How to set up an eSIM before your trip (iPhone and Android)

An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone. Instead of swapping plastic, you install a profile from a QR code or a link, and your phone gets a second line. Set it up at home and you land with working data, without hunting for a SIM shop or paying your carrier's roaming rates.

1. Check your phone can take an eSIM

You need two things:

• eSIM support. iPhone XS, XR and every iPhone since; Google Pixel 4 and later; Samsung Galaxy S21 and later, and recent Galaxy foldables. Many cheaper Android phones don't have it.
• An unlocked phone. Phones bought on a carrier contract are often locked to that carrier. Ask your carrier to unlock it before you go.

Not sure? Our compatibility check reads your IMEI and tells you whether your phone takes an eSIM and gets full speed on the networks where you're going.

2. Buy the eSIM and open the install link

After you pay, Haxzu emails you an install page with a one-tap install link for iPhone and Android, plus a QR code for when you're installing from another screen. You'll find the same page in your client portal.

3. Install it on Wi-Fi

iPhone

1. Tap the install link on your iPhone, or open Settings, then Cellular (Mobile Service in some regions), then Add eSIM, and scan the QR code.
2. Follow the prompts. Give the line a label such as “Travel” so it's easy to tell apart.
3. When asked about your default line, keep your home line for calls and messages. Choose the travel line for cellular data.

Google Pixel

1. Open Settings, then Network & internet, then SIMs, and tap Add SIM (or “Download a SIM instead?”).
2. Scan the QR code and confirm. Name the new SIM.

Samsung Galaxy

1. Open Settings, then Connections, then SIM manager, and tap Add eSIM.
2. Choose Scan QR code from service provider, scan it and confirm.

4. Set the lines up for the trip

• Data: use the travel eSIM for mobile data, and turn on data roaming for it. Travel eSIMs often roam onto local networks, and they won't connect with roaming off. This doesn't cost extra; it's how the eSIM works.
• Home line: leave it on for calls and texts if you want to be reachable, but turn its data roaming off so your carrier can't charge you for data.
• Data switching: on iPhone, turn off “Allow Cellular Data Switching” so your phone doesn't fall back to your home line's data.

5. When you land

Switch airplane mode off and give it a minute. The eSIM connects to a local network and your plan's days start (for most plans, at this first connection rather than when you installed it). WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime carry on as normal over the new data.

If it doesn't connect

1. Check the travel line is switched on and set for cellular data, with data roaming on.
2. Turn airplane mode on for ten seconds, then off. Or restart the phone.
3. In network selection, turn off automatic and pick a network by hand. The plan page lists the networks your eSIM uses.
4. Still stuck? Email us at arya@haxzu.io and we'll check the line from our side.

Heading to Europe? The Europe eSIM covers 34 countries from $6.99. Visiting the US and need a number? See our US SIM card with a phone number.