You want to set up an eSIM on your Samsung Galaxy and use it for mobile data while traveling. It usually takes only a few minutes if your device supports eSIM and you have the QR-Code ready.
Installing the eSIM is only part of the setup. On Samsung devices, you manage installed cellular profiles in SIM manager and choose what each line should handle.
Key takeaways
- You can find the eSIM feature under Settings, Connections, SIM manager, and Add eSIM.
- You need an internet connection and your provider’s QR-Code or activation code for installation.
- Use the travel eSIM for mobile data and turn off automatic data switching to your home SIM.
- Your home SIM can remain active for calls and text messages while the travel eSIM handles mobile data.
- Enable data roaming only for the travel eSIM and only if the plan instructions require it.
What do you need before setting up an eSIM?
You need an eSIM-compatible Samsung Galaxy, a suitable cellular plan, and an internet connection. You will also need a QR-Code, an activation code, or a plan that your provider has already assigned to your device.
An eSIM is a SIM built into your device. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a digital cellular profile. The eSIM itself is not a plan. Each provider sets the data allowance, validity period, supported countries, and other terms. According to GSMA data, global eSIM penetration among smartphones was around 5% at the end of 2025.
Check the following before you begin:
- Your Samsung Galaxy model supports eSIM.
- The operating system is updated to the latest available version.
- You have a stable Wi-Fi connection.
- The battery has enough charge.
- Your QR-Code or activation details are ready.
- The device does not have a carrier lock that prevents use of the plan.
Support does not depend on the model name alone. Regional device variants and carrier approvals can differ. A list of eSIM-compatible devices is therefore useful only when checked against your exact model number.
How to check whether your phone supports eSIM
Open Settings and tap “Connections.” Then select “SIM manager.” If you see “Add eSIM,” your device can generally download an eSIM profile.
Compatible devices also often display an EID. This is the unique identification number of the built-in eSIM chip. You can usually find it under Settings, About phone, and Status information.
If the option is missing even though the model should be compatible, check the exact model number and install any available software updates. Official Samsung support also notes that availability can vary by country, carrier, and model.
How do you set up an eSIM on Samsung?
The easiest way to set up an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy is with a QR-Code. Open SIM manager, scan the code provided, and confirm the cellular profile download.
Follow these steps in order:
- Connect your Samsung Galaxy to stable Wi-Fi.
- Open “Settings.”
- Tap “Connections.”
- Open “SIM manager.”
- Select “Add eSIM.”
- Choose the option to scan a QR-Code.
- Scan the QR-Code with the camera.
- Confirm that you want to add and download the profile.
- Wait until the eSIM appears in SIM manager.
The names of individual menu options may change with the One UI version, which is Samsung’s Android interface. On supported Galaxy devices, the basic route through Connections and SIM manager remains similar.
Do not close Settings or interrupt the internet connection while the profile is downloading. Keep the QR-Code in a secure place for now. Some codes work only once or are linked to a specific device.
Using a QR-Code saved on the same phone
If the QR-Code is only available on your Samsung Galaxy, you cannot easily scan it with the same camera. Open it on a laptop, tablet, or another smartphone instead. You can also print it.
Some newer Galaxy versions can read a QR-Code from a saved image. Whether this option appears depends on the device and software version. If it is unavailable, use your provider’s manual activation code.
[cta title="Set up an eSIM on Samsung with a QR-Code" description="Use the QR-Code to download the eSIM profile directly in SIM manager, then follow the steps to get connected." button_text="View eSIM" button_url="https://www.esimony.com/products/esim-germany"]
What alternatives are there to a QR-Code?
Besides QR-Codes, Samsung supports manual entry of an activation code and automatic downloads of assigned plans. Your provider determines which methods are available.
Installing an eSIM with an activation code
Open Settings, Connections, SIM manager, and Add eSIM. Then select the option to enter an activation code. Enter the details exactly as your provider supplied them.
This method is useful if the QR-Code cannot be read or is stored on the same device. You still need an internet connection during the download when installing and activating the eSIM manually.
Automatically downloading an assigned plan
Some carriers assign the eSIM profile to your device in advance. After you open Add eSIM, the Galaxy searches for an available plan. If it finds one, you can download it directly.
Your provider may need your smartphone’s EID for this process. Install an automatically detected plan only if the provider and plan name match your order.
When is a travel eSIM activated?
Installation and activation are not always the same process. The profile may already be installed on your phone, while the validity period begins only when it first connects in your destination. The terms on the product page determine when activation starts.
Whenever possible, install the travel eSIM over Wi-Fi before departure. This gives you time to resolve any questions without relying on a working data connection at the airport or after arrival.
Do not enable the eSIM for mobile data too early if the plan starts when it first connects to a network. Some plans begin immediately after installation instead. Check the stated activation time before setting it up.
An installed eSIM can remain turned off in SIM manager. Enable it shortly before departure or after arrival, depending on the plan terms. Do not delete the profile simply because it has not connected yet.
How do you use your home SIM and eSIM together?
A compatible Dual-SIM phone can manage your home SIM and a travel eSIM at the same time. Your home number remains active for calls and text messages, while the eSIM provides mobile data abroad.
Open SIM manager and give the two lines clear names, such as “Home” and “Travel.” Then choose which SIM to use for mobile data, calls, and text messages.
This setup works well for many trips:
- The travel eSIM handles mobile data.
- The home SIM remains active for incoming text messages.
- You choose the appropriate line for each call.
- Automatic data switching remains turned off.
Your home number can continue receiving text messages with security codes. Incoming and outgoing calls on that line may still incur charges abroad. This depends on your home plan and destination.
Calls through WhatsApp, Signal, and similar apps use the active data line. If mobile data is assigned to the travel eSIM, these calls use its data connection.
The combinations your phone can use simultaneously depend on the specific device variant. Samsung’s Dual-SIM guidance explains how to manage preferred lines on compatible devices.
How should you configure data roaming?
Many travel eSIMs require data roaming because they connect through partner networks. Turn it on only for the travel eSIM if the plan instructions require it. Keep data roaming turned off for your home SIM.
Open “Settings,” “Connections,” and “Mobile networks.” Select the relevant SIM if necessary, then enable data roaming. The exact location of this setting depends on your version of One UI.
Next, check the SIM manager to confirm that the travel eSIM is selected for mobile data. Turn off features such as “Automatic data switching” or “Data switching and backup calling.” Otherwise, the phone may switch to your home SIM when the connection is weak.
A roaming icon does not automatically mean extra charges when you are using a travel eSIM. The terms of your plan determine the cost. The same icon on your home SIM, however, may indicate chargeable roaming.
When does an additional travel eSIM make sense?
A separate data line can prevent your phone from using your home plan without you noticing while abroad. First check whether your existing plan includes enough data at your destination. Global eSIM smartphone adoption was around 5% at the end of 2025.
Before temporary trips, travelers should check whether their carrier offers “Roam Like at Home” or another roaming option in their destination, along with any prices and conditions.
A travel eSIM may still be useful if your included data is not enough. It can also provide a separate connection for a Hotspot or keep business and personal data use clearly divided.
Check your carrier’s roaming options and prices before traveling, especially for Switzerland or the UK, where coverage may differ from other European destinations.
Take extra care on ferries and airplanes. Your phone may connect to a satellite or onboard network that is not covered by standard roaming arrangements. Turn on airplane mode during the trip or flight if you want to avoid these connections.
How do you fix an eSIM that is not working on a Samsung phone?
First, check that the eSIM is turned on and selected for mobile data. Then check data roaming, network reception, and the activation date. Many problems come from assigning mobile data to the wrong SIM rather than from the eSIM profile itself.
“Add eSIM” is missing
If this option is missing, your phone's regional variant may not support eSIMs. Outdated software or carrier restrictions can also cause the issue. Check the full model number rather than just the name of the Galaxy series.
Install any available system updates and restart the phone. If the option still does not appear, check the model number, the phone's region of origin, and whether your carrier supports eSIM activation on that device.
The QR-Code is not recognized
Display the code on a second screen at high brightness. Enlarge it, avoid reflections, and hold the camera steady. A blurry screenshot or a code that has already been used may prevent scanning.
Do not request a new code immediately or delete an existing profile. First, check whether the eSIM is already stored in the SIM manager. If it is not, enter the activation code provided with your plan.
The eSIM has no internet connection
Select the travel eSIM as the preferred SIM for mobile data. Enable data roaming if the plan requires it. Then briefly turn airplane mode on and off, or restart the phone.
Leave network selection set to “Automatic” at first. Also check that the plan works in your current country and that its validity period has started. If the provider supplies specific APN details, enter them exactly as shown. The APN is the access point your phone uses to establish a mobile data connection.
The home SIM is still using mobile data
Turn off data roaming for your home SIM and disable automatic data switching. Check the preferred data line again in the SIM manager. If you are unsure, you can temporarily turn off the home SIM without removing it.
How do you remove the eSIM after your trip?
Open “Settings,” “Connections,” and “SIM manager.” Select the relevant eSIM profile. You can then turn it off or remove it from the phone completely.
Turning off and removing a profile have different consequences. A disabled profile remains stored and can be turned on again later. A removed profile may need to be reinstalled before you can use it again.
Delete the eSIM only when you are sure you no longer need it. Many QR-Codes cannot be used twice. Removing an eSIM from your phone also does not cancel an existing mobile plan or automatic renewal. The provider's terms still apply.
If you are traveling with other people, one eSIM profile generally works on only one device. Other phones need their own profiles. A personal Hotspot can share the connection if both the plan and device allow it.
The right setup depends on your trip
Whether an additional eSIM makes sense depends on your destination, your home plan, and the SIM combinations supported by your Galaxy model. You can remain reachable on your regular number while assigning mobile data to the separate line.
Your existing plan may already be enough at some destinations. For countries outside its standard roaming area, check your carrier's rules and prices before you travel. The eSIM activation date and exact Samsung model variant also matter.
[cta title="Stay online with the right eSIM" description="An eSIM for Germany keeps mobile data separate from your primary SIM and helps you avoid unnecessary roaming." button_text="View plans" button_url="https://www.esimony.com/products/esim-germany"]
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer an eSIM to a new Samsung Galaxy?
Direct transfers are not available with every plan. Many QR-Codes can be used only once or are tied to one device. Do not remove the profile from your old Galaxy until your provider confirms that it can be transferred or installed again.
Can my Samsung Galaxy store multiple eSIMs?
Some Galaxy models can store multiple eSIM profiles. How many can be active at the same time depends on the model, regional variant, and software version. The SIM manager shows the available profiles and supported combinations.
Will the eSIM still work after a factory reset?
A factory reset may delete the eSIM profile. Some devices let you keep eSIMs during the reset process. Save the activation details first and check whether the provider allows another installation.
Can I use the same eSIM on a phone and tablet?
An eSIM profile is generally intended for one device. A tablet or smartwatch needs its own compatible profile or an additional device option specifically supported by the provider.
Can I use a Hotspot with a travel eSIM?
A Samsung Galaxy can technically share its eSIM data connection through a Wi-Fi Hotspot. Whether this is allowed depends on the plan terms. Data used by all connected devices counts toward the purchased package.
Do I need a new phone number for the eSIM?
Data-only eSIMs often do not include a usable phone number for standard calls and text messages. Your regular number remains unaffected as long as your home SIM stays active. Calls through messaging apps use the travel eSIM's mobile data connection.
