Methods and apparatus to manage inactive electronic subscriber identity modules

An apparatus configurable for operation in a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

• processing circuitry of the wireless device external to a secure element of the wireless device, the processing circuitry comprising one or more processors communicatively coupled to memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processing circuitry to perform actions including:
• opening a secure communication channel to the secure element;
• sending a command to an inactive electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) of one or more inactive eSIMs on the secure element;
• obtaining from the inactive eSIM, responsive to the command, an authentication token;
• authenticating with a network-based server of a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with the inactive eSIM using the authentication token;
• and
• obtaining, from the network-based server of the MNO, account information for an account associated with the inactive eSIM.

A wireless device comprising:

• one or more antennas;
• a secure element;
• and
• processing circuitry, communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas and to the secure element, the processing circuitry comprising one or more processors communicatively coupled to memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processing circuitry to perform actions including:
• opening a secure communication channel to the secure element;
• sending a command to an inactive electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) on the secure element;
• obtaining from the inactive eSIM, responsive to the command, an authentication token;
• authenticating with a network-based server of a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with the inactive eSIM using the authentication token;
• and
• using the authentication token to perform one or more account management operations for the inactive eSIM in conjunction with the network-based server of the MNO.