How to activate an eSIM
Activating a travel eSIM takes a few minutes: you install it by scanning the QR code from your confirmation email, then switch it on as your data line when you arrive. Installing is not the same as activating — you can install at home over Wi‑Fi, and the plan only starts counting when you turn on data at your destination.
Install now, activate on arrival
Install the eSIM at home over Wi‑Fi so everything is ready before you fly. With most travel plans the validity begins when you first connect to a network at your destination, so installing early never wastes days.
Activate on iPhone
- Connect to Wi‑Fi
- Open Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → Add eSIM
- Scan the QR code from your email (or enter the details manually)
- Label the line “Travel” when prompted
- On arrival, set the travel eSIM as your Mobile Data line and turn on Data Roaming for that line only
Activate on Android
- Connect to Wi‑Fi
- Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (wording varies by brand)
- Scan the QR code from your email
- Enable the eSIM and choose it for mobile data
- On arrival, turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM line so it can connect to the local network
If it does not connect
Check that the eSIM is selected as the data line and that Data Roaming is ON for that line (this is normal for travel eSIMs and does not incur your home carrier’s charges). Toggle Airplane mode once, or restart the phone, to force it to find the local network.