Wondering why is your AT&T eSIM not working? Keep reading our guide for instant solutions!
AT&T eSim could stop functioning due to various reasons related to internet connectivity failure in data transfer between devices and your settings.
Regardless of the situation, we will provide you with the information required about the eSIM and the solutions to resolve the issue quickly.
If AT&T’s eSIM isn’t working, check the internet connection that your device is connected to and optimize the supply.
There’s much to cover, so let’s get started!
Why is my AT&T eSIM Not Working?
To find the root of the issue, you’ll need to gather a better understanding of how the AT&T eSIM functions and what exactly could cause it to stop.
Hence, let’s review an organized list containing all potential causes.
Here’s why the AT&T eSIM isn’t working:
How to Know If the eSIM is Working?
You can quickly determine whether the AT&T electronic SIM is functioning by accessing the “Settings” app and navigating to the current plans that the device is using.
Here’s how to check for the eSIM’s status:
- First, on the mobile device, open the “Settings” app.
- Next, enter the “Cellular” and check the “SIMs” tab.
- Click on the option labeled “Data 2” or “Secondary.”
Note: If the electronic SIM has been deactivated, it means it hasn’t been activated properly or it hasn’t been activated at all.
AT&T eSIM Not Working – Instant Solutions
Tip: Follow the solutions below in their consecutive order!
1. Activate Your AT&T eSIM
The first step to resolve the AT&T eSIM’s malfunction is properly activating the eSIM option.
The activation process requires a stable internet connection or operational mobile cellular service.
Method#1 Activate Through “Mobile Data”:
- Open the “Settings” app on your phone.
- Go to “Mobile Data” > “Add Data Plan”.
- Select the way to add the AT&T’s eSIM.
- Follow the instructions to finish the setup.
Method#2 Activate Through AT&T Plan:
- First, go to the “Settings” app on the mobile device.
- Then, navigate to “AT&T plan ready to be installed.”
- Click on the “Continue” button and install the eSIM.
- Restart the device after the installation has finished.
When the eSIM has been downloaded and installed on your device, it should automatically replace the physical SIM card.
If the eSIM hasn’t been activated, delete the newly added SIM option from the “SIMs” list and repeat the process with the other method.
Important: The device must not lose internet connection during the process!
2. Replace Your AT&T eSIM
AT&T provides an option to use more than one eSIM on single/multiple devices and transfer data between the phones.
Hence, regardless of the situation, requesting a new eSIM is easily achievable and should help in a data transfer error.
Here’s how to request an eSIM replacement:
- Go to the AT&T account overview.
- Click on the “My Devices” section.
- Next, scroll to the “Manage” option.
- Proceed with the “Options” menu.
- Select the “Get a new eSIM” button.
- Then, confirm and follow the prompts.
Reminder: After successfully replacing the eSIM, go back to solution #1 to activate it and reboot your device after completing the steps.
3. Update the Phone’s Software
Another essential factor that affects the performance of the AT&T eSIM is outdated software!
Some older OS versions get excluded from the supported list with every software update, and this may be causing all this fuss.
So, keeping the OS version up to date prevents any failures in operations regarding not only the eSIM.
How to Update Your Apple (iOS)?
- Access the “Settings” app on the device.
- Go to “General” and “Software update.”
- Click the “Download and Install” button.
- Wait for the operation to finish and reboot.
How to Update Your Android?
- First, go to the “Settings” on the phone.
- Then, select the “About Phone” section.
- From there, tap on “Check for Updates.”
- If available, press the “Install” button.
Note: The device must have an internet connection to execute the task!
4. Update Your Carrier’s Settings
The carrier settings are files that contain mobile network settings, cellular tower credentials, callings, messages, data, and voicemail.
It’s essential to keep the carrier settings up to date and the phone’s system, as it can negatively affect the eSIM’s functionality.
How to Update Carrier Settings Apple?
- In your “Settings” app, enter “General.”
- Next, tap “About” and then tap “Carrier.”
- Follow the prompts and finalize the update.
How to Update Carrier Settings Android?
- First, go to the “Settings” on your Android.
- Then, you need to press “Mobile Network.”
- Next, go to “Advanced” → “Carrier Settings.”
- Finally, press on “Update Carrier Settings.”
Info: The system usually notifies you when the carrier settings need updating with a notification in the status bar, but you can manually update them.
5. Convert Physical SIM to eSIM
The newest smartphones provide both physical and electronic SIM cards.
However, converting between SIMs doesn’t always happen automatically.
If your mobile device has both SIM cards activated, the system will automatically choose which one to be primary and which secondary.
This blunder can sometimes produce issues and deactivate your eSIM, so you need to check whether yours is covered, and if not, do so.
How to Convert to eSIM on Android?
- Go to the Androids Settings.
- Tap, “Choose Connections.”
- Select “SIM Card Manager.”
- Then, choose your “SIM 1.”
- Choose “Covert to eSIM.”
- Eject your physical SIM card.
How to Convert to eSIM on Apple?
- Go to the device’s “Settings.”
- Next, go to the “Mobile Data.”
- Then, tap “Convert to eSIM.”
- Wait for your eSIM to activate.
- Remove your physical SIM.
Note: If you don’t see this option, your plan does not support the feature!
How to Switch the Primary and Secondary Cards?
Note: Priority can be chosen on two operations: Mobile data and Voice Line!
Here’s how to switch the priority of the SIM cards:
- Open the “Settings” app on the phone.
- Then, select the “Mobile Data” section.
- Then, choose between the two options.
- Click on the SIM card you want to use.
- Tap the “< Back” button on the screen.
- Repeat the steps with the second option.
Important: Both SIM cards must be activated.
6. Erase and Activate the eSIM
Manual removal and reactivation of the eSIM might be required in case the previous solutions did not affect the issue.
So, removing the eSIM will erase all stored data, and the device will no longer be able to connect to an internet connection using the eSIM.
Here’s how to remove the eSIM from your mobile device:
- First, launch the “Settings” app on the device.
- On Apple, tap “Mobile Data” to erase the eSIM.
- On Android, tap on the “Mobile Network” tab.
- Locate the option to erase your AT&T eSIM.
After successfully removing the eSIM, follow the steps in solution #1 to reactivate the eSIM again.
Once activated, your device will automatically download the necessary information.
7. Factory Reset Your Phone
The factory reset on the mobile device will erase all files, apps, personal data, and settings and restore the phone to its factory configuration.
This is one of the most effective ways to deal with AT&T eSIM issues, so backup any essential details you want to recall later.
When ready, proceed with the steps to execute a complete reset.
How to Factory Reset an Apple iPhone?
- First, access the “Settings” interface.
- Go to “General,” then “Reset iPhone.”
- After that, tap the “Get Started” button.
- Then, follow the onscreen instructions.
- Go back to the “Reset iPhone” option.
- Click “Erase All Content and Settings.”
How to Factory Reset Android Phone?
- First, go to the Settings of the Android.
- Then, select the “Backup and Reset.”
- Press on the “Factory Data Reset” tab.
- Tap “Reset Device” → “Erase Everything.”
Reminder: When the reset is over, use the steps from solution #1 to activate your AT&T eSIM!
Quick Recap:
Whenever AT&T eSIM not working, you must check if the eSIM is activated and working and replace the eSIM.
If the issue hasn’t been resolved, update the phone’s software and carrier settings, convert from the physical SIM to the eSIM, and factory reset your device.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.