How to set up a travel eSIM on iPhone and Android

Before you start

• iPhone: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later and a provider that supports eSIM (Apple).
• Google Pixel: from Pixel 3a you can use one physical SIM plus one eSIM; from Pixel 7, two eSIM profiles if your carrier allows it (Google).
• Samsung Galaxy: eSIM depends on the model; the menu for it is “SIM manager” (Samsung).
• Unlocked: on iPhone, Settings > General > About must show “No SIM Restrictions” next to Carrier Lock (Apple).
• Wi‑Fi: installation needs an internet connection; Samsung recommends Wi‑Fi rather than mobile data.

iPhone: install the eSIM with a QR code

1. Open the Camera app and scan the QR code. Tap the “Cellular Plan Detected” notification.
2. With iOS 17.4 or later: if the QR code arrives by email or in a browser, touch and hold it, then tap Add eSIM.
3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen, then Add Cellular Plan.
4. If you are asked for a confirmation code, enter the one your provider gave you.

Alternatively, many travel eSIM apps (Saily included) install the eSIM from inside the app – then follow the in-app steps.

iPhone: when you arrive

1. With iOS 26 or later you may see Turn On Travel eSIM: tap it and choose Travel eSIM Only or Travel eSIM and Current eSIM. With both lines on, the iPhone uses the travel eSIM for data.
2. Manually: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > pick the travel eSIM as the data line.
3. Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM: Settings > Cellular (Mobile service) > tap the Saily eSIM > Data Roaming on (Saily FAQ).
4. Back home, iOS 26 turns the travel eSIM off automatically depending on your country; otherwise go to Settings > Cellular and make sure Turn On This Line is enabled for your main line.

Android: Google Pixel

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM.
2. Choose the eSIM’s network provider or QR code and finish the setup.
3. When asked to set your SIM preferences: Get started > Next > Done.
4. Pick the data line: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > under your primary SIMs, tap Mobile data and choose the travel eSIM.

Android: Samsung Galaxy

1. Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
2. Tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code, and scan the code.
3. If you got an activation code instead of a QR code, choose Enter activation code in the same menu.
4. Data roaming for the travel eSIM: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Data roaming on (Saily FAQ).

Avoid roaming charges on your home SIM

• Leave your home SIM on for calls and texts (e.g. bank codes), but turn off its data roaming.
• Make the travel eSIM the default for mobile data (see above).
• Outside the EU, calls on the home SIM can cost roaming fees; messenger and Wi‑Fi calls run over the eSIM data.
• On ships and planes your phone may connect via satellite, where no EU price caps apply. Use flight mode.

If the eSIM does not work

1. Check that the phone supports eSIM (Saily device list).
2. Scan the QR code only once – Saily says it works on one device only.
3. Make sure the eSIM line is on (iPhone: Cellular > eSIM > Turn On This Line; Samsung: SIM manager).
4. Make sure data roaming is on for the eSIM.
5. Restart the phone; if that doesn’t help, contact the eSIM provider’s support.

Disclosure: TripUtils earns a commission if you buy Saily, Yesim or Airalo through our links (Yesim and Airalo via the Travelpayouts partner network). We have only checked Saily’s information and Apple’s, Google’s and Samsung’s help pages – we have not checked Yesim, Airalo or other eSIM providers’ prices and do not rate them here.

How much data for your destination?

All country pages with the data calculator and a Saily link:

JapanThailandItalySpainPortugalGreeceTurkeyBaliVietnamUnited StatesFranceGermanyAustriaSwitzerlandUnited KingdomChinaIndonesiaMalaysiaCanadaMexicoIndiaAustraliaUnited Arab EmiratesSingaporeSouth KoreaCroatiaSerbiaBosnia and HerzegovinaMontenegroNorth MacedoniaAlbaniaKosovoEgyptTunisiaMoroccoDominican RepublicMaldivesSri LankaPhilippinesHong KongTaiwan

Regional plans for multi-country trips:

EuropeBalkansAsia and OceaniaMiddle East and North AfricaNorth AmericaLatin AmericaAfricaGlobal

Sources

Checked on the date shown. Prices change; the provider page is what counts.

• Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone (2026-10-20)
• Apple: Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone (2026-10-20)
• Google: How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (2026-10-20)
• Samsung: Transitioning from a SIM card to an eSIM on Galaxy (2026-10-20)
• Samsung Germany: activating the eSIM on a Galaxy phone (Wi‑Fi recommendation) (2026-10-20)
• Saily: Global eSIM FAQ (troubleshooting, QR code) (2026-10-20)
• Saily: eSIM-compatible devices (2026-10-20)
• Your Europe (European Commission): roaming on ships and planes (2026-10-20)