An eSIM QR code: How can you get it?

What is an eSIM QR code?

Installing an eSIM is a great alternative to a physical SIM because it saves time when you’re traveling, helps you avoid high roaming fees, makes getting a plan easier, and generally lets you enjoy all the other benefits of an eSIM. After all, that’s what an eSIM (embedded SIM) is for: using mobile services, usually data, without the hassle of setting up a physical SIM card. And an eSIM QR code is probably the easiest method to get an eSIM on your mobile phone.

Visually, an eSIM QR code looks just like any regular QR code you’d see at a restaurant or on a ticket — a square filled with a unique pattern of black and white pixels. For example, when you choose a plan in the Saily app, you’ll be provided with a specific QR code, which your phone scans to instantly read your new digital SIM.

Why do you need an eSIM QR code?

The primary purpose of an eSIM QR code is to provide a secure, instant connection between your smartphone and your mobile carrier. Without a physical chip to insert, your device needs a way to identify which network provider you’ve chosen and which specific data plan should be assigned to your phone’s internal hardware.

When you scan the code, you’re essentially “downloading” your cellular profile, which tells your device how to communicate with local cell towers and which mobile network credentials to use. For example, if you’re traveling and purchase a Saily plan, the QR code allows your phone to immediately recognize the authorized carrier settings required to get you online. It’s the digital credential that replaces the plastic SIM, ensuring your service provider can verify your subscription and grant you access to data.

How does the eSIM QR code work?

When your phone’s camera scans the QR code, it isn’t just taking a picture. It’s linking your phone to a specific SM-DP+ (Subscription Management Data Preparation) server, which is responsible for managing and delivering the eSIM profile for your carrier. This profile contains the necessary data and settings to activate your cellular service.

Once the scan is complete, your device initiates a secure request to the carrier’s server. The server verifies the unique activation code embedded in the QR code and sends back the required eSIM profile, including encryption keys and network settings. Your phone then stores this information on its internal eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) chip. This process effectively enables your phone to recognize and connect to a new network, allowing you to switch between your home provider and a secondary data plan, all without the need for a physical SIM card.

How can you get the eSIM QR code?

Getting your hands on an eSIM QR code is a pretty straightforward process, but there are a few preparatory steps to ensure a smooth setup.

Step 1: Check device compatibility

Before you do anything, you must ensure your phone actually supports eSIM technology. While most recent flagships from Apple, Samsung, and Google are eSIM-compatible phones, older or budget-friendly models might not be. Additionally, your device must be carrier-unlocked (not tied to a contract with a specific provider) to accept a new cellular plan.

You can check a list online or verify this directly in your phone’s settings. If you see an option to “Add eSIM” or “Add cellular plan,” your device is likely ready.

If you have an iPhone, go to “Settings,” then “Cellular” (or “Mobile data”) and check for “Add eSIM.”

If you’re an Android user, go to “Settings,” then “Connections,” tap “SIM manager,” and check if “Add eSIM” or similar appears. The flow might differ depending on your phone model.

Step 2: Have your IMEI number ready

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is your phone’s unique identifier. While it may not always be required to activate an eSIM, some carriers or network providers may ask for it to register your device in their system. When you purchase an eSIM, they may use the IMEI number along with other device details to ensure compatibility.

You can find it in your phone’s settings (“Settings” > “About phone” > “Status” > “IMEI information” for Android, and “Settings” > “General” > “About” on iPhone) or by typing *#06# in your dialer app (the phone will display your IMEI number on the screen).

Step 3: Choose a carrier

With your phone checked and your info ready, it’s time to select a mobile carrier or a digital service like Saily. The right choice depends on your needs — are you looking for a local service provider in a single country, or a global data plan for multi-country travel? Saily offers flexibility here, allowing you to choose plans across 200+ destinations from a single app, simplifying this step immensely.

Step 4: Visit the carrier’s website or store

Once you’ve selected your network provider, you’ll need to make your purchase. Traditionally, this meant visiting a physical store, but today, most carriers offer eSIMs directly on their website or through a dedicated app. If you’re using Saily, this step involves opening the app and selecting your destination.

Step 5: Generate the eSIM QR code

After you purchase your data plan, your mobile network operator will generate the corresponding QR code. It is often displayed immediately on the confirmation screen or sent to you via email.

Step 6: Scan the QR code

Now comes the key step. Using your phone’s camera, scan the provided QR code. If the code is displayed on your phone’s screen, you may need to save it as an image and select it through your settings, or scan it from a second device (like a laptop) or a printed copy.

Step 7: Add the eSIM profile

Scanning the QR code will automatically prompt your device to recognize the new cellular plan. Follow the on-screen instructions on your phone to confirm you want to add the eSIM. This step downloads and securely installs the configuration profile onto your device’s internal eUICC chip. You’ll then have the option to label this new plan (e.g., “Saily Data” or “Travel SIM”).

Step 8: Restart your device

This is a critical yet often overlooked final step. Restarting your phone fully clears out old network connections and initializes the newly installed cellular profile. A quick reboot ensures that the device can properly authenticate with the new mobile network and access data services immediately.

How to use an eSIM QR code on different devices

While the technology behind the eSIM QR code is universal, the actual menu labels and steps to access the activation screen vary depending on your phone’s operating system. But it doesn’t matter if you’re an iOS loyalist or an Android enthusiast, the goal is the same — navigating to the “Add eSIM” interface to trigger your camera and scan the code provided by your mobile carrier.

Use an eSIM QR code with an iPhone

To add an eSIM to your iPhone, you simply need to use the built-in cellular settings.

1. Open Settings and tap “Cellular” (or “Mobile data” in some regions).

2. Tap “Add eSIM.”

3. On the setup screen, select “Use QR code.”

4. Position your iPhone so the eSIM QR code appears in the frame, or tap “Enter details manually.”

5. Follow the prompts to label your new cellular plan.

Use an eSIM QR code with an Android device

The process for Android devices can vary slightly by manufacturer, but the logic remains consistent.

1. Go to “Settings” and select “Connections.”

2. Tap “SIM manager.”

3. Select “Add eSIM”.

4. On the setup screen, select “Use QR code.”

5. Position your Android device so the eSIM QR code appears in the frame, or tap “Enter activation code.”

How long does the eSIM QR code remain valid?

The lifespan of an eSIM QR code generally depends on the specific policies of your mobile carrier. In most cases, the QR code itself acts as a one-time activation key. While some traditional network providers might issue codes that expire within a short window — ranging from 15 minutes to 24 hours for security reasons — many modern travel eSIM providers like Saily offer much more flexibility.

For instance, with Saily, you typically have an “activation window” of 30 days from the date of purchase to scan your code — so you can install your eSIM before you travel. If you don’t scan it within this timeframe, the system may automatically trigger the activation to ensure the service remains ready for use.

Setting up your eSIM without a QR code

While scanning a code is the fastest “point-and-shoot” method, you aren’t stuck if you can’t use your camera. You can absolutely download and activate an eSIM without a QR code by using a manual activation string.

To bypass the scan, you’ll use the specific activation code and SM-DP+ address provided by your mobile carrier at the time of purchase. Instead of letting your camera do the work, you’ll simply copy and paste these credentials directly into your phone’s settings.

On an iPhone, you can find this option by tapping “Enter details manually” at the bottom of the activation screen. Android users can usually find an “Enter manually” prompt once the QR scanner opens.

This manual route is just as secure and ensures that your cellular profile is installed correctly, even when a camera scan isn’t an option.

Troubleshooting eSIM QR code issues

If your eSIM QR code isn’t working properly, it’s usually down to a few common and fixable culprits. Often, the issue is simply environmental. If you are scanning the code from another screen, reflections or low brightness can interfere with the camera. Simply adjusting your screen brightness to 100% or wiping your camera lens can frequently solve the blurry scan issues. You should also ensure you aren’t holding the phone too close, as the camera needs a bit of room to focus on the entire pixelated square.

In other cases, you might encounter an error message stating the code is invalid. It’s often a “ghost” error, as the eSIM may have actually been installed in the background during a previous attempt, even if you didn’t see a success message. It’s always worth checking your “Cellular” or “SIM manager” settings to see if a new, unlabeled line has appeared. If the code still won’t trigger, remember that most eSIM QR codes are designed for a single installation. If you’ve already scanned it once and then deleted the profile, the code is likely burned for security reasons, and you will need to contact your service provider for a replacement.

If you receive a notification that the plan cannot be added, the issue might be a carrier lock. If your phone was purchased on a contract, it might be restricted to your home network provider, causing it to reject eSIMs from other carriers. You can verify this in your device settings under the “About” section.

If the QR code remains stubborn despite these checks, the most reliable fail-safe is to switch to manual entry. By copying and pasting the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code directly into your settings, you bypass the camera entirely and ensure the data is entered perfectly. As a final step, a quick restart of your device can often clear out temporary network glitches and help the new cellular profile register with local towers.

An eSIM QR code: Key takeaways

Navigating the world of digital connectivity doesn’t have to be a technical challenge. Understanding the eSIM QR code is the first step toward a more flexible way to travel, allowing you to bypass physical stores and high roaming fees with a single scan. By keeping your device compatibility in mind and knowing how to access your phone’s manual activation settings, you can ensure that you are never left without a connection, even if a camera glitch occurs.

However, the technology is only as good as the service behind it, so choosing a reliable network provider is the real secret to a smooth, high-speed experience. To truly get the most out of your travels, you need a partner that makes activation effortless. Saily takes the guesswork out of the process by providing instant eSIM QR codes and dependable data plans in over 200 destinations. Don’t let complicated setups hold you back — download the Saily app, get an affordable data plan, scan your code, and stay connected wherever your journey takes you.