An eSIM on an Android phone is activated through the phone's SIM settings and your carrier's setup process. On a Google Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM. Google also supports physical SIM conversion on Pixel 7 and later models.

Quick Setup Guide

Android phone Menu path
Google Pixel Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM
Samsung Galaxy Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM
Other Android phones Check Settings > Network & internet, Connections, or SIM manager

Menu names vary by manufacturer, Android version, country, and carrier.

What Do You Need Before Starting?

You need:

  • An Android phone that supports eSIM
  • An eSIM-compatible mobile plan
  • Wi-Fi or another internet connection
  • A carrier QR code, activation code, or account details
  • An unlocked phone if your carrier requires it
  • Your phone's IMEI or device ID, if requested by the carrier

Your carrier must support eSIM activation for your exact phone model and region. Contact the carrier to confirm support and provide the phone's IMEI or device ID if needed. Google Support

How Do You Activate an eSIM on a Google Pixel?

On a Google Pixel, open the SIM settings and choose Set up an eSIM.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network & internet.
  3. Tap SIMs.
  4. Tap Add SIM.
  5. Select Set up an eSIM.
  6. Choose your mobile network provider.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and activate the eSIM.
  8. Choose whether the eSIM handles mobile data, calls, and text messages.

If your carrier gives you a QR code, use the same path and select the option to scan the code or enter the carrier's activation details. Some carriers download the eSIM automatically instead of providing a QR code.

If the phone does not detect the eSIM, the carrier may need to activate it first. Google Support

How Do You Activate an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy?

On a Samsung Galaxy, open SIM manager and choose Add eSIM.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Connections.
  3. Tap SIM manager.
  4. Tap Add eSIM.
  5. Choose an available option:
    • Scan QR code
    • Download a plan
    • Enter activation code
    • Transfer SIM from another phone
  6. Follow the carrier's instructions.
  7. Restart the phone if Samsung or the carrier asks you to.

Samsung's QR-code path is Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Scan QR code. The available options depend on the phone and carrier. Samsung Support

How Do You Enter a Samsung eSIM Activation Code?

  1. Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
  2. Tap Add eSIM.
  3. Tap Scan QR code.
  4. Select Enter activation code.
  5. Type the code provided by your carrier.
  6. Finish the on-screen setup.

How Do You Activate an eSIM on Another Android Phone?

On other Android phones, search the Settings app for eSIM, SIM, or SIM manager.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Open the mobile network or SIM settings.
  3. Select Add eSIM, Download a SIM, or Add mobile plan.
  4. Scan the carrier's QR code or enter the activation code.
  5. Select the eSIM for mobile data, calls, or text messages.
  6. Restart the phone if needed.

If there is no Add eSIM option, the phone, region, software version, or carrier may not support eSIM on that device.

How Do You Transfer an eSIM to a New Android Phone?

eSIM transfer requires support from the carrier and both phones. Do not delete the eSIM from the old phone until the new phone can make calls, send texts, and use mobile data.

Transfer an eSIM to a New Samsung Galaxy

On the new Galaxy phone:

  1. Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
  2. Tap Add eSIM.
  3. Select Transfer SIM from another phone.
  4. Follow the instructions on both phones.
  5. Confirm the transfer on the old phone.

Samsung says supported transfers may require both phones to use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Samsung Support

Transfer an eSIM to a Google Pixel

During Pixel setup, follow the SIM or eSIM instructions on screen. If you skipped that step, open:

Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM

The carrier may need to approve or complete the transfer. Google Support

Can You Convert a Physical SIM to an eSIM?

Some Android phones let you convert an existing physical SIM to an eSIM without requesting a new number. The option depends on the phone, carrier, country, and software version.

Convert a Physical SIM on a Google Pixel

On supported Pixel phones:

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Tap Network & internet > SIMs.
  4. Select the physical SIM.
  5. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  6. Follow the carrier's instructions.

Google says conversion requires a supported carrier and a Pixel 7 or later, including supported Fold models. After conversion, the physical SIM stops working. Google Support

Convert a Physical SIM on a Samsung Galaxy

On supported Galaxy phones:

  1. Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
  2. Select the physical SIM.
  3. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  4. Follow the carrier's instructions.

If Convert to eSIM does not appear, the phone, carrier, country, or software version may not support the feature.

How Do You Set the eSIM as Your Main Line?

Use the phone's SIM settings to choose the preferred line for mobile data, calls, and SMS messages.

On a Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > SIM manager. On a Google Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. A dual-SIM phone may support a physical SIM and eSIM at the same time, subject to phone and carrier support. Samsung Support

Why Will an Android eSIM Not Activate?

Check the connection, phone compatibility, QR code, and carrier account.

  1. Connect to reliable Wi-Fi.
  2. Restart the phone.
  3. Turn Airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then turn it off.
  4. Confirm that the phone is unlocked and compatible with the carrier.
  5. Check that the QR code has not already been used.
  6. Ask the carrier to reissue the eSIM or activation code.
  7. Provide the phone's IMEI or EID if the carrier requests it.
  8. Install the latest available Android or manufacturer software update.
  9. Contact the carrier if the phone shows No service, Activation failed, or SIM not supported.

A missing Add eSIM option usually points to a device, region, software, or carrier compatibility issue rather than a problem with the QR code.

Sources

  • Google Pixel eSIM activation
  • Google Pixel SIM and eSIM setup
  • Google Pixel physical SIM conversion
  • Samsung eSIM setup
  • Samsung Galaxy eSIM and supported carriers