Activate a travel eSIM on iPhone & Android (full checklist)

Preflight checklist (both platforms)

Charge >40%, update OS security patches, download provider PDFs offline, and identify which SIM slot should remain dormant during travel.

Disable VPNs that hijack captive portals until the profile shows “Ready to use”.

• Stable Wi-Fi > airport guest networks with splash pages
• Archive QR from email before deleting marketing messages
• Decide SMS/OTP routing before toggling defaults

iOS installation flow

Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → scan QR or enter details manually when MVNOs supply SM-DP+ strings.

Name lines descriptively (“FR Data”, “Home SMS”) before iOS autosets confusing defaults.

Android installation flow

Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager. Pixel: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs. Vendors relocate buttons; use search bars if you get lost.

Grant camera permissions before scanning to avoid phantom “invalid QR” errors.

Default voice, SMS & cellular data

iOS separates default voice/SMS/data. Mis-taps strand travelers on home plans with surprise roaming charges.

Android varies: some builds route SMS only through slot 1 unless manually overridden.

When manual APN fields appear

Most travel SKUs auto-provision APNs. If LTE attaches but DNS fails, follow the provider’s annex (often buried in PDFs).

Never paste random APN strings from forums. Typos hard-brick data until profiles reset.

Before you contact support

Capture: ICCID, timestamp, OS version, last error string, screenshot of cellular menus.

Many chatbots auto-close tickets missing EID. Have it ready from About → IMEI/EID screens.