How to install an eSIM on an iPhone

Before you start

Should You Install Before You Leave or When You Arrive?

We recommend installing your eSIM before you leave. This is because you need WiFi to install the eSIM, and also because then once you arrive you only need to change the "Mobile Data" setting in your phone to use the eSIM and you will be connected right away!

You can however install it when you arrive that is totally fine, just remember you need WiFi to do so and not tethered (hotspot) WiFi.

Tips & Reminders

• Activating an data-only eSIM is different to installing one. Activation happens automatically when you arrive in your destination, but before this you need to install your eSIM.
• Disable Data Roaming on your primary SIM card to avoid unexpected charges.
• Consider temporarily turning off apps like iCloud Drive or Google Sync to reduce background data usage.
• If you install the eSIM before travelling, don’t forget to change "Mobile Data" in your settings to the new eSIM once you arrive at your destination.
• To prevent roaming fees from your monthly provider we recommend turning off your Primary SIM - many providers don't charge roaming for just leaving it on but it's up to you to check

Method 1: Install by Scanning Your QR Code

The most popular method of installation is to scan the QR code you were sent via email when you purchased your eSIM - haven't received it? Contact us.

You will need to open the email on a different device and scan the QR code using your phone's camera - do not use a third-party QR scanning app as this won't trigger the installation.

Typically people scan the QR code off their laptop, tablet, a family member's phone, or a printed copy - all work fine.

Only have one device? No worries - skip ahead to Method 2 where you can install directly through the ZenSim app without needing a second device at all.

Method 2: Install via the ZenSim App

If you download the ZenSim app, you will be met with two or three different installation options depending on your IOS version.

1. Direct - This is the easiest way to install, you simply click a button and the process begins
2. QR code - Same as the QR option above you can share the QR code from the app to a device so you can scan it
3. Manual install - Some people prefer to just copy paste the eSIM code into the settings manually so we give you instructions to do also

Completing Installation

Follow the prompts

Once you have begun installation using one of the above methods you may be asked a few questions (these vary based on IOS version), most are pretty self explanatory but we can run through the potential prompts here - note you may not see all (or any) of these prompts which is totally fine:

1. Activate eSIM - If asked to Activate eSIM click on Continue to continue the installation
2. Where will you use this eSIM - You will want to click Abroad as this is for travelling abroad
3. Which type of data plan you have - Select Data only as the Travel eSIMs do not have traditional voice calling (you may not see this on all iPhones)
4. Turn on Travel eSIM - If you're not overseas yet select "Travel eSIM and Current SIM" this will leave both SIMs enabled - note once you arrive abroad you may want to turn OFF your monthly SIM to prevent any roaming charges.
5. Turn on low data mode - I recommend selecting Not Now - you can do this if you want to save extra data, note some app like maps may not work as expected

Confirm eSIM installed

If you jump into Settings > Mobile (or Cellular) you should be able to see your eSIM listed under SIMs, now it may be called one of many things but the most popular labels are "Connect", "Travel", "Secondary", "Mobile Data" or "Business".

• If you receive a "Unable to Activate" message and you're not overseas yet, that is totally normal and you can ignore that
• If you notice it says "Activating" and doesn’t change and you're not overseas yet, that is also fine - the eSIM will activate on arrive overseas

When you arrive overseas

Do these things when you land:

1. Go to Settings > Mobile (or Cellular)
2. Scroll down to SIMs and click on your eSIM > Ensure it is turned on AND Roaming Data is also enabled
3. Go back to Mobile settings and tap Mobile Data at the top of the screen
4. Ensure you select your Travel eSIM for Mobile Data
5. Turn flight mode on, wait 30 seconds, turn it off again

Once you do the above you should be able to connect, note it can take up to 15 minutes to find the network in a new country for the very first time.

Do not scan the QR code again

If you already have the eSIM installed like we confirmed above you do not need to scan the QR code again, this will display an error which will tell you the QR code has been used already since the eSIM is already installed.

The eSIM will activate automatically

You do not need to do anything to "Activate" the eSIM provided it is installed already and you have followed the instructions above for when you land it should be all gravy.

You do not need to click anything or scan anything and you don't even need to use or download our app in order to use the eSIM - but we do recommend our ZenSim app for topping up and checking your balance of course.

Common errors

"Unable to activate"

If you're not overseas yet, this error is totally normal all it means is that the eSIM can't connect to the network yet, but when you arrive in your destination country it will connect.

If you are overseas already and are seeing this error please give your phone a restart, if you still see it, reach out to us and we will give you a hand.

"Code is no longer valid"

Nine times out of ten this error is shown because the QR code has already been scanning and the eSIM already installed in the background.

If you see this error, we recommend going into your Settings > Mobile (or Cellular) screen and seeing if your eSIM is already listed under SIMs - it likely is.

In the unlikely event the eSIM is not listed and the QR code refuses to work, reach out and we will get you sorted.

eSIM is stuck on "Activating"

If you're not overseas yet this is totally normal, the eSIM will activate once you arrive overseas and it can actually connect to a supported network.

If you have arrived and see this, give it up to 15 minutes to try to find the network and if it refuses contact us and we can see what's going on.

eSIM refuses to install

If you have read all of the above and the eSIM refuses to install, please ensure you are connected to decent WiFi - not tethering or hotspot.

If you have a VPN active or Screen Time / Content Restrictions enabled on your iPhone, these can silently block the installation - temporarily disable them before trying again.

If the issue persists, reach out to us and we will see what's going on.