How to use an eSIM: install, activate and switch it on abroad

7 min readUpdated September 23, 2026

To use an eSIM, buy a plan, then install it on your phone: tap the install link on the phone itself, or go to Settings, choose Add eSIM and scan the QR code. Install it on Wi-Fi before you travel. When you land, switch the eSIM line on, select it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.

Using an eSIM comes down to two moments: installing it (at home, before you travel) and switching it on (when you land). This guide walks through both on iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, then covers the problems people most often hit and how to fix them.

The five steps at a glance

  1. Check your phone is compatible and unlocked. Dial *#06#. If an EID number appears, your phone has an eSIM. It also needs to be carrier-unlocked to accept another provider’s plan.
  2. Buy an eSIM plan for your destination. Choose the country or region and the amount of data. Your eSIM appears in your account the moment payment completes.
  3. Install it on Wi-Fi before you travel. On the phone itself, tap the install link. From another screen, go to Settings, choose Add eSIM and scan the QR code. It takes about two minutes.
  4. Label the line and keep your home SIM for calls. Name the new line Travel and keep your home SIM as the default for calls, texts and iMessage.
  5. Turn it on when you land. Switch the Travel line on, select it for mobile data, and turn on data roaming for that line only. You’re online within a minute or two.

Before you start

  • Is your phone compatible? Most phones from 2018 onward are. See the eSIM compatible phones list or dial *#06# and look for an EID.
  • Is it unlocked? A phone locked to your home carrier will refuse the eSIM. If you’re not sure, ask your carrier before you travel.
  • Are you on Wi-Fi? The phone downloads the eSIM over the internet, so do it at home on a stable connection.

How to install an eSIM on iPhone

The quick way: one tap

On iOS 17.4 or later, open your order on the iPhone you’ll travel with and tap the install button. iOS opens its own eSIM setup with everything filled in; confirm and it installs in about a minute.

The manual way: scan the QR code

  1. Open the QR code on another screen (a laptop, a tablet or a printout). You can’t scan a code shown on the same phone.
  2. On the iPhone, go to SettingsthenCellularthenAdd eSIM. In some regions Cellular is called Mobile Service or Mobile Data.
  3. Tap Use QR Code and scan it.
  4. When asked, label the new line Travel. Keep your home line as the default for calls, texts and iMessage.
  5. For mobile data, choose your home line for now, and turn Allow Cellular Data Switching off so your phone doesn’t roam on your home plan by accident.

How to install an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy

On Android 10 or later with up-to-date Google services, the one-tap install link on your order does the setup for you. To install by hand:

  1. Go to SettingsthenConnectionsthenSIM manager.
  2. Tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code, and scan the code from another screen.
  3. Confirm, then rename the new line Travel so it’s easy to spot.
  4. Under SIM manager, keep your home SIM as the preferred SIM for calls and messages.

How to install an eSIM on Google Pixel

  1. Go to SettingsthenNetwork & internetthenSIMs.
  2. Tap Add SIM (or the + button), choose to download an eSIM, and scan the QR code.
  3. Confirm the download, then name the new SIM Travel.
  4. Leave your home SIM set as the default for calls and SMS.

Other Android phones follow the same pattern: look for SIM manager, SIM cards or Mobile network in Settings, then Add eSIM. If there’s no QR scanner option, choose to enter the activation code manually; it’s shown alongside your QR code.

Don’t delete the eSIM mid-trip, even if you run low. If your plan supports top-ups you can add data to the same eSIM from your account, with no new QR code and no reinstall.

When you land: the three settings that matter

Your eSIM is installed but dormant. When the plane lands, change three things. Each one is a common reason for “no internet”, so check them in order:

  1. Turn the Travel line on. iPhone: CellularthenTravelthenTurn On This Line. Android: switch it on in SIM manager or SIMs.
  2. Select it for mobile data. iPhone: CellularthenCellular DatathenTravel. Samsung: SIM managerthenMobile datathenTravel. Pixel: open the Travel SIM and turn Mobile data on.
  3. Turn on data roaming for the Travel line only. The eSIM is “roaming” onto its partner network, but you’ve already paid for that data, so there is no extra charge. Leave roaming off on your home line.

Give it a minute to find a network. With SimKit, the plan’s validity starts from this first connection at your destination, not from when you bought or installed it.

Troubleshooting

The eSIM won’t install

  • Check you’re on Wi-Fi, then try again.
  • If you see “this code is no longer valid”, the eSIM may already be installed. Look for it in your SIM settings before trying again.
  • If the phone says it can’t add a plan from this carrier, it’s probably carrier-locked.

Installed, but no internet at your destination

  • Recheck the three settings above: line on, selected for data, roaming on.
  • Toggle airplane mode on and off, or restart the phone.
  • Check that the network in the status bar is one of the partner networks shown on your plan page. If not, select one manually under Network Selection.

Still stuck?

Email support@simkit.app and a real person will help you get online. If we can’t fix it, we refund you.

Keeping track of your data

Your remaining data is on your eSIM’s page under My account, in the browser, with no app to install. If you’re running low and your plan supports top-ups, add data to the same eSIM in a couple of taps. Not sure how much you need? Our FAQ has a rule of thumb for typical travellers.

Questions people also ask

Do I need Wi-Fi to install an eSIM?

Yes, you need an internet connection to download the eSIM, which is why it’s best to install it at home on Wi-Fi before you travel. Hotel or airport Wi-Fi works too if you forgot.

Should I install my travel eSIM before I leave?

Yes. Installing early costs nothing with SimKit: the plan stays dormant until the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination, so no days are lost. It also means you are online the moment you land.

Why is my eSIM not working after I land?

Almost always one of three settings: the eSIM line is switched off, it is not selected for mobile data, or data roaming is off for that line. Turn all three on, wait a minute, and restart the phone if needed.

Will turning on data roaming charge me?

Not for the travel eSIM. Roaming must be on for the eSIM line so it can attach to its partner network, but you already paid for the data. Leave roaming off on your home line if you want to avoid your own carrier’s roaming charges.

Can I move an eSIM to a new phone?

Usually not by yourself: most eSIMs can be installed once, on one phone. Don’t delete an eSIM you still need. If you change phones, contact your provider first so they can help.

More eSIM basics

What is an eSIM?How a digital SIM works, how it compares with a SIM card, and the trade-offs.eSIM compatible phonesThe iPhone, Samsung and Pixel models that support eSIM, and how to check yours.

Travelling soon?

Travel eSIMs for 190+ destinations. Delivered instantly, installed in about two minutes, and your plan only starts when you land.