update. I guess it's a bug in the iOS18 series upgrade, because it seemed to be fine with iOS17 before, and someone on the forum said that Apple may have released a fix. Check for updates: Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" to see if there is a new version available. By the way, if it can't be solved, it may be that the iOS 18 system is damaged. You can enter the repair mode (Enter repair Mode Guide), reinstall iOS, avoid completely flashing the machine and losing data or contact your operator, request to resend the eSIM QR code, and then scan it to reinstall .


if none of the above methods work, the issue might be iOS 18 Ora hardware problem. Call apple support or visit their website for assistance.

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Mar 17, 2025 12:40 AM in response to maxine1989

Same thing here. 13 mini iPhone eSIM erased after iOS 18 Update. I guess it's a bug in the iOS18 series upgrade, because it seemed to be fine with iOS17 before, and someone on the forum said that Apple may have released a fix. Check for updates: Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" to see if there is a new version available. By the way, if it can't be solved, it may be that the iOS 18 system is damaged. You can enter the repair mode (Enter repair Mode Guide), reinstall iOS, avoid completely flashing the machine and losing data or contact your operator, request to resend the eSIM QR code, and then scan it to reinstall .


if none of the above methods work, the issue might be iOS 18 Ora hardware problem. Call apple support or visit their website for assistance.

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Nov 29, 2024 6:02 PM in response to maxine1989

Having the same issue. 14 plus, did the upgrade on Wednesday and esim error Thursday. Did everything: airplane, reboot, erase eSIM, add eSIM, reset network settings, delete eSIM, call carrier, chat with carrier, go to carrier store, erase entire phone. THEN finally the eSIM is gone. So I go to my carrier website to scan the QR code to activate my new eSIM, and it shows an Unable to read this file.

I went to apple today- said it’s a hardware issue from chronic trauma over time. What do you make of that?!

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Feb 1, 2025 9:48 AM in response to maxine1989

iOS 18.3 update caused issues outbound dropped calls, poor signal, messages outbound/inbound to other carriers not within Verizon network- issue was with esim duplication on my now extinct iphone13 pro, Verizon wireless India was able to resolve that on their end and also suggested erasing ALL settings, not just network, powering off 3 minutes each time. After several phone calls to carrier, apple support, it appears if you are fortunate enough to get elevated tech support, as in my case, India, that resolved my issue. These security patches create issues with wireless carriers so it’s not a one and done update

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Feb 7, 2025 5:11 AM in response to maxine1989

So, the same issue happened with me. I have a 13 but I lost the sim tray a while ago so I switched to esim. After the update, my esim stopped working. I went to the "genius" bar (in Paris), very skeptical about that word now. They told me my antenna is fried maybe because I have dropped it way to many times or the lack of sim card tray could've resulted in humidity rusting the internals and I would need to change the whole body of my phone for €399. I was about to do it but I still ordered a sim tray from Amazon and tried to check with a physical sim and guess what, IT WORKS. The new update is messing up the esim feature and Apple isn't taking any accountability for it. Instead they are going to suggest a solution which is going to cost you an arm and a leg.


My concerns got validated when the same issue happened with my friends but unfortunately they have no sim slots. So now they have to pay £590 to change their entire phone body as suggested by "genius" bar (in London)

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Sep 23, 2024 2:50 AM in response to maxine1989

I have tried something for the same issue and it somehow worked for me, go to your eSim menu where you can turn it off and on (if the setting is still showing eSim) then turn it on-- next turn on your airplane mode-- after that again turn off and on the eSim while being in airplane mode and turn the airplane mode off. After that my eSim started.

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Mar 3, 2025 8:53 AM in response to LizzieBean2587

same happened with me today on my 12pro after the latest ios update, Suddenly the Esim stopped working and after restarting the phone the esim vanished and now there is no option to add the esim, i went to carrier bt they said it’s showing in their system , and asked me to check with the apple service center.

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Sep 18, 2024 12:30 PM in response to maxine1989

No issues here on iOS 18 on iPhone 15 Pro Max. My eSim is working fine. Can you not go to Settings ➜ Cellular and tap on "Add Esim"


Or use your carrier's App to install the esim again?


Or if all else fails, go to your carrier's store or support center to get it re-added?


click here ➜About eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support

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Feb 8, 2025 12:47 PM in response to maxine1989

I also have this issue on iPhone 14 Pro Max.


After automatic iOS update to 18.2 my cellular data stopped working.

Apple support diagnostic app suggested to upgrade to 18.3, which was impossible without Macbook connection, because the update stucked on "Verifiying update" stage. So, I updated iOS to 18.3 via Macbook, but the problem was not gone.


In a reddit thread I have found an information, that the issue is related to an old eSim version, and can be resolved by my cellular carrier.

I have contacted them and asked to reinstall my eSim. The problem was not gone.

I have tried to remove all eSims via iPhone configs, also did not help.


Apple support application is suggesting now to visit a repair store because of a "hardware issue".

Which is totally unfair, since my iPhone is bricked by the iOS update.

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iPhone eSIM erased after iOS 18 Update

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