Guide: install your eSIM and set the APN

Ready in minutes: here’s how to install your travel eSIM on iPhone or Android, switch it on at your destination and – if needed – set the access point (APN).

Before you start

• Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked – check the list of eSIM-compatible devices.
• Ideally install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi a few days before you travel. The validity only starts at your destination.
• Open the QR code on a second screen or print it out – a phone can’t scan its own screen. Manual entry is also possible.
• Don’t delete the eSIM again: a QR code can only be installed once.

iPhone: install the eSIM

1. Open Settings → Mobile Service (or Cellular) → “Add eSIM” (on older versions “Add Mobile/Cellular Plan”).
2. Tap “Use QR Code” and scan the QR code from your order. From iOS 17.4 it’s even easier: open your order on the iPhone and tap “Install on iPhone”.
3. Without a camera: choose “Enter Details Manually” and paste the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order.
4. Give the eSIM a label such as “Travel”. Your usual number stays the default for calls and iMessage; at your destination you choose the travel eSIM for mobile data.

Android: install the eSIM

• Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → “Add eSIM” → “Scan QR code”.
• Google Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → “Add SIM” or “Download a SIM instead?” → scan the QR code.
• Other brands: look for “Add eSIM” under “Mobile network”, “SIM cards” or “Connections” in Settings. Without a camera, choose “Enter code manually” and enter the activation code in the format LPA:1$SM-DP+ address$activation code.

Name the eSIM, for example “Travel”. Only switch on mobile data and data roaming for the eSIM once you arrive.

At your destination: switch on the eSIM

1. Turn on the travel eSIM (iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → travel eSIM → “Turn On This Line”; Android: SIM manager or SIMs → enable the eSIM).
2. Set mobile data to the travel eSIM (iPhone: Mobile Service → Mobile Data; Android: SIM manager or SIMs → Mobile data).
3. Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM – this is required because the eSIM uses local partner networks.
4. Keep data roaming off for your home SIM to avoid roaming charges.

Set the APN

For most eSIMs the access point (APN) is set automatically. If your plan says “APN manual”, enter it once yourself – you’ll find the value in your order and in the email.

APN on iPhone

1. Settings → Mobile Service → tap the travel eSIM.
2. Open “Mobile Data Network” (or “Cellular Data Network”).
3. Under “Mobile Data”, enter the access point in the “APN” field. Leave username and password empty.
4. Go back – the setting is saved automatically. Then switch airplane mode on and off briefly.

APN on Android

1. Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access Point Names. Google Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → travel eSIM → Access Point Names.
2. If you have several SIMs, select the travel eSIM at the top, then tap “Add” or “+”.
3. Any name (e.g. “Travel”), enter the access point under “APN” and leave all other fields unchanged.
4. Save via the menu (⋮) and select the new access point in the list.

No connection? Try this

I have signal but no internet.

Check that data roaming is on for the travel eSIM and that mobile data uses the eSIM. For plans with “APN manual”, check the APN. Then switch airplane mode on for 10 seconds and off again.

The eSIM can’t find a network.

Restart your phone. If that doesn’t help, turn off automatic network selection and pick one of the networks listed in your order manually (iPhone: Mobile Service → travel eSIM → Network Selection; Android: Mobile networks → Network operators).

The QR code won’t scan.

Use manual entry with the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order, or on iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later the installation link.

I see “eSIM cannot be added”.

Usually there’s no internet connection during installation or the phone is carrier-locked. Connect to stable Wi-Fi and try again. If the code has already been installed once, it can’t be reused – please contact us.

The internet is very slow.

Check whether your data allowance or the fair-use limit has been reached. Switching to another network via manual network selection often improves speed.

Still not working? Contact us – ideally with your order number and a screenshot.