Install a travel eSIM on iPhone or Android before you fly

Install on iPhone iPhone XR, XS and later · 4 steps You need Wi-FiQR code from the email Install on Android Samsung, Pixel and others · 4 steps You need Wi-FiMenus differ by brand

The difference that can cost you money

Installation: at home, on Wi-Fi The profile appears on your phone. For destinations where validity counts from first use, the paid days do not start yet.

Activation: at your destination The profile's first registration on the local network. For 199 of the 202 destinations in the catalogue, the days start counting only from that point; for the rest, the country page says so.

Purchase QR code by email · after payment
Installation profile on your phone · in advance
Activation first network on the trip · the clock starts

You can install the profile at home in advance. The plan’s validity starts only when your phone first registers on a network at your destination.

iPhone in 4 steps

1. Scan the QR code At home on Wi-Fi, open the Camera app and scan the QR code from your order, opened on another screen or printed. When the Mobile Plan Detected notification appears, tap it. If the QR code is in an email on the same iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later), tap and hold the code, then tap Add eSIM.

2. Add the plan Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen, then tap Add Mobile Plan.

3. Label the new line Give the new line a label, for example Travel. Calls and texts stay on your UK line. Leave mobile data on your UK line until you land.

4. When you land, switch data to the travel line Open Settings, tap Mobile Data, then tap Mobile Data and choose the travel line. Then tap the travel line, tap Mobile Data Options and turn on Data Roaming for that line only.

Menus can differ by model and software version; Apple puts it as “depending on your network provider and device”. eSIM is available from the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR onwards.

Android in 4 steps

The order is the same as on an iPhone, but Samsung, Pixel and other brands name each option their own way. That is why the path follows what each section does, not exact names. On Android, eSIM support depends on the model, the system version and the market the phone was sold for.

Android, step 0. Check compatibility

Look for an option to add an eSIM in the SIM settings Or find the exact model in our phone list. Without eSIM support, the profile cannot be installed. ›

Bought the phone outside the UK? Check the exact model and the version sold in the UK in our phone list.

Android, step 1. Add the profile

Settings Network and Internet SIMs

Add SIM Set up an eSIM

UK SIM on

This is how it looks on a Pixel. On a Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Scan QR code (Samsung’s January 2025 guide: SIM card manager → Add mobile plan → Add using QR code). Menus can differ by model and software version.

Android, step 2. Choose the lines

Settings Network and Internet SIMs

Mobile data Travel eSIM

Calls UK SIM

Texts UK SIM

On a Pixel, under “Your primary SIMs”; on a Samsung, in Settings → Connections → SIM card manager. Internet goes through the travel eSIM, while calls and texts stay on your UK line.

Android, step 3. Turn on roaming

Settings Network and Internet SIMs Travel eSIM

Mobile data

Roaming

This is how it looks on a Pixel. On a Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Data Roaming. Roaming switched off on the eSIM is the most common reason for having no internet on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Do I turn off data roaming when I use a travel eSIM?

Yes, on your UK line, if you don’t want mobile data charged there. On the travel eSIM line, set it as the order e-mail says. Data roaming off stops mobile data on the UK line, but a call or text on that line abroad can still be charged by your network.

Can I install a travel eSIM before I leave?

Yes. Install it at home on Wi-Fi within the plan’s install window, 365 days on almost all our plans. On most of our plans the days start on first connection to a network at your destination; check the activation rule shown on your plan.

How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?

Look for an option to add an eSIM in the SIM settings, or find the exact model in our phone list. Without eSIM support, the profile cannot be installed.

My phone supports eSIM, but the option isn't in the menu

Check the exact model and the version sold in the UK in our phone list.

Where is the option on my phone?

On a Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM (Samsung’s January 2025 guide: SIM card manager → Add mobile plan). On a Pixel: Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs → Add SIM. Menus can differ by model and software version, so look for the section by what it does.

What about other Android brands?

Menus differ from brand to brand and between system versions, and we do not list them model by model. Before you buy a plan, look for an option to add an eSIM in the SIM settings or find the exact model in our phone list.

Other guides

Does your phone support eSIM? How to check on the phone in a minute, and the list of models by brand. › How much data to take Calculator by trip length and how you use the internet. › Can't find the email with the QR code? Get your order again with the email address you used to buy. › Help and FAQ Short answers about installation, validity and payment. ›

If the network doesn’t appear

Turn aeroplane mode on and off On, then off, so the phone searches for the network again.

Check data roaming on the travel line On an iPhone, each line has its own switch: turn it on for the travel line. On Android, if there is one switch for all SIMs, leave it on and choose the eSIM for mobile data.

Restart the phone This solves many activation problems.

Check whether the destination needs a manual APN Each country page says when the APN must be entered by hand. › Write to us Write to support@esimworld.co.uk with your order number, the country and city, your phone model and a screenshot. ›

How many profiles fit and what to do with old ones

Working at the same time: two lines Apple says you can have two eSIMs active at the same time on supported iPhone models: for example, your UK line for calls and texts and the travel profile for internet.

Installed but switched off Extra profiles can stay on the phone; you choose in Settings which lines are on.

Before deleting, write to us Don't delete the travel eSIM before your trip ends: turn the line off instead. To reinstall it or move it to another phone, write to us first.

After the trip, the order is: check that the plan’s validity has ended, and only then delete the profile to free up space for your next destination. If a new profile won’t install, write to us before deleting anything.

In detail

In short

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you fly. Here is how to activate an eSIM on iPhone: scan the QR code with the Camera app; on Android, add it from the SIM settings. On most of our plans the days start only when your phone first connects to a network abroad, so installing early costs nothing; the activation rule is shown on each plan.

Keep your UK SIM or eSIM in the phone for calls and texts; use the travel line for data.

Why install a travel eSIM before you fly?

Install before you travel, because the phone downloads the eSIM over Wi-Fi. Is Wi-Fi needed to install? Yes: Apple says the iPhone must be on Wi-Fi, bar some eSIM-only models in some countries (checked on 24 October 2026, Apple). Airport Wi-Fi is the wrong place to find a problem.

The install window is 365 days on almost all our plans; it is set per plan, so check it on the plan page. The evening before is fine, so is a week before.

Check three things at home:

The phone takes an eSIM: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later (bar some China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao models; dial *#06# for an EID); “Pixel 4 and later” (Google); Galaxy models on Samsung’s list. More: eSIM compatible phones.
The phone is unlocked. On iPhone, Settings → General → About should show “No SIM Restrictions” next to Network Provider Lock (Apple).
The eSIM shows as a new line in the menus below before you leave the house.

Turkey: Buy and install your eSIM before you travel — eSIM shops, including ours, may not open on Turkish networks. See eSIM for Turkey.

How do I install a travel eSIM on iPhone?

Scan the QR code from your order e-mail with the Camera app, tap the notification and add the plan (checked on 24 October 2026, Apple).

Open the Camera app and scan the QR code.
When the Mobile Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.
Tap Continue, then Add Mobile Plan. Enter a confirmation code if asked.
Label your lines: Settings → Mobile Service, tap the new number, then Mobile Plan Label (Apple). “Travel” will do.

QR code on the same iPhone? On iOS 17.4 or later, tap and hold it in the e-mail, then tap Add eSIM. For a link: tap it, tap Allow when the Activate New eSIM notification appears, then Continue.

To add eSIM on iPhone from Settings instead: Settings → Mobile Service (on some iPhones: Mobile Data) → Add eSIM. Menus can differ by model and software version; Apple puts it as “depending on your network provider and device”.

eSIM Quick Transfer moves a UK number between iPhones; it does not install a travel eSIM.

Switch to the travel line when you land

Your iPhone uses one mobile data line at a time (Apple). For data, open Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data and select the travel line (Apple).

Then set data roaming: Settings → Mobile (on some iPhones: Mobile Data), turn on Mobile Data, tap the number, then Mobile Data Options → Data Roaming (Apple). If the order e-mail asks you to turn on data roaming for the eSIM line, do it on that line. Your UK line is your choice: see data roaming settings.

On iOS 26 or later, a “Turn On Travel eSIM” notification may appear. Pick “Travel eSIM and Current eSIM” and the travel eSIM carries data, but “you might still incur roaming fees from your home eSIM”, Apple says.

How do I install a travel eSIM on Android?

On Samsung, add it through the SIM manager; on Pixel, through the SIMs menu. Paths below are from each maker’s UK pages, checked on 26 October 2026 for Samsung and 24 October 2026 for Pixel.

Samsung Galaxy (page updated 16 September 2026, Samsung):

Go to Settings → Connections → SIM manager and tap Add eSIM.
Tap Scan QR code and scan the code from your order e-mail. Samsung’s how-to page of 22 January 2025 names the same menus SIM card manager → Add mobile plan → Add using QR code (Samsung); follow the label your phone shows.
To keep the UK number for calls and texts: Settings → Connections → SIM card manager, then choose the SIM for Calls, Text Messages and Mobile data (Samsung). Travel SIM for data, UK SIM for the rest.
Data roaming: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks, then the Data Roaming switch (Samsung). Set it as the order e-mail says.

Google Pixel (Google):

Open Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM.
Follow the instructions on the screen; during setup tap Download SIM, then Set up.
Roaming and the choice of SIM for calls, texts and data are in Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs (Google). Under “Your primary SIMs”, pick the travel SIM for data and the UK SIM for calls and texts. A physical SIM plus an eSIM at once needs a Pixel 3a or later.

Samsung says menus “may vary depending on the device model and software version”; Google says “the following options vary by phone and Android version”.

What if the QR code won’t scan?

Enter the details by hand: that is how to activate an eSIM on iPhone or Android without the camera. Your order e-mail carries two manual details beside the QR code, the SM-DP+ address and the activation code.

iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Add Mobile Plan, then tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the screen and type the details from the e-mail (Apple).
Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Enter activation code, and enter the manual activation code (page updated 16 September 2026). The page of 22 January 2025 calls it SIM card manager → Add mobile plan → Add using activation code.
Pixel: use Set up an eSIM as above and follow the instructions on the screen; Google’s UK page prints no separate manual-entry steps.

Open the e-mail on a second screen, or print the QR code. Still stuck? See eSIM not working abroad.

A deleted eSIM usually cannot be installed twice from the same code. Do not delete the profile to “try again”; write to us first. Moving an eSIM to a new phone is covered in how to transfer an eSIM.

When does the plan start?

On most of our plans the validity period starts on your first connection to a network at the destination, not on the day you install (our plan data, checked on 24 October 2026); check the activation rule shown on your plan. There is no ID check for our plans.

Back home, on iOS 26 or later the iPhone will turn the travel eSIM off and your home SIM back on, “depending on your country or region”. If it doesn’t, open Settings → Mobile Service, tap your UK number and make sure Turn On this Line is on; turn off travel lines you no longer use (Apple).

Ready to install? Choose your destination Pay by card in pounds. The seller is registered in the United States, so your bank may apply its own rules to a payment to a seller abroad. Install the profile at home on Wi-Fi before you fly. The QR code arrives by email after payment. See countries

Not sure how much data to take? Work it out from your trip length and how you use your phone.