Why would MTN be blocking adding eSims on a iPhone?

airborne

airborne

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I got a new secondhand iPhone SE 2022 and when I try add any eSim I get the error below.
What could be the issue here?
Could it be network locked, I haven't ever heard of iPhones being locked and why contact Cell C AND MTN?

IMG_9992.PNG
 
I dont understand the screenshot. What does cellc or mtn have to do with afrihost airmobile
 
My neighbour bought an iPhone 13 from a dealer in Kenilworth. It showed CellC and wifi, but a SIM (eSIM or physical card) would not work

The dealer refunded her and said that the phone must be blacklisted, although a search of the IMEI number showed no blacklisting

The dealer said he had bought the phone from someone who had an original invoice from iStore in December 2021. A strange part of the report said that the phone was purchased in Dublin in Ireland. not in Cape Town
 
airborne said:
As you can see in the screenshot the sim slot is active and working fine on the MTN network so I don't think that's the reason.
Click to expand...

Each SIM slot is individual. It working on one doesn’t mean the other is working necessarily.

Are you trying to setup a brand new eSIM or transferring one?
 
When you go to Settings > General > About what does it say under Network Provider Lock?
 
airborne said:
🥴.... why do you think I started this thread??!
Click to expand...

For me the process was simple. Sign up on airmobile. The rica took a day or so. They provide you with a qr code. In phone settings you scan the code and it was working immediately. Thats on a samsung s23.

Its odd that it mentions specific networks for you.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Each SIM slot is individual. It working on one doesn’t mean the other is working necessarily.

Are you trying to setup a brand new eSIM or transferring one?
Click to expand...
Transfer them from the my old iPhone, also tried scanning the QR code in the Air Mobile app, also tried with my FNB eSim
SauRoNZA said:
When you go to Settings > General > About what does it say under Network Provider Lock?
Click to expand...
No SIM restrictions
 
airborne said:
Transfer them from the my old iPhone, also tried scanning the QR code in the Air Mobile app, also tried with my FNB eSim

No SIM restrictions
Click to expand...

Okay yeah it’s fail on them not supporting transfer and you’ll basically have to go remove it on the old device and then ask them for the details all over again as if it’s brand new to add it on the new device.

Maybe just maybe it will work with the old details once you’ve removed it on the old device.

Had the same kak with my MegsApp eSIM.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Okay yeah it’s fail on them not supporting transfer and you’ll basically have to go remove it on the old device and then ask them for the details all over again as if it’s brand new to add it on the new device.

Maybe just maybe it will work with the old details once you’ve removed it on the old device.

Had the same kak with my MegsApp eSIM.
Click to expand...
So it can't be loaded on the new device until it's deleted from the old device, is that a local network fail considering Apple seems to think transferring eSIM is a thing?
 
Last edited:
Could try this to see if older settings are not preventing activation (does reset WIFI and any custom APNs):

  1. Settings
  2. General
  3. Transfer or Reset iPhone
  4. Reset
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings
 
The instructions on the Airmobile app say you should remove the esim from the old phone and wait a few minutes before installing on the new phone.
 
airborne said:
So it can't be loaded on the new device until it's deleted from the old device, is that a local network fail considering Apple seems to think transferring eSIM is a thing?
Click to expand...

Yup 100% local network bullshit.

I can’t remember exactly if it was a case for deleting off one device or the entire process of getting a new QR code or both, but has all the same struggles trying to do a transfer.

At least with MegsApp it was only a WhatsApp conversation away.

I think it’s because all (most?) of our networks don’t allow multiple eSims to operate with the same number in multiple places at the same time like Apple expects it to work.

****
Google suggests it’s really both steps.

Contact megsApp customer support to obtain a new eSIM activation QR code, likely provided via email or their app.
On your old iPhone, navigate to Settings > Cellular and select the eSIM plan you want to transfer. Tap Remove Cellular Plan. This deactivates the old eSIM.
On your new iPhone, open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data), and tap Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular.
Select Use QR Code and use your iPhone's camera to scan the new QR code provided by megsApp.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the activation.
 
blowdart18 said:
Could try this to see if older settings are not preventing activation (does reset WIFI and any custom APNs):

  1. Settings
  2. General
  3. Transfer or Reset iPhone
  4. Reset
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings
Click to expand...

No this has nothing to do with the local device.

It’s pure network fail.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Okay yeah it’s fail on them not supporting transfer and you’ll basically have to go remove it on the old device and then ask them for the details all over again as if it’s brand new to add it on the new device.
Click to expand...
This is the answer, once I removed my FNB esim from my old iPhone it loaded first time on the new iPhone.
Thanks for the heads up @SauRoNZA 🤜
 
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