How to Set Up an eSIM on iPhone: Step by Step

Setting up an eSIM on an iPhone takes a handful of taps, but the order matters. Install it at home, leave it switched off, and only point your data at it once you land. Do that, and your home number keeps working for texts while the travel line handles all your data.

This guide walks through each screen in order. Menu names below use UK English iOS: the main menu is Mobile Service on recent versions, Mobile Data on older ones and Cellular if your iPhone is set to US English.

Before you start: three quick checks

1. 1Your iPhone supports eSIM. iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and every newer model do. Many iPhones sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao use two physical SIM slots instead of eSIM, so check yours if it was bought there.
2. 2Your iPhone is carrier-unlocked. Go to Settings → General → About and scroll to Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means you are good to go. Anything else means your carrier needs to unlock it first.
3. 3You are on Wi-Fi with the QR code ready. The QR code needs to be on a different screen, such as a laptop, tablet or a printout, because your iPhone's camera cannot scan its own display.

It is also worth installing any pending iOS update before you begin, so the menus match what you see here.

Install the eSIM with the QR code

Your HelloSIM QR code is emailed to you straight away after payment, and it is also in your HelloSIM account and the HelloSIM app. Open it on another screen, then on your iPhone:

1. 1Open Settings → Mobile Service.
2. 2Tap Add eSIM.
3. 3Choose Use QR Code.
4. 4Point the camera at the QR code and hold steady until it is recognised.
5. 5Tap Continue and wait while the eSIM downloads. Keep the screen on and stay on Wi-Fi.

When the download finishes, iOS moves on to labelling your lines, covered below. Do not delete and reinstall the eSIM if something looks odd at this stage; a QR code is generally meant to be used once, so contact support instead.

Install manually with the SM-DP+ address and activation code

If scanning is not an option, for example because you only have your iPhone with you, enter the details by hand:

1. 1Go to Settings → Mobile Service → Add eSIM → Use QR Code.
2. 2Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the camera screen.
3. 3Type or paste the SM-DP+ address from your HelloSIM email.
4. 4Type or paste the activation code from the same email.
5. 5Tap Next and let the eSIM download.

Copying and pasting is safer than typing, as one wrong character is enough to make the install fail.

Label your lines and choose the defaults

Straight after installation, iOS asks a series of questions. Here is how to answer them for a data-only travel eSIM.

Labels

You will be asked to name each line. Choose something obvious such as Travel, or create a custom label like HelloSIM, and keep your home number as Primary or Personal. Clear labels save confusion later.

Default line, iMessage and FaceTime

Keep your home line as the default for calls and texts, and keep iMessage and FaceTime on your usual number. HelloSIM eSIMs are data-only, so there is no number on the travel line to call or text from.

Mobile data

For now, leave mobile data on your home line if you are still at home. You will switch it over on arrival. While you are on this screen, consider turning off Allow Mobile Data Switching, so your iPhone does not fall back to your home line's data abroad.

Once you are done, you can switch the travel line off until your trip: tap it under Mobile Service and turn off Turn On This Line. Seeing "No Service" on it at home is normal.

On arrival: switch it on and allow roaming

When you land, before you leave the airport:

1. 1Go to Settings → Mobile Service, tap your travel line and turn on Turn On This Line.
2. 2Go back, tap Mobile Data and select the travel line.
3. 3Tap the travel line again and switch Data Roaming on. This is needed for the eSIM to connect to local networks, and costs nothing extra because the data is prepaid.
4. 4Tap your home line and make sure Data Roaming is off. Keep the line on if you want to receive texts such as bank codes.
5. 5Give it a moment to find a network. The plan's validity starts the first time the eSIM connects at your destination.

Troubleshooting when it will not connect

Most connection problems are settings, not faults. Work through these in order:

• Toggle Flight Mode on, wait a few seconds, then turn it off again.
• Check the basics: the travel line is on, it is selected for Mobile Data, and Data Roaming is on for that line.
• Restart your iPhone. It is surprisingly effective after a long flight.
• Pick a network by hand: tap the travel line, open Network Selection, turn off Automatic and choose one of the networks listed for your destination.
• Leave the APN alone: the Mobile Data Network settings are normally filled in automatically. Only change them if support gives you specific values.
• Check 4G or 5G: 4G/LTE is available everywhere HelloSIM sells; 5G only appears where the listed networks for that destination are marked 5G and your iPhone supports it.

If you are still offline, email [email protected] or open the live chat in the HelloSIM app. Emails are answered within 24 hours. Avoid deleting the eSIM while you troubleshoot.

Topping up and after the trip

Running low? Add data to the same eSIM from the Check / Top up page, your HelloSIM account or the HelloSIM app. Nothing needs reinstalling.

When you are home, switch Mobile Data back to your home line, turn Data Roaming off for the travel line and switch the line off. Keep the eSIM installed for now if you might top it up again later.