How to install an eSIM on an iPhone

What is an eSIM on an iPhone?

An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that works the same way as a physical SIM card does, granting you access to mobile data in your home country or while you travel abroad. You see, Olivia Newton-John’s iconic hit “Physical” is the anti-anthem of eSIM technology — you won’t have to physically go to a store to buy it or physically insert it in your iPhone. Travel eSIMs, which you can install through an eSIM app like Saily, are an especially popular choice for travelers looking for an affordable and convenient way to get internet access without drowning in roaming charges or wasting precious time searching for a traditional SIM card. 

Did you know? The iPhone 14, 15, and 16 series manufactured in the US are only eSIM-compatible and don’t come with a SIM slot. 

Now that we understand what an eSIM is, let’s take a look at three ways to install one on your iPhone.

How to install an eSIM on your iPhone: Three methods

As long as your iPhone is eSIM-compatible (if you have an iPhone 11 or a later model), you’ll have three options for installing an eSIM: 1) By scanning a QR code from your network provider, 2) manually entering the activation code and SM-DP+ address, or 3) by downloading an eSIM app.

To install an eSIM on your iPhone from a QR code:

1. Go to “Settings,” then “Mobile service” or “Cellular” (depending on your iPhone’s language settings).

   

2. Under your list of SIMs, tap “Add eSIM.”

   

3. Select “Use QR code.”

   

4. Using your iPhone’s camera, scan the QR sent to you by your network provider.

   

To manually install an eSIM on your iPhone using an activation code and SM-DP+ address:

1. Go to “Settings,” then “Mobile service” or “Cellular” (depending on your iPhone’s language settings). 

   

2. Under your list of SIMs, tap “Add eSIM.”

   

3. Select “Use QR code,” then “Enter details manually” at the bottom of the screen.

   

4. Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code sent to you by your network provider. Some providers also require a confirmation code.

   

To install an eSIM on your iPhone from the Saily eSIM app:

1. Download the Saily eSIM app and log in or sign up.

   

2. Tap “Explore plans” and search for the destination you’re traveling to.

   

3. Choose a mobile data plan that works best for your trip and go to checkout.

   

4. Once you’ve purchased your eSIM plan, tap “Install eSIM.” Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection during eSIM installation.

5. You’ll be redirected to a pop-up in your settings. When asked about activating your new eSIM, tap “Allow.” When you get another prompt to activate your eSIM from 1GLOBAL, select “Continue.”

   

6. Within a few minutes, your eSIM will be installed — tap “Done.” You’ll be redirected to your list of SIM profiles. The default label for your new eSIM might be “Primary,” but we suggest labeling the eSIM or SIM card you use at home as “Primary,” and renaming your travel eSIM.

   

7. Ensure that the switch beside “Turn on this line” and “Data roaming” are both on for your mobile data plan. If both of these settings are enabled, your plan will activate automatically when you arrive at your travel destination.

   

   If you’ve followed these steps, you should have reliable internet access in no time! You can double-check that your eSIM is installed and activated in your “Settings” by following the instructions below.

How to check if your eSIM has been successfully installed on your iPhone

To check if the eSIM is activated on your iPhone, go to “Settings,” and then “Mobile service” or “Cellular” (the name of the setting depends on where you’re located). Here, you’ll see a list of your SIM profiles — select the eSIM you’ve just installed. Make sure you’ve turned on your eSIM by toggling the switch beside “Turn on this line” and that the switch beside “Data roaming” is on. 

To confirm that your mobile data is up and running, try opening an app that requires the internet, like Instagram or Safari. And voilà!

If something went wrong along the way, you may need to do some simple troubleshooting to install an eSIM on your iPhone.

Issues with installing an eSIM on my iPhone: Troubleshooting tips

Though activating an eSIM on your iPhone should be straightforward, the world of IT is still imperfect. If you’re experiencing issues with installing an eSIM on your iPhone, some of the culprits could be:  

• Carrier compatibility issues.

• Outdated iOS versions.

• eSIM account issues.

If you’re stuck on how to set up an eSIM on an iPhone:

1. Make sure that your phone has no carrier locks. Some network carriers lock phones to their cellular network. You can check if your iPhone is unlocked by going to “Settings” > “General” > “About.” If you see “No SIM restrictions” next to “Network provider lock”, yipee! Your phone is unlocked and you can follow the next steps to get an eSIM. However, if you see “SIM locked”, you’ll need to contact your carrier to unlock your iPhone. 

2. Ensure that you’ve only scanned your QR code once. Many QR codes provided by a network provider can only be scanned once, unless otherwise specified.

3. Confirm that your device supports eSIMs. From the “Settings” app, go to “Mobile service” or “Cellular” (depending on your iPhone’s language settings). Here, you’ll see a list of your SIM profiles. If you can find the “Add eSIM” button at the bottom of the list, your iPhone will support eSIM technology. You can also check out Saily’s list of eSIM-supported devices.

4. Make sure your iOS version is up to date. Many of us are guilty of putting off that software update — that little red circle with the “1” just ends up fading into the background. But this may be the reason your eSIM is not working on your iPhone. 

5. Check the payment method on your eSIM app. Missing or incorrect details in your account may be what’s stopping eSIM installation.

6. Try restarting your iPhone. The tried and true solution to IT issues — restarting your device. It’s worth a shot if all else fails. 

If absolutely nothing works, you can reach out to Apple Support, your network carrier, or — if you’ve gotten an eSIM from a service like Saily — contact its customer support. 

I scanned a QR code, but I still can’t install an eSIM on my iPhone

If you’ve scanned a QR code to install an eSIM and get an error message, a few factors may be at play. Make sure your QR code isn’t expired since some QR codes have a time limit. If you’ve been putting off eSIM installation and are just scanning your QR code now, the time limit may have passed. Check with your carrier to see if this is the case, and if so, get a new code.  

Ask your carrier if the QR code is correct, too. Human error happens to the best of us, and someone might have given you the wrong code. 

If you don’t want to jump on a call with a customer service rep just yet, you could also try manually entering the SM-DP+ address and activation code provided by your carrier.