How to install an eSIM on Android step by step

Android has a reputation for being flexible, but when it comes to installing an eSIM each manufacturer puts the menu in a different place. Samsung hides it in one spot, Xiaomi in another, Pixel in another, OnePlus in another. This guide covers the most common models (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus) and the settings that matter after activation.

Before you start: requirements

• Android with eSIM support. Confirm in Settings → About phone — if your model is in the list below, eSIM works.
• Unlocked phone. If you bought it on contract and you're still paying it off, it may be locked. Call the carrier and request the free unlock.
• Wi-Fi during install. The phone needs Internet to download the carrier profile. At airports, connect to free Wi-Fi before starting.

Compatible models (2026)

Samsung Galaxy:

• S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 series (all)
• Z Fold and Z Flip series (all)
• Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
• A54, A55, A56 (5G versions)

Google Pixel:

• Pixel 3 and later (all)

Xiaomi:

• Xiaomi 12T Pro, 13 series, 14 series, 15 series
• Some Mi 11 (global 5G variant)

OnePlus:

• OnePlus 11 and later (not all markets)
• Open (foldable)

Others:

• Huawei P40 (specific variant), Mate 40 Pro (specific variant)
• Sony Xperia 1 IV+, 5 IV+
• Motorola Razr (foldable), Edge 40 Pro

If unsure, search "[model] eSIM support" on Google. Most flagships from 2021+ support it.

Step 1: have the QR ready

When you buy an eSIM, you receive:

• A QR code: scan with your phone's camera.
• Manual data (SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code): in case the QR fails.

If you bought from the same phone you want to install on, you can't scan yourself. Solutions:

1. Open the email with the QR on another device (computer, tablet) and scan from there.
2. Use manual entry: copy and paste the codes from the email.
3. Save the QR image beforehand and scan it from another app.

Step 2: install by manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy (One UI 5+)

1. Settings → Connections → SIM card manager
2. Tap Add eSIM
3. Choose Scan provider QR code
4. Scan the QR
5. Confirm "Add mobile plan"
6. Phone downloads profile (30-60 seconds)

Alternative: on some Galaxies, the entry is at Settings → Connections → More connection settings → eSIM.

Google Pixel

1. Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs
2. Tap Add SIM
3. If the phone already has an eSIM, choose Download a SIM instead
4. Need help setting up? → No
5. Scan the QR
6. Confirm with "Activate"

Xiaomi (MIUI / HyperOS)

1. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks
2. Tap Add SIM card or Add eSIM (varies by version)
3. Select Scan QR code
4. Scan
5. Assign name and confirm

In some older MIUI versions, it's at Settings → Phone info → Status → eSIM.

OnePlus

1. Settings → Wi-Fi & network → SIM & mobile network
2. Tap Add more eSIM
3. Scan QR
4. Confirm

Huawei (no Google services)

Huawei has its own slightly more manual process:

1. Settings → Mobile → SIM cards
2. Add virtual SIM or eSIM
3. Scan QR

Step 3: configure the line

After adding the eSIM, you'll see two lines: your home line and the new travel eSIM.

On Samsung Galaxy

Settings → Connections → SIM card manager:

• Preferred line for calls: leave home.
• Preferred line for SMS: leave home.
• Mobile data: switch to the travel eSIM.

On Google Pixel

Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs → your new eSIM:

• Enable "Use SIM"
• In "Mobile data", mark this one as preferred.

On all Android

Critical step: enable "Data Roaming" on the new eSIM.

• Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → your eSIM → Data roaming: ON
• Pixel: Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs → your eSIM → Roaming: ON
• Xiaomi: Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → your eSIM → Data roaming: ON

Error #1 when data isn't working is not enabling this. Even if the eSIM is local for the country you're visiting, Android treats it as roaming because the detected operator doesn't match the "registered" one.

Step 4: verify it works

1. Toggle airplane mode for 5 seconds, off.
2. Open browser, visit google.com.
3. If it loads, done.
4. Verify the coverage icon shows the local operator (Telcel, Turkcell, NTT, etc.) and not "No service".

Common Android errors

"Unknown operator" or "No service"

Cause: 95% of the time, you didn't enable "Data Roaming" on the new eSIM.

Fix: enable it. Restart. Done.

"Couldn't activate plan"

Cause: phone didn't reach the operator's server. Unstable Wi-Fi.

Fix: connect to stable Wi-Fi and retry. If it persists after 2-3 attempts, contact provider.

Apps consume from home line

Cause: you didn't mark the new eSIM as "Mobile data" preferred.

Fix: Settings → SIM cards → Mobile data → select the travel eSIM.

"eSIM error" on Samsung

Sometimes Samsungs with old MIUI or custom ROMs have bugs. Solutions in order:

1. Restart the phone.
2. Delete the eSIM and reinstall with manual data.
3. Update One UI to latest version.
4. As last resort: contact Samsung support with exact model.

"eSIM plan already activated on another device"

It happened: the QR was scanned on another phone. Some plans are single-use.

Fix: provider should issue a fresh one for free. At eSIM Ahora we do it in under 5 minutes.

Important differences from iPhone

If you're switching from iPhone to Android:

• The menu is in different places by manufacturer. iOS has a unified flow; Android doesn't.
• The roaming setting name varies: "Data roaming" (Samsung), "Roaming" (Pixel), "Data roaming" (Xiaomi).
• Some older Androids (pre-2020) show eSIM as "Virtual SIM".
• Data line selection is more intuitive on modern Pixel and Samsung; somewhat hidden on Xiaomi.

Removing the eSIM after the trip

After the trip:

1. Settings → SIM (or manufacturer equivalent)
2. Tap the travel eSIM
3. Delete or Erase SIM

Important: if your plan is reloadable and you might return to the destination, don't delete it. Some plans (like ours) you can reload months later for half the price of a fresh eSIM.

Manual mode (no QR)

If you can't scan the QR, every serious provider gives you two fields:

• SM-DP+ Address (something like consumer.e-sim.global)
• Activation Code (string LPA:1$consumer.e-sim.global$XXXX-YYYY)

In your Android's eSIM menu, look for "Enter manually" or "Operator data". Paste both. Works identically to QR.

Final recommendations

• Buy before the trip, install before (if your provider lets you without activating validity), activate on landing. Maximize the useful window.
• Save the QR as an image in Gallery as backup.
• Note SM-DP+ and Activation Code in case the QR is lost.
• Test the roaming setting at home if your provider allows — some eSIMs work in any country, others only at destination.

See eSIM catalog by destination →

Got iPhone? We have the equivalent guide: How to install an eSIM on iPhone.