URL: https://esimworld.co.uk/how-to-install-esim/
Source: eSIM World (esimworld.co.uk)
Author: Nadezhda Semenova, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Trippy travel service, https://esimworld.co.uk/author/
Updated: 26 October 2026

# How to install a travel eSIM on iPhone and Android — before you fly

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](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118669)). 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:

1. 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](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887?hl=en-GB)); Galaxy models on [Samsung's list](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/galaxy-esim-and-supported-network-carriers/). More: [eSIM compatible phones](https://esimworld.co.uk/esim-compatible-phones/).
2. The phone is unlocked. On iPhone, **Settings → General → About** should show "No SIM Restrictions" next to Network Provider Lock ([Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118227)).
3. 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](https://esimworld.co.uk/esim-turkey/).

<a id="iphone"></a>

## 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](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118669)).

1. Open the Camera app and scan the QR code.
2. When the Mobile Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.
3. Tap **Continue**, then **Add Mobile Plan**. Enter a confirmation code if asked.
4. Label your lines: **Settings → Mobile Service**, tap the new number, then **Mobile Plan Label** ([Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109317)). "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](https://esimworld.co.uk/esim-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](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109317)). For data, open **Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data** and select the travel line ([Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118227)).

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](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109037)). 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](https://esimworld.co.uk/help/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.

<a id="android"></a>

## 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](https://esimworld.co.uk/esim-samsung/)** (page updated 16 September 2026, [Samsung](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/galaxy-esim-and-supported-network-carriers/)):

1. Go to **Settings → Connections → SIM manager** and tap **Add eSIM**.
2. 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](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-use-an-esim-with-your-galaxy-phone/)); follow the label your phone shows.
3. 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](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-use-or-manage-dual-sim-cards/)). Travel SIM for data, UK SIM for the rest.
4. Data roaming: **Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks**, then the **Data Roaming** switch ([Samsung](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-do-i-turn-international-data-roaming-on-or-off-on-my-samsung-galaxy-device/)). Set it as the order e-mail says.

**Google Pixel** ([Google](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16115470?hl=en-GB)):

1. Open **Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM**.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen; during setup tap **Download SIM**, then **Set up**.
3. Roaming and the choice of SIM for calls, texts and data are in **Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs** ([Google](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2926415?hl=en-GB)). 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](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118669)).
- **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](https://esimworld.co.uk/help/esim-no-signal/).

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](https://esimworld.co.uk/help/transfer-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](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118227)).

## 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.

## Sources

- Apple: [Use eSIM on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118669), [travel eSIM and Dual SIM](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118227), [Dual SIM](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109317), [data roaming](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109037), all checked on 24 October 2026
- Samsung UK: [Galaxy eSIM and supported devices](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/galaxy-esim-and-supported-network-carriers/), [eSIM on Galaxy](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-use-an-esim-with-your-galaxy-phone/), [data roaming](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-do-i-turn-international-data-roaming-on-or-off-on-my-samsung-galaxy-device/), [dual SIM](https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-use-or-manage-dual-sim-cards/)
- Google Pixel Help: [add an eSIM](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16115470?hl=en-GB), [SIM settings](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2926415?hl=en-GB), [eSIM support](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887?hl=en-GB)

## More questions

### 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.