How do I install eSIM on my iPhone or iPad?
When you're ready to install your new aloSIM eSIM on any compatible iOS device (iPhone or iPad), you'll have a few choices:
You can read the instructions below, watch a video, or use our interactive tool.
Automatic eSIM installation
1. Before installing your eSIM, make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi or data connection and Airplane Mode is off
2. Go to ‘My eSIMs,’ select the eSIM, and view the installation guide.
3. Tap the blue ‘Install’ button to review the guide and begin your installation
4. Follow the automated prompts to install your eSIM.
If it asks you to choose a default SIM for Cellular Data, choose your eSIM if you’re ready to use it immediately.
(If you're installing your eSIM while you're still at home, keep your Cellular Data source set to your primary SIM for now.)
If you’re asked to choose default lines for calling, messaging, iMessage, and FaceTime, always choose your primary SIM.
If you're asked to choose where you'll use the eSIM, select ‘Abroad.’ If you’re asked what kind of plan you have, select ‘Data Only.'
Preparing for travel
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
2. Select your primary (home) SIM, and toggle off ‘Data Roaming’
This step is important because it ensures your iPhone will not try to 'roam' on new networks and rack up expensive data roaming fees. Your regular phone number will still work, but charges may apply for calls and texts (see below).
Worried about roaming charges?
If you will be using your regular phone number while you're travelling, talk to your carrier about fees for calls and texts. (Pay-per-use rates may be cheaper than an automated daily travel plan fee.)
If you don’t need access to your phone number while you're travelling, toggle off your primary SIM right before your trip (and keep it off until you're back home) to prevent carrier fees.
This will mean your regular phone number can't be used for calls, texts, or mobile data, but you won't pay anything extra on your next phone bill.
RECOMMENDED: How to give your eSIM a custom name
Your iPhone or iPad is probably going to automatically name your eSIM 'Travel' or 'Secondary,' but renaming it makes it much easier to remember which SIM is which.
- Go to "Settings" then "Cellular"
- Under "SIMs" or "Cellular plans, select your eSIM
- Tap "Cellular Plan Label"
- Give your eSIM a name, like "France" or "Canada"
Using your data
You must be located in your data package's country/region in order to connect to a network.
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
2. Under ‘SIMs,’ toggle on your eSIM. Return to it and toggle on ‘Data Roaming.'
3. Under ‘Cellular Data,’ your only cellular data source should be your eSIM (with 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' toggled off)
OPTIONAL: If you want to make sure your regular phone carrier doesn't charge you extra fees for phone calls, text messages, or mobile data usage abroad, you can toggle off your primary SIM right before travel and keep it off until you're back home.
This will disable your regular phone number, but you can be confident there won't be extra charges on your next phone bill. You will be able to use your eSIM data for iMessage, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Messenger, and any other communication apps.
To call and text on vacation, you can always use the free international phone number we provide.
Trouble connecting?
Go back into your device’s eSIM settings (Settings / Cellular / your eSIM) and check under ‘Cellular Data Network’ to confirm it says ‘alosim’ in both APN fields.
- Go to "Settings" then "Cellular"
- Select your eSIM
- Then tap "Cellular Data Network"
- Make sure the APN is set to "alosim"
Read more about double-checking your APN settings.
Make sure you do NOT associate any phone numbers with your eSIM.
Keep your Default Voice Line set as your primary/regular SIM, even if you're not planning on keeping this SIM active while you travel.
If you encounter an issue during the installation, please reach out via live chat or email (support@alosim.com) right away so we can help, and DO NOT DELETE your eSIM since eSIMs can only be installed once, on a single device.
QR code eSIM installation
1. Before installing your eSIM, make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi or data connection and Airplane Mode is off
2. Go to ‘My eSIMs,’ select the eSIM, view the installation guide, and tap ‘QR code’
3. Share the QR code (or log into aloSIM on another device)
If your iPhone or iPad is running iOS 17 or newer, you can take a screenshot of your QR code. Then go to Settings > Cellular > Tap 'Add eSIM' > Tap 'Use QR Code' > Tap 'Open Photos' to select your screenshot.
4. Scan the QR code off another screen and follow the prompts.
When it asks you to choose a default SIM for Cellular Data, choose your eSIM if you’re ready to use it immediately.
(If you're installing your eSIM while you're still at home, keep your Cellular Data source set to your primary SIM for now.)
If you’re asked to choose default lines for calling, messaging, iMessage, and FaceTime, always choose your primary SIM.
If you're asked to choose where you'll use the eSIM, select ‘Abroad.’ If you’re asked what kind of plan you have, select ‘Data Only.'
Preparing for travel
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
2. Select your primary (home) SIM, and toggle off ‘Data Roaming’
This step is important because it ensures your iPhone will not try to 'roam' on new networks and rack up expensive data roaming fees. Your regular phone number will still work, but charges may apply for calls and texts (see below).
Worried about roaming charges?
If you will be using your regular phone number while you're travelling, talk to your carrier about fees for calls and texts. (Pay-per-use rates may be cheaper than an automated daily travel plan fee.)
If you don’t need access to your phone number while you're travelling, toggle off your primary SIM right before your trip (and keep it off until you're back home) to prevent carrier fees.
This will mean your regular phone number can't be used for calls, texts, or mobile data, but you won't pay anything extra on your next phone bill.
RECOMMENDED: How to give your eSIM a custom name
Your iPhone or iPad is probably going to automatically name your eSIM 'Travel' or 'Secondary,' but renaming it makes it much easier to remember which SIM is which.
- Go to "Settings" then "Cellular"
- Under "SIMs" or "Cellular plans, select your eSIM
- Tap "Cellular Plan Label"
- Give your eSIM a name, like "France" or "Canada"
Using your data
You must be located in your data package's country/region in order to connect to a network.
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
2. Under ‘SIMs,’ toggle on your eSIM. Return to it and toggle on ‘Data Roaming.'
3. Under ‘Cellular Data,’ your only cellular data source should be your eSIM (with 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' toggled off)
OPTIONAL: If you want to make sure your regular phone carrier doesn't charge you extra fees for phone calls, text messages, or mobile data usage abroad, you can toggle off your primary SIM right before travel and keep it off until you're back home.
This will disable your regular phone number, but you can be confident there won't be extra charges on your next phone bill. You will be able to use your eSIM data for iMessage, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Messenger, and any other communication apps.
To call and text on vacation, you can always use the free international phone number we provide.
Trouble connecting?
Go back into your device’s eSIM settings (Settings / Cellular / your eSIM) and check under ‘Cellular Data Network’ to confirm it says ‘alosim’ in both APN fields.
- Go to "Settings" then "Cellular"
- Select your eSIM
- Then tap "Cellular Data Network"
- Make sure the APN is set to "alosim"
Read more about double-checking your APN settings.
Make sure you do NOT associate any phone numbers with your eSIM.
Keep your Default Voice Line set as your primary/regular SIM, even if you're not planning on keeping this SIM active while you travel.
If you encounter an issue during the installation, please reach out via live chat or email (support@alosim.com) right away so we can help, and DO NOT DELETE your eSIM since eSIMs can only be installed once, on a single device.
Manual eSIM installation
1. Before installing your eSIM, make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi or data connection and Airplane Mode is off
3. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
3. Select ‘Add eSIM’ or ‘Add Cellular Plan’
4. Select ‘Use QR Code’ and then tap ‘Enter Details Manually’
5. The required SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code can be found by going to ‘My eSIMs,’ selecting the eSIM, viewing the installation guide, and tapping ‘Manual.’ Copy and paste the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code.
If you’re asked to choose default lines for calling, messaging, iMessage, and FaceTime, always choose your primary SIM.
If you're asked to choose where you'll use the eSIM, select ‘Abroad.’ If you’re asked what kind of plan you have, select ‘Data Only.'
Preparing for travel
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
2. Select your primary (home) SIM, and toggle off ‘Data Roaming’
This step is important because it ensures your iPhone will not try to 'roam' on new networks and rack up expensive data roaming fees. Your regular phone number will still work, but charges may apply for calls and texts (see below).
Worried about roaming charges?
If you will be using your regular phone number while you're travelling, talk to your carrier about fees for calls and texts. (Pay-per-use rates may be cheaper than an automated daily travel plan fee.)
If you don’t need access to your phone number while you're travelling, toggle off your primary SIM right before your trip (and keep it off until you're back home) to prevent carrier fees.
This will mean your regular phone number can't be used for calls, texts, or mobile data, but you won't pay anything extra on your next phone bill.
RECOMMENDED: How to give your eSIM a custom name
Your iPhone or iPad is probably going to automatically name your eSIM 'Travel' or 'Secondary,' but renaming it makes it much easier to remember which SIM is which.
- Go to "Settings" then "Cellular"
- Under "SIMs" or "Cellular plans, select your eSIM
- Tap "Cellular Plan Label"
- Give your eSIM a name, like "France" or "Canada"
Using your data
You must be located in your data package's country/region in order to connect to a network.
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open ‘Settings’ then ‘Cellular’
2. Under ‘SIMs,’ toggle on your eSIM. Return to it and toggle on ‘Data Roaming.'
3. Under ‘Cellular Data,’ your only cellular data source should be your eSIM (with 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' toggled off)
OPTIONAL: If you want to make sure your regular phone carrier doesn't charge you extra fees for phone calls, text messages, or mobile data usage abroad, you can toggle off your primary SIM right before travel and keep it off until you're back home.
This will disable your regular phone number, but you can be confident there won't be extra charges on your next phone bill. You will be able to use your eSIM data for iMessage, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Messenger, and any other communication apps.
To call and text on vacation, you can always use the free international phone number we provide.
Trouble connecting?
Go back into your device’s eSIM settings (Settings / Cellular / your eSIM) and check under ‘Cellular Data Network’ to confirm it says ‘alosim’ in both APN fields.
- Go to "Settings" then "Cellular"
- Select your eSIM
- Then tap "Cellular Data Network"
- Make sure the APN is set to "alosim"
Read more about double-checking your APN settings.
Make sure you do NOT associate any phone numbers with your eSIM.
Keep your Default Voice Line set as your primary/regular SIM, even if you're not planning on keeping this SIM active while you travel.
If you encounter an issue during the installation, please reach out live chat or email (support@alosim.com) right away so we can help, and DO NOT DELETE your eSIM since eSIMs can only be installed once, on a single device.