📱 How to Set Up Your eSIM
iPhone or Android? Follow your device steps below.
👍Easier than it looks. Most finish in 3-5 minutes.
iPhone eSIM Setup (iOS 12+)
Compatible iPhones
iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series, SE (2020 & newer)
1 Install the eSIM Profile
- Open Settings app
- Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data outside US)
- Tap Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan
- Choose Use QR Code
- Scan the QR code from your eSIM provider
- Tap Add Cellular Plan when prompted
2 Label Your eSIM
iOS will ask you to label your new eSIM. Choose something like "Travel" or the country name so you know which is which.
3 Set Default Line for Cellular Data
This determines which SIM uses data. Choose your travel eSIM!
- In the setup wizard, when asked "Which line for Cellular Data?", select your new eSIM
- Or later: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → Select your travel eSIM
4 Turn ON Data Roaming (Critical!)
This is the #1 mistake. Your travel eSIM MUST have Data Roaming enabled.
- Settings → Cellular → [Your Travel eSIM]
- Toggle Data Roaming to ON (green)
5 Disable Your Home SIM (Optional but Recommended)
Prevent accidental roaming charges from your home carrier:
- Settings → Cellular → [Your home carrier]
- Toggle Turn On This Line to OFF
- Or keep it on but set Cellular Data to OFF (keeps calls/SMS active if needed)
🐛 Common iPhone Issues
iMessage/FaceTime stops working: Settings → Messages → Send & Receive → Deselect your phone number, toggle iMessage off/on.
"eSIM Activation Failed": Make sure you have internet connection (Wi-Fi) during installation. Try restarting phone and scanning QR again.
"No Service" in destination country: Turn Airplane Mode ON for 10 seconds, then OFF. Check Data Roaming is enabled.
Android eSIM Setup
⚠️ Android Varies by Manufacturer
Android settings differ between Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc. Screenshots here show Samsung/Pixel. Your menus might look slightly different but follow similar logic.
1 Check Your Phone Supports eSIM
Compatible Android phones include:
- Google Pixel: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 series
- Samsung Galaxy: S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, Z Fold/Flip 3+
- OnePlus: 9 Pro, 10 Pro, 11, 12
- Motorola: Razr 2019+, Edge+, Edge 40
Check your phone's specs or try Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add SIM. If you see "Download a SIM instead?", you have eSIM support.
2 Install eSIM Profile
Samsung Galaxy:
- Settings → Connections → SIM card manager
- Tap Add mobile plan
- Scan QR code or enter activation code
- Tap Add
Google Pixel:
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
- Tap + Add SIM
- Choose Download a SIM instead?
- Tap Next and scan QR code
3 Enable the eSIM
After installation, make sure the eSIM is active:
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
- Find your new eSIM in the list
- Toggle it ON
- Tap on it and ensure Mobile data is enabled
4 Turn ON Roaming (Critical!)
Don't skip this! Data Roaming must be ON for travel eSIMs.
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → [Your eSIM]
- Toggle Roaming to ON
5 Set eSIM as Preferred for Mobile Data
Choose which SIM handles your data:
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
- Look for "Mobile data" or "Preferred SIM for data"
- Select your travel eSIM
🐛 Common Android Issues
"Invalid SIM" or "eSIM Error": Delete the eSIM profile, restart phone, reinstall. Some Samsung devices need "SIM Card Manager" app updated from Galaxy Store.
No network connection: Try manual network selection: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → [eSIM] → Automatically select network = OFF, then pick a carrier from the list.
Can't find eSIM option: Your phone might not support eSIM, or it's carrier-locked. Contact your carrier to unlock.
📋 Post-Installation Checklist
Before you travel, verify these settings:
- ✓ eSIM installed and shows "Active" or carrier name
- ✓ Data Roaming is ON for your travel eSIM
- ✓ eSIM set as default for Cellular/Mobile Data
- ✓ Home SIM disabled or set to calls-only
- ✓ QR code screenshot saved to photos (for backup)