【iOS】Actual Steps for MNP Transfer from Rakuten Mobile to Nihon Tsushin with eSIM

2024-03-23

Here are the actual steps for MNP transfer from Rakuten Mobile to Nihon Tsushin SIM's Simple 290 plan, with screenshots.

The device used was an iPhone XS.
eSIM to eSIM transfer.
Activation was completed in about 1 hour using My Number Card.

The following items are required in advance:

Wi-Fi environment
SIM-free smartphone
Credit card (in the subscriber's name)

For eSIM:

eSIM-compatible smartphone

If applying using My Number Card:

My Number Card and its password
My Number Card reader-compatible smartphone
Nihon Tsushin App

If applying using My Number Card

Click here for the Nihon Tsushin App

Nihon Tsushin App

Japan Communications Inc.Freeposted withAppreach

Please refer to this article for information on the usability of Nihon Tsushin SIM.

Review of Nihon Tsushin SIM's Rational 290 after 1 year of use on iPhone

Let's get started!

Obtain MNP Transfer Number from Rakuten Mobile
Apply for Nihon Tsushin SIM
- Confirm Application Details
- Start Application
Line Switching Completed
- eSIM Setup
- APN Profile Installation
Completion

Obtain MNP Transfer Number from Rakuten Mobile

Open the "my 楽天モバイル" app and tap "Contract Plan > Proceed to various procedures"

Tap "Transfer to another company (MNP)"

Confirmation items will be displayed, tap "Proceed to next"
Please be careful if you still have device payments remaining.

Select "Issue MNP reservation number" and "Proceed to next"

Confirmation items will be displayed across two pages.
Check all items and tap "Proceed to next"

A one-time password will be sent to your email for authentication.

Your MNP reservation number information is displayed.
You will need to enter the reservation number and its expiration date later.
Since no confirmation email was sent from Rakuten, please take a screenshot of this screen to save it.

Apply for Nihon Tsushin SIM

If you are applying without using your My Number Card, please do so from the official website.

If you are applying using your My Number Card, open the app.

Nihon Tsushin App

Japan Communications Inc.Freeposted withAppreach

This time, I will proceed with the application using my My Number Card.

When you open the app, the login screen will appear, but since you haven't registered yet, tap the Mt. Fuji icon at the top.

Then, "Start Application" will be displayed, so tap it.

A list of plans will be displayed.
This time, tap "Apply for Simple 290 Plan".

Select the SIM type.
This time, tap eSIM.

Confirmation item 01 will be displayed.

First, Step 01 displays the following confirmation items:

Is your smartphone eSIM compatible? Is it SIM-free?

If you are unsure, please check. You can do this by reading this page word for word.
The name must be the same as the MNP transfer source.

You cannot change the name to your child's name, etc., during the transfer.
Furthermore, Nihon Tsushin SIM does not seem to allow name changes, so you need to change it at the transfer source beforehand.
As mentioned later, it must also be in the same name as your credit card.
Can eSIM be downloaded on Android?

Android users, please check just in case.
Up to 5 lines can be contracted per person.
For those trying to use Dual SIM on iPhone.

Only one APN profile can be installed, so confirm that the other plan does not require an APN. (Nihon Tsushin SIM requires an APN)
Regarding simultaneous application with Docomo-based eSIM.
I wasn't sure, but it probably doesn't matter in most cases.

You haven't canceled Rakuten Mobile (transfer source) yet, so there's no need to rush.
If you're unsure, take your time to confirm.

If there are no issues, tap "Next".

Confirmation item 02 will be displayed.

Step 02 displays the following confirmation items:

Prepare identity verification documents.

This time, I prepared my My Number Card.
Prepare a credit card.

A credit card in the subscriber's name is required.
Debit and prepaid cards cannot be used.
Prepare an email address.

Carrier emails such as @docomo.co.jp cannot be used. (For some reason)
Please prepare a PC email such as Gmail or iCloud Mail.

If there are no issues, tap "Next" at the bottom.

Confirmation item 03 will be displayed.

Step 03 displays the following confirmation items:

Address verification code

If you don't use your My Number Card, an address verification code will be sent by mail.
If you use your My Number Card, this is not applicable.
EID

For eSIM, you can copy and paste the smartphone identification number "EID" from "Settings > General". We will do this later.
MNP reservation number

For MNP transfer, please obtain an "MNP reservation number" from the transfer source (Rakuten Mobile in this case). This was already obtained in the previous section.
Wi-Fi environment

A Wi-Fi environment is required for eSIM. (It's also ideal for SIM cards)

If there are no issues, tap "Ready. Proceed to application.".

Even if there are any issues at this point, you haven't canceled Rakuten Mobile (transfer source) yet, so it's fine.

Only the MNP reservation number's validity period will expire, and you will remain a Rakuten Mobile member.

Prepare without rushing.

Start Application

The application start screen will be displayed.

Select the MNP method.
This time, since I obtained the MNP reservation number from Rakuten Mobile (transfer source), I will select "Traditional MNP (Two-stop method)".

I have not purchased a starter pack, so I will select "Not purchased".

Set the data usage limit.
If you have no specific preference, I think the recommended "5GB" is fine.

For Simple 290, the fee is usage-based, with the first 1GB costing 290 yen, and additional 1GB costing 220 yen thereafter.

This setting determines at what GB limit it should stop.

Even if you exceed the limit, you can increase the limit from My Page to continue communication.

It's very flexible and convenient, isn't it?

Select the call flat-rate option.
This time, I will select "Do not add".

By the way, the call charge is 11 yen per 30 seconds.

If you make calls for more than 18 minutes per month, it is more economical to add one of the 390 yen/month options.

If you don't have an ID yet, select "Register new ID".

Agree and proceed to the next step.

If you selected "Register new ID", the ID registration screen will be displayed.
Enter your information and tap "Send".

An email will arrive, tap the URL.

Tapping the URL will launch the app and display "Do you want to perform identity verification with your My Number Card?".
This time, tap "Yes, use My Number Card".

Tap "Next".

First, enter your My Number Card password.

Tap "Start Reading".

As explained, it was necessary to hold it still for 5-10 seconds.

For iPhone, hold it over the top of the smartphone for 5-10 seconds and keep it still.

Authentication is complete. Tap "Next".

Enter your identity verification information.
For My Number Card, your name and postal code were already entered.

In the middle, there are options such as "Will a minor under 18 use it?" and "Do you wish to receive mail by post?".

Enter MNP information.

Enter the following three items obtained from the transfer source:

Phone number to be transferred
MNP reservation number
MNP reservation number expiration date

Enter EID.

Tapping "About EID" displays this screen, but you can copy it from "Settings > General > About" on your iPhone.

Copy and paste this.

Tap "Next".

Enter credit card information, check "This is the applicant's card", and tap "Next".

Finally, a confirmation screen will be displayed.
If there are no issues, uncheck "Customer email" according to your preference and tap "Apply".

The completion screen will be displayed.

If you applied using your My Number Card, you will receive a completion email within 1 hour.
※If it's after 8 PM, it will be the next day.

If you applied without using your My Number Card, you will have to wait until the address verification code arrives by mail.

Line Switching Completed

Approximately 1 minute after applying, I received an email confirming the completion of the line switch.
For eSIM, there is a URL for the setup method, so open it.