Installing a travel e-SIM on an iPhone takes about two minutes. Do it at home, before your trip, on Wi-Fi. Your current SIM and number stay exactly as they are.
Before you start
- Your iPhone supports e-SIM: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later, according to Apple. Check yours in the compatible devices list.
- It is not locked to a carrier: a locked iPhone refuses another operator’s e-SIM.
- You are on Wi-Fi or another internet connection: the e-SIM downloads over the internet.
- Your installation details are ready: after payment they are in your account — a QR code, plus an SM-DP+ address and an activation code for manual entry.
Method 1: scan the QR code
- Open the QR code from your account on another screen (a computer or tablet).
- On the iPhone, open the Camera and point it at the code.
- Tap Cellular Plan Detected, then Continue, then Add Cellular Plan.
With iOS 17.4 or later you can also tap and hold the QR code where you see it on the iPhone itself, for example in an email or the browser, and choose Add eSIM.
Method 2: enter the details manually
Use this if you only have one device and cannot scan the code.
- Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data) → Add Cellular Plan.
- Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the screen.
- Copy the SM-DP+ address and the activation code from your account. If a confirmation code is asked for and you were not given one, leave it empty.
Set up the two lines
- When asked, label the new plan — for example “Travel” — so you can tell the lines apart. You can change it later in Settings → Cellular → [the line] → Cellular Plan Label.
- Keep your home line as the default line for calls, SMS, iMessage and FaceTime.
- For mobile data, choose the travel line: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data.
Leave Allow Cellular Data Switching off, so your iPhone never falls back to your home line for data abroad.
When you land
Open Settings → Cellular, tap the travel line and turn on Data Roaming for it. Keep Data Roaming off on your home line to avoid your operator’s roaming charges. With iOS 26 and later, a travel e-SIM may open its own short setup flow — follow it.
Two things not to do
- Do not delete the e-SIM when the trip ends or if it does not connect at first. A deleted e-SIM usually cannot be installed again. If something is wrong, contact us first.
- Do not share the QR code. Anyone who scans it first installs your e-SIM.
Using Android? See how to install your e-SIM.
Adonis Telecom · Updated