Bought an eSIM for the wrong country or device: what next

First, the key question: is it installed yet?

For every after-purchase mistake, start with one question: has this eSIM been installed on a phone yet? Installation is the point where the profile gets tied to a device and a plan, and your options change from there.

Bought an eSIM for the wrong country

If you picked the wrong destination, for example buying a Japan plan when you are going to Korea, first confirm it is not installed. If not installed and within 14 days, cancel and rebuy following cancelling-before-installation. If it is already installed, contact support straight away with your order number, explaining what you chose by mistake and whether any data has been used.

• Do not rescan or reinstall hoping the country will change; it will not change the plan's country.
• Check the plan page and order email to confirm which countries the plan covers.
• If it is a multi-country plan, it may already cover where you are going. Look at the country list on the plan page.

Can I switch the country on an eSIM?

As a principle, an eSIM plan is created for the country or group of countries chosen at purchase, so you cannot switch the country yourself afterwards. The practical routes are to cancel before installing and rebuy, or buy a new plan for the right country. For installed cases, contact support to see whether any option exists. We do not promise an outcome in advance.

Find the plan for the right country

Using the eSIM in the wrong country

Sometimes the country was right at purchase but you take the phone to another one, such as buying a Japan plan and flying on to Korea. The plan only works on its listed networks, so outside the area you get no data or an SOS indicator. That does not mean it is broken. Check the list of covered countries.

• If the plan has not expired and you return to a covered country, it can work again under its terms.
• If you need several countries, see multi-country-trip-data to choose between a multi-country plan or separate ones.
• Buy an extra plan for the second country rather than waiting for the first to work there.

Bought for the wrong or an unsupported device

Wrong-device mistakes come in two main forms: the phone does not support eSIM or is carrier-locked, or you bought for one phone but install on another. The first shows up as no option to add an eSIM in settings. For the second, remember that an eSIM binds to the phone it is installed on and cannot be moved to another by yourself.

1. 1Check the phone supports eSIMUse the device checker or look up the EID in how-to-check-esim-eid. If an EID is shown, the phone supports eSIM.
2. 2Check the phone is not carrier-lockedA phone tied to an operator may not accept another provider's eSIM. Ask your operator or look in settings.
3. 3If not installed, request a refundIf it is not installed and within 14 days, cancel yourself via cancelling-before-installation, then use a supported phone or another option such as a local physical SIM.
4. 4If installed on the wrong phone, contact supportGive both phone models and your order number. Do not delete or rescan until support advises.

Check your phone before you buy

Does an eSIM QR code expire?

A QR code does not usually expire on a clock the way a one-time password does, but whether it still works depends on two things: whether it has been installed already (most install only once), and the plan's own time window for activation, which differs by plan and network. Read the plan page and your order email. We cannot give a fixed number here.

• Keep the order email and QR code until the trip ends, and do not forward them to anyone else.
• You can install before flying if the plan page allows it, but understand how that plan starts counting days first.
• If scanning fails or an error appears, see how-to-install-esim or contact support.

How to avoid the mistake next time

• Re-read your countries, connecting cities and full route before ordering.
• Check the phone with the device checker rather than guessing from its model or year.
• Read the plan page for covered countries, duration and other conditions.
• Hold off installing until you are sure; if the plan starts counting on first use, wait for the right moment.