Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you want to restore your iPhone but don’t have an eSIM? Fret not; it is possible to restore your iPhone without an eSIM. While most modern iPhones come with eSIM technology, allowing you to set up cellular service without a physical SIM card, it is still possible to restore your iPhone even if you don’t have one. This article will guide you through the steps on how to restore your iPhone without an eSIM, using either iTunes or iCloud.

If you have access to a computer, you can use iTunes to restore your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes. Once your iPhone is detected, select it in the left sidebar. In the Summary tab, click on the “Restore iPhone” button. iTunes will then download the latest iOS software and restore your iPhone. This process will erase all of the data on your iPhone, so make sure to back up your data before you begin.

Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a computer, you can also restore your iPhone using iCloud. To do this, you will need to have previously backed up your iPhone to iCloud. Go to the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple ID. Click on the “Settings” icon and then select the “General” tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Reset” button. Then, click on the “Erase All Content and Settings” button. This will erase all of the data on your iPhone and restore it to its factory settings. Once the restore is complete, you can set up your iPhone as a new device or restore it from a backup.

Prerequisites for Restoring an iPhone Without ESIM

To ensure a successful restore of your iPhone without an embedded SIM (eSIM), it is essential to fulfill the following prerequisites:

1. Latest iTunes Version

Verify that you have the most recent version of iTunes installed on your computer. Outdated versions may not support the restoration process without an eSIM.

2. iCloud Backup or Local Backup

Before initiating the restore process, ensure that you have a recent backup of your iPhone data. You can create a backup using either iCloud or iTunes. This backup will serve as the data source for restoring your iPhone.

Types of Backups:

Backup Type	Location	Requirements
iCloud Backup	Apple’s cloud storage	iCloud account with sufficient storage
Local Backup	Your computer’s hard drive	iTunes installed on your computer

3. Adequate Storage Space

Ensure that your iPhone and the computer you are using for the restore have sufficient storage capacity to accommodate the backup data. Insufficient storage space can result in a failed restoration.

4. Stable Internet Connection

If you are using an iCloud backup, a stable internet connection is critical for a smooth restoration process. Intermittent or slow internet connectivity can disrupt the restore and lead to data loss.

5. Trusted Computer

If you are using iTunes to restore your iPhone, ensure that the computer you are using is a trusted device. Unfamiliar or untrusted computers may face restrictions during the restore process.

Using iTunes to Restore an iPhone Without ESIM

1. Check for Compatibility

Before proceeding with the restore process using iTunes, ensure that:

Your computer has iTunes installed and updated to the latest version.
You have a reliable USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.

2. Prepare Your iPhone

Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
Enter your iPhone passcode, if prompted.
If prompted to trust the computer, tap "Trust."

3. Restore Your iPhone in Recovery Mode

To enter recovery mode:

For iPhone 8 and later: Press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button simultaneously until you see the recovery mode screen.
For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button simultaneously until you see the recovery mode screen.

Once in recovery mode:

In iTunes, you will see a pop-up message stating that an iPhone has been detected in recovery mode.
Click on the "Restore" button to begin the restore process.
iTunes will download the necessary software for your iPhone. This may take some time depending on your internet connection speed.
Once the software is downloaded, the restore process will begin. This will erase all data on your iPhone and install the latest iOS version.
After the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart. You will need to set it up as a new device, as the ESIM will not be automatically restored. You will need to contact your carrier to reactivate your ESIM or insert a physical SIM card.

Utilizing Finder on Mac to Restore an iPhone Without ESIM

Using the Finder app on a Mac provides an alternative method to restore an iPhone without an ESIM. This approach requires a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later and a USB-C to Lightning cable or a USB-A to Lightning cable with a USB-C adapter. Follow these detailed steps to restore your iPhone using this method:

1. Preparations

Back up your iPhone’s data using iCloud or iTunes on your Mac.
Connect your iPhone to your Mac using the cable.
Put your iPhone into recovery mode by following these steps:

iPhone 8 and later: Press and release the Volume Up button. Press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button until you see the recovery mode screen.
iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button until you see the recovery mode screen.

2. Open Finder on Mac

On your Mac, open the Finder app and select your iPhone from the sidebar under “Locations”.

3. Click on “Restore iPhone”

In the Finder window, click on the “Restore iPhone” button. A confirmation message will appear; click “Restore” again to continue.

4. Download and Restore iPhone Software

The Finder will now download the latest iOS software for your iPhone. The download time may vary depending on your internet speed. Once the download is complete, the Finder will begin restoring your iPhone. This process includes verifying the software, extracting the software, preparing the software, and restoring the software. During the restore process, your iPhone will restart several times and may display the Apple logo or a progress bar.

The restoration process can take some time, so it’s important to be patient. Once the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and you’ll need to set it up as a new device or restore it from a backup.

Contacting Apple Support for Assistance

If you have tried all the methods above and are still unable to restore your iPhone without an eSIM, you can contact Apple Support for assistance.

Phone Support

Call Apple Support at 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753).
Choose the "iPhone" option from the menu.
Select "Restoration and Backup" from the list of options.
Follow the prompts to connect with a support representative.

Chat Support

Visit the Apple Support website: https://support.apple.com/contact
Click on the "iPhone" tab.
Select "Restoration and Backup" from the list of topics.
Click on the "Chat" button.

Genius Bar Appointment

Visit the Apple Support website: https://support.apple.com/en-us/geniusbar
Select your nearest Apple Store.
Choose a time for an appointment.
Bring your iPhone with you to the appointment.

Online Support

Visit the Apple Support website: https://support.apple.com/contact
Click on the "iPhone" tab.
Select "Restoration and Backup" from the list of topics.
Click on the "Email" button.

Additional Information

Support Channel	Contact Method	Estimated Response Time
Phone Support	1-800-MY-APPLE	Within 2 hours
Chat Support	Apple Support website	Within 10 minutes
Genius Bar Appointment	Apple Store	May vary depending on availability
Online Support	Email	Within 24 hours

Removing ESIM Profile After Restoration

Once you have successfully restored your iPhone without ESIM, you can manually remove the ESIM profile from your device. This is necessary to prevent any issues or confusion with multiple ESIM profiles on your iPhone. Here’s how to do it:

Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
Tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data”.
Select the ESIM card that you want to remove.
Tap on “Remove ESIM Profile”.
Confirm your decision by tapping on “Remove”.
The ESIM profile will now be removed from your iPhone.
You may need to restart your iPhone for the changes to take effect.

After following these steps, the ESIM profile will be successfully removed from your restored iPhone. You can now safely insert a physical SIM card into your device or activate a new ESIM profile without any conflicts.

How to Restore iPhone Without eSIM

Alternative Methods for Regaining Access to Your iPhone

Accessing your iPhone becomes crucial when you encounter a situation where your eSIM is lost or unavailable. Here are alternative methods you can employ to regain access to your device:

1. Restore from iTunes Backup

Connect your iPhone to your computer, launch iTunes, and restore it from a previous backup.

2. Restore from iCloud Backup

Restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup by accessing the iCloud settings on your device.

3. Recover Passcode via Trusted Device

If you have enabled two-factor authentication, you can recover your passcode using a trusted device connected to iCloud.

4. Contact Previous Carrier

If your eSIM was from a different carrier, contact them to request a new one.

5. Apple Retail Store

Visit an Apple Retail Store for assistance in regaining access to your iPhone.

6. Recovery Mode

Put your iPhone into recovery mode, connect it to your computer, and restore it using iTunes.

7. DFU Mode

For more severe cases, enter DFU mode, the lowest-level system restore, and restore your iPhone.

8. Third-Party Software

There are third-party software available that can help unlock your iPhone and regain access.

9. Additional Tips for Restoring an iPhone Without eSIM

Ensure you have a stable internet connection for iCloud and iTunes backups.
Use a trusted and updated computer to perform the restore process.
Back up your data regularly before encountering issues to prevent potential data loss.
If none of the above methods work, contact Apple Support for further assistance.