How to Activate an eSIM on Samsung, Pixel and Other Android Phones
Setting up a travel eSIM on Android takes about three minutes once you know where the menu lives. The process differs slightly between Samsung, Pixel, and generic Android builds, but all share the same basics: scan a QR code, label the line, and flip on data roaming for the new profile.
One eSIM app for 196 countries
- Country, regional and global data plans
- Install by QR code, no physical SIM
- Keep your own number for calls and WhatsApp
Scan with your phone camera to open the app
Which Android phones support eSIM
Not every Android handset ships with eSIM capability, and regional variants of the same model sometimes lack the feature. Flagship devices from 2020 onward generally include it, but mid-range and budget lines remain patchy. The table below lists the main models we've confirmed work with travel eSIM profiles.
| Brand | Models with eSIM |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S21 series, S22 series, S23 series, S24 series; Note20, Note20 Ultra; Z Fold 2/3/4/5, Z Flip, Z Flip 3/4/5; A54 5G, A55 5G |
| Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4 XL, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, Fold | |
| Motorola | razr (2019), razr 5G, razr 40, razr 40 Ultra; edge, edge+, edge 40, edge 40 Pro |
| Xiaomi | 12T Pro, 13, 13 Pro, 13T, 13T Pro, 14, 14 Pro |
| Oppo | Find X3 Pro, Find X5, Find X5 Pro, Find N2 Flip, Reno 5A, Reno 6 Pro 5G |
| Sony | Xperia 10 IV, 10 V, 1 IV, 1 V, 5 IV, 5 V |
| Honor | Magic 4 Pro, Magic 5 Pro, 90 5G |
| Fairphone | 4, 5 |
| Huawei | P40, P40 Pro (non-China firmware), Mate 40 Pro |
This list covers devices sold globally with Google Play Services. Variants intended for mainland China often strip out eSIM even if the international version includes it. If your model appears here but the SIM manager menu shows no eSIM option, check the regional variant and carrier lock status.
Regional variants and carrier locks
A phone model number tells only half the story. Manufacturers ship different firmware builds for different markets, and carriers sometimes request hardware changes.
Devices purchased in mainland China rarely support eSIM, even when the same model does elsewhere. Hong Kong variants of Samsung and Xiaomi phones usually include eSIM, but you need to verify the exact SKU. US carrier-locked handsets from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile often disable eSIM until you meet the unlock requirements - typically sixty days of paid service or full device payoff.
Carrier lock
Phones sold on contract or installment plans remain locked to the original carrier until you complete the agreement. Contact the carrier for unlock instructions before travel.
Firmware region
A Samsung Galaxy S23 bought in Seoul carries different firmware than one bought in New York. The Korean build may lack eSIM, while the US build includes it. Check the model number suffix.
Gray imports
Handsets imported from other regions sometimes run mismatched firmware. If Settings shows an unexpected language pack or missing features, the device may be running non-local software.
How to check if your Android phone has eSIM
Three quick methods confirm eSIM presence. The first works on almost every Android build; the second is Samsung-specific; the third uses a hidden diagnostic code.
- Open Settings and search for "SIM". If you see SIM manager, SIM card manager, or Mobile network, tap it.
- Look for an option labeled Add eSIM, Add mobile plan, or a plus icon next to your current SIM. If present, your phone supports eSIM.
- On Samsung devices, navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM manager. An Add eSIM button appears at the bottom if the hardware is present.
- For a definitive check, open the phone dialer and type *#06#. If an EID number appears below the IMEI, eSIM hardware is installed.
The EID is a thirty-two-digit identifier baked into the eSIM chip. No EID means no eSIM, regardless of model name. If the *#06# screen shows only IMEI entries, your variant lacks the feature.
Activating a travel eSIM on Samsung Galaxy phones
Samsung's One UI puts the eSIM menu inside Connections. You'll receive a QR code by email after purchasing a travel data plan from the provider; keep that email open on another device or take a screenshot.
- Connect to Wi-Fi. eSIM profiles download over the internet, and the file is a few kilobytes.
- Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
- Tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Point your camera at the QR code. The phone reads it and displays the plan name or carrier label.
- Tap Add. The profile downloads in five to fifteen seconds.
- Once installed, label the new line something like "Travel" or "Data" to distinguish it from your primary SIM.
- Open SIM manager again, select the travel eSIM, and toggle Mobile data on.
- In the same menu, confirm Data roaming is enabled for the eSIM line. Leave roaming off for your home SIM to avoid surprise charges.
The eSIM will connect automatically when you land, assuming you've installed it correctly before departure. If the network doesn't appear, restart the phone or toggle Airplane mode on and off. Samsung phones sometimes cache the old network list until you force a refresh.
You can manage multiple eSIM profiles in SIM manager. Only one can be active at a time for data, but you can switch between profiles without reinstalling. This matters if you're visiting Japan one week and Italy the next.
Activating a travel eSIM on Google Pixel
Pixel devices run stock Android, so the menu names differ slightly from Samsung. The logic stays the same: scan the QR code, download the profile, turn on roaming for the new line.
- Join a Wi-Fi network.
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Tap the plus icon next to SIMs, or tap SIMs and then Add more.
- Select Download a SIM instead? (on older Pixels, this may say Add a network).
- Tap Next, then scan the QR code from your email.
- The Pixel downloads the profile and asks you to name it. Enter "Travel" or another label.
- Tap Use SIM to activate the line immediately, or Done to activate later.
- Go back to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, select your travel eSIM, and enable Roaming.
- Under Mobile data, confirm the travel eSIM is set as the default data line, or leave your primary SIM as default and manually switch data to the eSIM when you land.
Pixel phones handle dual SIM quite well. You can receive calls and texts on your home number while routing data through the travel eSIM. This setup lets you stay reachable without incurring roaming fees.
Generic Android activation path
If you're using a Motorola, Oppo, Xiaomi, Sony, or other brand, the menu structure follows Google's pattern with minor wording changes. Most manufacturers keep the core path identical to stock Android.
- Open Settings and find Network & internet, Connections, or Mobile network.
- Tap SIM cards, SIM manager, or a similar label.
- Look for Add eSIM, Add carrier, or a plus icon.
- Select Scan QR code or Enter code manually if the camera fails.
- Scan the QR from your eSIM provider and wait for the download.
- Name the profile, then activate it.
- Enable Mobile data and Data roaming for the travel eSIM line.
Some Android skins bury the eSIM menu one level deeper or rename it entirely. If you can't locate the option, search Settings for "eSIM" or "QR" - the search bar usually points you to the right screen.
Manual entry requires typing an activation code string, which is error-prone. Stick to QR scanning unless the camera refuses to focus or you're activating remotely via screen share.
Managing data roaming and default data line on Android
Android treats each SIM as a separate line with its own mobile data and roaming toggles. You must enable roaming for the eSIM profile, not the phone globally. This distinction confuses many first-time users because desktop operating systems don't have per-line settings.
After installing the travel eSIM, open SIM manager and select the new line. You'll see a switch labeled Mobile data and another labeled Roaming. Turn both on. Then open your primary physical SIM's settings and confirm roaming is off unless you want your home carrier to bill you for international usage.
Default data SIM
Android asks which line should carry data by default. Set this to the travel eSIM once you land. You can switch back to your home SIM anytime from the quick settings shade.
Calls and SMS
Travel eSIMs provide data only. Your home SIM remains active for voice calls and text messages. If someone calls your usual number, the phone rings normally; data flows over the eSIM.
Per-app data routing
Some Android builds let you assign specific apps to specific SIMs. This feature appears in Settings under SIM manager or Mobile network, but not all manufacturers include it.
Remember that data roaming must be on for the eSIM line. The phone won't connect to foreign networks without it, even if the eSIM profile is active. This setting resets rarely, but double-check after a software update or factory reset.
When you return home, switch the default data line back to your primary SIM and turn off roaming for the travel eSIM. The profile stays installed for your next trip - most plans last a year from purchase, with the usage window starting only when you connect to the destination network. Check the plan details to confirm expiry rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use eSIM on a carrier-locked Android phone?
No. Carrier-locked phones refuse to activate eSIM profiles from other networks until you unlock the device. Contact your carrier to request an unlock code or meet the unlock criteria, which typically involve completing the contract period or paying off the device balance in full.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM card to use a travel eSIM?
No. Leave your physical SIM in the tray. The eSIM and physical SIM run simultaneously, letting you receive calls and messages on your home number while routing data through the travel eSIM. Just make sure data roaming is off for the physical SIM to avoid extra charges.
Why does my Samsung phone say 'Cannot add mobile plan' when I scan the QR code?
Three common causes: the phone is carrier-locked, the eSIM slot already holds the maximum number of profiles (usually five to ten), or the QR code has expired. Delete an unused eSIM profile from SIM manager if the slots are full, or request a fresh QR code from the provider. Confirm the phone is unlocked by checking Settings under About phone or About device.
How many eSIM profiles can I store on an Android phone at once?
Most Android devices store between five and ten eSIM profiles simultaneously, though only one can be active for data at any given moment. Samsung flagships typically allow eight profiles; Google Pixels allow four to eight depending on the model. You can switch between stored profiles without reinstalling, which is useful if you travel frequently to different regions.
Can I transfer an eSIM from my old Android phone to a new one?
eSIM profiles are locked to the device that first downloaded them. You cannot transfer an active eSIM by backup or Bluetooth. If you get a new phone, contact the provider to deactivate the old profile and issue a new QR code for the new device. Some providers allow one free reissue; others charge a small fee. For detailed steps, see our guide on transferring eSIM to a new phone.
What should I do if my Android phone shows 'No service' after installing the travel eSIM?
First, confirm data roaming is enabled for the eSIM line in SIM manager. Then restart the phone or toggle Airplane mode on and off to force a network search. If that doesn't work, check that the plan has started - some eSIMs activate only when you reach the destination country. For persistent issues, see our eSIM troubleshooting guide or contact the provider's support team.
Android's eSIM implementation works reliably once you navigate the Settings maze. The process takes longer to explain than to execute - most installations finish in under three minutes. The hardest part is remembering to enable roaming for the correct line, since Android doesn't make that distinction obvious in the UI.
If you're planning trips to the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, or South Korea, grab a data plan before you leave home. You'll skip the airport SIM card kiosk and connect the moment you land, which beats hunting for Wi-Fi or deciphering foreign carrier websites.
For a full list of countries covered and details on how travel eSIM compares to roaming or local SIM cards, start at the main guide page or browse destinations by region.
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