How to Activate eSIM for International Travel
Activate your travel eSIM in under 2 minutes
Step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android, plus the 5 most common errors and how to fix them. The whole process takes about as long as ordering a coffee.
- Buy plan → QR code arrives by email within seconds.
- Open Settings on phone → Add eSIM → scan QR from email.
- Set VoyaSIM eSIM as data line, home SIM as voice line, turn data roaming OFF on home SIM.
- Land at destination, toggle airplane mode off, you're online.
Step 1 — Check if your phone supports eSIM
Almost every phone sold since 2018 supports eSIM. The quick checks:
- iPhone: XS / XR (2018) and newer all support eSIM. iPhone 14 and newer sold in the US are eSIM-only — no physical slot at all.
- Pixel: Pixel 3 (2018) and every Pixel since.
- Samsung: Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25; Note 20; Z Flip 3/4/5/6; Z Fold 2/3/4/5/6.
- Xiaomi: 12T Pro, 13, 14 flagships and many Mi/Redmi mid-range models from 2023 onwards.
- OnePlus: 11, 12, 13 flagships support eSIM in most markets.
Quick verification: On iOS, dial *#06# — if you see an "EID" number alongside the IMEI, eSIM is supported. On Android, go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (or SIM card manager) and look for an "Add eSIM" button. If it exists, you're good.
Step 2 — Install on iPhone (iOS 17 / 18)
- 1Open Settings
On your iPhone, tap Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data on iPads).
- 2Tap "Add eSIM"
On iOS 16+ this appears as a button under the existing SIM list. On older iOS the option is labeled "Add Cellular Plan".
- 3Pick "Use QR Code"
The other option ("Transfer From Nearby iPhone") is for moving an existing carrier eSIM between Apple devices — not for installing a new travel plan.
- 4Scan the QR from your VoyaSIM email
Hold the iPhone over the QR code displayed on a second screen (laptop, another phone). It scans automatically — no shutter button.
- 5Label the plan and pick roles
iOS asks you to label the line ("Travel", "Europe") and assign default voice/data lines. Pick the VoyaSIM eSIM as your data line; keep your home SIM as the voice/SMS line for verification codes.
- 6Turn off "Data Roaming" on your home SIM
Settings → Cellular → tap home SIM → toggle Data Roaming off. Without this step your home carrier may still be the one delivering data and charging roaming.
Step 2 (Android version) — Install on Pixel or Samsung
- 1Open Settings
Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (Pixel) / SIM cards (Samsung One UI) / Mobile Network → SIM card manager.
- 2Tap "Add eSIM" or "Add SIM"
On Pixel: "Add eSIM" appears as its own button. On Samsung: tap the "+" icon next to the SIM list.
- 3Choose "Use QR code"
Some devices ask "Don't have a QR code? — Download a SIM instead" — pick "QR code" first; only fall back to manual activation if scanning fails.
- 4Scan the VoyaSIM QR
Hold the phone's rear camera over the QR code shown on a second screen. The eSIM profile downloads in a few seconds.
- 5Set roles for data and calls
Pick the VoyaSIM eSIM as the default mobile-data SIM. Keep your home SIM as the default calls/SMS SIM. Turn off data roaming on the home SIM in the SIM-card settings page.
Step 3 — Activate at your destination
The plan's validity timer starts when your phone first connects to a partner network in the destination — not at install. So you can install the eSIM at home days before your flight, then activate by landing.
On arrival: toggle airplane mode off, give the phone 10-30 seconds to find a partner network, and you'll see the VoyaSIM line pick up signal bars. If you don't — check the "Common errors" section below.
You scanned the QR twice. Each VoyaSIM QR code is single-use — once an eSIM is installed from it, the code is invalid for any other install. If you accidentally deleted the eSIM before activating, contact support; we can reissue a fresh QR.
Three usual causes. (1) Your home SIM still has data roaming on and is winning the network selection — turn its roaming off. (2) The VoyaSIM line isn't set as the data line — re-check Settings. (3) Airplane mode is on — toggle it off, then turn cellular on for the VoyaSIM line. The validity timer only starts on first successful network connect, so a delayed activation doesn't cost you data.
Usually a network handover issue. Try: airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off. If still no service, manually select a network in Settings → Cellular → VoyaSIM line → Network Selection → switch off Automatic and pick one of the listed partner networks. Coverage maps for each partner are linked from each country page.
This typically means a network glitch during the eSIM profile download. Turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, off, and rescan the QR. Make sure you're on Wi-Fi for the install step itself — the eSIM profile download uses internet.
Your phone may not support eSIM. Modern iPhones from XS / XR (2018) onwards do. Pixel 3 and newer support eSIM. Samsung S22, S23, S24, S25 and recent Note / Z Flip / Z Fold devices support eSIM. Phones bought in mainland China are often eSIM-locked by the regional model number, even if the global model of the same handset supports eSIM.
How long does eSIM activation take?
About 60-90 seconds end-to-end. You scan the QR, the eSIM profile downloads in a few seconds, you label it and pick which line handles data. The validity period of the plan doesn't start until your phone first connects to a partner network in your destination — so you can install at home days before flying with no penalty.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM?
Yes — you need an internet connection (Wi-Fi or your existing cellular data) for the QR scan to download the eSIM profile. Once installed, the eSIM does not need Wi-Fi to start working in your destination; it connects to its partner cellular network automatically.
Can I install the eSIM and use it immediately at home for testing?
It depends on the plan. Country plans only work in their target country, so a Japan eSIM scanned at home in the US will install but won't get service. Regional plans only work in their region. Global plans are the exception — they connect anywhere they have a partner. The safest test of activation is: install at home, confirm the line shows up in Settings, then verify it gets a signal when you arrive in destination.
Will activating the eSIM cancel my home carrier plan?
No. Adding a travel eSIM is purely additive — your existing primary SIM (physical or eSIM) remains intact and active. The new eSIM is a second line that handles only the data you assign to it. You keep your home phone number, voicemail, all settings.
Do I need to remove the eSIM after my trip?
Not unless you want to. You can leave an expired eSIM installed indefinitely — it just won't carry data because its plan has expired. Some travelers delete expired eSIMs to keep their SIM list tidy; others keep them so they can top up the same plan for a future trip. Both are fine.
How do I know my eSIM activated correctly?
After install you should see the VoyaSIM line in Settings → Cellular (iOS) or Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (Android), labeled with whatever name you gave it. When your phone connects in the destination, a small signal indicator will appear next to that line. You'll also receive a confirmation email from VoyaSIM noting first network connect within an hour or so.
Can I activate the same QR code on a second phone?
No. Each QR code installs exactly once. If you need to transfer the eSIM to a new phone mid-trip (lost phone, broken phone), contact support and we'll reissue. Your remaining plan balance and validity carry over to the reissued eSIM.
Ready to install your first travel eSIM?
Pick a destination, finish checkout, scan the QR. You can install tonight, connect when you land.
Questions? Contact our team.