Glossary · eSIM & RSP
Bootstrap Profile
Also known as: provisioning profile, initial profile, bootstrap SIM
A bootstrap profile is an eSIM profile loaded onto an eUICC at manufacture so that a new device can connect to a mobile network out of the box — usually just long enough to reach an eIM or SM-DP+ and download the operational profile it will actually use. It solves the eSIM chicken-and-egg problem: a device needs connectivity to download a profile, but needs a profile to get connectivity.
Bootstrap, provisioning and operational profiles
“Bootstrap profile” is industry usage rather than a single GSMA definition, and it covers two kinds of profile:
| Profile type | Defined in | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Provisioning profile | SGP.22, reused by SGP.32 | Connectivity solely for provisioning other profiles; hidden from end users |
| Operational profile used as bootstrap | Commercial practice | A normal subscription — often with a global roaming IMSI — that gives initial service and is later replaced or kept as a fallback |
The legacy M2M specification SGP.02 also uses a preloaded provisioning profile, which lets the SM-SR reach a new eUICC for the first time.
How a bootstrap profile is used
- The device powers on with the bootstrap profile enabled and attaches to an available network, often as a roamer.
- Over that connection, it reaches its eIM (or the SM-DP+ directly).
- The operational profile for the target market or customer is downloaded and enabled.
- The bootstrap profile is disabled and either kept as a fallback or deleted.
SGP.32 also defines a Fallback Attribute, which marks the profile a device can return to without a round trip to the eIM if a newly enabled profile loses connectivity — a role the original bootstrap profile often plays.
Why it matters for testing
The bootstrap profile is the most critical profile in a fleet: if it cannot attach in a given country, the device never receives its operational profile. Bootstrap coverage, roaming permissions, enough data throughput for the download, and fallback behavior all need checking in every target market. SimCheck.ai runs attach and data tests on real profiles, on shared edge gateways or on your own edge devices — see how to test SGP.32 devices.
Last updated · SimCheck.ai team