Optus has quietly launched eSIM support at the end of March, becoming Australia’s first telco to market – starting with iPhone Xs and Xr customers.
While Telstra is still dabbling in their Windows 10 specific eSIM offer, Optus is offering the full experience – if you happen to have an iPhone and a postpaid plan, you can swap your plastic SIM to an eSIM and take advantage of all the Dual SIM goodness that’s available.
What is eSIM? It’s an alternative to the plastic SIM, and in the case of the iPhone XS, Xs Max and Xr, means you can use both an eSIM and plastic SIM at the same time.
eSIM in the iPhone allows you to use two phone numbers on the same phone at the same time; one using the physical SIM slot and one using the eSIM. This means you can make and receive calls from two different mobile numbers without the need to switch between SIMs / phones.
Similar to AT&T in the US, Optus has ‘physical’ eSIM QR code cards – with selected stores receiving stock from March 27, and an anticipated date of April 12 for all Optus stores to have stock.
The Optus store scans the ‘control number’ (or ‘ICCID’) from the QR code packaging, which is put through as a SIM swap (just like if you were swapping from one plastic SIM to another).
Once that’s done and the order has been processed, you simply scan the QR code on your iPhone, which will download the eSIM profile and you’re good to go.
Once you have the QR code, follow the below steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Mobile
- Tap Add Mobile Plan
- Use your iPhone to scan the QR code
And that’s it – enjoy having two SIMs on your iPhone! Everything works as normal, including WiFi Calling.
