eSIM activation out of country

[Lolzamun679]

I have a monthly paid plan for my new iphone 14 pro with Bell as my main mobile data provider. But as I have returned home to Sri Lanka, I am unable to insert my physical Sim Card into my new phone due to the fact that it is locked into my Canadian phone number and Data plan. However I found a solution where I could activate an Esim for my Sri Lankan Number whilst keeping my physical Canadian Sim card into my new phone. But I was not allowed to do this as an Esim was not supported by Bell. How would I be able to ask Bell to help me activate an Esim by scanning a QR Code ? 

[BellKris · Accepted solution]

Hi there, @Lolzamun679. Welcome to the Community.

While we understand the confusion, ultimately we're only able to assist with the activation of services in Canada with Bell.

Otherwise for tips on how to unlock your phone, take a look at our How To article on Unlocking your Bell phone

We invite you to also check out How a Dual SIM or eSIM can work for you on your Bell Mobility phone for more details.

Let the Community know if you have more questions.

[Hari92]

I need to know how to convert my physical SIM to eSim. I need to have both my bell number and my Indian Airtel number in my new phone. Please help me know how I can convert my physical SIM to E-Sim 

[20 year customer annoyed]

Tried to add my SIM card to eSIM while abroad. Won’t work. This was mar17. I work and travel always so only return to Alberta maybe once per year where my number and have a Canada address. Landed in Vancouver from Asia and went to a bell store in Richmond. Wanted a sim for my number so can use phone. Said it’s on my phone yet he could make it work. Then he gave up and said I couldn’t  have a new sim card as he didn’t know how and said I shiuld

gi go to Alberta where my number is as can’t help me in BC. So now have to wait until August 12 to get chance to do that in Alberta so no phone so had to get a lucky sim at airport. Bell is horrible customer service horrible treatment of customer of 20’yesrd if 2-5 lines at a time. I will be cancelling everything as plans contracts end if not rectified and if my plan amounts I pay for these five months aren’t refunded as I can’t use my phone because of bell so it’s like they are stealing from me disgusting!

[RubyRedShirt]

I have a friend who is both living in Canada and Germany, and he recently activated a Bell phone line, and is trying to activate his eSim, but he is currently in Germany, and is having a lot of trouble. Does he have to wait to get to Canada before his Bell phone number will work in his phone?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

He can use the appropriate QR code for his phone's manufacturer from this Bell Mobility Support page on Setting up eSIM and Dual SIM

Keep in mind that if he is on a pre-paid plan, he will not be able to activate & use roaming services; as such, he will have zero service via his pre-paid eSIM until he arrives in Canada.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Take care.

[RubyRedShirt]

We have followed all tutorials we could find, and he is not on prepaid, he tried calling Bell support and they couldn't figure it out either. I thought maybe it was because he couldn't connect to the Bell network, for the initial activation. 

[BellKris]

Hi there, @RubyRedShirt. Thanks for your posts.

It's possible that as your friend is a new activation, they may have a restriction on their account preventing international roaming; this can often be applied to new activations as a fraud prevention measure. They can confirm if this is the case by reviewing their plan details in MyBell.

If there's no restriction in place, your assumption of needing an initial connection to the Bell network is most likely correct.

Do bear in mind as well that as you're speaking on behalf of your friend, unless you're specifically an authorized user on their account we'll be unable to assist further. 

[Gutts06]

Lost phone and bought a new phone in the US.  I am trying to activate the esim on the new phone but when I login to my bell account and try to activate the esim it says invalid EID number. Why? 

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Can you please provide us with come further details?

This is a peer-to-peer community web site. As such, we do not have access to your account and billing details.

1. Did you purchase this device from Bell?
2. Do you have an active Bell Mobility account?
3. Are you on a monthly or prepaid mobility plan? SmartPay?
4. Is this device locked to another supplier?
5. Have you contacted Bell Mobility?
6. Have you had a look at this web site?

• How to transfer my existing Bell Mobility service to a new SIM card or eSIM

If you are bringing an eSIM-compatible phone to Bell, you can choose to activate your Mobility service with an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card.

For new customers: activate online, in the MyBell app, or visit a Bell store.

For existing customers: log in to MyBell and select eSIM when you add a new line.

If you just want to transfer your Bell Mobility service from a physical SIM card in your device to an eSIM, log in to MyBell

To reach Bell Mobility, please call: 1 800 667-0123 or *611 from any Bell mobile device. The Bell International number is: +1 514 420-7748 . This is a free call from any Bell mobile device.

What are Dual SIM and eSIM? How do I use them? (bell.ca)

Take care.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Have you reported your lost phone to Bell Mobility, please call: 1 800 667-0123 or *611 from any Bell mobile device. The Bell International number is: +1 514 420-7748 . This is a free call from any Bell mobile device.

Have you mentioned to Bell Mobility that the device you purchased & trying to register with Bell was bought in the U.S.?

The EID number & device would be associated with the U.S. Country / Region. This is probably one of the reasons why you cannot the activate your eSIM 

If your mobile phone, tablet or mobile internet device is lost or stolen, it can be added to a national list for stolen mobile devices. Adding a device to the list will prevent it from being used on Bell’s network, and the networks of all service providers in Canada.

If your mobile device is lost or stolen:

Log in to MyBell to report your device as lost and temporarily suspend your service. Alternatively, you can call us at 1 800 667-0123.

Take care.

[eSIMquestion]

Hi there. I just left Canada for a few months holiday but needed to get a Canadian service activated with an SMS so I purchased an eSIM since I’d left my physical SIM card at home. My phone is unlocked. However, the service didn’t activate. Please help!

[dks]

Thank you for your question. I believe you will need to be in Canada, inside Bell’s network to activate on Bell. Otherwise, you would activare on a local provider. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Are you on a monthly or a prepaid Bell Mobility plan? You can use the appropriate QR code for your phone's manufacturer from the Bell support page on: Setting up eSIM and Dual SIM

Please keep in mind that pre-paid customers are not eligible for roaming services; as such, you will have zero service via your pre-paid eSIM until you're in Canada.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Take care.

[EssBee]

I have the same issue as @RubyRedShirt 's friend, except that I am signed-up for prepaid. I have tried all the instructions and spent more than an hour on the phone with support yesterday and they couldn't figure it out either, I have a ticket number and am waiting for someone to get in touch. I am wondering if it's because I'm still in Germany and it seems like from what I'm reading it is. I can't see that I have any restrictions on my roaming etc. but I'm not sure that I'm looking at the right place. 

I signed up as a new customer/account, and for prepaid service.