How to Install an eSIM on an iPhone Using a Universal Link

Direct eSIM Installation on iOS 17.4 and Later

Apple introduced a simpler way to install an eSIM with iOS 17.4 and later. Instead of scanning an eSIM QR code or entering the activation details manually, users can install an eSIM by opening a specially generated link on their iPhone.

This method uses Apple's Universal Link functionality to pass the required eSIM provisioning information directly to the device.

The link contains two important pieces of information:

• The SMDP+ server address

• The eSIM activation code

These details are combined into an LPA provisioning string and added to Apple's eSIM setup URL.

What Does an eSIM Universal Link Look Like?

The general format of the Universal Link is:

https://esimsetup.apple.com/esim_qrcode_provisioning?carddata=LPA:1$SMDP+_Address$Activation_Code

For example:

https://esimsetup.apple.com/esim_qrcode_provisioning?carddata=LPA:1$rsp.truphone.com$JQ-209U6H-6I82J5

The first part of the URL remains the same, while the SMDP+ address and activation code are replaced with the credentials belonging to the specific eSIM.

When a user opens the completed link on a compatible iPhone running iOS 17.4 or later, the device can launch the eSIM installation flow directly.

Important Universal Link Requirements

When creating these links, there are a few details to keep in mind.

Keep the Base URL in Lowercase

The Apple eSIM setup URL should use lowercase characters.

The activation code itself may contain uppercase and lowercase characters, so it should be preserved exactly as provided.

Open the Link Outside Your App

If you are adding the Universal Link to a mobile application, configure the button or link so that it opens externally rather than being handled inside the application's internal web view.

This allows iOS to recognise the Apple eSIM provisioning URL correctly and launch the appropriate installation experience.

What Happens When the User Clicks the Link?

When a user opens a correctly formatted Universal Link on an eligible iPhone, iOS reads the provisioning information contained in the URL.

The device then starts the eSIM installation process and takes the user directly to the relevant setup screen.

This removes several manual steps from the traditional eSIM installation process.

Instead of asking users to:

1. Open Settings.

2. Navigate to Mobile Service.

3. Select Add eSIM.

4. Scan a QR code.

5. Or manually enter the activation information.

You can provide a single button that starts the installation process.

This can create a much smoother experience for customers purchasing an eSIM through a mobile application or online platform.

Where Can You Get the eSIM Information?

To generate the Universal Link, your system needs access to the eSIM's provisioning information.

For an eSIM Go integration, the required LPA information can be retrieved through the provider's Get eSIM Details and Status API endpoint.

The returned information can then be used to construct the Apple Universal Link.

The basic process is:

Retrieve eSIM information → Extract SMDP+ address and activation code → Build LPA string → Generate Apple Universal Link → Present link to the customer.

This can be incorporated into an automated eSIM purchase and delivery workflow.

Using Universal Links Inside an eSIM App

Universal Links can be particularly useful for companies that sell or distribute eSIMs through their own applications.

For example, after a customer purchases an eSIM, the application could display an Install eSIM button.

When the customer taps the button, the application opens the Apple provisioning URL externally.

The customer is then taken directly into the iOS eSIM installation flow.

This removes the need to explain complicated manual installation instructions to every customer.

It can also reduce support requests caused by customers entering an activation code incorrectly or struggling to scan a QR code.

Can You Shorten an eSIM Universal Link?

Yes.

Because the Apple provisioning information is contained within the URL, the resulting link can be quite long.

A URL-shortening service can therefore be used to create a shorter link that is easier to present to customers.

For example, a long Apple provisioning URL could be converted into a shorter URL using a link-shortening service.

The shortened link can then be placed behind:

• An app button

• An email button

• A customer portal

• An SMS

• A QR code

• A web page

However, when implementing this approach, test the shortened URL thoroughly on supported iOS versions to ensure that the redirect preserves the expected installation flow.

Universal Link vs QR Code Installation

Traditional eSIM installation commonly relies on a QR code.

The customer receives a QR code and scans it using their iPhone.

Universal Link installation provides another option.

Instead of scanning an image, the customer simply taps a link.

QR Code Installation

The traditional approach generally involves:

1. Displaying the eSIM QR code.

2. Opening the iPhone's eSIM settings.

3. Scanning the QR code.

4. Confirming installation.

Universal Link Installation

The Universal Link approach simplifies this to:

1. Provide the customer with the installation link.

2. Customer taps the link.

3. iOS opens the eSIM installation interface.

4. Customer confirms installation.

The Universal Link method can therefore provide a more streamlined experience, particularly inside an eSIM application or customer portal.

Why Direct eSIM Installation Matters

For an eSIM business, installation is part of the customer experience.

A customer may have successfully completed the purchase but still become frustrated if installation requires several confusing steps.

A direct installation link reduces that friction.

It can be especially useful for:

• eSIM marketplaces

• Travel eSIM applications

• Telecom applications

• Corporate eSIM platforms

• Travel agencies

• Online eSIM stores

• Enterprise mobility platforms

Instead of sending customers a long technical guide, businesses can present an Install eSIM button at the appropriate point in the purchase journey.

Example Customer Flow

A typical implementation could look like this:

Step 1: Customer Purchases an eSIM

The customer completes an eSIM purchase through your website or mobile application.

Step 2: Backend Retrieves eSIM Details

Your backend calls the relevant eSIM provider API and retrieves the provisioning information associated with the customer's eSIM.

Step 3: Generate the LPA String

The system combines the required values into the LPA format:

LPA:1$SMDP+Address$ActivationCode

Step 4: Construct the Apple URL

The LPA string is appended to Apple's eSIM provisioning URL.

Step 5: Display an Installation Button

Your application displays something such as:

Install eSIM

Step 6: Customer Taps the Button

The link opens externally and iOS recognises the Apple eSIM provisioning URL.

Step 7: Customer Confirms Installation

The user follows the iOS prompts to complete installation.

This creates a considerably simpler customer journey than asking users to manually enter multiple pieces of eSIM information.

Things to Check Before Implementing

Before deploying Universal Link eSIM installation to customers, test the complete flow.

Check that:

• The iPhone is running iOS 17.4 or later.

• The device supports eSIM.

• The SMDP+ address is correct.

• The activation code is correct.

• The Apple base URL is lowercase.

• The activation code's original capitalisation is preserved.

• The link opens externally from your application.

• Redirects from shortened URLs work correctly.

• The eSIM installation prompt appears as expected.

• The eSIM can successfully connect after installation.

A single incorrect character in the provisioning information can prevent installation.

Building This Into Your eSIM Platform

If you operate an eSIM marketplace or travel eSIM application, Universal Link installation can be integrated into the post-purchase experience.

For example, your purchase confirmation page could provide three installation options:

iPhone

→ Install eSIM

Android

→ View Installation Instructions

Other Devices

→ View Manual Installation Details

For compatible iPhones, the first option can launch the Universal Link directly.

This approach allows the same purchase system to support multiple installation methods while giving iOS users a faster installation experience.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of direct eSIM installation through Universal Links on iOS 17.4 and later provides developers and eSIM providers with a simpler way to deliver eSIMs to customers.

By combining the eSIM's SMDP+ address and activation code into the required LPA format, a business can generate an Apple provisioning link that takes a compatible iPhone directly into the eSIM installation process.

For eSIM platforms, the biggest advantage is reduced friction.

A customer no longer has to search through settings, manually type an activation code, or scan a QR code if the Universal Link method is available.

A simple Install eSIM button can do the heavy lifting.

For businesses building eSIM applications, marketplaces, or customer portals, this makes Universal Link installation a useful addition to the overall eSIM activation workflow.