The six most common reasons your eSIM is not working
- The eSIM is installed but not activated (not set as the data line)
- Data Roaming is turned off for the eSIM line
- Your phone is carrier-locked and cannot use third-party eSIMs
- The APN settings are wrong
- You are in airplane mode or Wi-Fi Calling is interfering
- The QR code was already used or has expired
Fix 1: eSIM installed but not set as your data line
Installing an eSIM does not automatically make it your data connection. You must tell your phone which SIM to use for cellular data.
On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select your travel eSIM. On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → tap the travel eSIM → set as Preferred SIM for data.
Fix 2: Data Roaming is turned off
Travel eSIMs technically "roam" on local networks — even though it does not cost extra, your phone still requires Data Roaming to be enabled for the eSIM line.
On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → tap the travel eSIM line → turn on Data Roaming. On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile network → Roaming → enable. Important: only enable roaming on the travel eSIM, not on your home SIM (that would trigger your carrier's international charges).
Fix 3: Your phone is carrier-locked
If you bought your phone directly from a carrier (not unlocked), it may be locked to that carrier's network and will not accept third-party eSIMs. This is common with phones purchased from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile in the US, or O2, EE, or Vodafone in the UK, especially on installment plans.
How to check: try installing the eSIM — if it shows "SIM not supported" or "Invalid SIM", your phone is likely locked. Contact your home carrier to request an unlock. Most carriers unlock for free if the device is paid off. UK carriers are legally required to unlock upon request. US carriers must unlock eligible devices.
Fix 4: APN settings are wrong
APN (Access Point Name) settings tell your phone how to connect to the carrier's data network. Most eSIMs configure APN automatically, but occasionally the settings do not apply.
On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → tap the eSIM line → Cellular Data Network → check that APN is filled in. If it is blank, contact your eSIM provider for the correct APN. On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile network → Advanced → Access Point Names → check the APN entry for the eSIM.
Fix 5: Airplane mode leftover or Wi-Fi Calling interference
If you enabled airplane mode during the flight and forgot to turn it off, no SIM will have data. Toggle airplane mode off completely, then wait 30 seconds for the eSIM to register on the local network.
Wi-Fi Calling on your home SIM can also interfere by keeping your phone associated with your home carrier's network even when abroad. Try turning off Wi-Fi Calling on your primary SIM temporarily: Settings → Cellular → tap home SIM → Wi-Fi Calling → off.
Fix 6: QR code already used or expired
Each eSIM QR code can only be scanned once. If you scanned it on a different device, deleted the eSIM and tried to reinstall from the same QR code, or if the code has expired (most providers give 6 months), you will get an error.
Solution: contact your eSIM provider's support team. Reputable providers (including Flysimio) will issue a new QR code or manually provision a new eSIM profile to your account.
Still not working? Try these last steps
- Restart your phone completely — not just sleep/wake.
- Toggle airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then off.
- Reset network settings: on iPhone, Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. Warning: this removes all saved Wi-Fi passwords.
- Check that your eSIM is not the one currently in "Turned Off" state — you can have multiple eSIMs installed but some disabled.
- Contact your eSIM provider with your order number. Include your ICCID (found in Settings → Cellular → tap the eSIM line → scroll to ICCID).
Frequently asked questions
Why does my eSIM show no service after landing?
Most commonly: Data Roaming is off for the eSIM line, or the eSIM is not set as your Cellular Data SIM. Go to Settings → Cellular → enable Data Roaming on the travel eSIM, and make sure it is selected as the Cellular Data line.
Can I reinstall an eSIM if I deleted it by accident?
No — once deleted, the QR code cannot be reused. Contact your eSIM provider immediately. They can issue a new eSIM profile to your account, usually within minutes via email.
My eSIM was working yesterday but stopped today — what happened?
Three most likely causes: (1) your data ran out and the plan ended; check remaining data in your provider account. (2) A phone software update reset your cellular settings. (3) You accidentally enabled airplane mode or toggled the eSIM off. Check Settings → Cellular and look for the eSIM line status.
Does eSIM work in airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode disables all cellular connections including eSIM. To use data, airplane mode must be off. You can re-enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth manually after toggling airplane mode on, but cellular stays off until you disable airplane mode entirely.
What if my phone says "eSIM not supported"?
This means either (1) your device does not support eSIM hardware — check the compatibility page for a full device list, or (2) your phone is carrier-locked. Contact your home carrier to request an unlock before purchasing an eSIM.