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Jio eSIM: the MyJio and SMS routes, the 2-hour wait, and the errors to expect

Switching to a Jio eSIM is free and takes a little over two hours, most of it a mandatory cooling period. We read Jio's eSIM pages on 10 November 2026.

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How to get a Jio eSIM

A Jio eSIM is your existing Jio number moved onto your phone's built-in chip, and Jio says the upgrade costs nothing. You need three things: a phone that supports eSIM, an email address registered on your Jio account, and an active Jio number (if it has lapsed, recharge first, since the process sends an OTP to it). Jio offers two routes, the MyJio app and SMS. We read both on jio.com on 10 November 2026.

Jio eSIM activation in the MyJio app

  1. Open MyJio, search for "Switch to eSIM" and select it.
  2. Verify your email address with the code Jio sends to it.
  3. Enter the EID of the phone that will hold the eSIM.
  4. Enter the OTP sent to your Jio number.
  5. Wait out a 2-hour cooling period, which Jio says DoT guidelines require. Your current SIM keeps working meanwhile.
  6. Answer the automated confirmation call and press the number it asks for. Missed it? Text RECALL to 199, from India, for another call.
  7. Install the profile from the notification on your phone, or from the QR code Jio emails from notification@jio.com.

Dial *#06# to see your EID and IMEI.

One contradiction on Jio's own page: the FAQ says the upgrade from physical SIM to eSIM happens "instantly", while the steps above include a two-hour wait. Go by the steps.

Jio SIM to eSIM by SMS

The SMS route needs both the EID and the IMEI, and they are long, so write them down first.

  1. From the Jio number, send GETESIM, then the 32-digit EID, then the 15-digit IMEI, separated by spaces, to 199.
  2. Jio replies with a 19-digit eSIM number. Send SIMCHG followed by that number to 199.
  3. After the 2-hour cooling period, Jio texts you for consent. Reply 1 to 199.
  4. Confirm on the automated call, then install the profile from the notification or emailed QR code.

Jio's guide says to complete every step and keep the phone on Wi-Fi or a hotspot throughout. If it texts back asking for the correct EID and IMEI, one of them was mistyped.

Jio eSIM and international roaming

The SMS route doesn't work while you're on international roaming, Jio says. The MyJio route does, provided your Jio service is active abroad. Once installed, the eSIM is your Jio number in every respect, so it needs a Jio roaming pack to be useful outside India; the packs and their rules are on our Jio international roaming page. For data-heavy trips, a travel eSIM next to your Jio line is usually cheaper on the numbers we hold; see the cheapest eSIM page.

Common Jio eSIM problems

On an iPhone, "Unable to Transfer Phone Number ... Error Code: 999" means your email ID isn't registered with Jio. Jio's fix is to search "Update my Email ID" in MyJio, add it, and try again.

Never pick "Delete eSIM" or "Erase eSIM" in the phone's settings. Jio says that removes the eSIM, and your Jio service with it.

Moving to a new phone without the old one to hand? Jio's guide says to visit a Jio store with any proof of identity and the new device.

Which phones does Jio support for eSIM?

Jio's eSIM page has a checker for smartphones, smartwatches and tablets. The brands in it include Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Motorola, iQOO, Honor, Lenovo, Lava and itel. Pick your exact model there, or on our eSIM compatible phones list. If your phone isn't compatible, Jio's guide says to stay on the physical SIM. A phone that holds several eSIMs can carry more than one; a single-eSIM phone can only run one at a time, Jio notes.

What we couldn't find on Jio's pages

  • A 24-hour SMS block after the switch. Airtel and Vi both state one; the Jio pages we read don't mention it. Still, don't switch just before you need OTPs.
  • How to go from a Jio eSIM back to a physical SIM.
  • Any eSIM-specific Jio plans. Jio says the upgrade is free and mentions no special tariff.
  • A route for foreign visitors to get a new Jio eSIM. The eSIM page points non-Jio users to "Get new Jio SIM" and "Port to Jio" and describes nothing for visitors. Our Reliance Jio page covers what Jio says about documents.

Related: Airtel eSIM, Vi eSIM, what an eSIM is and the India hub.

Desk research from Jio's public pages, not a hands-on test.

Common questions

How do I get a Jio eSIM?

In MyJio, search Switch to eSIM, verify your email, enter the phone's EID and the OTP sent to your Jio number. After a 2-hour cooling period, confirm on the automated call, then install the profile from the notification or the emailed QR code.

Is there a charge to switch to a Jio eSIM?

No. Jio's eSIM FAQ says you are not required to pay any charges to upgrade. You do need an eSIM-compatible phone and an email address registered on your Jio account, because the profile details are sent there.

How do I convert a Jio SIM to eSIM by SMS?

Send GETESIM, your 32-digit EID and 15-digit IMEI to 199. Reply SIMCHG with the 19-digit number Jio sends. After two hours, reply 1 to 199 to consent, then confirm on the automated call. This route does not work on international roaming.

Can I get a Jio eSIM while abroad?

Jio says you can upgrade through the MyJio app during international roaming if your Jio services are active there. The SMS route is not available while roaming. A missed confirmation call can be re-requested by SMS, which is chargeable from abroad.

Why does my iPhone show Error Code 999 when switching to Jio eSIM?

Jio says this appears when your email ID is not registered with Jio. Update it in MyJio by searching Update my Email ID, verify it, then retry the eSIM upgrade. If it persists, contact Jio support through the app.

Sources and further reading