Method and apparatus for managing embedded universal integrated circuit card eUICC

1. A method for managing an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) installed in an electronic device, wherein the method comprises:

receiving, by the electronic device from a network side device while an already installed profile of an operator is installed in the eUICC and is locked according to a policy rule, a first unlock message that instructs to unlock the already installed profile and that carries identifier information of the already installed profile and verification information; and

sending, by the electronic device, a second unlock message to the eUICC, wherein the second unlock message carries the identifier information of the already installed profile and the verification information to prompt the eUICC to determine the already installed profile, perform verification according to the verification information, and unlock the already installed profile according to the policy rule after the verification succeeds, wherein first operations can be performed after the already installed profile is unlocked, and wherein the first operations comprise disabling the already installed profile, deleting the already installed profile, downloading a second profile of another operator, or enabling the second profile of the other operator.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying, by the electronic device, prompt information on a user interface, wherein the prompt information prompts for the already installed profile; and

receiving, by the electronic device, unlock confirmation information using the user interface.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising generating, by the electronic device, the prompt information.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining, by the electronic device, information about the eUICC and information about the network side device; and

performing, by the electronic device, mutual authentication on the eUICC and the network side device.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying, by the electronic device, payment information on a user interface to prompt performance of a pay-to-unlock operation.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the electronic device, an unlock request from at least one of a network or a user interface; and

sending, by the electronic device, a notification to the eUICC that an unlock operation is to be performed, wherein the eUICC is unlocked after the eUICC successfully performs matching on the verification information.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network side device is a subscription manager.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises determining that the first unlock message is from the network side device, and wherein the electronic device sends the second request message responsive to determining that the first unlock message is from the network side device.

9. An electronic device comprising:

an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC), wherein an already installed profile of an operator is installed in the eUICC, and wherein the already installed profile is locked according to a policy rule;

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the eUICC and the transceiver and configured to:

receive, from a network side device while the already installed profile is installed in the eUICC and is locked according to the policy rule, a first unlock message that instructs to unlock the already installed profile and that carries identifier information of the already installed profile and verification information; and

send a second unlock message to the eUICC, wherein the second unlock message carries the identifier information of the already installed profile and the verification information to prompt the eUICC to determine the already installed profile, perform verification according to the verification information, and unlock the already installed profile according to the policy rule after the verification succeeds, wherein first operations can be performed after the already installed profile is unlocked, and wherein the first operations comprise disabling the already installed profile, deleting the already installed profile, downloading a second profile of another operator, or enabling the second profile of the other operator.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising a touchscreen coupled to the processor and configured to:

display prompt information on a user interface, wherein the prompt information prompts for the already installed profile to be unlocked; and

receive unlock confirmation information using the user interface.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate the prompt information.

12. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain information about the eUICC and information about the network side device; and

perform mutual authentication on the eUICC and the network side device.

13. The electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising a touchscreen coupled to the processor and configured to display a payment information on a user interface to prompt performance of a pay-to-unlock operation.

14. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the network side device is a subscription manager.