Managing your eSIM
An eSIM, as opposed to a physical SIM card, is a SIM that’s already embedded into selected phones.
You can upgrade to an eSIM enabled phone and sign up to a plan to use on an eSIM online or by calling 1300 650 410.
Here are the eSIM enabled phones that we’ve launched to date.
| Apple | Samsung | |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS | Google Pixel 3a | Samsung Galaxy Fold |
| iPhone XS Max | Google Pixel 4 | Samsung Galaxy S20 |
| iPhone XR | Google Pixel 4 XL | Samsung Galaxy S20 5G |
| iPhone 11 | Google Pixel 4a | Samsung Galaxy S20+ |
| iPhone 11 Pro | Google Pixel 5 | Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G | |
| iPhone SE (second generation) | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip | |
| iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy Note20 | |
| iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | |
iPhone 12 Pro |
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G |
How to activate a plan on your eSIM enabled phone
Here are the steps to activate your plan with your eSIM enabled phone.
If you’re new to Vodafone, you’ll need to first transfer your number to us and follow the steps below with your eSIM enabled phone.
If you’re already with Vodafone on a postpaid or prepaid plan, you’ll need to swap your current physical SIM through our SIM swap process through My Vodafone and follow the steps below with your eSIM enabled phone.
In preparation for activating your plan on an eSIM enabled phone, make sure you have the following:
- The eSIM enabled phone you’ll be using with your new plan. Connect this phone to the internet through either Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
- Your eSIM QR code displayed on another device or as a printed copy for you to scan
- Your 4-digit eSIM Confirmation Code
| Apple | Samsung | |
|---|---|---|
Go to ‘Settings’ |
Go to ‘Settings’ Choose ‘Network & Internet’ Choose + symbol next to ‘Mobile network’, tap ‘Don’t have a SIM card?’ or ‘Download a SIM instead?’ and then ‘Next’. |
Go to ‘Settings’ |
| This will launch a QR code reader. | When asked ‘Use 2 numbers’, tap ‘No thanks’ if you would like to use an eSIM by itself. This will launch a QR code reader. | This will launch a QR code reader. |
| If you would like to use both a physical SIM and an eSIM with your device, tap ‘Continue’ and then ‘Restart’. Once your device has restarted, you will then have to repeat the above steps. This will launch a QR code reader. |
Before scanning, make sure the QR code you have is for the plan you want to use with your device.
The QR code needs to be displayed on another device or as a printed copy so that you’re able to scan it.
If you are having trouble scanning your QR code, follow the below steps to enter your eSIM details manually. These details will be provided to you either in the PDF document from your Activation or SIM swap email, or when you head in store.
| Apple | Samsung | |
|---|---|---|
| In the QR code scanner, press the link to ‘Enter Details Manually’. | In the QR code scanner, press the link ‘Need help?’ and then ‘Enter it manually’ | Go to ‘Settings’ |
| Enter the details as requested. | Enter activation code in the following format: | Enter activation code in the following format: |
| LPA:1$SM-DP+ Address$Activation Code | LPA:1$SM-DP+ Address$Activation Code |
Your eSIM Confirmation Code is a 4 digit code. You may have requested a copy of this code sent via SMS. If you’ve forgotten your eSIM Confirmation Code you can call us on 1300 650 410 for a reminder.
Once your eSIM plan has been added, you’ll be able to set up your preferred SIM settings. If you’ve swapped your physical SIM to eSIM and you only have 1 plan, your eSIM will automatically be selected as the primary plan. If you’ve swapped your physical SIM and you have 2 plans, you will be able to select which plan is the primary.
If you have any questions, please call us on 1300 650 410 between 8am and 8pm AEST Monday to Friday or between 8am and 5.30pm AEST on the weekend.
Additional information
If you would like to change between a physical SIM and an eSIM, follow our SIM swap journey through My Vodafone or head to your nearest Vodafone store.
You will need to have a valid email address connected to your Vodafone account in order to complete a physical SIM swap to eSIM. To update your email address, please head in store or call 1300 650 410.
While an eSIM enabled device gives you the ability to activate and use up to 5 plans on an eSIM, you can only use one plan at a time.
Once you have more than one plan activated on your device, you can label your plans. For example, you could label one plan Primary and another Secondary, or one plan Work and another Personal. With these labels, you can choose which phone number to use for different functions, such as making and receiving calls and messages or using data.
Yes. If you have a dual SIM device with an active plan on a physical SIM and on an eSIM you can use both plans simultaneously. In your device settings you can select which plan you want to use when calling, sending a text or using data. If you're on a call using one of the plans, any calls to your other SIM will be directed to voicemail.
If you receive a call to a phone number that you don’t have active at that time, the call will automatically divert to voicemail. You won’t receive an alert message, until you switch to that plan.
iPhone
You can switch phone numbers for a call on an eSIM enabled iPhone. If you are calling a contact in your Favourites list, tap the information symbol, then current phone number. Select the number you would like to use for your call. If you are using the keypad, enter the phone number you want to call, tap the phone number near the top of the screen and then select the number you would like to use for your call.
Google Pixel
You can also switch phone numbers for a call on an eSIM enabled Google Pixel by following these steps:
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘Network & Internet’
- Choose the SIM you would like to manage call settings for
- Choose ‘Call preference’ and select your desired number
Samsung
You can switch phone numbers for a call on a eSIM enabled Samsung device by following these steps:
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘Connections’
- Choose ‘SIM card manager’
- Choose ‘Calls’ and select your desired number
If you are using the keypad, enter the phone number you want to call and then choose the phone number you would like to use for your call at the bottom of the screen. In Contacts, tap on the contact you would like to call and then select the number you would like to use for the call.
If you are using an eSIM enabled iPhone, you can choose which number your iMessages are sent from.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘Messages’
- Choose ‘iMessage and FaceTime Line’
- Select the phone number you want to send from
iPhone
With an eSIM enabled iPhone, follow these steps to choose which number your SMS and MMS are sent from.
- Open Messages
- Tap the New Button (located in the upper right corner of the screen)
- Enter your contact’s name
- Tap on the current phone number
- Select the phone number you want to send from
Google Pixel
With an eSIM enabled Google Pixel device, follow these steps to choose which number your SMS and MMS will be sent from.
- Open Messages
- Tap ‘Start chat’ or open an existing conversation
- Enter your contact’s name
- Tap the icon to the right of the text bar and choose the SIM you would like to use
You can also follow these steps to change the default SIM for your messages.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘Network & Internet’
- Choose the SIM you would like to manage SMS and MMS settings for
- Choose ‘SMS preference’ and select your desired number
Samsung
With an eSIM enabled Samsung device, follow these steps to choose which number your SMS and MMS will be sent from.
- Open Messages
- Tap the message icon at the bottom right of your screen or open an existing conversation
- Enter your contact’s name
- Tap the icon to the right of the text bar and choose the SIM you would like to use
iPhone
If you are using an eSIM enabled iPhone, follow these steps to choose which number to use data with.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose either Cellular or Mobile Data
- Choose Cellular Data
- Select the plan you want to use data with
Google Pixel
If you are using an eSIM enabled Google Pixel device, follow these steps to choose which number to use data with.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose Network & Internet
- Choose the SIM you would like to manage data settings for
- Toggle on ‘Mobile Data’
Samsung
If you are using an eSIM enabled Samsung device, follow these steps to choose which number to use data with.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘Connections’
- Choose ‘SIM card manager’
- Choose ‘Mobile Data’ and select the plan you want to use data with
You can have up to 5 plans on your eSIM when using a phone but only 1 plan can be active at a time.
It works the same way $5 Roaming works on a physical SIM. If you have an active plan on your eSIM, then you’ll be charged $5 extra a day when you use your plan in a $5 Roaming eligible country. If you have an active plan on an eSIM and you add other plan on either a physical SIM or an eSIM, then you’ll be charged $5 extra a day for each additional active plan on your device when used in a $5 Roaming eligible country.
So, if you have two active plans on your device, you’ll be charged a total of $10 extra a day if you use both plans in a $5 Roaming eligible country.
Yes. To use a prepaid plan on an eSIM, you must first activate your prepaid plan on a physical SIM and then swap to an eSIM online through our SIM swap process in My Vodafone and follow the eSIM activation steps. You can also SIM swap your physical SIM to eSIM by heading in store. You will need to have a valid email address connected to your Vodafone account in order to complete a SIM swap to eSIM.
To update your email address, please head in store or call 1300 650 410.
You can only cancel your plan on an eSIM by calling us on 1555 or heading in store.
Although you may be able to remove or disable the plan on your eSIM from your device, this will not cancel your plan charges.
While your phone may be eSIM enabled, it may not be compatible with Vodafone eSIM. We suggest you head to your nearest Vodafone store for assistance.
iPhone
You can follow these steps to complete a factory reset on your eSIM enabled iPhone.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘General’
- Choose ‘Reset’
- Choose ‘Erase All Content and Settings’
- Choose ‘Erase iPhone’
- Choose ‘Erase All and Keep Mobile Plans’.
If you choose ‘Erase All’, any plans on your eSIM will be removed. To re-instate one or more eSIM plans to your device you’ll need to complete a SIM swap through My Vodafone for each plan to continue using them again on your device.
Samsung
You can follow these steps to complete a factory reset on your eSIM enabled Samsung device.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘General management’
- Choose ‘Reset’
- Choose ‘Factory data reset’
- Choose ‘Reset’
- Your eSIM will be automatically retained.
If you choose ‘eSIMs’, any eSIM plans on your device will be removed. To re-instate one or more eSIM plans to your device you’ll need to complete a SIM swap to eSIM for each plan through My Vodafone to continue using them again on your device.
Google Pixel
You can follow these steps to complete a factory reset on your eSIM enabled Google Pixel device.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘System’
- Choose ‘Advanced’
- Choose ‘Reset Options’
- Choose ‘Erase all data’
- Your eSIM will automatically be retained.
If you choose ‘Erase downloaded SIMs’, any eSIM plans on your device will be removed. To re-instate one or more eSIM plans to your device you’ll need to complete a SIM swap to eSIM through My Vodafone for each plan to continue using them again on your device.
Here are the eSIM enabled tablets that we’ve launched to date.
| Apple |
|---|
| 12.9 inch iPad Pro (3rd generation) |
| 11 inch iPad Pro |
| 10.5 inch iPad Air 2019 |
| iPad mini 5 |
| 10.2 inch iPad (7th generation) |
10.2 inch iPad (8th generation) |
iPad Air (4th generation) |
How to activate a plan on your eSIM enabled tablet
Here are the steps to activate your plan with your eSIM enabled tablet.
If you’re new to Vodafone, you’ll need to first transfer your number to us and then follow the steps below with your eSIM enabled tablet.
If you’re already with Vodafone, you’ll need to first SIM swap your current physical SIM from your new or existing eSIM enabled tablet through our SIM swap process in My Vodafone and follow the steps below with your eSIM enabled tablet.
In preparation for activating your plan on an eSIM enabled tablet, make sure you have the following:
- The eSIM enabled tablet you’ll be using with your new plan. Connect this tablet to the internet through either Wi-Fi or a mobile network
- Your eSIM QR code displayed on another device or as a printed copy for you to scan
- Your 4-digit eSIM Confirmation Code
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘Mobile Data’
- Choose ‘Add Mobile Plan’ or ‘Add a New Plan’ (if available)
- Select ‘Other…’ (if available)
This will launch your tablet’s camera which can then read the QR code reader.
Before scanning, make sure the QR code you have is for the plan you want to use with your device.
The QR code needs to be displayed on another device or as a printed copy.
If you are having trouble scanning your QR code, enter your eSIM details manually - press the link to ‘Enter Details Manually’. These details will be provided to you either in the PDF document from your Activation or SIM swap email, or when you head in store.
Once your eSIM plan has been added, you’ll be able to set up your preferred SIM settings. If you’ve swapped your physical SIM to eSIM and you only have 1 plan, your eSIM will automatically be selected as the primary plan. If you’ve swapped your physical SIM to eSIM and you now have 2 plans, you will be able to select which plan is the primary. Please note that only 1 plan can be active at a time.
Your eSIM Confirmation Code is a 4 digit code. You may have requested a copy of this code sent via SMS to your phone. If you’ve forgotten your eSIM Confirmation Code you can call us on 1300 650 410 for a reminder.
Once your eSIM plan has been added, you’ll be able to set up your preferred SIM settings. If you’ve swapped your current physical SIM to eSIM and you only have 1 plan, your eSIM will automatically be selected as the primary plan. If you’ve swapped your current physical SIM to eSIM and you now have 2 plans, you will be able to select which plan is the primary. Please note that only 1 plan can be active at a time.
If you have any questions, please call us on 1300 650 410 between 8am and 8pm AEST Monday to Friday or between 8am and 5.30pm AEST on the weekend.
Additional information
If you would like to change between a physical SIM and an eSIM, follow our SIM swap journey online or head to your nearest Vodafone store.
You will need to have a valid email address connected to your Vodafone account in order to complete a physical SIM swap to eSIM. To update your email address, please head in store or call 1300 650 410.
No. While you can have a physical SIM and an eSIM within your tablet, only one plan can be active at a time.
You can have up to 5 plans on your eSIM when using a tablet but only 1 can be active at a time.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose either Cellular or Mobile Data
- Choose Cellular Data
- Select the plan you want to use data with
$5 Roaming works the same way as a physical SIM. If you have an active plan on your eSIM, then you’ll be charged $5 extra a day when you use your plan in a $5 Roaming eligible country.
If you have an active plan on an eSIM and you add other plan on either a physical SIM or an eSIM, then you’ll only be charged $5 extra a day as you can only have 1 plan active on an eSIM enabled tablet at a time in a $5 Roaming eligible country.
Yes. To use a prepaid plan on your eSIM and eSIM enabled device, you must first activate your prepaid plan with a physical SIM then swap to an eSIM online through our SIM swap process in My Vodafone and follow the eSIM activation steps. You can also SIM swap your physical SIM to eSIM by heading in store.
You will need to have a valid email address connected to your Vodafone account in order to complete a physical SIM swap to eSIM. To update your email address, please head in store or call 1300 650 410.
You can only cancel your plan on an eSIM by calling us on 1555 or by heading in store.
Although you may be able to remove or disable the plan on your eSIM from your device, this will not cancel your plan charges.
While your tablet may be eSIM enabled, it may not be compatible with Vodafone eSIM. We suggest you head to your nearest Vodafone store for assistance.
You can follow these steps to complete a factory reset on your eSIM enabled tablet.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Choose ‘General’
- Choose ‘Reset’
- Choose ‘Erase All Content and Settings’
- Choose ‘Erase iPad’
- Choose ‘Erase All and Keep Data Plans’.
If you choose ‘Erase All’, any eSIM plans on your device will be removed. To re-instate one or more eSIM plans to your device you’ll need to complete a SIM swap through My Vodafone for each plan to continue using them again on your device.
We have launched a range of eSIM enabled smart watches. Vodafone NumberSync™ allows you to your phone plan inclusions and phone number with an eligible smart watch. That means you can use your smart watch to make and receive calls, send messages and use data on the Vodafone network – even when you’re away from your phone.
To get Vodafone NumberSync™, you’ll need an eligible eSIM-enabled smart watch, an eligible Vodafone phone plan and a compatible phone.
Here are the eSIM enabled smart watches that we’ve launched to date and their compatible phones.
| Eligible smart watch | Compatible phones |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) | iPhone 6s or above with updated carrier settings and iOS 14 or later. |
| Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) | iPhone 6s or above with updated carrier settings and iOS 14 or later. |
| Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) | iPhone 6s or above with updated carrier settings and iOS 14 or later. |
| Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) | iPhone 6s or above with updated carrier settings and iOS 14 or later. |
Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) |
iPhone 6s or above with updated carrier settings and iOS 14 or later. |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch | Samsung Galaxy device running Android 5.0 or above with a minimum of 1.5GB RAM. |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 | Samsung Galaxy device running Android 5.0 or above with a minimum of 1.5GB RAM. |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch3 | Samsung Galaxy device running Android 5.0 or above with a minimum of 1.5GB RAM. |
How do I sign up to Vodafone NumberSync™?
Follow these instructions to sign up to Vodafone Numbersync™:
Step 1
Turn on your Apple Watch and open the Watch app on your eligible iPhone.
Step 2
Follow the steps to pair your iPhone and Apple Watch via Bluetooth.
Step 3
When prompted, sign up for a Vodafone Numbersync™ subscription.
Step 4
Your Apple Watch will automatically connect to our network.
- Apple Watch App available on the Apple App Store.
- Apple Watch cellular variant compatible with: Apple iPhone 5 device or later running iOS 9 or above.
- Apple Watch cellular variant will be limited to Bluetooth functionality (incoming call/message notifications only) if the compatibility requirements are not met.
Watch the video tutorial below on how to sign up to Vodafone NumberSync™. You can sign up when you first set up your new Samsung Watch or later through the Galaxy Watch App on your eligible Samsung phone.
- Galaxy Watch App available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- Samsung Watch cellular variant compatible with: (1) Samsung Galaxy phones running Android 5.0 and above that have a minimum of 1.5 GB RAM, and (2) non-Samsung Android phones running Android 5.0 and above that have a minimum of 1.5 GB RAM.
- The Samsung Watch cellular variant will be limited to Bluetooth functionality (incoming call/message notifications only) if the compatibility requirements related to (1) above are not met and if the Samsung Watch cellular variant is paired with a non-Samsung Android phone.
Additional information
No, you don’t need Vodafone NumberSync™ to use your smart watch. You can pair your smart watch to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Vodafone NumberSync™ connects your smart watch to the Vodafone network so you can use it independently of your phone even when your phone is switched off or out of Bluetooth range.
When you’ve paired your eligible phone and haven’t signed up to Vodafone NumberSync™, your smart watch must be in Bluetooth range of your phone to make and receive calls, messages and data.
You can only cancel your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription by calling us on 1555 or by heading in store.
Please note that by removing the Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription from the Galaxy Watch App on your Samsung phone will disconnect your smart watch from the Vodafone network but will not cancel your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription.
You can cancel your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription at any time. If you cancel partway through your billing cycle, you’ll only be charged up to the date you cancelled.
If you cancel your Vodafone mobile plan, your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription will be cancelled automatically.
iOS
To get the latest version of iOS for your iPhone, tap Settings > General > Software Update.
To update your carrier settings, go to Settings > General > About on your iPhone. If new carrier settings are available, you can update them here.
To get the latest version of Watch OS, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap General > Software Update.
Android
To update the software on your Android phone, tap Settings > Software Update > Download updates manually or Scheduled software update.
To update the software on your Android smart watch, open the Wearable app on your Phone and tap Settings > About watch > Update watch software > Update now or Auto update.
While your smart watch may be eSIM enabled, it may not be compatible with Vodafone NumberSync™. Head to your nearest Vodafone store for assistance.
When a call is made to your mobile number, and you have subscribed to Vodafone NumberSync™, your phone and smart watch will ring at the same time. You can answer the call on either device.
Yes, once you have subscribed to Vodafone NumberSync™, you can answer another call on your smart watch while taking a call on your phone.
No, even if you have subscribed to Vodafone NumberSync™, you’re unable to transfer calls between your phone and smart watch.
Irrespective whether you have subscribed to Vodafone NumberSync™ or not, the person you’re calling or texting will see your Vodafone mobile phone number. This is the same number they will see if you call or text them from your phone.
If you have barring set up for your phone plan, it will also apply to your smart watch. This includes barring for calls, SMS/MMS, data usage and video calling.
With Vodafone NumberSync™, emergency calls from your smart watch work the same way as they do for your phone. Because your smart watch is connected to the Vodafone network, emergency services can identify your location.
No, only one smart watch can be connected to your Vodafone mobile plan with a Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription. If you wish to connect a different smart watch, you can pair a new smart watch to your phone via the smart watch or Watch app on your phone.
You can also have up to 5 smart watches on your Vodafone account each of them subscribed to Vodafone NumberSync™ paired to a unique phone.
You can only transfer your existing Vodafone NumberSync™, subscription from one smart watch to another if your two or more smart watches are from same manufacturer (i.e. Apple Watch 3 and Apple Watch 4 or Samsung Galaxy Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3).
If your smart watches are from different manufacturers (i.e. Apple Watch 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch), you will need to cancel subscription on your old smart watch and activate it on your new smart watch by giving us a call on 1555 or by heading to your nearest Vodafone store.
If your smart watch is lost or stolen, immediately unpair it from your phone via the Watch app on your phone. Then cancel your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription by giving us a call on 1555 or head to your nearest Vodafone store.
If your phone is lost or stolen, give us a call on 1555 or head to your nearest Vodafone store. We can block your phone so that it can’t be used. This block will only apply to your phone, and not to your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription on your smart watch.
For more information, check out our support page on lost and stolen devices.
There are some parts of Australia (typically regional areas) where you are not able to access your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription. You can still use your smart watch to make and receive calls, send messages and use data when in Bluetooth range of your phone.
$5 Roaming and international roaming are currently unavailable to use with your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription. So, your smart watch will not be able to connect to a mobile network overseas, but you can still use it to make and receive calls, send messages and use data when in Bluetooth range of your phone.
A Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription costs $5 per month. This monthly charge will continue until you cancel your subscription.
When using your Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription, any calls or texts from your smart watch will count towards your phone plan’s monthly usage. If the combined usage of your phone and smart watch exceed your phone plan inclusions, you’ll be charged as per your phone plan’s terms and conditions.
There will be two separate lines on the bill showing each call. Please note the mobile number shown is the one from your phone plan.
You can still sign up to a Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription for your eligible smart watch.
You’ll need the Billing Account PIN for your Vodafone account to sign up to a Vodafone NumberSync™ subscription. You may need to contact your employer for this information.