How to install your eSIM

Before you fly

Do the install at home on Wi-Fi. An airport with patchy Wi-Fi and a queue behind you is the wrong place to scan a QR code for the first time.

1. 1
   Confirm your phone is eSIM-ready and unlocked

   Dial *#06# — an EID line means eSIM is supported. A carrier-locked phone will refuse the profile, so unlock it before you travel.
2. 2
   Connect to Wi-Fi

   Installing downloads the profile from the carrier, so you need a stable internet connection. Home Wi-Fi is ideal.
3. 3
   Open your order email or account page

   The QR code and the manual details (SM-DP+ address and activation code) are both there. Install on a different device? Show the QR on that screen.
4. 4
   Plan to leave the new line OFF until you land

   Installing does not start the clock. On most plans validity begins the first time the eSIM connects to a network at your destination.

Install on iPhone

Works on iPhone XS/XR and newer. Menu names vary slightly by region — “Cellular” may read “Mobile Data” or “Mobile Service”.

1. 1
   Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM

   Tap “Use QR Code” and point the camera at the code on another screen. Installing on the same phone? Screenshot the QR, then choose “Open Photos” on the scan screen (iOS 17+), or tap “Enter Details Manually” and paste the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order page.
2. 2
   Wait for “Cellular Plan Added”

   This can take a minute. Keep Wi-Fi on and do not leave the screen.
3. 3
   Label the line “Travel”

   You will be asked which line is primary. Keep your home SIM as the default for calls and iMessage.
4. 4
   Set “Cellular Data” to your home line for now

   You are still at home — leave data on the SIM you already use.
5. 5
   Turn the Travel line OFF

   Settings → Cellular → Travel → toggle “Turn On This Line” off. It waits, unused, until you land.
6. 6
   Leave Data Roaming alone for now

   You will switch it on for the Travel line only, once you arrive.

On iOS 17.4 and later, the “Install eSIM” button on your order page opens Settings directly with the profile pre-filled — no QR needed.

Install on Android

These are the stock Android steps (Pixel, Motorola, Sony, Nothing and most others). Samsung uses slightly different menus — see below.

1. 1
   Settings → Network & internet → SIMs

   Tap “Add SIM” (or the + button). If it asks whether to download a SIM instead, say yes.
2. 2
   Scan the QR code

   Point the camera at the code on another screen. Same phone? Choose “Enter code manually” (or “Need help?” → manual) and paste the activation code from your order page.
3. 3
   Confirm the download

   Tap “Download” and wait — up to a minute on a slow connection. Keep Wi-Fi on.
4. 4
   Name the SIM “Travel”

   Then choose which SIM is used for calls, messages and mobile data. Keep your home SIM for calls and messages.
5. 5
   Leave the Travel SIM switched off

   Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Travel → toggle “Use SIM” off. Turn it on when you land.

Samsung Galaxy

1. 1
   Settings → Connections → SIM manager

   Tap “Add eSIM”, then “Scan QR code from service provider”. Manual entry is under “Enter activation code”.
2. 2
   Wait for the profile to download, then name it “Travel”

   You will be asked which SIM handles calls, texts and mobile data. Keep your home SIM for calls and texts.
3. 3
   Switch the Travel eSIM off until you land

   In SIM manager, toggle the Travel line off. Data roaming for it is under Settings → Connections → Mobile networks.

When you land

Four toggles, in this order, and you are online. Give the phone a minute to register on the local network after the last one.

1. 1
   Turn the Travel line on

   iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Travel → “Turn On This Line”. Android: SIMs → Travel → “Use SIM”. Samsung: SIM manager → Travel.
2. 2
   Set Travel as the line for mobile data

   iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → Travel. Android/Samsung: SIMs or SIM manager → Mobile data → Travel.
3. 3
   Turn Data Roaming ON — for the Travel line only

   This is the step everyone misses. A travel eSIM roams by design; without it you get bars but no internet. Leave roaming OFF on your home SIM so it cannot bill you.
4. 4
   Toggle Airplane Mode once and wait

   Forces a fresh network registration. Within a minute you should see the local network name and a 4G/5G icon.

Troubleshooting

Almost every problem is one of these. Work through the matching one before contacting support — and if you do write to us, include your order number and a screenshot of the Cellular/SIM settings screen.

Install questions