Installation
QR scanning, manual install, and installing before you fly.
This section explains the steps for installing an eSIM profile onto a device in detail — from what needs preparing beforehand, how to install using a QR code or a link, through to the differences between iOS and Android, and what to do when installation fails. What is written here focuses specifically on installation, not turning on data roaming afterwards, which is covered separately in the activation category.
Before starting, be sure the device genuinely supports eSIM. If unsure, check first in the getting-started category or use our device-checker tool, so time is not spent on a process the device never supported to begin with.
Preparing before you start installing
What is needed is a genuinely working internet connection during the install step, whether Wi-Fi or an existing mobile connection still in use, and reasonable battery level, since some devices refuse to begin the installation process if the battery is too low.
It helps to open the email containing the QR code on a separate device, such as a computer or tablet, then scan that QR code using the camera of the smartphone that will receive the profile, since opening the email and scanning the QR code on the same device is awkward to do.
Installing using the QR code
- 1Open the email containing the QR codeOpen it on a separate device, such as a computer, so it can be scanned conveniently with the smartphone.
- 2Go to the add eSIM menu on the smartphoneOn iOS this is usually under Settings > Mobile Service / Cellular > Add eSIM. On Android it is usually under Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Download a SIM instead. Both are general forms only — exact wording differs by manufacturer and Android version.
- 3Scan the QR codeUse the camera within that menu to scan the QR code shown on the other device's screen.
- 4Wait for the device to download the profileThe device needs an internet connection throughout this step; do not lock the screen or disconnect until it finishes.
- 5Label the profile and choose the default SIM for dataGive it a memorable label, such as the destination country's name, and choose whether this profile will be the default SIM for data once you arrive.
Installing using a link instead of a QR code
Some devices support installation by simply tapping a link directly from the email on the very device being used, without scanning a QR code through the camera. This is more convenient when the email is already open on that smartphone itself, though not every model and operating system version supports this function equally.
If the installation menu does not appear after tapping the link, try the QR-code scanning method instead, opening the same email on a separate device as described above.
How iOS and Android differ
| Aspect | General menu location | Variation between models |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | Settings > Mobile Service (or Cellular) > Add eSIM | Fairly consistent across supported models, though exact wording can differ slightly by iOS version |
| Android | Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Download a SIM instead | Varies considerably by manufacturer interface — search the word "eSIM" within the settings search box if the menu cannot be found directly |
How the install menu differs between iOS and Android
Why installation works only once
Each eSIM profile is tied to the device it is first installed on, by the system's own design. Once download and installation succeed, the same QR code usually cannot be reused to install on another device, and deleting the profile from the original device does not make it installable elsewhere either.
If installation fails
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning the QR code does nothing | No internet connection during the scan, or the QR code has already been used | Check the Wi-Fi connection first, then try again from the add eSIM menu |
| Stuck at the download step | The internet signal was unstable during download | Move to a spot with a stronger Wi-Fi signal, then start the process again |
| A message says the profile has already been used | This QR code has already been successfully installed on another device before | Contact the team to check the status of that specific order |
Common installation problems and how to respond
Can you install before travel day?
Installing ahead of travel day is entirely normal, and doing so somewhere with stable Wi-Fi is recommended, to reduce the risk of hunting for a signal to install upon arrival at the destination airport. Installing does not mean data starts being used immediately — it simply means the profile is ready and sitting on the device.
Actually activating it, such as turning on data roaming for that profile, is usually done separately once you arrive — that step is covered specifically in the activation category.
- Always connect to stable Wi-Fi before starting the install
- Open the QR code email on a separate device for convenient scanning
- Label the profile memorably immediately after a successful install
- Never delete the profile just to try reinstalling it
- Install ahead of time, but activate only when actually needed
FAQ
Can I install without Wi-Fi, using mobile data instead?+
Yes, if the device already has a working mobile connection during the install step, though Wi-Fi is usually more stable and does not use up your existing data allowance.
How many times can the QR code be scanned?+
It can be scanned again as many times as needed until the first successful install. Once installed successfully, that same code usually cannot install again on another device.
Can I install if the device already holds two physical SIMs?+
It depends on whether that model supports an additional eSIM on top of two physical SIMs already inserted. Check the device specification or use our device-checker tool first.
Do I need to update the operating system before installing?+
Not always mandatory, but a very old operating system version may lack the add-eSIM menu or carry certain limits. Updating to a reasonably recent version before travel is advisable.
Can the profile be deleted once it is no longer needed?+
Yes, it can be deleted once you have finished using it, to keep the device tidy, but deletion cannot be undone and does not allow reinstalling it on another device.
Why doesn't the menu on my device match what is described here?+
Menu wording differs by manufacturer and operating system version. What is described here is the general form — try searching the word "eSIM" within your device's settings search box instead.
Common questions in this section
How do I scan the eSIM QR code?+
Show the QR on another screen or print it. On the phone that will use the plan open cellular settings, choose to add an eSIM or cellular plan, then scan. Do this on Wi-Fi, and never scan the same QR on a second phone — one QR can only be installed once.
Can I install manually without scanning a QR?+
Yes. Your order page shows the SM-DP+ address and activation code. Choose the manual entry option on the add-eSIM screen and paste both values. This is the practical route when you only have one phone and no second screen to display the QR.
How long does installing an eSIM take?+
Usually a few minutes. The longest part is downloading the profile, which depends on the Wi-Fi you install over. Do it at home on a stable connection, and avoid locking the screen or switching apps midway, since an interrupted download may have to start again.
Can I install an eSIM without Wi-Fi?+
Installation needs an internet connection, but it does not have to be Wi-Fi: your main SIM's mobile data or another phone's hotspot works too. If you use your main SIM abroad, mind the roaming charges and switch it back off once the install finishes.
I lost the QR code. How do I install?+
Your QR code and activation string are in the order confirmation email and on the order page in your account. If neither opens, contact us with the order number and we will resend it, provided the profile has not already been installed.
Can one plan be installed on two devices?+
No. A profile installs once and lives on one device. To get another device online, share a hotspot from the phone that has it, or buy a separate plan for that device.
Can I reinstall the same eSIM after resetting my phone?+
A QR code generally installs only once, and wiping a phone without properly removing the profile can leave it uninstallable. If you must reset, contact us first with the order number and we will check with the supplier what is possible. We cannot promise in advance that a replacement profile can be issued.
Will an OS update remove my eSIM?+
A normal OS update does not remove an installed eSIM profile, though settings such as which line carries data or whether roaming is on can revert to defaults. Check the cellular settings after updating, and if you update while travelling, do it on stable Wi-Fi.
Installation says it failed. What now?+
Do not retry repeatedly. Check three things first: your internet connection, free profile slots on the device, and whether this profile was already installed. Then contact us with the exact on-screen message.
The QR code will not scan+
Show the QR on another screen or print it, and raise the screen brightness. If it still fails, use the manual entry details included with your order.
How do I install by entering the details manually?+
On the phone's add-eSIM screen choose manual entry, then type the server address and activation code exactly as given in your order.
Read each answer in full
- How do I scan the eSIM QR code?
- Can I install manually without scanning a QR?
- How long does installing an eSIM take?
- Can I install an eSIM without Wi-Fi?
- I lost the QR code. How do I install?
- Can one plan be installed on two devices?
- Can I reinstall the same eSIM after resetting my phone?
- Will an OS update remove my eSIM?
- Installation says it failed. What now?
- The QR code will not scan
- How do I install by entering the details manually?