Setting up an eSIM sounds technical, but it’s genuinely one of the easiest things you’ll do on your phone — usually under two minutes. This guide walks through the steps for both iPhone and Android, then covers a few common questions so nothing trips you up.
Before you start
Three quick checks make everything smoother:
- Confirm your phone supports eSIM. Most phones from the last few years do.
- Connect to Wi-Fi. Installing an eSIM over a stable connection avoids errors.
- Have your QR code or activation details ready from your plan confirmation.
When you buy a plan from our travel eSIM range, you’ll receive everything you need to install it.
Installing an eSIM on iPhone
- Open Settings → Mobile Service (or “Cellular”).
- Tap Add eSIM or “Add Mobile Plan”.
- Choose Use QR Code and scan the code from your plan. (You can also enter details manually.)
- Follow the prompts to add the plan, then label it something clear like “Travel”.
- Choose which line to use for data, and you’re done.
Installing an eSIM on Android
Steps vary slightly by brand, but the path is similar:
- Open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (or “Connections → SIM manager” on Samsung).
- Tap Add eSIM or the “+” next to SIMs.
- Select Download a SIM instead? and scan your QR code.
- Confirm the download and enable the plan.
- Set it as your mobile data line.
Choosing which line does what
With two lines active, tell your phone which to use:
- Mobile data: set this to your new eSIM (especially when travelling).
- Calls and texts: keep these on your usual number.
- Data roaming: turn it off on your home line when abroad so it can’t rack up charges.
This setup keeps your Swiss number reachable while your data runs over the cheaper eSIM plan.
Common questions and quick fixes
The QR code won’t scan. Make sure there’s enough light and the whole code is in frame, or use the manual entry option from your confirmation.
No data after install. Check that the eSIM is set as your data line and that data roaming is enabled for the eSIM (this is normal for travel plans, since you’re “roaming” onto a local network through the plan).
I can’t find the eSIM option. Your phone may not support eSIM, or it may need a software update. Check the manufacturer’s support page for your exact model.
Will installing delete my main SIM? No — adding an eSIM doesn’t affect your existing line. They run side by side.
Installing before a trip
The smartest move is to install your travel eSIM the night before you fly, while you’re on home Wi-Fi, then simply switch it on after landing. Off to Spain for the weekend or Thailand for a fortnight? Set it up in advance and you’ll be connected the moment you turn off airplane mode. For multi-country trips, a regional Europe eSIM or a Global eSIM means one install covers the whole journey.
The bottom line
Installing an eSIM is a quick, no-tools job: check compatibility, connect to Wi-Fi, scan a code, pick your data line. Do it once and you’ll wonder why you ever queued for a plastic SIM. Ready to try it? Browse travel eSIMs for your next destination, or set up a flexible everyday plan with Extrafon.