How do I install and activate my eSIM on iPhone?

Getting your Free Roaming eSIM up and running on your iPhone is easier than you think! In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through the installation and activation process, and we’ll share some useful tips to help you stay connected during your travels. Let’s dive in!

To keep in mind

Before installing your Free Roaming eSIM, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth setup:

• A reliable Wi-Fi connection is essential to install eSIM on your iPhone. 
• You’ll need the QR code or manual codes provided via email to activate your eSIM on iPhone. 
• Ensure your iPhone is unlocked and compatible with eSIM technology. 
• If you want to do it from the email where you received the QR code for a quick installation, your iPhone must be running iOS 17.4 or later.
• To avoid any last-minute issues, it’s a good idea to install your Free Roaming eSIM at least a day before your trip, preferably at home or somewhere with a secure Wi-Fi connection.
• Some installation methods may work better than others depending on your device and connection. If one method doesn’t work, try another to set up your eSIM.

How to install an eSIM on iPhone?

There are two main ways to install your eSIM: by scanning a QR code or entering the details manually. If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, the fastest and easiest method is through the email where you received the QR code.

Let’s break down each option so you can choose what works best for you.

To install eSIM on an iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later) through the email where you received the QR code:

• Open the email from Free Roaming where you received the QR code  → Press and hold the QR code image until the menu appears → Select Add eSIM → Tap Continue when the “Activate eSIM” screen appears (this step advances the setup, but won’t activate the eSIM yet) → Continue with the setup.

To install eSIM on an iPhone with a QR code:

• Go to Settings → Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data → Select Add eSIM  → Use QR Code → Scan the QR code → Tap Continue when the “Activate eSIM” screen appears (this step advances the setup, but won’t activate the eSIM yet) → Continue with the setup.

To manually install eSIM on an iPhone:

• Go to Settings → Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data → Select Add eSIM → Use QR Code → Enter Details Manually → Copy and paste the SM-DP address and Activation Code you found in your email (These are not links, but rather codes to be entered in the designated space) → Next → Tap Continue when the “Activate eSIM” screen appears (this step advances the setup, but won’t activate the eSIM yet) → Continue with the setup.

To complete the eSIM setup on iPhone:

• When the Cellular Setup Complete screen appears, tap Done → Assign a name to your new line (Free Roaming) and then Continue → Select your Default Line for messages and calls → Choose Primary to keep using your number for iMessage and FaceTime → Set the Free Roaming eSIM as your Cellular Data.

How to activate an eSIM on iPhone?

Don’t forget, you’ll need to activate your eSIM once you arrive at your destination. To get your eSIM up and running and enable cellular data on your iPhone, just follow these easy steps:

• Go to Settings →  Cellular → Tap your personal SIMs or eSIMs → Turn off your personal SIMs or eSIMs by switching off the “Turn On This Line” option →  Go back to Cellular or Mobile Data.
• Tap on the Free Roaming eSIM (it may appear as Travel, Business, Secondary, or the name you assigned during setup) → Make sure that “Turn On This Line” is enabled for the Free Roaming eSIM → Activate Data Roaming → Go back to Cellular or Mobile Data → Tap on Cellular Data and select the Free Roaming eSIM as the mobile data line → Finally, make sure “Allow Cellular Data Switching” is turned off, so your phone doesn’t automatically switch between data lines based on signal strength.

Troubleshooting tips

If your phone fails to connect to the network after enabling data roaming, try manually selecting the network by following these steps:

• Go to Settings → Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data → Select Free Roaming Line → Then Network Selection → Disable automatic network selection and wait for available operators to load.

To choose the correct operator for your plan:

• Visit our website and search for your eSIM destination, for example, Spain. Click on Technical Specs and refer to the Networks section.  In this case, the best network for the Spain plan is Orange.

If the connection doesn’t work with the operator you switched to, try the other operators listed in the Network section of your plan’s Technical Specs.