What is an SM-DP+ address? Definition, importance, and setup
An SM-DP+ address is a unique address that helps your phone’s eSIM connect to your carrier’s cellular network. If you’re a frequent traveler, you probably already know about eSIMs and how convenient they are for always staying contactable. But if you’ve ever had problems setting up your eSIM correctly, knowing a thing or two about SM-DP+ addresses could save you a few headaches. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of this unique address, what it means for your eSIM’s operation, and how to troubleshoot when things go wrong.
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Table of Contents
What is an SM-DP+ address?
An SM-DP+ address is the unique address your device must contact to be authenticated by your carrier to download the critical information it needs to connect to a cellular network. SM-DP+ stands for Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus. This address is the location of a remote server your device needs to get in touch with to set up your eSIM profile. That’s why the SM-DP+ address is essential to the eSIM ecosystem. Without it, you won’t be able to activate your eSIM and start using your data plan.
If it all sounds like gibberish, let us make it a bit easier. If you want to order a pizza, you need to know the phone number of the pizza joint so you can make your order. You don’t want to dial random numbers!
Like that pizza place’s number, the SM-DP+ address is the address your phone has to get in touch with so it can download everything it needs to get your eSIM up and working.
How does an SM-DP+ address work?
When you use physical SIM cards, you have a tiny plastic card with a microchip inside your phone. That little card already has all the software you need to get on your carrier’s mobile network and start using your data plan.
When you use eSIM technology, things are only slightly more complicated. Inside your phone, you have something called an embedded universal integrated circuit card, or eUICC. That’s like a built-in SIM card, but it doesn’t have any software yet. Note that this only applies to eSIM-compatible phones.
What does an SM-DP+ address do?
When you contact the SM-DP+ address, you’re getting in touch with your carrier’s server. That remote server authenticates your device and then sends the software to your eUICC, where it is saved with any other eSIM profiles you already have. By contacting the SM-DP+ address, your service provider can manage your subscription and prepare the data you need to start using your eSIM. This process lets your phone connect to the service provider’s mobile network and start using your subscription.
This address also plays an important role in ensuring security. It makes sure that only authorized entities can connect to a mobile network and prevents others from using your eSIM subscription.
How important is the SM-DP+ address for eSIM?
The SM-DP+ address for your eSIM is just as important for eSIM activation. Without this critical bit of information, you won’t be able to download the right software to activate your eSIM. That will leave you with no connection to the cellular network, so you won’t be able to make calls or use the internet.
Where can you find your SM-DP+ address?
Usually, your carrier will give it to you as a QR activation code you simply scan to get started. If you didn’t get the QR activation code, you’ll have to contact your service provider to ask for the SM-DP+ address.
If something goes wrong and your eSIM stops working, or you’re trying to reactivate your eSIM plan but it won’t start, your SM-DP+ address might be the problem. You can check if you have the address entered correctly by looking in the following places:
On Android devices
Go to “Settings” > “Network & internet” > “SIMs” (or “Mobile network”) > “Add eSIM” > “Enter details manually” > “SM-DP+ address.”
On iPhones
Go to “Settings” > “Cellular” (or “Mobile data”) > “Add eSIM” (or “Add cellular plan” > “Enter details manually” > “SM-DP+ address.”
If you see that you have the address entered incorrectly, re-enter it and try activating your eSIM again.
Using an SM-DP+ address to install an eSIM manually
To start eSim activation, scan the QR code, and you should be set up with your mobile network operator in minutes.
But what happens if this doesn’t work? There could be a problem with the QR code, or worse, you may have lost it or mixed it up. What can you do? Luckily, manual eSIM installation isn’t nearly as tricky as it sounds.
Let’s assume you already got your SM-DP+ address from your service provider. Then, you can follow these instructions for your device.
Using an SM-DP+ address to manually install an eSIM on iOS
To manually install an eSIM on iOS with an SM-DP+ address, follow these steps:
Open “Settings” and tap “Cellular” or “Mobile data” depending on your iOS version.
Tap on “Add eSIM” or “Add cellular plan.”
Tap on “Enter details manually.”
Copy/paste or type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code you got from your carrier.
Follow the instructions to finish activating your eSIM.
If you don’t want to activate your eSIM manually, click here to find out how to install eSIM on an iPhone using a QR code.
Using an SM-DP+ address to manually install an eSIM on Android
To manually install an eSIM on Android with an SM-DP+ address, these are your instructions:
Go to “Settings” and select “Network & internet.”
Tap on “SIMs” or “Mobile network.”
Select “Add eSIM” or tap the “+” icon to add an eSIM profile.
Tap on “Enter details manually.”
Copy/paste or manually type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code provided by your cellular carrier.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation of your eSIM.
If you don’t want to try the manual activation process, click here to see how to install eSIM on Android with a QR code instead.
Ugnė thrives on exploring new places and capturing moments on the go, so it’s no surprise her social media comes back to life whenever she’s abroad. An avid traveler, she believes staying connected with an eSIM is as essential as packing a passport, ensuring seamless adventures wherever she roams.