eSIM installation guide for iPhone and Android

iphone-esim-installation-guide-en

After purchasing an eSIM, you will be redirected to a page with a link to your My eSIM account. You will also receive an email containing installation details: a QR code, quick-install buttons, SM-DP+ address, Activation Code, APN, ICCID/IMSI and an account link.

You can install the eSIM using the Install button or QR code in the Installation section of My eSIM, or from the email.

You can install your eSIM at home before travelling. Installation requires Wi-Fi or mobile data from another SIM. Your travel eSIM's mobile data will only work in countries or regions covered by its plan.

Important: your iPhone reports an eSIM activation failure?

When you install an eSIM before reaching its coverage area, the iPhone may show “Activating…” for a long time and then report an activation failure. This does not always mean the profile failed to install.

Open Settings → Cellular and check for the new eSIM. If it appears, do not delete it or start another installation just because of the error. Check network connectivity after arriving in a covered country. The eSIM will usually work normally after arrival and connection to a local network.

If the new eSIM is missing, you are unsure of its status, or internet access does not work after arrival and checking settings, contact support and keep the profile installed.

Read more about eSIM activation failures →

Before installation

Check four things:

  1. Your phone supports eSIM. Dial *#06# and look for an EID. Its presence usually indicates eSIM support.
  2. Your phone is unlocked. On iPhone, open Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. It should say No SIM restrictions.
  3. An internet connection is available. Connect to Wi-Fi or use mobile data from another SIM.
  4. You are installing on the phone you will use. Do not share the QR code or installation details with others.

Do not delete your eSIM while the package is still in use. If you accidentally delete it, you can try the same QR code on the same device, but reinstallation may not succeed. Do not use this QR code on another device.

1. Quick installation on iPhone or iPad

Available on iPhone and iPad with iOS/iPadOS 17.4 or later.

  1. Open the eSIM email on the iPhone or iPad where you want to install it.
  2. Tap Install on iPhone.
  3. When prompted to activate the new eSIM, tap Allow.
  4. Tap Continue.
  5. Wait for installation to finish.
  6. Select the eSIM for cellular data.
  7. Enable Data Roaming for this eSIM.

After installation: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select your eSIM.

To enable roaming: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Data Roaming.

If the button does not open, use the QR code or enter the installation details manually. Menu names can vary with your device's language and software version.

2. Quick installation on Android

One-tap installation uses an Android Universal Link. Support depends on your phone model, Android version, eSIM capability and up-to-date Google services.

Typically, you need:

  • Android 10 or later;
  • a device that supports eSIM;
  • up-to-date Google Mobile Services;
  • to open the link on the phone where you will install the eSIM.

Steps:

  1. Open the eSIM email on your Android phone.
  2. Prefer Chrome, Gmail or the phone's default browser.
  3. Tap Install on Android.
  4. If supported, the system's eSIM installation screen will open.
  5. Confirm installation.
  6. Wait for the profile to download.
  7. Select the eSIM for mobile data.
  8. Enable Data Roaming for the eSIM.

A common path is Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM.

On Samsung, it may be Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM.

If the button does not work, this does not mean the eSIM is faulty. Use the QR code or manually enter the SM-DP+ address and Activation Code.

3. Installation with a QR code

A QR code is the main general-purpose method for installing an eSIM on iPhone, iPad and Android.

iPhone or iPad

  1. Open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
  2. Select Use QR Code.
  3. Scan the QR code from your email.
  4. Confirm adding the eSIM.
  5. Select it for cellular data.
  6. Enable Data Roaming for this eSIM.

On iOS 17.4 or later, you can also open the email or QR-code page, touch and hold the QR code, then choose Add eSIM.

Android

Menu names vary by manufacturer. Common paths:

  • Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM → Scan QR code.
  • Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Scan QR code.
  • Google Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Download a SIM instead → Scan QR code.

After installation:

  1. Select the eSIM for mobile data.
  2. Enable Data Roaming for it.
  3. If a network does not appear straight away, restart the phone or toggle Airplane Mode.

4. Manual installation with SM-DP+ and Activation Code

Use manual installation if the QR code cannot be scanned or the quick-install button does not open.

You will find these details in your email and the Data tab of your eSIM account:

  • SM-DP+ address;
  • Activation Code;
  • APN.

iPhone or iPad

  1. Open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
  2. Select Use QR Code.
  3. Tap Enter Details Manually.
  4. Enter the SM-DP+ address.
  5. Enter the Activation Code.
  6. If asked for a Confirmation Code, enter one only if it is supplied separately in your email. Otherwise leave it blank.
  7. Confirm installation.

Android

Common path: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM → Enter details manually.

On Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Enter activation code.

Enter the SM-DP+ address and Activation Code. Leave Confirmation Code blank unless a separate code was supplied in your email.

5. When does the validity period start?

There are two separate events:

Installation: the profile downloads to your phone. An internet connection is required.

Activation / first connection: the eSIM connects to a mobile network in its coverage area.

For most travel eSIMs, validity starts with the first connection to a local network in a covered country. You can therefore usually install at home and start using mobile data after arrival.

Some plans start their validity period when the eSIM is installed. If the plan states Billing starts: first installation, time installation closer to your trip. Always check the selected plan's terms.

6. Settings to check after installation

  1. The eSIM is selected for mobile data.
  2. Data roaming is enabled for it.
  3. Your main SIM remains available for calls and SMS if you need bank messages or regular calls.
  4. The APN matches your email or eSIM account.
  5. If internet access does not work, disable VPN, proxy and data-saving settings.

Select the data line:

  • iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select your eSIM.
  • Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Mobile data → select your eSIM.

Enable roaming:

  • iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Data Roaming.
  • Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your eSIM → Roaming.

7. When to enter the APN manually

The APN is usually set automatically. On some Android devices or for certain destinations, you may need to enter it manually.

Check your email or the Data tab in your eSIM account. An example APN is isp; use the value provided for your own eSIM.

  • Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your eSIM → Access Point Names / APN.
  • iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Cellular Data Network.

If no username or password is supplied, leave those fields blank.

8. Your eSIM account: status, data balance and installation

The email contains an Open eSIM account button. You can also sign in using the IMSI from the email.

Monitoring

Check your eSIM's status, network connection, remaining and used data, remaining package time and technical statuses for support.

Before travelling, Not connected usually means the eSIM has not yet connected to a network in a covered country.

Installation

Find your QR code, Install on iPhone and Install on Android buttons, and manual installation details here. Use this section if you cannot find the email or want to view the QR code on another device.

Data

This section contains the SM-DP+ address, Activation Code, APN, plan, data allowance, validity, country or region, ICCID, IMSI, LPA string and technical statuses.

Support commonly needs your ICCID, IMSI, phone model and a screenshot of the error.

Top up

If top-up packages are available for your eSIM, you can buy them here. If no packages are found, top-ups are currently unavailable for this eSIM or purchase currency.

Top-up history

View previous top-ups for this eSIM.

9. What the email details mean

  • QR code: the main general-purpose installation method.
  • Install on iPhone: quick installation on iPhone/iPad with iOS/iPadOS 17.4 or later.
  • Install on Android: quick installation on supported Android devices.
  • SM-DP+: the server address used to download the eSIM profile.
  • Activation Code: the eSIM installation code.
  • APN: the mobile internet access point setting.
  • ICCID: the eSIM profile identifier.
  • IMSI: the subscriber identifier; you can use it to sign in to your eSIM account.
  • LPA: an installation string in the format LPA:1$SM-DP+$ActivationCode.

10. If mobile internet does not work

Check in order:

  1. You are in a country or region covered by the plan.
  2. The eSIM is selected for mobile data.
  3. Data roaming is enabled for the eSIM.
  4. The phone has a network signal.
  5. The APN matches your email or account.
  6. VPN, proxy and data-saving settings are disabled.
  7. You have restarted the phone after installation.
  8. You have tried turning Airplane Mode on and off.

The first connection can take a few minutes.

11. If the eSIM will not install

Possible causes include no eSIM support, a carrier-locked phone, an unstable internet connection, a QR code already used on another device, opening installation on the wrong phone, corporate device restrictions, or an email app/browser that cannot open the installation link.

Try the following:

  1. Use another installation method: button, QR code or manual entry.
  2. Connect to stable Wi-Fi.
  3. Restart the phone.
  4. Check for an EID by dialling *#06#.
  5. Check that the phone is not carrier-locked.
  6. Contact support with your phone model, ICCID/IMSI and a screenshot of the error.

12. What to send to support

To help resolve the problem, send:

  1. Your current country and city.
  2. The installation method you tried (button, QR code or manual entry), and a description or screenshot of the error.
  3. A screenshot of your phone's About screen: iPhone Settings → General → About; Android Settings → About phone.
  4. A screenshot of your SIM settings: iPhone Settings → Cellular → your eSIM; Android Settings → Network & internet / Mobile networks → SIMs.
  5. A screenshot showing your selected eSIM for mobile data: iPhone Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select your eSIM; Android Settings → Network & internet / Mobile networks → select your eSIM.
  6. A screenshot of your eSIM's APN settings: iPhone Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Cellular Data Network; Android Settings → Network & internet / Mobile networks → your eSIM → Access Point Names / APN.

Support: Telegram support bot or support@esim.bar.

If you have not chosen an eSIM yet, browse the plans by destination. Learn more about the technology in What is an eSIM?.

eSIM installation FAQ

Answers to common installation questions.