How to Set Up eSIM on Android: eSIM & Mobile Connectivity Explained
Set up an eSIM on Android in minutes: tap Install on Android from your email, or scan a QR code from another screen. Works on Android 10+ with a eSIM phone.
Updated 16 October 2026
In one sentence
Setting up an eSIM on Android means adding a mobile plan to your phone digitally, with no physical SIM card, usually by tapping one install button or scanning a QR code.
In detail
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone that can hold mobile plans downloaded over Wi-Fi. When you buy a travel eSIM from a Fresim store, the details arrive instantly by email. On Android 10 or newer, you tap Install on Android in that email and your phone walks you through adding the plan. The email also includes a QR code, which is handy for sharing the eSIM or installing it from another screen, such as a laptop or tablet. Your phone must be eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked, and the steps vary slightly between brands like Samsung and Pixel.
How it works
Your phone has a small chip called an eUICC that stores mobile profiles. When you tap Install on Android or scan the QR code, your phone fetches the plan's profile over the internet and saves it to that chip. You then switch the plan on, and for travel you usually turn on data roaming for the eSIM line so it can connect to a local network.
Why travellers should care
Setting up before you fly means you can land with data already working, with no airport SIM queues and no tiny card to lose. Your home SIM stays in the phone, so you can still get calls and texts while the travel eSIM handles data. Prices vary by destination and are set by each store, so compare options before you go.
Related terms
- Samsung eSIM
- Pixel eSIM
- Google Fi
- eSIM QR Code
- Dual SIM
Example
Maya is a travel blogger flying from Sydney to Tokyo on a Pixel phone. A week before the trip she buys a Japan eSIM from a creator's Fresim store and gets an email within moments. At home on Wi-Fi, she taps Install on Android and follows the prompts. She leaves the plan switched off. When she lands, she switches it on, turns on data roaming for that line, and has data before she reaches the train platform.
Key takeaway
On Android 10 or newer, open your eSIM email, tap Install on Android on Wi-Fi before you travel, and use the QR code only to share the eSIM or install it from another screen.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up an eSIM on Android?
Open the delivery email on your phone while connected to Wi-Fi and tap Install on Android. Follow the on-screen prompts to add the plan. If you are reading the email on another device, you can scan the QR code from that screen instead. Once installed, turn the eSIM on when you arrive at your destination.
Which Android phones support eSIM?
Many recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models support eSIM, as do models from other brands. The one-tap install needs Android 10 or newer. Check your phone's settings under SIM or network, or your manufacturer's support page, to confirm eSIM support for your exact model.
Can I install an eSIM using a QR code on Android?
Yes. You can scan the QR code from your eSIM email using the option to add an eSIM in your phone's network settings. The QR code is also an easy way to share the eSIM or install it from another screen. The Install on Android button is the quickest route when you are reading the email on the phone itself.
Do I need Wi-Fi to install an eSIM?
Yes. Your phone needs an internet connection to download the eSIM profile, so install it on home, hotel or airport Wi-Fi. Installing before you leave is best, as you can then switch the eSIM on as soon as you land.
Will I lose my regular number if I add a travel eSIM?
No. A travel eSIM is added alongside your existing SIM, and your phone keeps both. Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and keep your home line for calls and texts. Check your phone's SIM settings to confirm which line is used for data, and turn off data roaming on your home line to avoid roaming charges.
Where you'll use this
More esim glossary
Sources
- Google Android Help — Use eSIM on your Android phone
- Samsung Support — Add or manage eSIMs on Samsung Galaxy phones
- GSMA — Remote SIM Provisioning for Consumer Devices
- Google Pixel Help — Use an eSIM on Pixel phones