How to Install an eSIM (iPhone & Android)
2026-07-07
How to Install an eSIM (iPhone & Android): Full 2026 Guide
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.
What you need before installing
Four things, and skipping any one is the most common reason an install fails:
- A stable Wi-Fi connection. Your phone downloads the eSIM profile from the carrier during setup. A weak signal can drop the install halfway. Home or hotel Wi-Fi is ideal.
- An eSIM-compatible phone. Most modern phones support eSIM, but not all. If you're unsure, check our eSIM compatibility guide first.
- Your QR code or eSIM email. You get this right after purchase. Keep it on a second screen (laptop, another phone) so you can scan it.
- Install within 180 days of purchase. After that the QR code expires.
One more thing worth repeating: the QR code works once. Scan it on the phone you'll actually travel with. If you scan it on the wrong device, you can't reuse it.
How to install an eSIM on iPhone
Works on iPhone XS and newer, running a recent iOS version. The whole thing takes about a minute.
- Open Settings → Mobile (called Cellular in some regions).
- Scroll down and tap Add eSIM.
- Choose Use QR Code.
- Tap Scan QR Code.
- Point your camera at the QR code. Line it up inside the frame. (No QR code handy? Tap Enter Details Manually instead.)
- Tap Continue.
- Wait a few seconds for it to activate automatically.
- When asked, choose Abroad, then Continue.
- Select Data Only, then Continue.
- Tap Done.
- Check your SIMs list. You should see a new line — often labeled something like "Travel - CMLink". The exact carrier name can vary depending on your destination country.
That's it. The eSIM is installed.
Want a screenshot for every step? Follow our visual iPhone install guide →
"My eSIM says Off" — this is normal
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.
Faster way: install straight from the email (iOS 17.4+)
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.
How to install an eSIM on Android
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.
- Open Settings → Connections.
- Tap SIM manager.
- Under eSIMs, tap Add eSIM.
- Tap Scan QR code.
- Point your camera at the QR code.
- Tap Add to confirm.
- Wait while it's added. On some phones this takes a few minutes — let it finish.
- Check that the eSIM now appears under eSIMs. It will show as disabled for now — that's expected.
Want a screenshot for every step? Follow our visual Android install guide →
Faster way: install from the email (Android 10+)
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.
On Pixel or OnePlus?
The wording differs slightly. On Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. The scan-and-confirm steps are identical from there.
When to turn your eSIM on
Install before you leave home, but turn the eSIM on only after you land. Here's the simple rule:
- Install: anytime before your trip (on Wi-Fi, within 180 days).
- Turn on: when you arrive at your destination.
- Keep it installed: don't delete the eSIM until your trip ends. Deleting it removes the plan for good.
Your travel eSIM handles data only. Your regular SIM keeps your phone number for calls and texts, so you don't lose your number.
Install failing? Quick fixes
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 |
Traveling to China, Turkey, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau? Read this first
A few destinations need one extra step. Sort it out before you travel so you're not stuck offline on arrival.
- China: Install before you arrive. Your QR code comes by email, and several common email services and app stores are restricted inside the country — so the one thing you need to get online can be the thing you cannot reach. Our China eSIM guide covers the rest of the pre-departure list.
- Turkey: Install before you arrive. You can't set up a new eSIM once you're inside Turkey — the country blocks eSIM provider sites and downloads. But one you installed beforehand works normally there; just keep it switched off until you land.
- Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macau: Real-name registration is required. Complete it before you go, or on Wi-Fi once you land, at the real-name registration page. Your data won't work until it's done, and a submission that does not meet their requirements is rejected — you hear back by SMS and email, so leave yourself time.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Ready to go?
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.