How to Install eSIM on iPhone

Installing a travel eSIM on an iPhone takes about two minutes once you have the QR code. Most people get stuck on one of three things: their phone is locked, they pick the wrong line for cellular data, or they forget to switch on Data Roaming for the new profile. This guide walks through each step with the exact Settings paths, then covers what to do when something goes wrong.

The instructions below work on every iPhone from the XS (2018) through the iPhone 17 (2025), on both iOS 17 and iOS 18. Where the menu names differ between versions, both are noted.

Before you start: 4 quick checks

Run through this checklist before you pay for anything. It saves a lot of headaches.

Check	How to verify
iPhone supports eSIM	Settings > General > About → scroll to EID. If present, you’re fine.
iPhone is unlocked	Settings > General > About → Carrier Lock should read “No SIM restrictions”.
iOS is up to date	Settings > General > Software Update. Run iOS 17.0 or newer.
You have Wi-Fi or working mobile data	The install pulls the profile over the internet — you need a connection.

US iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray). That’s not a problem for travel eSIMs — you can hold up to 8 eSIMs and use 2 at the same time. International iPhone 14/15/16/17 models still have a tray and work the same way.

If you don’t yet have a phone you’re sure about, see our list of eSIM-compatible devices.

Step 1: Buy the eSIM

Pick a destination on Simsimsim, choose a data plan, and pay. We accept card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and crypto (USDT or BTC). First-time buyers get a $5 welcome credit. No account, no app — just an email.

A full walk-through of the purchase flow is in How to buy an eSIM.

Step 2: Receive the QR code

Within about 60 seconds of payment, you get an email containing:

• A QR code (image)
• A manual activation string (SM-DP+ address and activation code) — used if you can’t scan
• A direct install link that works on iOS 17.4 and later (one tap installs the profile)

Don’t delete that email until your trip is over. If the QR doesn’t arrive within a few minutes, check spam and promotions. Still nothing? Reply to your order confirmation or contact support — we’ll resend.

Step 3: Install the eSIM (3 methods)

You can install the profile three ways. Pick whichever is easiest.

Method A — Scan the QR code (most common)

You need the QR code displayed on a second screen — laptop, tablet, or a friend’s phone — because you can’t scan your own screen.

1. Open Settings > Cellular (on UK/AU iPhones this is Settings > Mobile Data).
2. Tap Add eSIM (on iOS 17 you may see Add Cellular Plan).
3. Tap Use QR Code.
4. Point the camera at the QR. The phone reads it within a second.
5. Tap Continue, then Add Cellular Plan.

Method B — Enter details manually

If you have only one device, or the QR won’t scan, use the strings from the email.

1. Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code.
2. Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom.
3. Paste the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code from your email.
4. Tap Next, then Add Cellular Plan.

Method C — Direct install link (iOS 17.4+, easiest)

On iOS 17.4 and later, tap the install link in the email on the same iPhone. It opens Settings, pre-fills the profile, and asks you to confirm. One tap, done.

Step 4: Choose your primary line — the step people get wrong

After the profile installs, iOS asks you to label and assign the lines. This is where most setup mistakes happen.

1. Default Line — used for calls and iMessage. Keep this as your home line so people can still reach you.
2. iMessage & FaceTime — leave on your home line.
3. Cellular Data — switch this to your new travel eSIM. This is the whole point.

You can change all three later in Settings > Cellular.

Step 5: Label the eSIM

When prompted, give the profile a label like “Travel — Japan” or “Simsimsim”. Default labels like “Secondary” become confusing once you have two or three travel eSIMs in your phone.

To rename later: Settings > Cellular > [tap the eSIM] > Cellular Plan Label.

Step 6: Turn on Data Roaming for the new eSIM

Travel eSIMs work by roaming on local partner networks, so Data Roaming must be on for the profile — even though you’re using a foreign carrier’s data.

1. Settings > Cellular > [tap your new eSIM].
2. Toggle Data Roaming on.
3. While here, confirm Turn On This Line is also on.

Important: turn Data Roaming off on your home line in the same screen, otherwise your home carrier may sneak in a roaming charge.

Step 7: Activate on arrival

Most plans activate the moment your phone connects to a partner network at the destination. For most countries this is instant. For a few (some carriers in India, China, Russia) it can take 1–5 minutes as the network registers your profile. Toggle airplane mode on and off if you’ve been waiting more than five minutes.

You don’t need to install or activate anything on departure — keep your home SIM as primary until you land.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
QR won’t scan	QR too small or screen glare	Zoom in on the source device, or use manual entry (Method B)
“Unable to Add Cellular Plan”	Weak Wi-Fi, or iOS bug	Switch to a different Wi-Fi, or reboot the iPhone and retry
“This Code is No Longer Valid”	QR already installed once	A QR can only be redeemed once. Contact support to reissue
Profile installed but no signal	Data Roaming off, or wrong country	Toggle Data Roaming on; confirm you’re in a country the plan covers
Profile installed but slow	Auto-selected a weaker partner network	Settings > Cellular > [eSIM] > Network Selection > Automatic off, pick manually
Calls go to wrong line	Default Line is the travel eSIM	Settings > Cellular > Default Voice Line → home line

If none of these help, contact us with your order ID and a screenshot of Settings > Cellular.

FAQ

Can I install the eSIM before I travel? Yes. Install it at home over Wi-Fi a day or two before departure. The plan timer starts on first connection at the destination, not at install.

Does installing an eSIM delete my main SIM? No. The eSIM is added alongside your existing line. Up to 8 eSIMs can be stored; 2 can be active at once.

Will my iPhone still receive iMessages on my home number? Yes, if iMessage and FaceTime are kept on your home line in Settings > Cellular.

What happens to the eSIM when the plan expires? The profile stays on the phone but stops working. You can delete it via Settings > Cellular > [eSIM] > Remove eSIM or top up the same plan.

Can I share the QR with another phone? No. Each QR is single-use. If you need to move the plan to another device, contact support.

My iPhone is from the US and has no SIM tray — does that change anything? No. The install steps are identical. US iPhone 14+ models are eSIM-only and were designed for this exact use case.

Next steps

Browse plans across 186 destinations or read the full purchase guide in How to buy an eSIM.

Different phone? See install on Samsung Galaxy or install on Pixel.