How to Install eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
Compatible Samsung Devices
Before you begin, confirm your Samsung Galaxy supports eSIM. The following models have eSIM capability:
- Galaxy S series — Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 (and their Plus/Ultra variants)
- Galaxy Z Flip — Z Flip, Z Flip3, Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6
- Galaxy Z Fold — Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6
- Galaxy A series — Galaxy A54, A55 (availability varies by region)
- Galaxy Note — Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
Important: Some carrier-branded Samsung phones have eSIM disabled. If you purchased your phone from a carrier, check that it is unlocked and that the eSIM option appears in settings.
What You Need
- A compatible Samsung Galaxy device
- Android 12 or later (check under Settings > About Phone > Software Information)
- A Wi-Fi connection for downloading the eSIM profile
- Your eSIM QR code displayed on another device or printed
Step 1: Open SIM Manager
Navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM manager (on older One UI versions it may be under Settings > Connections > SIM card manager). You will see your current physical SIM listed here.
Step 2: Add eSIM
Tap Add eSIM. On One UI 6 and newer, you may see an option labeled Add mobile plan. Tap it and select Scan carrier QR code when prompted.
Step 3: Scan the QR Code
Hold your Samsung phone steady and point the camera at the eSIM QR code. The scanner will automatically read the code and display the carrier information. If the code is not detected after a few seconds, make sure there is adequate lighting and that the QR code is displayed at full size without distortion.
If scanning fails, tap Enter activation code instead and manually type the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order confirmation email.
Step 4: Download and Activate
After scanning, tap Add to confirm. Your phone will connect to the carrier's server and download the eSIM profile. A progress indicator will appear. This process typically takes 15 to 60 seconds depending on your internet speed.
Once the download completes, the eSIM will appear under your list of SIM cards in the SIM manager.
Step 5: Configure Data Settings
In the SIM manager, you can assign roles to each SIM:
- Calls — Keep your physical SIM as default for voice calls.
- Messages — Keep your physical SIM for SMS.
- Mobile data — Switch to the eSIM so all internet traffic uses your travel data plan.
Tap Mobile data and select your newly installed eSIM line.
Step 6: Enable Data Roaming
This step is critical if you are traveling internationally. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks, select the eSIM line, and toggle Data roaming on. Without this, your eSIM will not connect to foreign networks even if the plan is active.
Verify Everything is Working
Open your web browser and load any website. If the page loads, your eSIM is working correctly. You can also check the signal indicator in your status bar — you should see signal bars for both your physical SIM and eSIM.
Troubleshooting Samsung eSIM Issues
No “Add eSIM” option in SIM manager
Your device may be carrier-locked with eSIM disabled. Contact your carrier or try inserting a different physical SIM to check if the phone is unlocked. On some regional Galaxy models (especially in certain Asian markets), eSIM may not be available due to hardware differences.
Download failed or timed out
Ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. Restart your phone and try again. Avoid using mobile data to download the eSIM profile as some carriers block this.
Connected but no internet
Confirm data roaming is enabled for the eSIM line. Check that the eSIM is set as the active mobile data SIM under SIM manager. Restart the device to refresh the network connection.
Slow data speeds
Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks, select the eSIM, and check Network mode. Select 5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto connect) for the best speed. If speeds are still poor, toggle Airplane mode on and off to reconnect to a different tower.