My Android is 3 years old. Will it work?

Depends on the specific model. Pixel 3 and later all support eSIM. Samsung Galaxy S20 and later all support eSIM. OnePlus only from the OnePlus 11 onward. Older Motorola, LG, and budget Androids usually don't. The universal check is the *#06# dialer code — if an EID appears alongside the IMEI, your phone has an eSIM chip. No EID, no eSIM.

I can't find SIM Manager on my Samsung. What do I do?

On newer One UI builds (7.0+), the path is Settings → Connections → SIM Manager. On slightly older builds it's Settings → Connections → SIM card manager. If neither path shows an eSIM option, your Samsung either doesn't support eSIM (regional variant) or isn't on a recent One UI version. Update Android via Settings → Software update before concluding.

My Pixel shows 'Download a new SIM' — that's for eSIM?

Yes. Google renamed eSIM install to 'Download a new SIM' in Android 13 because the older phrasing confused users. Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Download a new SIM opens the eSIM install flow. Tap it, scan your QR, follow the prompts.

The QR code won't scan — what's my fallback?

Every eSIM provider can also issue the install details as two text strings: an SM-DP+ address and an activation code. On Samsung: SIM Manager → Add eSIM → Enter activation code manually. On Pixel: Download a new SIM → Need help? → Enter manually. Paste both fields and the install runs the same as QR. If your provider didn't include them in the email, their support team can generate them.

Can I run an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time on Android?

Yes on every Android with eSIM support. The typical setup: home physical SIM in the tray (calls + SMS + 2FA), travel eSIM downloaded for the trip (mobile data). Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus all handle this cleanly through SIM Manager. Pick the travel eSIM as your Mobile Data line and keep Calls & SMS on the home line.

ConnectivityUpdated April 24, 2026

How to install an eSIM on Android: Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi

Every Android eSIM install path in one guide — Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola. The exact menu names, manual-entry fallback, and the regional variant gotchas to watch for.

Sierra WolfeDigital Nomad Correspondent

April 24, 20267 min read

What you'll learn

Samsung Galaxy S20+ and foldables: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM.
Google Pixel 3+: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Download a new SIM.
OnePlus 11/12: Settings → Wi-Fi & Network → SIM & Network → Add eSIM.
Xiaomi global builds: Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Add eSIM. China-market builds omit the option.
When QR won't scan: every Android with eSIM support accepts manual SM-DP+ address + activation code entry.
After install: pick which line handles Mobile Data (travel eSIM) and which handles Calls & SMS (home line) in SIM Manager.
Regional variants can differ. Korean-market Galaxy and Chinese-market Xiaomi sometimes ship without eSIM support on otherwise-identical hardware.

Android 11+
Reliable eSIM support
Older versions hit or miss
Pixel 3
First eSIM Pixel
2018 flagship onward
Galaxy S20
First eSIM Galaxy
All US flagships since
60-90s
Typical install time
Scan to ready-to-use

Android eSIM install is a little messier than iPhone because the menu path varies by manufacturer. Samsung calls it SIM Manager, Pixel calls it SIMs, OnePlus buries it under Wi-Fi & Network. Same technology underneath — the steps after you find the right menu are nearly identical across brands.

Here's each major manufacturer's path, the manual-entry fallback, the post-install tweaks that actually matter, and the regional-variant gotchas that trip people up.

Before you install

*Check EID with #06#. Open the phone dialer, type *#06#, look for an EID in the results. EID present = your phone has an eSIM chip. No EID = physical SIM only, regardless of what the model spec sheet says. This matters especially for regional variants (see the end of this guide).

Confirm carrier unlock. A carrier-locked Android refuses any eSIM profile that isn't from its home carrier. Check your carrier's unlock status before buying a travel eSIM. US carriers vary: T-Mobile and Verizon auto-unlock on payoff, AT&T requires a request.

Update Android. Android 11 is the reliable cutoff for smooth eSIM installs across the ecosystem; Android 13+ adds direct-install APIs that some providers use. Update via Settings → System → Software update.

Have internet. eSIM install downloads the profile over your existing connection. Install while on Wi-Fi.

Samsung Galaxy install path

Applies to S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25, Note 20, Z Fold (all generations), Z Flip (all generations).

Settings → Connections → SIM Manager (on One UI 5+) or SIM card manager (on older One UI).
Tap Add eSIM.
Choose Scan QR Code from Service Provider.
Point the camera at the QR from your provider's email. The phone detects it automatically.
Confirm the install. Samsung asks for a nickname — use something specific like "Travel - Thailand" or "99esim Europe."
Set which line handles Mobile Data (the travel eSIM) and which handles Calls & SMS (your home line).
Enable Data Roaming on the new eSIM line: tap the line → Data Roaming → on.

Total install time: 60 to 90 seconds.

Google Pixel install path

Applies to Pixel 3 and every Pixel since.

Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Download a new SIM (on Android 13+) or Add SIM (on older Android builds).
Choose Download. Pixel asks whether you have a QR code or a direct-install link.
Tap Scan QR code and point the camera at the QR.
Confirm the install.
Name the SIM (labelling matters — don't leave it as the default).
Choose which line handles Mobile Data and which handles Calls & Messaging.
Enable Data Roaming on the travel eSIM line.

If your provider issued a direct-install link (tel:// or lpa:// URL) rather than a QR, tap that link from your email on the Pixel. Android 13+ opens the eSIM install flow automatically.

OnePlus install path

Applies to OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12. Earlier OnePlus flagships don't support eSIM.

Settings → Wi-Fi & Network → SIM & Network.
Tap Add eSIM.
Scan the QR code or tap Enter details manually.
Confirm the install and label the line.
Set Mobile Data and Calls & SMS lines.
Enable Data Roaming on the new line.

OnePlus' OxygenOS hides this menu deeper than Samsung or Pixel — if you can't find it, search "eSIM" in the Settings search bar and tap the result.

Xiaomi (global build) install path

Applies to Xiaomi 13, 14, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ global variants. China-market builds omit the option.

Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks (on MIUI 14 / HyperOS) or SIM cards & mobile data (older MIUI).
Tap Add eSIM.
Scan the QR code.
Confirm and label.
Set which line handles data and which handles calls.

If the Add eSIM option isn't present, you're either on a China-market build or on an older MIUI version. Update MIUI via Settings → About phone → MIUI version → check for updates. If still missing after update, the phone doesn't support eSIM.

Motorola install path

Applies to Razr 2019 and later, Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 50 Ultra, Edge 40, Edge 50 Pro.

Settings → Network & internet → SIMs.
Tap Add SIM → Download an eSIM instead?
Scan the QR code.
Complete the install and label.

Path is very similar to Pixel since Motorola uses stock Android with minimal customization.

Manual entry fallback (any Android)

When the QR won't scan:

Open the Add eSIM flow on your device.
Tap the Enter manually link (exact wording varies — Samsung says "Enter activation code manually," Pixel says "Need help? → Enter manually").
Paste the SM-DP+ address your provider emailed (format: rsp.example.com).
Paste the Activation Code (long alphanumeric string).
Optional: paste a confirmation code if issued.
Tap Continue and the download runs the same as QR.

Every provider that issues QR codes can also issue these raw strings on request. If they're not in the email, the support team has them.

After install: the settings that matter

Data Roaming on travel eSIM: ON. Without this, the travel eSIM won't connect to foreign towers. The toggle is per-SIM: tap the eSIM line in SIM Manager and flip Data Roaming on.

Data Roaming on home SIM: OFF. This blocks accidental home-carrier international billing while the travel eSIM handles data.

Mobile Data line: travel eSIM. SIM Manager lets you pick which SIM handles data. Set it to the travel eSIM before you fly.

Calls & SMS line: home SIM. Keep your home line responsible for voice and SMS so 2FA codes reach you and incoming calls keep working.

SIM label. Rename the eSIM immediately. "99esim Thailand" or "Travel - Europe" — whatever you'll remember. The default label is the carrier's internal name, which isn't useful six months later.

Regional variant gotchas

China-market Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo. Often ship without eSIM chips. The global variants of the same model usually do support eSIM.

Korean-market Samsung Galaxy. Some SKUs sold in Korea lack eSIM support even when the US/European version of the same phone has it.

India-market phones. eSIM certification in India is inconsistent — some phones with eSIM hardware ship with the feature disabled for Indian carriers.

Hong Kong phones. Usually ship as dual-physical-SIM with no eSIM chip. The *#06# check catches these.

When in doubt, run *#06# and look for the EID. More detail in the phone compatibility guide.

If the install fails

QR already used. Single-use by design. Get a fresh one from the provider.

No internet. Connect to Wi-Fi and retry.

Phone carrier-locked. Unlock through the carrier's portal first.

Menu path missing. Phone likely doesn't support eSIM. Run *#06# to confirm.

After a clean install, buy a plan at 99esim, scan the QR, label the line, flip Data Roaming on, and you're set.

Depends on the specific model. Pixel 3 and later all support eSIM. Samsung Galaxy S20 and later all support eSIM. OnePlus only from the OnePlus 11 onward. Older Motorola, LG, and budget Androids usually don't. The universal check is the *#06# dialer code — if an EID appears alongside the IMEI, your phone has an eSIM chip. No EID, no eSIM.

Common mistakes

Assuming every Android has the same menu path: Unlike iPhone, Android's menu structure varies by manufacturer. The Add eSIM option is under Connections on Samsung, Network & internet on Pixel, Wi-Fi & Network on OnePlus, and SIM cards & mobile networks on Xiaomi. If one path doesn't exist on your device, check another — or search 'eSIM' in Settings search.
Installing on a China-market or India-market device without checking support: Chinese-market Xiaomi, Huawei, and Oppo phones often ship without eSIM support even when the identical global variant has it. Some Korean-market Samsung Galaxy units also differ. Run the *#06# dialer check to confirm an EID is present before buying a travel eSIM. No EID means no eSIM, regardless of what the model spec sheet says.
Leaving Data Roaming off on the travel eSIM line: Android's Data Roaming toggle applies per-SIM. The travel eSIM needs Data Roaming enabled on its own line to connect to foreign towers — the whole point of a travel eSIM is international connectivity, which Android classifies as roaming. Settings → SIM Manager → tap travel eSIM → Data Roaming → on.
Not labelling the eSIM at install time: Samsung and Pixel both let you rename an eSIM during or after install. If you skip it, the line shows a generic carrier name or 'eSIM 1' and you can't tell Thailand from Mexico when you come back three months later. Rename to the country or trip — a ten-second habit that saves real friction.

with 99esim

Ready to buy and install?

99esim covers 155 countries and 9 regional bundles. The QR lands in your inbox within 60 seconds of purchase. Install path above works for Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and every other Android with eSIM support.

Get 99esim iPhone user? Go here instead

Digital Nomad Correspondent

Sierra Wolfe

Denver, CO

Has worked remotely from forty-one countries since 2020 and writes about what actually happens after the Instagram shot. Based in Denver between trips. Covers digital nomad visas, coworking culture, long-term rentals, and the unglamorous logistics of making a laptop-based life actually work. Previously ran customer success at a SaaS startup. Breaks a new keyboard roughly every eight months.

View all articles by Sierra

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My Android is 3 years old. Will it work?−

I can't find SIM Manager on my Samsung. What do I do?+

My Pixel shows 'Download a new SIM' — that's for eSIM?+

The QR code won't scan — what's my fallback?+

Can I run an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time on Android?+