2026-07-07
Installing an eSIM takes about two minutes. No SIM tray, no paperclip, no waiting in line at the airport. You scan one QR code and you're done.
This guide walks you through it step by step — for both iPhone and Android — with the exact button names you'll tap. Prefer to follow along with screenshots? We link our full visual install guide for each platform below. It also covers the parts most guides skip: why your eSIM shows "Off" after installing (that's normal), and the small mistakes that make an install fail.
Before you start: Install on stable Wi-Fi, within 180 days of purchase, on the phone you'll travel with. Your QR code works only once. More on each of these below.
Four things, and skipping any one is the most common reason an install fails:
One more thing worth repeating: Scan it on the phone you'll actually travel with. If you scan it on the wrong device, you can't reuse it.
Works on iPhone XS and newer, running a recent iOS version. The whole thing takes about a minute.
That's it. The eSIM is installed.
Want a screenshot for every step? Follow our visual iPhone install guide →
Right after installing, your travel eSIM will show as Off. Don't panic and don't delete it. It's meant to stay off until you land. Turn it on after you arrive at your destination, and your data starts working then.
If your iPhone runs iOS 17.4 or later, you can skip the QR code entirely. Open your eSIM confirmation email on the iPhone itself and tap Install on iPhone. iOS handles the rest.
Menu names vary a little by brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus), but the flow is the same. These steps follow Samsung, the most common case.
Want a screenshot for every step? Follow our visual Android install guide →
On Android 10 and later, open your eSIM email on the phone and tap Install directly. It skips the QR scan and jumps straight to the Add plan screen.
The wording differs slightly. On Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. The scan-and-confirm steps are identical from there.
Install before you leave home, but turn the eSIM on only after you land. Here's the simple rule:
Your travel eSIM handles data only. Your regular SIM keeps your phone number for calls and texts, so you don't lose your number.
Most failed installs come down to one of these:
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| QR code won't scan | Screen glare, code too small | Increase screen brightness, zoom the QR image, clean your camera |
| "Unable to add eSIM" | Weak or unstable Wi-Fi | Switch to a stronger network and retry |
| QR code already used | It was scanned once already | The code is single-use — contact support |
| eSIM shows Off / disabled | Nothing — this is normal | Turn it on after you arrive |
| No data after turning on | Data roaming is off | Enable data roaming for the travel line |
A few destinations need one extra step. Sort it out before you travel so you're not stuck offline on arrival.
Can I install the eSIM before my trip?
Yes — and you should. Install it at home on Wi-Fi, then just turn it on when you land.
Will installing an eSIM remove my current SIM or number?
No. The travel eSIM is a second line for data. Your main SIM and phone number stay exactly as they are.
Can I reuse the QR code on another phone?
No. Each QR code works once, on one device. Scan it on the phone you'll travel with.
How do I know my phone supports eSIM?
Most modern phones do, but check to be sure. See our full eSIM compatibility guide.
Installing an eSIM is the easy part — the hard part is picking a plan that isn't overpriced. eSIM Story gives you flexible data (500MB to 3GB) and any trip length from 1 to 30 days, at a fraction of roaming cost.
Going somewhere specific? Our Egypt eSIM guide and Singapore eSIM guide are good examples of what to work out before you fly — coverage, how much data a day actually costs you, and whether a single-country plan is enough or you need a regional one for a multi-country trip.