How to activate an eSIM depends on how your carrier hands it to you. There are four ways: the carrier assigns it to your phone, you scan a QR code, you use the carrier’s app, or you transfer it from your old phone. The steps below are from Apple’s, Google’s and Samsung’s own support pages.
You need Wi-Fi for all of them.
Activate an eSIM on an iPhone
If the carrier assigned it. Apple calls this eSIM Carrier Activation. “If a carrier assigned an eSIM to your iPhone when you bought it, turn on your iPhone and follow the onscreen instructions during setup”.
If the phone is already set up, a notification appears instead: “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed”. Tap it, then tap Continue in Settings.
With a QR code. “If your carrier provided you with a QR code, you can use it to set up an eSIM on your iPhone.” During setup, when the Set Up Cellular screen appears, tap Use QR code.
With the carrier’s app. “If your carrier supports activating eSIM using an app, download your carrier’s app from the App Store”.
By typing the details. If none of those work, Apple’s screen has an Enter Details Manually option at the bottom. Your carrier supplies the details.
When it is done, Apple’s check is simple: “Make a call on your iPhone to check its cellular connectivity.”
Move an eSIM from your old iPhone
Apple calls this eSIM Quick Transfer: “If your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, you can transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting them.”
The old phone stops working as a phone at that point. “When the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates, it deactivates your previous SIM.”
Activate an eSIM on a Google Pixel
Google says, “If you purchase your phone directly from your carrier, your carrier assigns your eSIM.” During setup, tap Download SIM, then Set up.
On a phone that is already set up, the path is Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, Add SIM.
If you bought the phone somewhere else, Google’s advice is to contact the carrier first to “Check if they support eSIMs” and to confirm your phone’s IMEI.
Activate an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings and tap Connections.
- Tap SIM manager, then Add eSIM.
- Tap Scan QR code and scan the code from your carrier.
Samsung notes that “You will need to contact your network carrier to receive a QR code.” The same screen has an option to enter an activation code by hand, and one to transfer a SIM from another phone.
Turn a SIM card into an eSIM
You can often do this without a new SIM from the carrier.
| Phone | Where | What the maker says |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings, Cellular | “If your carrier supports it, you can convert your physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone.” |
| Pixel 7 or later | Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, select the SIM, Convert to eSIM | “Once you convert your physical SIM to an eSIM, your physical SIM will no longer work.” |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings, Connections, SIM manager, select the SIM, Convert to eSIM | “The availability of this feature will depend on your mobile provider.” |
Move an eSIM between iPhone and Android
This is new. Apple says: “With iOS 26 and later, some carriers and select smartphone manufacturers support transferring your SIM from Android to iPhone, or vice versa.”
Apple lists six US carriers for it: AT&T, Cricket, FirstNet, T-Mobile, Verizon and Xfinity Mobile. You need an iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26, and an Android phone on Android 16 or later.
On any other carrier, Apple’s instruction is to “contact your carrier to activate your eSIM.”
Deleting an eSIM
On an iPhone it is under Settings, Cellular. Apple is firm that this is not a fix for a problem: “Don’t erase an eSIM as a troubleshooting step unless directed to by your carrier.” The reason follows: “If you erase an eSIM, you’ll need to contact your carrier to get a new one.”
Questions
Does my carrier support eSIM?
What each carrier says is on our US carriers that support eSIM page.
My carrier asks for an EID
That is the number of the eSIM in your phone. Where to find it is on our what is an eSIM page.
Data does not work after activating
Start with our guide to mobile data not working.