Activation
When validity starts and what to do on arrival.
This section explains the step after installation is finished — turning on data roaming so the profile actually starts working on arrival — along with when a plan's validity period begins counting, and what to check if it is switched on but no signal appears. What is written here is kept separate from the installation steps themselves, which are covered specifically in the installation category.
If you have not yet installed a profile at all, the installation category answers that more directly. This page suits anyone who has already installed and is about to start using it for real, or who is wondering why data still is not working after switching it on.
How activation differs from installation
Installation is downloading the profile onto the device; activation is telling the device to actually connect to the live network through that profile. These two steps are deliberately kept separate, so a profile can be installed ahead of time without its validity period starting immediately, and switched on only once you are genuinely ready to use it.
In practice, activation usually means switching on data roaming for that profile in the settings menu, and setting it as the primary data route on arrival. Terms for when validity starts can differ by plan — some start counting the moment installation succeeds, others start on first real network connection — always check what is stated on your own plan's page.
Activation steps on arrival
- 1Switch the device on after landingGive it a moment to search for a local network before going into further settings.
- 2Go to the network settings menuOn iOS go to Settings > Mobile Service and select the installed eSIM profile. On Android go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and select the same profile. Exact wording differs by manufacturer and Android version.
- 3Turn on data roaming for that profileThis must be switched on separately from your main SIM, since roaming for the main SIM and for the eSIM profile are separate switches.
- 4Set this profile as the default data route if wantedIf you want the device to use this profile's data as the default during the trip, choose it in the same menu when selecting which SIM handles data.
- 5Wait for signal and testGive it a moment to catch the local network signal, then try opening a webpage or an app that uses the internet to confirm it genuinely works.
When the validity period starts counting
| Model | Counting begins at | What this means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Counts from successful installation | The moment the profile finishes downloading, whether or not it is actually activated | Best installed closer to travel day, not far in advance |
| Counts from first real network connection | When data roaming is switched on and the device first successfully connects to the local network | More comfortable to install well ahead of time, since counting has not begun until it is actually used |
Validity-counting models you may encounter
Any given plan may follow one of the models above. We do not assert a fixed number of days here, since it depends on the specific plan you bought — check the wording on the plan's own page or in your own order confirmation email for the clearest answer.
Activated but still no signal
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| No signal bars at all | Data roaming for this profile is not yet switched on, or the device has the wrong SIM set as default for data | Check the network settings menu to confirm roaming for this specific profile is switched on |
| Signal bars appear but web pages do not load | Just connected and still needs a moment to settle onto a stable network | Wait a couple of minutes and try again, or toggle airplane mode off and on |
| An unfamiliar network name appears | The device connected to a partner network in the area, which is normal for roaming | Check whether the internet still genuinely works — if it does, the displayed network name is nothing to worry about |
Common problems after activation and how to respond
Can it be activated on more than one device at once?
No, it cannot — a profile is tied only to the single device it was first installed on. If you want it working on several devices, such as a phone and a tablet, a separate plan must be bought for each one.
That said, devices that support installing several eSIM profiles at once (while only running one at a time) can switch between different country profiles already installed on that single device, which suits frequent travellers visiting several countries.
Switching it off once home
Once back in your home country, it is worth switching off data roaming for the foreign profile and switching the default data route back to your main SIM, so the device does not keep trying to reach a foreign network unnecessarily.
- Turn on data roaming for this profile separately from the main SIM
- Set the profile as the default data route if you want it to be primary
- Wait a moment for the device to catch signal before concluding it does not work
- Check your own plan's page for its validity-counting terms
- Switch roaming for the profile off once you are back home
FAQ
Does activating later than the purchase date forfeit the plan?+
No, not as long as it is still within whatever window the plan allows for activation. Check the plan's page for whether there is a maximum time limit before it must be activated.
Do I need to switch off the original main SIM before activating the new profile?+
No, it does not need to be switched off. Devices that support dual SIM can run both at once — simply choose which SIM is the default data route in the settings menu.
Does using airplane mode during a flight affect the profile?+
No, it does not — airplane mode simply switches off every connection temporarily. Once airplane mode is turned off after landing, the profile remains fully intact and reconnects normally.
Why does the network name shown not match what I expected?+
A travel profile often connects through a local partner network, which may show a different name from the main operator you are used to. This is normal behaviour for cross-network roaming.
How many times can a profile be activated?+
The data roaming switch for the same profile can be toggled on and off as many times as needed, provided the profile has not been deleted from the device.
If I change devices mid-trip, does the profile still work?+
It will not work on a new device, since it is tied only to the original device it was installed on. In this case, a new plan would need to be bought for the new device.
Common questions in this section
When does plan validity start?+
On a first-connection plan the clock starts when your phone first registers on a destination network. On an on-purchase plan it starts when the profile is issued. Every plan page states this in the Activation line, and your order stores the rule as it was at the time of purchase.
Does leftover data disappear when the plan expires?+
Yes. Leftover data does not carry over to a new plan and is not refunded. Choose a validity that matches your trip, and if you are running low, top up before expiry rather than after.
What do I do right after landing?+
1) turn on the eSIM line, 2) set mobile data to it, 3) enable data roaming for it, 4) disable data roaming on your home SIM, 5) toggle airplane mode once. You normally have service within a minute or two of leaving airplane mode.
Which time zone does the validity follow?+
Validity follows what the plan's terms state: either hours counted from activation, or days as defined by the provider. Check the plan page and your confirmation email, because with day-based counting a late-night landing can quietly cost you a day.
I activated too early by mistake. What now?+
Contact us straight away with the order number and we will check with the supplier whether it can be paused or reset. Many plans cannot be stopped once the clock starts. Meanwhile turn that profile's data off so no more allowance is consumed, and do not delete the profile.
When does the validity period start?+
Usually from the first time the profile attaches to a network, not from purchase or installation. The binding terms are the plan's own, stated on its page before payment.
The phone is stuck searching for a network after install+
Toggle airplane mode for ten seconds, then check that the profile is enabled, set as the data line, and has data roaming switched on for that profile.