The whole job takes about three minutes. Do it at home on Wi-Fi before you fly — not at the airport, and not after you land.
Before you start
- Your iPhone must be eSIM-capable (XR, XS or newer) and carrier-unlocked.
- You need Wi-Fi or a working data connection to download the profile.
- Have your QR code or activation details to hand.
One thing to be clear about: you are adding a line, not replacing one. Your existing SIM stays active and your number keeps working.
Method 1: scan the QR code
The most common route.
- Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service on newer iOS versions).
- Tap Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Point the camera at the QR code. If the code is on the same phone, tap Enter Details Manually and paste the activation string instead.
- Tap Continue, then Add Cellular Plan.
The download takes a few seconds.
Method 2: install from the app
If you bought through an app that supports direct installation, it can hand the profile straight to iOS without a QR code — you tap install, iOS asks you to confirm, and it is done. This is the least error-prone route because there is no code to mis-scan.
Method 3: enter details manually
If you have an SM-DP+ address and an activation code rather than an image:
- Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Enter Details Manually.
- Type the SM-DP+ address and activation code exactly as given.
Now label your lines
iOS will ask you to name the new line. Do this properly — it is the difference between confidently switching data and guessing.
Call your home line something like Personal and the travel one Travel data or the destination name. Avoid the defaults, which are usually both called “Primary” and “Secondary” and tell you nothing.
Then iOS asks three questions:
- Default line — keep this as your home line, so calls and texts still come from your own number.
- iMessage & FaceTime — keep on your home line.
- Cellular data — set to your travel eSIM.
If the plan is data-only, leave “Allow Cellular Data Switching” off. Otherwise iOS may quietly fall back to your home line when the travel data struggles, which is precisely the roaming charge you bought the eSIM to avoid.
Stop your home line from roaming
This is the step people miss, and it is the one that costs money.
Go to Settings → Cellular, tap your home line, and turn Data Roaming off. Leave the line itself on so you can still receive calls and texts, but stop it from using data abroad.
Then check your travel line: tap it and make sure Data Roaming is on. A travel eSIM connects to partner networks, and to your phone that counts as roaming — with roaming off, it will not connect at all. Two lines, opposite settings, and it is a common source of “my eSIM does not work”.
When you land
Most plans activate automatically on first connection. If nothing happens after a few minutes:
- Toggle Airplane Mode on, wait ten seconds, off again.
- Check Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data points at the travel line.
- Try selecting a network manually: tap the travel line → Network Selection → turn off Automatic and pick one from the list.
If it still refuses, work through the troubleshooting checklist.
Deleting it afterwards
When the trip is over: Settings → Cellular, tap the travel line, then Delete eSIM.
Do not delete a plan you might still want. Most profiles can only be installed once, so removing one usually means it is gone for good. If you are coming back, just leave it in place and switch it off — an unused eSIM costs nothing to keep.