iPhone Rakuten Mobile Setup Guide: APN & eSIM Configuration for Foreign Residents [2026 Guide]

Switching to Rakuten Mobile on your iPhone can feel daunting — especially when you’re navigating Japanese menus and technical settings in a second language. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything: from signing up with an employee referral link (and earning up to 14,000 points) to configuring your APN and eSIM so your iPhone works perfectly on the Rakuten network.

Why Foreign Residents Are Choosing Rakuten Mobile in 2026

Rakuten Mobile’s flat-rate plan is straightforward: ¥3,278 per month (tax included) for unlimited data, with no tiered billing surprises. For international residents who stream content, use maps frequently, or make video calls home, this predictability is a major draw.

Beyond the monthly price, the referral bonus campaign makes it an even stronger value proposition at the moment of sign-up — which we’ll cover in detail below.

If you’re still comparing options, you might find this helpful: LINEMO vs Rakuten Mobile Comparison [2026 Guide]: Price, Coverage & Points — Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan?

Understanding the Employee Referral Campaign (2026)

Before touching any iPhone settings, let’s talk about the referral bonus — because signing up the right way makes a meaningful financial difference.

How Much Can You Earn?

Sign-up Method	MNP (Carrier Switch)	New Number
Normal campaign	13,000 points	—
Via employee referral link	14,000 points	11,000 points

Using the employee referral link gives you 1,000 extra points on top of the standard MNP campaign. For a new number signup, you receive 11,000 points — a solid bonus just for choosing the right link.

Important Details You Should Know Before Applying

1. Points are “limited-period points,” not regular Rakuten Points. This is crucial. Limited-period points expire faster than standard points. Make sure you use them promptly after they are credited — don’t let them sit in your account unused.

2. Points are paid in three installments, starting four months after your referral login month. For example, if you log in via the referral URL in July 2026, your first installment arrives in November 2026. Plan accordingly.

3. Re-contracts and additional lines are also eligible — an employee referral exclusive. This is not available through the standard friend referral campaign. If you’ve been with Rakuten Mobile before, or you want to add a second or third line for a family member, you can still qualify for the bonus through this employee referral link. Up to 5 lines per person are eligible.

4. A 10-second call via Rakuten Link is required (for applications from March 2, 2026 onward). After activating your SIM, you must make at least one call of 10 seconds or longer using the Rakuten Link app to receive your points. Data-only SIMs do not qualify. Make sure you download Rakuten Link immediately after setup and make that qualifying call.

5. The 7-day login rescue rule. If you forget to log in through the referral URL before applying, you still have a chance: logging in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application date also qualifies you for the bonus.

The Employee Referral Link

👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link (14,000pt MNP / 11,000pt New)

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Your iPhone (iPhone XS or later recommended for smooth eSIM support)
A valid Japanese residence card (在留カード) or My Number Card
A Japanese credit card or debit card for billing
Your current carrier’s MNP reservation number (if switching — obtainable from your current carrier’s app or website)
A stable Wi-Fi connection
The Rakuten Link app (download from the App Store after activation)

Step-by-Step: Signing Up for Rakuten Mobile

Step 1: Open the Referral Link

Go to https://r10.to/henTIE and log in to your Rakuten account (or create one if you don’t have one). This login registers your referral eligibility. Remember: even if you don’t finish the application immediately, you have 7 days from your application date to complete this login.

Step 2: Choose Your Plan and Number

Rakuten Mobile offers one plan: unlimited data at ¥3,278/month. Select whether you want:

A new number (新規申し込み) — earns 11,000 points via referral
MNP (他社から乗り換え) — earns 14,000 points via referral

If you’re doing MNP, enter your MNP reservation number from your current carrier.

Step 3: Choose SIM Type — Physical SIM or eSIM

For iPhone users, eSIM is strongly recommended. It activates faster (often within minutes), and you avoid waiting for a physical SIM card to arrive by mail. eSIM also lets you keep a physical SIM from another carrier in your iPhone simultaneously if needed.

If you choose physical SIM, expect delivery in 2–5 business days.

Step 4: Identity Verification

Upload photos of your residence card (front and back) or My Number Card. Rakuten’s AI verification system typically processes this within a few minutes during business hours. You may receive a video call for verification in some cases.

iPhone APN & eSIM Configuration Guide

This is the technical section many people find confusing. Follow these steps carefully.

If You Chose eSIM

1. Download the eSIM profile

After your application is approved, you’ll receive an email from Rakuten Mobile with a QR code or a direct link to download your eSIM profile. On your iPhone:

Go to Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan
Scan the QR code from the email, or tap Enter Details Manually and input the provided activation code

2. Label your eSIM

Your iPhone will ask you to label the plan. Name it something clear like “Rakuten” so you can distinguish it from other lines.

3. Set Rakuten as your primary or secondary line

Go to Settings → Cellular
Set your Default Voice Line and Default Data Line as needed
If using Rakuten as your main line, set it as default for both

4. APN Settings for eSIM

In most cases, Rakuten Mobile’s eSIM profile configures APN settings automatically. However, if you experience issues with mobile data:

Go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Network (or Cellular Data Options → Voice & Data)
Under Cellular Data APN, enter: rakuten.jp
Leave Username and Password blank
Save and restart your iPhone

Note: On newer iPhones with iOS 16 and above, manual APN editing may be restricted. If the field is greyed out, your carrier profile has already set it automatically — no action needed.

If You Chose Physical SIM

Power off your iPhone completely
Insert the Rakuten SIM card into the SIM tray
Power on your iPhone
iOS should detect the new SIM and prompt you to configure cellular settings
If mobile data doesn’t work automatically, navigate to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Network and enter APN: rakuten.jp

Checking Your Connection

Once set up, open Safari and visit any website to confirm mobile data is working. You should see the Rakuten logo or signal indicator in the status bar. If you see “No Service” or cannot load pages:

Toggle Airplane Mode on and off
Restart your iPhone
Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings (note: this will also clear saved Wi-Fi passwords)

Setting Up Rakuten Link — Don’t Skip This

The Rakuten Link app is essential for two reasons:

It enables free domestic calls (standard calls from the iPhone dialer are charged separately)
From March 2, 2026 onward, you must make a call of 10 seconds or more via Rakuten Link to receive your referral points

How to Set Up Rakuten Link

Download Rakuten Link from the App Store
Open the app and log in with your Rakuten ID
Verify your phone number when prompted
Make a test call to a friend, family member, or even Rakuten customer support — just ensure it lasts at least 10 seconds

Do this as soon as your line is activated. It’s a small but critical step that many people overlook, resulting in missed points.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“My data works but calls don’t go through via Rakuten Link”

Make sure Rakuten Link has microphone permission: Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → Rakuten Link (toggle on). Also check that your Rakuten number is correctly registered in the app.

“I see an ‘X’ or no signal after inserting the SIM”

This sometimes happens if the SIM wasn’t fully recognized. Power off, remove the SIM, reinsert carefully, and power back on.

“The APN field is greyed out on my iPhone”

This is normal on iOS 16+ when a carrier profile is installed. Your APN is already configured by Rakuten’s profile. No manual entry is needed.

“I applied but didn’t click the referral link first”

Remember the 7-day rule: log in to your Rakuten account via the referral URL https://r10.to/henTIE within 7 days of your application date, and you still qualify for the bonus points.

Managing Your Account as a Foreign Resident

The my Rakuten Mobile app (available in the App Store) lets you:

Check your current month’s data usage
View billing history
Change plan settings
Manage multiple lines (up to 5)

The app interface is primarily in Japanese, but is relatively navigable with basic familiarity or a translation tool like Google Lens pointed at your screen.

If you ever need to cancel or modify your contract, be aware of the billing cycle specifics. This guide covers it thoroughly: Rakuten Mobile Cancellation: Billing Still Charged After Cancel? How to Properly Cancel + [2026 Guide] for Foreign Residents

Quick Summary: Key Numbers to Remember

Item	Detail
Monthly fee	¥3,278 (tax included, unlimited)
Referral bonus — MNP	14,000 limited-period points
Referral bonus — New number	11,000 limited-period points
Standard MNP campaign	13,000 points (1,000pt less)
Point payout	3 installments, from 4 months after referral login month
Point type	Limited-period points (use promptly, they expire)
Qualifying call requirement	10 seconds or more via Rakuten Link (for applications from March 2, 2026)
Login rescue window	Within 7 days of application
Lines eligible	Up to 5 per person (including re-contracts & additional lines)

Ready to Get Started?

Setting up Rakuten Mobile on your iPhone is genuinely manageable once you break it down into steps. The eSIM process in particular has become very smooth in 2026, often taking under 30 minutes from application to active line.

If you’d like to maximize your sign-up bonus, use the employee referral link below. You’ll receive 14,000 points for MNP or 11,000 points for a new number — paid as limited-period points in three installments starting four months after your referral login month. Just remember to make that 10-second Rakuten Link call after activation.

👉 Apply with Employee Referral Link → Up to 14,000 Points

Good luck with your setup — and welcome to Rakuten Mobile.