Fixes
eSIM not working? Fix it fast
Nine times out of ten it’s one toggle. Run the 90-second checklist first, then the targeted fixes below — in order.
The 90-second checklist
- 01Airplane mode: on, wait 5s, off
Forces a fresh network registration — fixes more than anyone admits.
- 02Check the eSIM line is ON
Settings → Cellular/SIMs → your travel line: enabled.
- 03Check data is routed to the eSIM
Mobile data must point at the travel line, not your home SIM.
- 04Check Data Roaming — ON for the eSIM
The single most-missed switch. Travel eSIMs need it; it adds no cost.
- 05Reboot once
Thirty seconds — clears radio-state weirdness after flights.
No signal at all
- Select the network manually. Settings → your eSIM line → Network Selection → turn off Automatic and pick a listed partner network. Auto sometimes camps on a non-partner.
- Wait 2–3 minutes after landing. First registration on a foreign network can be slow — especially at airports.
- Try the other partner network. If one is weak in your area, the second usually isn’t — your country page lists them.
Signal, but no internet
- Re-check the data line. Bars come from any active line; internet only flows through the one set as mobile data.
- APN: set to automatic. If you’ve ever added a manual APN, remove it — the profile configures itself.
- Pause the VPN during first connect. Some VPNs block the connectivity check; re-enable it right after (we’re pro-VPN — see the privacy guide).
- Low Data / Data Saver mode off — it silently throttles background connections.
Install & activation errors
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| QR won’t scan | Use manual entry — the SM-DP+ address and activation code are on your order page. |
| “Profile already installed” | eSIMs are single-use. If it’s on an old phone or a failed attempt ate it, open a ticket — reissues are free. |
| “Cannot connect to carrier” during install | You need internet (Wi-Fi is fine) for the install step itself. Retry on a stable connection. |
| eSIM installed but missing from the list | Restart the phone — the profile list refreshes at boot on some Androids. |
Connected but slow
- Try the other network manually — congestion is local; the second carrier often flies.
- Force LTE/4G. In fringe areas phones cling to 3G; locking to LTE helps where it’s available.
- Check your pack isn’t empty. Some networks drop to a crawl instead of cutting off — your order page shows remaining data.
Last resorts — in this order
Do
- Reset Network Settings (keeps eSIMs on iOS, re-pairs radios)
- Open an anonymous ticket — we can reissue the profile in minutes
- Note your order code before experimenting
Don’t
- Delete the eSIM profile “to try again” — profiles are single-use; deletion burns it
- Factory-reset over a data issue — that erases every eSIM on the phone
- Add random APNs from forums
Two minutes of ticket beats an hour of forum archaeology: reissues are free and the profile state is visible on our side.
Questions, answered
Does deleting and reinstalling the eSIM fix problems?
No — don’t. Profiles are single-use by carrier design: deletion consumes it. Every software-side fix above works without touching the profile; if the profile itself is broken, a ticket gets you a fresh one free.
Do I need Wi-Fi for the eSIM to work abroad?
Only for the initial install. Day-to-day use is pure cellular — that’s the point.
My phone shows the wrong carrier name — is that a problem?
No. Travel profiles often display the sponsor network’s name or a generic label while connecting through local partners. Working data matters; the label doesn’t.