How to Install & Activate an eSIM on iPhone (2026)

Installing a travel eSIM on your iPhone takes about two minutes, and you can do it before you leave home. This guide walks through both install methods — scanning a QR code and entering details manually — plus how to choose which line uses data and how to fix the most common "No Service" problem.

Before you start

Two quick checks save a lot of frustration:

• Your iPhone supports eSIM. That's iPhone XS, XR, and every model since (including SE 2020 and later). US iPhone 14 models and newer are eSIM-only.
• Your iPhone is carrier-unlocked. If your phone is tied to a home carrier, it may refuse a new eSIM. Check under Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock — it should read "No SIM restrictions."
• You have Wi-Fi. You need a connection to download the eSIM profile. Do this step at home before you fly.

Have your eSIM Today order open — you'll need the QR code or the manual activation details from your confirmation.

Method A — Install with a QR code (easiest)

1. Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service in some regions).
2. Tap Add eSIM (or Add Cellular Plan).
3. Tap Use QR Code.
4. Point your camera at the QR code from your eSIM Today confirmation. If you're viewing the code on the same iPhone, tap Enter Details Manually instead (see Method B).
5. Tap Continue, then Add eSIM. Your iPhone downloads the plan — this takes a minute.

Method B — Install manually (enter details)

Use this if you don't have a separate screen to scan from.

1. Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code → Enter Details Manually.
2. Enter the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code exactly as shown in your eSIM Today confirmation.
3. Tap Next, then Add eSIM to download the plan.

Set up your plan after install

Once the plan downloads, iPhone walks you through a few choices:

1. Label the plan. Pick a clear name like "Travel" or "Japan" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
2. Default Line. Keep your home number as the default for calls and iMessage so you don't miss anything.
3. Cellular Data. Set this to your travel eSIM. Turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching only if you want iPhone to fall back to your home line — for most travellers, leave it off to avoid roaming charges on your home plan.

Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM

This step trips up a lot of people. A travel eSIM connects through partner networks abroad, so it needs roaming enabled:

1. Go to Settings → Cellular and tap your travel eSIM line.
2. Toggle Data Roaming on — for the travel eSIM only.

This is normal and expected for travel eSIMs; you've already paid for the data, so there are no surprise charges.

Troubleshooting

• "No Service" or no data on arrival. Confirm Data Roaming is on for the travel line, that the travel eSIM is selected for Cellular Data, and that Airplane Mode is off. Toggling Airplane Mode on and off forces a fresh network search.
• Can't activate / "Unable to Add eSIM." You usually need Wi-Fi to download the profile. Check your connection and try again.
• Stuck searching for a network. Restart the iPhone. If it persists, set the network selection to Automatic under Settings → Cellular → [travel line] → Network Selection.

Once you're connected, you're ready to go. Heading somewhere specific? Browse plans for Japan or the USA, or see every destination on the eSIM Today home page. On Android instead? See our Android setup guide.

FAQ

Which iPhones support eSIM? iPhone XS, XR, and all later models, including the SE (2020) and newer. US iPhone 14 models and later are eSIM-only with no physical SIM tray.

Do I need to remove my home SIM? No. Your iPhone runs your home SIM and the travel eSIM at the same time — keep your home line for calls and texts and use the eSIM for data.

Can I install the eSIM before my trip? Yes, and you should. Download it over Wi-Fi at home, then simply switch your data to it and enable roaming when you land.

Why does my iPhone say "No Service" after I land? Almost always because Data Roaming is off for the travel eSIM. Turn it on for that line under Settings → Cellular, and toggle Airplane Mode off and on to refresh the connection.

Can I have more than one travel eSIM stored? Yes. Modern iPhones store multiple eSIMs; you switch the active data line in Settings → Cellular.