eSIM QR Codes: What They Are and How to Get One (2026)

An eSIM QR Code activates a digital SIM on your phone. When you scan it in your device settings, your phone downloads a mobile plan and connects to your carrier’s network without a physical SIM card.

eSIM QR Codes remove the friction of swapping tiny plastic cards. You buy a plan, scan a code, and you’re online in minutes, whether you’re setting up a new phone or picking up local data access before a trip. There’s no shop visit, no waiting for a card in the mail, and no fumbling with a SIM tray. eSIM is now standard on most new phones, and adoption continues to climb.

A December 2025 TechCrunch report, citing Counterpoint, found that 41% of devices launched in the US in 2024 shipped with eSIM capability, which shows how quickly the technology has become mainstream.

QR Codes make this whole process function. If you want a refresher on the technology behind the scan, read our guide to how QR Codes work.

Key takeaways

• An eSIM QR Code activates a digital SIM on your phone. When you scan it, your device downloads a mobile plan and connects to your carrier’s network, without a physical SIM card.
• Get your eSIM QR Code from your mobile carrier or a travel eSIM provider. Most send it by email or show it in their app right after you buy a plan.
• Activate the eSIM in your device settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. On Android, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager or a similar option.
• Keep your eSIM QR Code until activation finishes, because most are single-use. Once you install the plan, the code usually stops working, so store it safely until you confirm the connection.
• Businesses and service providers can create eSIM activation QR Codes with QRCG. Generate branded, professional codes to help your customers set up mobile connectivity fast.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is an embedded digital SIM built directly into your device, so you activate a mobile plan through software instead of inserting a physical card. The chip stays inside your phone, tablet, watch, or laptop, and you load carrier profiles onto it electronically. Because the SIM is on a permanent chip, you can hold multiple plans on one device and switch between them without opening the tray.

The technology grew out of GSMA specifications introduced around 2012 for connected devices and the Internet of Things. Consumer adoption started around 2016, and Apple and Google integrated eSIM into their phones early, which pushed the format into the mainstream. You can read more on the GSMA eSIM overview.

Growth has accelerated since. The Trusted Connectivity Alliance reported in 2023 that consumer eSIM adoption doubled that year. Travel is a major driver too. A GSMA survey reported by TechCrunch in December 2025 found that 51% of eSIM users rely on it for travel.

Here is how an eSIM compares to a traditional physical SIM.

How to tell if your device is eSIM compatible

Check whether your device supports eSIM in two quick steps.

1. Open your device settings and look for an eSIM or “Add eSIM” option. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network, Settings > Connections, or similar (Android implementations can have different user interfaces). If you see an option to add an eSIM, your device supports it.
   
2. Consult the manufacturer if you’re unsure. Apple, Google, and Samsung keep current compatibility lists on their sites, and older or budget models may lack support.

Apple started eSIM support with the iPhone XS, and Google added it with the Pixel 2. Widely used eSIM-compatible models today include recent iPhone models, the Samsung Galaxy S series, and Google Pixel phones.

Why do I need an eSIM QR Code?

An eSIM QR Code links your phone to your carrier’s SM-DP+ server when you scan it. That server then delivers your eSIM profile to your device, which installs the plan and connects you to the network. The code carries the exact details your phone needs to reach the right profile, so you skip manual entry. QR Codes store this data in a compact, scannable format, as our guide to QR Code encoding explains.

An eSIM QR Code gives you clear advantages over manual setup:

• Instant activation. Scan the code, and your plan installs in a few taps.
• Fewer setup errors. The code carries the details, so you avoid typos in long activation strings.
• Easy carrier switching. Download a new profile without visiting a store or waiting for a card.
• No physical card to lose. Everything lives on your device, so there’s nothing to misplace.

How to get and activate an eSIM QR Code

Getting and activating an eSIM QR Code follows a simple flow: Buy a plan, receive your QR Code via email or in the app, open your phone’s cellular settings, scan the code, and confirm the plan is active. The steps below break down each stage, so you know how to get an eSIM QR Code, where to find it after purchase, and how to activate it on iPhone and Android.

Get your eSIM QR Code

Follow these steps to get your eSIM QR Code from a provider.

1. Contact your mobile carrier or buy a travel eSIM plan online.
2. Provide the details the provider requests, such as your account information and your device IMEI. Have your IMEI ready, since many providers need it to issue the code.
3. Receive your eSIM QR Code via email, text, or within the provider’s app.

Activate on iPhone

Activate your eSIM on iPhone in a few taps.

1. Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.
2. Tap Use QR Code.
3. Position the code inside the camera frame, or tap Enter Details Manually if you cannot scan.
4. Follow the prompts to label your plan and choose your default line.

Activate on Android

Activate your eSIM on Android through the SIM manager. Steps vary by manufacturer, and Samsung Galaxy phones follow a similar path.

1. Open Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM.
2. Tap Scan QR Code.
3. Select or scan your code.
4. Confirm installation of the plan.

Need help pointing your camera at the code? See our guide to scanning a QR Code on Android.

Set up an eSIM without a QR Code

You can set up an eSIM without a QR Code by entering the details manually. Choose Enter Details Manually when you add an eSIM, then type the SM-DP+ address and activation code your provider gave you. Manual setup connects your plan just as securely as scanning does.

eSIM QR Codes by carrier

Every major US carrier delivers eSIM QR Codes through its app, email, or your online account, though the exact activation path varies. Here is how the largest carriers handle it.

• T-Mobile. Buy or add a line, then download the eSIM in the T-Mobile app or scan a QR Code sent to you. Many recent T-Mobile devices download the profile inside the app, so you may not need to scan at all. See the T-Mobile eSIM QR Code download tutorial for device-specific steps.
• Verizon. Activate a Verizon eSIM QR Code through the My Verizon app or your account, and note that your device must be unlocked by your current carrier first. The Verizon eSIM activation instructions walk through both new lines and device switches.
• AT&T. Get your AT&T eSIM QR Code by email or in your account after you buy a plan, then scan it in your phone’s cellular settings. AT&T also supports eSIM transfers between compatible devices during setup.
• Metro by T-Mobile. Receive your Metro eSIM QR Code in your account or by email, then follow the T-Mobile activation path in your device settings, since Metro runs on T-Mobile’s network.

Prepaid and internet brands work the same way. If you use a Cricket eSIM QR Code or an Xfinity Mobile eSIM QR Code, you typically get it in the carrier’s app or account after purchase, then scan it in your device settings. Some carriers also let you request a free eSIM QR Code when you activate a new line, so you don’t pay extra for the digital SIM itself.

Travel eSIM providers form a separate category built for short-term data abroad. You buy a regional or country plan online, get a QR Code by email or in the provider’s app, and scan it before or after you land. Because you can install the profile ahead of your trip, you land with data already working. For a wider look at scanning on the go, read our guide to QR Codes for travel.

Troubleshooting eSIM QR Code problems

Most eSIM QR Code problems come down to a code your phone cannot read or one that has already been used. Work through these common issues and fixes.

• Blurry or unreadable code. Raise your screen brightness, wipe your camera lens, and try scanning from a second device or a printed copy.
• “Invalid code” error. The profile may already be installed. Open your SIM manager to check whether the plan is there before you retry.
• Single-use code already used. Most codes work once, so request a replacement from your provider if yours has expired.
• Carrier lock. A locked phone may reject a new plan, so contact your current carrier to unlock the device first.

When scanning still fails, use manual entry. Choose “Enter Details Manually” and enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code provided by your provider to complete setup.

Generate eSIM QR Codes as a service provider

Service providers can create an eSIM QR Code that either carries the activation string directly or links to a landing page for manual activation, then distribute it via email, text, or app. This lets you hand customers a fast, reliable way to get online without walking them through long activation codes.

eSIM activation codes are Static QR Codes, because the activation data stays fixed once you generate the code. To understand the difference between fixed and editable codes, read our explainer on Static vs Dynamic QR Codes and see how QR Codes are generated for the mechanics behind each scan.

With QRCG, you can add your brand colors and logo so each code looks professional and on-brand, which reassures customers that the code is genuine. For large rollouts, you can create many codes at once and use the API to generate batches at scale, so you can issue a unique activation code per customer or device. These tools help you deliver eSIM activation quickly and consistently, whether you send one code or thousands.

Start creating eSIM QR Codes with QR Code Generator

An eSIM QR Code is the fastest way to activate a digital SIM; you scan it directly in your phone’s cellular settings to connect to a carrier or travel plan. Get your code from your provider, keep it safe until activation finishes, and use manual entry with the SM-DP+ address if you ever set up a plan without a code. If you run a business that helps customers get online, you can generate branded eSIM activation QR Codes in minutes.

Sign up for QR Code Generator to create your own eSIM activation QR Codes today.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get an eSIM QR Code?

You get an eSIM QR Code from your mobile carrier or a travel eSIM provider after you buy a compatible plan. Most providers deliver the code by email or display it inside their app. Some also print it on a welcome card or show it in your online account. Save the code somewhere you can reach it during setup.

How do I scan an eSIM QR Code?

You scan an eSIM QR Code in your phone’s cellular settings, not in your regular camera app. On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM, then point your camera at the code. On Android, open Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM (or a similar path, as Android implementations vary) and follow the prompts. Your phone downloads the plan and connects to the network in a few steps.

Can I use an eSIM QR Code more than once?

No, most eSIM QR Codes are single-use. After you install the plan on one device, the code usually expires and will no longer work. Keep the code until you confirm your eSIM is active. If you need to reinstall the plan, ask your provider for a new code.

How do I set up an eSIM without a QR Code?

You can set up an eSIM manually by entering the activation details in your phone’s settings. Choose the manual entry option when you add an eSIM, then type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code your provider gave you. Your carrier or travel eSIM provider supplies these details along with, or instead of, a QR Code. Manual setup connects your plan the same way scanning does.

What should I do if my eSIM QR Code is not working?

Start by raising your screen brightness and holding the code steady so your phone can read it clearly. If it still fails, try scanning the code from a second device or a printed copy. Check whether your phone is carrier-locked, as a locked device may prevent you from activating a new plan. If none of these steps work, contact your provider and request a replacement code.

Can I transfer my eSIM to a new phone?

Sometimes, but it depends on your carrier and your devices. Many carriers let you move an eSIM to a new phone through their app or by requesting a new activation code. Newer iPhone and Android models also offer a built-in eSIM transfer tool that moves the plan over during setup. Contact your carrier first to confirm your plan supports a transfer.