--- title: "How to install and activate your eSIM | Gigapass" description: "Install your eSIM on iPhone or Android step by step, with a QR code, in one tap or manually, and activate it when you land." url: https://getgigapass.com/en/install markdown: https://getgigapass.com/en/install.md lang: en site: Gigapass generated: 2026-10-24 languages: es: https://getgigapass.com/instalacion de: https://getgigapass.com/de/installieren it: https://getgigapass.com/it/installare fr: https://getgigapass.com/fr/installer pt: https://getgigapass.com/pt/instalar nl: https://getgigapass.com/nl/installeren ja: https://getgigapass.com/ja/install ko: https://getgigapass.com/ko/seolchi zh-hans: https://getgigapass.com/zh-hans/anzhuang pl: https://getgigapass.com/pl/instalacja sv: https://getgigapass.com/sv/installera no: https://getgigapass.com/no/installere da: https://getgigapass.com/da/installer tr: https://getgigapass.com/tr/kurulum ru: https://getgigapass.com/ru/ustanovka zh-hant: https://getgigapass.com/zh-hant/anzhuang ar: https://getgigapass.com/ar/tathbit he: https://getgigapass.com/he/hatkana index: https://getgigapass.com/llms/en.txt --- # Install and activate your eSIM > Install your eSIM on iPhone or Android step by step, with a QR code, in one tap or manually, and activate it when you land. [Home](https://getgigapass.com/en) › [Help centre](https://getgigapass.com/en/help) › How to install and activate your eSIM You do it once, at home on your own Wi-Fi. All that's left for landing day is turning on data roaming. ## Before you start - **A stable connection** Your phone downloads the eSIM there and then over Wi-Fi or data. If the connection drops halfway, the install fails. - **An unlocked phone** A phone locked to a mobile provider won't let you add another line. If you got it on contract more than two years ago, it's almost certainly unlocked already. - **Scan the QR from ANOTHER screen** A phone can't scan a code on its own screen. Open it on a computer or a second phone, or use the direct install link. The code works once. If you delete the eSIM from your phone, that same QR stops working: message us and we'll sort it out with you. ## Step by step **iPhone: In one tap (iPhone on iOS 17.4 or later)** 1. **Open the email on the iPhone** The delivery email has a direct install button. Open it on the iPhone itself, not on your computer. 2. **Tap the install button** Your iPhone opens the Add Data Plan screen by itself, already filled in. 3. **Confirm** Tap Continue and wait for the download to finish. It takes under a minute. 4. **Name the line** Pick a name you'll spot easily, like Gigapass. It's what you'll see in the status bar. 5. **Keep your usual line as primary** And set mobile data to the Gigapass line. That way you call and text from your own number and go online with the eSIM. **iPhone: With the QR code** 1. **Open the QR on another screen** On a computer or a second phone. An iPhone can't scan its own screen. 2. **Settings › Mobile Data › Add eSIM** On some iPhones the menu is called Add Data Plan. 3. **Choose Use QR Code and scan it** Frame the code and wait. If the camera won't pick it up, add some light or move a little closer. 4. **Confirm and wait** Tap Continue and let the download finish without leaving the screen. 5. **Name the line** Pick a name you'll spot easily, like Gigapass. 6. **Keep your usual line as primary** And set mobile data to the Gigapass line. Your number and WhatsApp stay as they are. **iPhone: Manually** 1. **Have the delivery email open** It has the SM-DP+ server and the activation code. They're also in My eSIMs, under Install it manually. 2. **Settings › Mobile Data › Add eSIM** On some iPhones the menu is called Add Data Plan. 3. **Choose Enter Details Manually** It sits under the scanner, in small type. 4. **Copy the SM-DP+ server and the code** Copy them exactly, with no spaces before or after. That's the most common slip with this method. 5. **Confirm and name the line** And leave mobile data on the Gigapass line. **Android: With the QR code** 1. **Open the QR on another screen** On a computer or a second phone: yours can't scan its own screen. 2. **Open your SIM settings** Samsung: Connections › SIM manager. Pixel: Network & internet › SIMs. Xiaomi: SIM cards & mobile networks. 3. **Tap Add eSIM** It may show up as Download a SIM or as the + next to your cards. 4. **Scan the QR** Frame the code and let the download finish without leaving the screen. 5. **Name the line** Pick a name you'll spot easily, like Gigapass. 6. **Leave mobile data on the Gigapass line** And calls and texts on your usual SIM. Your number doesn't change. **Android: Manually** 1. **Have the delivery email open** It has the SM-DP+ server and the activation code. They're also in My eSIMs, under Install it manually. 2. **Open your SIM settings** Samsung: Connections › SIM manager. Pixel: Network & internet › SIMs. Xiaomi: SIM cards & mobile networks. 3. **Tap Add eSIM and look for manual entry** It usually reads Enter activation code or Need help, under the scanner. 4. **Type the server and the code** Some phones ask for both together, in one line starting with LPA. It's in the email, ready to copy. 5. **Confirm and name the line** And leave mobile data on the Gigapass line. ## Step by step, with the screens What to tap is highlighted. The email and app screens are real captures; the settings screens look like your phone's and may vary slightly with the version. **Install from the email, on your iPhone** ### Install from the email, on your iPhone 1. Step 1 of 3 Open your eSIM email on the phone you'll use it on and tap "Install on my iPhone". 2. Step 2 of 3 Doesn't it open? Open the email on another screen, like a computer or a tablet, and scan this QR with your phone. 3. Step 3 of 3 If you can't scan it, when adding the eSIM choose to enter the details manually and copy "SM-DP+ server (iPhone)" and "Activation code (iPhone)". **Install from the email, on your Android** ### Install from the email, on your Android 1. Step 1 of 4 Open your eSIM email on the phone you'll use it on and tap "Install on my Android". 2. Step 2 of 4 Doesn't it open? Open the email on another screen, like a computer or a tablet, and scan this QR with your phone. 3. Step 3 of 4 If you can't scan it, when adding the eSIM choose to enter the code manually and paste the whole code from "Activation code (Android)". 4. Step 4 of 4 Once the eSIM is installed, set the APN shown in this box. Without it you won't have data. ## When you land The eSIM connects to a local network by itself, but it needs data roaming turned on FOR ITS OWN LINE. This isn't your provider's roaming and it costs nothing extra: the plan is already paid for. 1. **Turn on the Gigapass line** In your mobile data settings, check that the line is switched on. 2. **Turn on data roaming for THAT line** For the Gigapass line only. Leave it off on your usual line, which is the one your provider bills. 3. **Pick the Gigapass line for data** So your phone uses it for data and keeps your own line for calls. 4. **Give it a minute** The first connection can take a moment. If nothing shows up, switch aeroplane mode on and off. ### How to tell it's working At the top, next to the signal bars, you'll see a local network name. Open any page with Wi-Fi off: if it loads, you're online. My eSIMs also shows how much data you have left. ## If something goes wrong **The QR code won't scan** Open it on a bigger screen and turn the brightness up. If it still won't scan, install it manually with the SM-DP+ server and the activation code, which do exactly the same thing. **It says the code has already been used** The QR code works once, so that eSIM is already installed on a phone. Check your SIM settings first; if it's not there, message us with your order number. **It installed but there's no connection** It's nearly always data roaming left off on the Gigapass line. Check that, then switch aeroplane mode on and off to reconnect to the network. **It's slow or keeps dropping** Try choosing the network manually in your mobile network settings: some destinations have several and your phone can get stuck on the weakest one. **I've changed phones** An eSIM can't be moved from one phone to another: the code has already been used. Message us with your order number and we'll sort it out with you. ## Does your phone support eSIM? Most phones sold since 2019 do, as long as they're unlocked. Check here or in Settings: if you see “Add eSIM”, it's compatible. - iPhone XS, XR or later - Samsung Galaxy S20 or later - Google Pixel 3 or later - Xiaomi 12T, 13 or later - Huawei P40 (not the P40 Lite) Your phone needs to be unlocked. If you got it through your mobile provider more than two years ago, it almost certainly is. ## Stuck halfway? Send us a screenshot of where you're stuck and we'll tell you what to do next. [Chat on WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=15553621364&text=Hi%2C%20I%20need%20help) [My eSIMs](https://getgigapass.com/mis-esims?lang=en) [See all frequently asked questions](https://getgigapass.com/en/help) [Data calculator](https://getgigapass.com/en/data-calculator) ## Where are you landing this time? Pick your destination, days and data. Install it before you go and land with data ready. [Find my eSIM](https://getgigapass.com/en#destinos)