Installing an eSIM on Android: where each brand hides the menu
Every Android skin names the menu differently. Here are the wordings you will meet and what to do when none of them appear.
Author: eSIMonline Technical Review · Technical reviewerPublished: September 2, 2026Last updated: September 4, 2026
Quick answer
- The option always sits under connections or network, but it may be called add mobile plan, download a SIM, or SIM manager.
- If the option is absent entirely, the market variant usually lacks eSIM hardware; it is not a settings mistake.
Android does not force a single wording, so each manufacturer picks its own. Instructions written for one phone rarely match another word for word. The fastest route is the search box inside Settings rather than hunting through menus.
The wording you will meet, brand by brand
| Brand | Usual path |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM |
| Google Pixel | Network & internet → SIMs → Download a SIM instead |
| OPPO / realme | Settings → Connection → SIM card & mobile data → Add eSIM |
| vivo | Mobile network → SIM manager → Add plan |
| Xiaomi / POCO | SIM cards & mobile networks → Add eSIM |
Menu paths move between software versions; treat the Settings search box as the reliable route.
Search instead of hunting
- Open Settings and type eSIM or SIM into the search box
- If nothing appears, try mobile plan or add plan
- If still nothing, check your exact model on our device pages before buying
The same model can differ by market: several handsets sold in mainland China ship without eSIM hardware even though the model name matches.
What to have ready before you scan
- A stable Wi-Fi connection, because downloading the profile needs internet
- The QR on a second screen or on paper, since a phone cannot scan its own display
- Enough battery and about five unhurried minutes
FAQ
Do I have to activate it immediately after installing?+
No. Installing and starting the validity clock are separate steps, but the trigger differs by plan, so read the plan page before you switch roaming on.
Can I rescan the same QR after deleting the profile?+
Usually not: a QR installs once. If you deleted it before use, contact us with your order number.