Activating a travel eSIM takes about 60–90 seconds: buy a plan, scan the QR code that arrives by email within seconds, set the new eSIM as your data line, and turn data roaming off on your home SIM. The plan’s validity only starts when your phone first connects at your destination — so you can install at home days before flying.
The 30-second summary
Step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android, plus the 5 most common errors and how to fix them. The whole process takes about as long as ordering a coffee. Everything below is checked against iOS 17/18 and Android 14/15.
- Buy a plan. The QR code arrives by email within seconds.
- Open Settings on your phone. Add eSIM → scan the QR from your email.
- Set the lines. VoyaSIM eSIM as the data line, home SIM as the voice line — and turn data roaming OFF on the home SIM.
- Land at your destination. Toggle airplane mode off, you’re online.
Check if your phone supports eSIM
Almost every phone sold since 2018 supports eSIM. The quick checks:
- iPhone: XS / XR (2018) and newer all support eSIM. iPhone 14 and newer sold in the US are eSIM-only — no physical slot at all.
- Pixel: Pixel 3 (2018) and every Pixel since.
- Samsung: Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25; Note 20; Z Flip 3/4/5/6; Z Fold 2/3/4/5/6.
- Xiaomi: 12T Pro, 13, 14 flagships and many Mi/Redmi mid-range models from 2023 onwards.
- OnePlus: 11, 12, 13 flagships support eSIM in most markets.
Install on iPhone (iOS 17 / 18)
- Open Settings. On your iPhone, tap Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data on iPads).
- Tap “Add eSIM”. On iOS 16+ this appears as a button under the existing SIM list. On older iOS the option is labeled “Add Cellular Plan”.
- Pick “Use QR Code”. The other option (“Transfer From Nearby iPhone”) is for moving an existing carrier eSIM between Apple devices — not for installing a new travel plan.
- Scan the QR from your VoyaSIM email. Hold the iPhone over the QR code displayed on a second screen (laptop, another phone). It scans automatically — no shutter button.
- Label the plan and pick roles. iOS asks you to label the line (“Travel”, “Europe”) and assign default voice/data lines. Pick the VoyaSIM eSIM as your data line; keep your home SIM as the voice/SMS line for verification codes.
- Turn off “Data Roaming” on your home SIM. Settings → Cellular → tap home SIM → toggle Data Roaming off. Without this step your home carrier may still be the one delivering data and charging roaming.
Install on Android (Pixel or Samsung)
- Open Settings. Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (Pixel) / SIM cards (Samsung One UI) / Mobile Network → SIM card manager.
- Tap “Add eSIM” or “Add SIM”. On Pixel: “Add eSIM” appears as its own button. On Samsung: tap the “+” icon next to the SIM list.
- Choose “Use QR code”. Some devices ask “Don’t have a QR code? — Download a SIM instead” — pick “QR code” first; only fall back to manual activation if scanning fails.
- Scan the VoyaSIM QR. Hold the phone’s rear camera over the QR code shown on a second screen. The eSIM profile downloads in a few seconds.
- Set roles for data and calls. Pick the VoyaSIM eSIM as the default mobile-data SIM. Keep your home SIM as the default calls/SMS SIM. Turn off data roaming on the home SIM in the SIM-card settings page.
Activate at your destination
The plan’s validity timer starts when your phone first connects to a partner network in the destination — not at install. So you can install the eSIM at home days before your flight, then activate by landing.
On arrival: toggle airplane mode off, give the phone 10–30 seconds to find a partner network, and you’ll see the VoyaSIM line pick up signal bars. If you don’t — check the common errors in the next section.
5 common errors and how to fix them
| Error | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| “This code is not valid” / “Cellular Plan cannot be added” | You scanned the QR twice. Each VoyaSIM QR code is single-use — once an eSIM is installed from it, the code is invalid for any other install. If you accidentally deleted the eSIM before activating, contact support; we can reissue a fresh QR. |
| QR scans but no service after landing | Three usual causes. (1) Your home SIM still has data roaming on and is winning the network selection — turn its roaming off. (2) The VoyaSIM line isn’t set as the data line — re-check Settings. (3) Airplane mode is on — toggle it off, then turn cellular on for the VoyaSIM line. The validity timer only starts on first successful network connect, so a delayed activation doesn’t cost you data. |
| Phone shows “No Service” on the VoyaSIM line | Usually a network handover issue. Try: airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off. If still no service, manually select a network in Settings → Cellular → VoyaSIM line → Network Selection → switch off Automatic and pick one of the listed partner networks. Operator and coverage notes for each destination are on its country page. |
| “Couldn’t complete activation” on iOS | This typically means a network glitch during the eSIM profile download. Turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, off, and rescan the QR. Make sure you’re on Wi-Fi for the install step itself — the eSIM profile download uses internet. |
| No “Add eSIM” option in Settings | Your phone may not support eSIM. Modern iPhones from XS / XR (2018) onwards do. Pixel 3 and newer support eSIM. Samsung S22, S23, S24, S25 and recent Note / Z Flip / Z Fold devices support eSIM. Phones bought in mainland China are often eSIM-locked by the regional model number, even if the global model of the same handset supports eSIM. |
Questions? Contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
How long does eSIM activation take?
About 60-90 seconds end-to-end. You scan the QR, the eSIM profile downloads in a few seconds, you label it and pick which line handles data. The validity period of the plan doesn’t start until your phone first connects to a partner network in your destination — so you can install at home days before flying with no penalty.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM?
Yes — you need an internet connection (Wi-Fi or your existing cellular data) for the QR scan to download the eSIM profile. Once installed, the eSIM does not need Wi-Fi to start working in your destination; it connects to its partner cellular network automatically.
Can I install the eSIM and use it immediately at home for testing?
It depends on the plan. Country plans only work in their target country, so a Japan eSIM scanned at home in the US will install but won’t get service. Regional plans only work in their region. Global plans are the exception — they connect anywhere they have a partner. The safest test of activation is: install at home, confirm the line shows up in Settings, then verify it gets a signal when you arrive in destination.
Will activating the eSIM cancel my home carrier plan?
No. Adding a travel eSIM is purely additive — your existing primary SIM (physical or eSIM) remains intact and active. The new eSIM is a second line that handles only the data you assign to it. You keep your home phone number, voicemail, all settings.
Do I need to remove the eSIM after my trip?
Not unless you want to. You can leave an expired eSIM installed indefinitely — it just won’t carry data because its plan has expired. Some travelers delete expired eSIMs to keep their SIM list tidy; others keep them so they can buy a second plan for a future trip. Both are fine.
How do I know my eSIM activated correctly?
After install you should see the VoyaSIM line in Settings → Cellular (iOS) or Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (Android), labeled with whatever name you gave it. When your phone connects in the destination, a small signal indicator will appear next to that line. You can also check your eSIM’s live status any time under My eSIMs in your VoyaSIM account.
Can I activate the same QR code on a second phone?
No. Each QR code installs exactly once. If you need to transfer the eSIM to a new phone mid-trip (lost phone, broken phone), contact support and we’ll reissue — in most cases your remaining plan balance and validity carry over to the reissued eSIM.