How to Activate New Airtel 5G SIM: A Step-by-Step Guide

Airtel has rolled out its 5G services across the country. More interestingly, the brand is offering a plethora of benefits its 5G network, including unlimited data on select plans, high-speed internet connectivity, interesting OTT benefits, and more. So, if you have recently purchased a new Airtel 5G SIM or upgraded from a 4G SIM, you need to activate it first to enjoy all the benefits. That said, the question here is: how to activate your Airtel 5G SIM? In this article, we will be discussing multiple ways through which you can activate your Airtel SIM. So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

How to Activate Your New Airtel SIM Card

If you have purchased a new Airtel 5G SIM, follow these steps to activate it:

1. Insert your new Airtel 5G SIM into your smartphone’s SIM card slot, preferably in SIM 1 slot. 
2. Switch on your Android or iOS and wait for the network signal to appear on the handset.
3. Now, open the Dialer on your smartphone and call 59059 to activate the your SIM card. 
4. Follow the IVR instructions to complete the process.
5. Your SIM should be activated within a few hours. 

If your SIM does not activate within 24 hours, contact Airtel customer support or visit a nearby Airtel store to get it activated.

How to Activate Airtel eSIM

Airtel also provides eSIM for those who don’t want a physical SIM. Here are the steps to activate your Airtel eSIM: 

For Android

1. Check if your Android device supports eSIM by going to Settings > About Phone > SIM Status.
2. Once confirmed, send an SMS with the text eSIM to 121.
3. You will receive a confirmation SMS and reply with “1” to proceed further.
4. You will then get a QR code on your registered email address. 
5. Now, simply go to Settings> Mobile Network> Add Data Plan and then scan the QR code. 
6. Follow the on-device instructions. 
7. Once done, restart your device to activate the eSIM card from Airtel. 

For iPhone

Some of the newer iPhone models also support eSIM in India, including iPhone XR, XS, 11 series and newer models. Here’s how you can activate the Airtel eSIM on your iPhone device: 

1. Send  eSIM to 121 and then send 1 to confirm the eSIM settings on your phone. 
2. >Check your email for the eSIM QR code.
3. Open Settings > Mobile Data > Add Data Plan and scan the QR code.
4. Once the eSIM is installed, restart your phone to complete activation.

FAQs

What is the Airtel SIM activation number?

To activate a new Airtel SIM, dial 59059 from your new SIM and follow the IVR instructions for verification.

How do you check if an Airtel SIM is activated?

You can dial 121 to check whether your Airtel SIM is activated or not. 

How to keep an Airtel SIM active?

To prevent deactivation due to inactivity, use your Airtel SIM at least once every 90 days.