Mobile phones and networks that support eSIM in Nigeria

List of Phones and Networks that support eSIM in Nigeria. An eSIM is easily described as a digital SIM that enables users to activate a cellular plan from their carrier without having to use a physical SIM. Read our guide on how to lock your SIM card.

Virtual Sim cards, simply called eSim cards, were first made available in Nigeria by the telecommunications service provider, MTN Nigeria. The virtual cards will provide the same functionalities as physical SIM cards. The virtual sim, eSIM is built into the phones and therefore cannot be lost or damaged by the owner.

This article gives you insight into phones and mobile networks that support eSIM in Nigeria. What is an eSIM and How Does it Work in Nigeria, How to use or activate your eSIM in Nigeria, A List of compatible smartphones for eSIM in Nigeria.

Mobile Networks that support eSIM in Nigeria

Currently, MTN Nigeria, 9Mobile, and Airtel are the only three telecommunications companies in Nigeria that enable the usage of eSIM. MTN Nigeria eSIM was introduced in July 2020, 9Mobile was introduced in early August 2020, and Airtel was introduced in January 2023.

• MTN Nigeria
• 9mobile
• Airtel

How does the eSIM?

The eSIM was globally launched in 2016. It is considered the next generation of SIM cards after Nano SIMs which were launched in 2012. The eSIM works just like a second SIM card if you were having a device with two SIM slots. It provides you with a second phone number without buying another SIM card, all you have to do is activate it with your account profile and you are up and running. Phones and Networks that support eSIM in Nigeria.

During the first step of the activation process, compatible phones are used to scan a QR code assigned to the eSIM.

How To Register and Activate MTN eSIM in Nigeria

The MTN eSIM in Nigeria is said to be a trial that will run for 365 days and it is open on a first come first served basis to a restricted number of subscribers who own compatible devices. To register the MTN eSim you will have to visit any of the MTN stores you know, and the activation process would follow at the store. To use eSim cards, it first has to be activated on your phone. The activation has to be done in an MTN store by a customer care agent. According to MTN, the process is done at no cost to the subscriber.

Once the device is certified compatible with the MTN eSim, an account profile is created for the subscriber, and the agents complete the integration process with the user.

Once the integration is completed, a customer will find that using the virtual card is basically the same as using the current sim. There are new additions though. While physical sim cards can store up to 200 contacts, MTN eSIM cards can store more than 200 contacts.

How To Activate and Use 9Mobile Nigeria eSIM

The whole process of getting the 9Mobile eSIM is similar to that of MTN, customers can walk into any of our select 9mobile Experience Centres to request an eSIM activation, following that a QR code will be provided to scan and download an eSIM profile and perform the usual SIM registration.

Customers that walk into any 9Mobile Experience Centre and activate the eSIM and you should get up to 7GB free worth of data. If you already have a traditional SIM card and you want to replace it with an eSIM, you only need to do a SIM swap.

How to use Airtel Nigeria eSIM

How to use Airtel Nigeria eSIM: Please dial *#06# on your smartphone to check for device compatibility. A Device should display an EID number. Visit any Airtel Service Centre where our seasoned customer care agents will walk you through setting up your eSIM. Please click on Airtel Centre to locate the nearest Service Centre closest to you.

How to activate eSIM on Apple iPhones

Follow these steps to activate eSIM on your iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and above models.

1. First, you need to get the QR code from a customer care agent of your network provider.
2. Go to Settings>Cellular.
3. Tap add a cellular plan.
4. Scan the QR code which you received from the customer care agent
5. If you’re asked to enter a confirmation code to activate the eSIM, enter the number provided with the QR code.

How to activate eSIM on Android phones

1. Using a QR code scanner App
2. Scan your eSIM QR code
3. Touch the Cell Plan Detected notification when it appears.
4. Press Continue at the bottom of the screen.
5. Touch Add a cell plan.
6. If you are prompted for a confirmation code to activate the eSIM card, enter the number provided by your operator.

How to activate eSIM on Android phones using SIMO App in Nigeria

SIMO is an app that helps users easily connect to their eSIM. List of phones you can download and use SIMO on for MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile eSIM in Nigeria TECNO Camon 12 Pro, TECNO Camon 12, Infinix Hot 9 series, and Infinix Note 7.

1. Open SIMO.
2. Set the eSIM profile up.
3. Click “Connect” to get online.
4. Buy Data. Choose the plan that works best.
5. Get Support. Get support within SIMO.

What are the benefits of using eSIM in Nigeria?

• It saves numerous cellular profiles and hence functions globally.
• You no longer have to worry about SIM card cutting or adaptor searching.
• Unlike SIM cards, no special slot is required.
• Because the card is linked to the device, it cannot be lost.
• It gives the same degree of protection as a detachable SIM card and makes switching between network carriers easier.