How to Install an eSIM on Android (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi) — 2026

Installing an eSIM on Android takes less than 2 minutes from Settings > Network & Internet > SIM Cards. At eSIM Ahora we send you a QR code by email; you scan it, confirm the profile download, and your eSIM is ready for your next trip. This article covers three installation methods (QR, manual, operator app), what to do if your Android doesn't detect the eSIM, and how to activate it before or after landing.

Prerequisites: verify compatibility and unlock status

Before buying any travel eSIM, confirm your device meets these three requirements:

1. eSIM-compatible hardware. Not all Android phones have a physical eSIM chip. Models that include it:

   • Samsung Galaxy: S20 FE 5G (US, Europe, and Korea versions only), S21/S22/S23/S24/S25 (all variants, including FE and Ultra), Z Fold 3/4/5/6, Z Flip 3/4/5/6.
   • Google Pixel: Pixel 3a/4/4a/5/5a/6/6a/7/7a/8/8a/9/9 Pro (all variants, including India and Japan versions).
   • Xiaomi: 12T Pro, 13/13 Pro/13T/13T Pro, 14/14 Pro (Europe units only; China/India units typically do NOT have eSIM enabled).
   • Motorola: Razr 2019/5G/40/40 Ultra/50 Ultra, Edge 40 Pro/50 Pro.
   • Oppo: Find X3 Pro/X5 Pro/X6 Pro, Reno 5A (Japan only).

   Quickest way to verify: open Settings > About Phone > Status > IMEI. If you see two IMEI numbers (IMEI 1 and IMEI 2, or IMEI and EID), your device has eSIM. If you see only one IMEI, it's physical SIM only.

2. Carrier unlocked. If you bought the phone financed through a carrier (Telcel, Movistar, Vodafone, AT&T), it may be locked to that network. Locked phones accept physical SIMs from other operators only after a tenure period (12–24 months in Mexico/Spain, 60 days in the US if paid in full). For eSIM, the lockdown is stricter: some carriers block eSIM functionality entirely until you complete your contract. Check unlock status in Settings > About Phone > Status > SIM Lock Status. If it says "SIM locked" or "Carrier locked", contact your carrier to request unlocking.

3. Android 9.0 or later. The eSIM API requires Android 9.0 Pie minimum. Pixel 3a devices shipped with Android 9.0 update to Android 14; Galaxy S20 FE devices shipped with Android 10 update to Android 14.

Method 1: scan QR code (recommended for 95% of cases)

This is the fastest method and what we use at eSIM Ahora. When you buy a plan, you receive an email with the QR code attached as a PNG image. You don't need to print it; just open it on another device (laptop, tablet, another phone) or save it to your gallery to scan from the screen.

Step by step

1. Open Settings on your Android.
2. Go to Network & Internet (called "Connections" on some Samsung devices).
3. Tap SIM Cards or SIM Manager (on Pixel/Xiaomi/Motorola) or SIM Card Manager (on Samsung).
4. Tap Add SIM Card or the + icon in the top right corner.
5. Select Scan carrier QR code. Your camera will open.
6. Point your camera at the QR code. If you have it on another device, make sure the screen is at maximum brightness and free of reflections. If you saved it to your gallery, tap the image icon in the bottom right corner of the scanner to select it.
7. The system detects the QR automatically and shows "Downloading eSIM profile". Wait 10–30 seconds.
8. Confirm installation by tapping Download or Activate.
9. Assign a name to the eSIM (example: "eSIM Ahora Mexico"). This name will appear in Settings > SIM Cards so you can tell your physical SIM and eSIM apart.
10. Choose whether to activate the eSIM immediately or leave it deactivated until you reach your destination. If you're traveling tomorrow, leave it deactivated; you'll activate it on arrival by flipping the toggle in SIM Cards.

Common QR scanning errors

• "Invalid QR code": the QR has incorrect format or was damaged when you downloaded it. Resend yourself the email from another client (Gmail > Forward to myself) and download the image again. If it persists, ask us to resend the QR via Telegram.
• "Cannot connect to server": your Android needs internet to download the eSIM profile. Connect to WiFi or enable mobile data on your physical SIM. The download is 2–5 KB; any connection works.
• "Profile already downloaded on another device": each QR is single-use. If you installed this eSIM on another phone before, you can't reuse it. eSIM Ahora plans are one profile per purchase; if you need to switch devices, delete the eSIM from the old phone first (go to SIM Cards > [eSIM name] > Remove SIM Card) and wait 2 hours before reinstalling on the new phone.
• Scanner won't focus: make sure the QR occupies at least 60% of your camera frame. If your rear camera has focus issues, clean the lens with a dry cloth.

Method 2: manual installation (without scanning QR)

If you don't have another device to display the QR, or your Android scanner isn't working, you can enter the activation data manually. At eSIM Ahora we include these details in the email along with the QR, under the heading "Manual activation data".

Step by step

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > SIM Cards.
2. Tap Add SIM Card > Enter data manually or Need help? (on Samsung).
3. Enter the following fields (copy them exactly from the email):
   • SM-DP+ Address: eSIM server address (example: rsp.esimahora.com).
   • Activation Code: alphanumeric code of 20–40 characters (example: LPA:1$rsp.esimahora.com$ABC123XYZ).
   • Confirmation Code: optional; only some operators require it. If the field is blank in the email, leave it empty.
4. Tap Download or Activate.
5. Wait 10–30 seconds. The system downloads the profile in the background.
6. Assign a name and decide whether to activate now or later.

Differences between manufacturers

• Samsung One UI 6.0+ (Galaxy S24, Z Fold 6, etc.): the manual flow is called "Add with activation code". The "SM-DP+ Address" field may appear as "Server address".
• Pixel with Android 14+: the manual flow says "Enter operator information". The fields are "Server address" and "Activation code".
• Xiaomi MIUI 14/HyperOS: the manual option is hidden under SIM Cards > Add eSIM > More options > Enter activation code. There's no separate SM-DP+ field; you enter the complete code in a single text field.

Activate the eSIM before or after arriving at your destination

Common question: should I install the eSIM before traveling or when I land? The answer depends on how your plan works.

Plans that activate on first network connection

At eSIM Ahora, our plans activate when your device first connects to the destination country's network. Example: you buy a Japan plan; you install the eSIM today in Madrid; the plan still doesn't use days or data because the eSIM is in your phone but deactivated (or activated but with no Japanese network available in Spain). When you land in Tokyo, you activate the eSIM in Settings > SIM Cards > eSIM Ahora Japan > Activate, and at that moment the plan begins counting its validity period (7 days, 15 days, etc.).

We recommend installing before traveling for two reasons:

1. Stress-free testing: you verify the installation worked while you still have WiFi at home. If there's any issue with the QR, you have time to contact us.
2. Instant activation on arrival: at the airport you just flip a switch; you don't need to find WiFi to download the profile.

Configure mobile data and roaming

Once you've installed the eSIM, you need two more settings for it to work:

1. Enable data roaming on the eSIM. Go to Settings > SIM Cards > [eSIM name] > Mobile Data Roaming and flip the toggle on. Even though you're buying a "local" plan (example: Telcel in Mexico), it's technically roaming because your eSIM has a profile issued by eSIM Ahora, not directly by Telcel. Without roaming enabled, data won't work.

2. Select the eSIM as your preferred data line. In SIM Cards, you'll see a field "Mobile Data" or "Preferred SIM for Data". Change it from your physical SIM to the eSIM. If you leave your physical SIM as default, your phone will try to use your international roaming data (which may cost $10–$15 per MB), ignoring the eSIM.

Keep your physical SIM active for calls and texts

The advantage of having physical SIM + eSIM simultaneously (Dual SIM) is that you can receive calls and texts on your regular number while using the eSIM's data. Configuration:

• Voice calls: Settings > SIM Cards > Voice Calls > [your physical SIM]. That way, when someone calls your Mexico/Spain number, the call comes through your physical SIM.
• Text messages: SIM Cards > Text Messages > [your physical SIM]. Received texts are free on most carriers, but sending SMS from roaming costs $0.50–$1 per message. Use WhatsApp/Telegram with the eSIM's data to avoid charges.
• Mobile data: SIM Cards > Mobile Data > [eSIM Ahora]. All your data (apps, maps, WhatsApp) goes through the eSIM; your physical SIM only handles calls and texts.

On Samsung Galaxy, this setup is called "Smart SIM Manager"; on Pixel, "SIM preferences".

Troubleshooting: eSIM not connecting to network

If you installed the eSIM correctly but see "No service" or "SOS only" in your status bar, try these steps in order:

1. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel, tap the airplane icon (wait 10 seconds), then tap it again to turn it off. This forces your phone to rescan available networks.

2. Select network manually. Go to Settings > SIM Cards > [eSIM] > Network Operators and turn off "Automatic selection". Wait 20–40 seconds while your phone scans. A list of available networks will appear (example in Mexico: "Telcel", "AT&T Mexico", "Movistar"). Select the network your plan uses (at eSIM Ahora we specify the network in the confirmation email; for Mexico, it's usually Telcel). If the connection works, turn "Automatic selection" back on afterward.

3. Verify the APN is configured. In Settings > SIM Cards > [eSIM] > Access Point Names, there should be a pre-configured APN. If the list is empty, tap + and add the following (we send this in the email):

   • Name: eSIM Ahora
   • APN: (example: internet.esimahora.com)
   • APN Type: default,supl
   • Leave other fields blank. Save and restart your phone.

4. Restart your phone. Press and hold the power button, select "Restart". Some eSIM profiles need a full restart to register on the network.

5. Check coverage. If you're in a rural area or inside a concrete building, signal may be weak. Go outside or near a window. eSIM Ahora plans use 4G/LTE networks; if your device is forced to 3G or 2G, it won't work. Go to Settings > SIM Cards > [eSIM] > Preferred Network Type and select "LTE/4G" or "5G/4G/3G".

6. Contact support. If you still have no service after these steps, message us on Telegram or email including: device model, Android version, country you're in, and a screenshot of Settings > SIM Cards showing the installed eSIM. We respond in under 4 hours.

Differences between Android and iOS for eSIM installation

If you're switching from iPhone or helping someone with iOS, here are the key differences:

• Menu location: on iPhone it's Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan; on Android it's Settings > Network & Internet > SIM Cards > Add SIM Card.
• More permissive QR scanner on Android: iOS's scanner requires the QR to be perfectly centered and reflection-free; Android (especially Pixel/Samsung) works even with the QR slightly tilted.
• Easier reinstall on Android: if you delete an eSIM on iPhone, the profile disappears and you need a new QR. On Android (Samsung/Pixel with Android 13+), the deleted eSIM stays in a "Downloaded Profiles" list under SIM Cards > eSIM Profiles; you can reinstall it without a new QR. This only works if you didn't switch devices.
• Editable eSIM names: on iOS, the eSIM name is assigned by the operator and hard to change. On Android, you edit the name anytime from SIM Cards > [eSIM] > SIM Card Name.

Remove an eSIM after your trip

When you're back and no longer need the eSIM, you can delete it to avoid confusion in your SIM menu. Go to Settings > SIM Cards > [eSIM name] > Remove SIM Card or Delete eSIM (on Samsung). Confirm the deletion. The profile disappears from your phone and frees up space on your eSIM chip (some Android phones only allow 5–10 stored eSIM profiles simultaneously).

Important: deleting the eSIM also removes remaining balance if your plan had unused days or data. eSIM Ahora plans are non-refundable after activation, but if you deleted the eSIM by mistake and the plan was still within its validity period, contact us within 24 hours; we can resend the QR if the eSIM wasn't fully used (case-by-case policy).

FAQ

Can I install an eSIM without WiFi or mobile data?

No. Your Android needs internet to download the eSIM profile from the operator's server. The download is 2–5 KB, so any WiFi or mobile data connection works. If you're at an airport without free WiFi, use your physical SIM's data (the usage is minimal).

How many eSIMs can I have installed at once on Android?

It depends on the manufacturer. Samsung Galaxy S21+ supports up to 10 stored eSIM profiles, but only 1 active simultaneously alongside the physical SIM (total: 2 active SIMs). Google Pixel 7+ supports up to 8 stored profiles and 2 active eSIMs at once (total: 3 active SIMs if using physical SIM + 2 eSIMs). Xiaomi 13 Pro supports 5 stored profiles, 1 active eSIM (total: 2 active SIMs).

Does eSIM drain battery faster than a physical SIM?

No. Battery drain from eSIM vs physical SIM is identical; both use the same cellular modem in your phone. What does drain battery is having Dual SIM active (physical SIM + eSIM), because the modem maintains two network connections simultaneously. The impact is roughly 5–10% more daily usage compared to using a single SIM. To maximize battery, deactivate whichever SIM you're not using in Settings > SIM Cards > [SIM] > Deactivate.