Modern smartphones are gradually becoming more flexible due to the growing adoption of eSIMs. This innovation in connectivity offers the convenience of switching carriers without changing a SIM card and hosting multiple mobile plans from different carriers on one device. With eSIM technology revolutionizing our connections to mobile networks, how much does it cost to switch to a carrier?
This guide will take you through the requirements and detailed steps on how to activate eSIM on your Android device and make the most of this cutting-edge connectivity option. An eSIM eliminates the dependency on physical SIMs, which can get lost or damaged, ensuring you stay connected whether at home or abroad. It’s crucial to understand the eSIM activation process to fully benefit from its advantages.
Requirements to Activate eSIM on Android
To activate an eSIM on your Android device, there are some prerequisites that need to be met before you are good to go. Ensuring you have the right kind of device and materials assures you that you will be good to go within no time and with minimal hiccups.
Compatible Android Devices
Not all Android gadgets support eSIM technology. It is, therefore, necessary to establish whether your device can use eSIM or not. Some of the popular Android devices that support eSIM include:
- Google Pixel 3 and above
- Samsung Galaxy S20 series and further
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series and further
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series
- Motorola Razr (2019 and further)
To find out whether or not the device you are using supports eSIM, check out your manufacturer’s specifications or open your device’s ‘About’ section in the settings menu.
How to Check if Your Device is eSIM Compatible
- Open ‘Settings.’
- Look for ‘Network & Internet’ or ‘Connections’, depending on the model of your device.
- If an option such as eSIM or ‘SIM Card Manager’ appears, open it.
- Check whether there is an option to add a mobile plan or an eSIM plan. If you find either of these options, then your device supports eSIM technology.
Required Materials to Activate an eSIM on Your Android Device
- An eSIM QR code or an activation code: This is acquired from your carrier and is required for adding a new eSIM profile to your device.
- An active internet connection: Ensure you have an active internet connection through Wi-Fi connections or mobile data to complete the activation.
- Ensure you have the latest software: Your Android device must be running the latest software to avoid having issues with eSIM functionalities.
How to Add an eSIM to an Android Device
With all the necessary prerequisites at hand, follow the steps given below to add an eSIM to your Android device.
Activating eSIM on Your Android Device
- Launch the Settings app:
- To launch the Settings app, click on this icon. It looks like a gear and is usually found in your app drawer, home screen, or notification bar.
- Tap Network & Internet or Connections:
- Then, on some devices, tap “Network & Internet,” then tap “Mobile Network.” On others, tap “Connections,” then “Mobile Network.”
- Tap Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager:
- Depending on the previous step, below “Mobile Network,” or “SIM Card Manager,” select Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager.
- Tap Add Carrier or Add Mobile Plan:
- Tap “Add Carrier” OR “Add Mobile Plan.” On the next screen, tap Add Carrier OR Add Mobile Plan.
- Scan QR code or enter the details manually:
- The next screen will ask you to scan a QR code or enter the details for your eSIM.
Scan the QR Code
- Tap “Scan”:
- Tap “Scan” to have your phone’s camera scan the QR code.
- Position the QR code:
- Place the entire QR code, on a piece of paper or on the computer’s screen, inside the box on your phone’s screen.
- Follow on-screen prompts:
- After scanning the code, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the process.
Enter Details Manually
- Tap “Enter details manually”:
- On that same screen, if the phone cannot scan the code, tap “Enter details manually.”
- Enter SM-DP+ address and activation code information:
- Enter the information the carrier provides. Information usually consists of the SM-DP+ address and activation code.
- Finish activating using on-screen instructions:
- Continue to complete with the other instructions that appear on screen.
Confirmation of eSIM Activation
- Look for confirmation messages:
- Look for some confirmation messages on your handset that the details have been entered or, after scanning the QR code, your device should display several confirmation messages that call for a successful activation.
- Check if new eSIM profile is shown in your mobile network settings:
- Go back to “Mobile Network” or “SIM Card Manager” to verify if your new eSIM profile is also present.
- Verify connectivity by making a test call or surfing the internet:
- Conclude that everything is fine by making a test call or surfing the internet with the new eSIM profile.
Add eSIM to Android
Once you have all the requirements, follow these steps to configure the eSIM on your Android device.
Enable eSIM on Your Android Device
Open the Settings app: You can open the settings app from this icon. It should look like a gear and live in your app drawer, home screen, or notification bar.
Tap Network & Internet or Connections: On some devices, tap “Network & Internet,” then “Mobile Network.” On others, tap “Connections,” then “Mobile Network.”
Tap Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager: Depending on your previous selection, under “Mobile Network,” or “SIM Card Manager,” you select Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager.
Tap Add Carrier or Add Mobile Plan: Select the option for “Add Carrier” OR “Add Mobile Plan.” On the next screen, tap Add Carrier OR Add Mobile Plan. Under the Add Carrier OR Add Mobile Plan menu, tap the option which reads Add Carrier OR Add Mobile Plan.
Scan QR code or enter the details manually: On the following screen, you will be prompted either to scan a QR code or enter details manually for your eSIM.
Tap Scan QR Code: Tap the “Scan” button. When you tap the “Scan” button, your phone’s camera will open and scan the QR code for you. The QR code should fill up the box on your phone’s screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions: After you have scanned the code, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
To Enter Details Manually: On that same screen, if the phone cannot scan the code, tap “Enter details manually.”
Enter SM-DP+ address and activation code information: Enter the information the carrier provides. Information usually is composed of the SM-DP+ address and activation code.
Finalize the activation with the help of the instructions on your screen: Finalize as the others come until the end with the instructions that appear on screen.
Confirmation messages for eSIM activation: Check your handset for some confirmation messages that details have been keyed in, and once the QR code has been scanned, your device should be giving a few confirmation messages that will prompt a successful activation.
New eSIM profile in the mobile network settings: Check in the “Mobile Network” or “SIM Card Manager” whether your new eSIM profile is also displayed there.
Initiate a test call or internet surfing to ensure that the connection works: End by making a test call or surfing the internet with the new eSIM profile.
Managing Multiple eSIM Profiles on an Android
Once one eSIM profile, or multiple eSIM profiles, are enabled on an Android device, maintaining multiple eSIM profiles becomes easy. This guide takes you through the process of:
- Switching between profiles
- Adding and deactivating eSIM cards
- Deleting a profile
Switch Between Multiple eSIM Profiles
Open Settings app: Open the settings application on your device.
Tap on Network & Internet or Connections: On your device, depending on make and model, tap on “Network & Internet” or “Connections.”
Tap on Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager: Find “Mobile Network” or “SIM Card Manager,” then tap.
Tap on the eSIM profile you want to use: All available eSIM profiles are listed here. Tap on the one you want to use.
Follow instructions on screen to verify: Follow any prompts on the screen to confirm using the selected eSIM profile.
Add a New eSIM Profile
Open Settings app: Open the settings application on your device.
Tap on Network & Internet or Connections: Find and tap on “Network & Internet” or “Connections.”
Tap Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager: Find and tap on “Mobile Network” or “SIM Card Manager.”
Tap on Add Carrier or Add Mobile Plan: Add a new mobile plan or carrier will be an option listed here.
Follow the Add a carrier steps or Add Mobile steps: Perform those same steps as mentioned above to either scan in a QR code or use the manual entry.
Follow instructions on screen to verify: Follow any prompts on the screen to confirm using the selected eSIM profile.
Deactivate an eSIM Profile
Open Settings app: Open the app for settings.
Remove an eSIM Profile
Open the Settings app: From the home screen, open the Settings app.
Tap Connections or Network & Internet: Tap on “Connections” or “Network & Internet.”
Tap Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager: Tap on “Mobile Network” or “SIM Card Manager.”
Choose the eSIM Profile to Be Deleted: From the provided menu, tap on the eSIM profile that you wish to delete.
Follow on-screen instructions: Tap any prompts you see on the screen to delete the eSIM profile. Before you do so, make sure to back up all the data of the eSIM on a different device.
Precautions to be Taken Before Deleting an eSIM
Before deleting an eSIM from your device, take the following precautions:
- Back up your important data: Important data linked to the eSIM should be backed up.
- Notify the Carrier: If needed, notify the carrier about the removal, especially if you are transferring the service to a different eSIM or physical SIM.