Let’s tell you how to buy eSIM online and activate eSIM online on both Android and iOS devices. You have to check if your phone supports eSIM, select a plan from the best eSIM provider online, and perform activation from the phone settings. 

Activating digital SIM cards isn’t any big deal. Just a few taps in your settings, and your new network is ready to connect you with the world. To help you clear the whole concept, I’ll also explain the basic fundamentals so that you don’t face any trouble when you buy esim online and activate it. 

We’ll also talk about ViserLab’s eSIM script that you can use to launch your own eSIM selling website and generate revenue faster. 

So, without further ado, let’s start. 

1. Check Device & Carrier Compatibility

First, you must verify that your phone supports eSIM. On iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular.

Second, ensure your device is unlocked or supports dual SIM / eSIM mode. Locked phones may block use of third-party eSIM plans or restrict dual-SIM functionality. For iPhones newer than XS/XR, eSIM is usually supported.

Next, check the eligibility of eSIM in your country with your mobile carrier. Some states might have specific rules on handling or activating a new eSIM. 

You should also confirm the OS version’s compatibility as well. Older OS can bottleneck the advanced features like multiple active profiles or eSIM toggles for travel. 

Now, test if you can add a second line in your setting. If the Add eSIM option appears on screen, then you’re good to go. But if not, you need to contact your carrier for further actions. 

2. Choose an eSIM Plan & Provider Online

If your phone is good to go with digital SIM cards, pick a plan according to your next move. There are some special plans for travel, regional data, and multicurrency coverage. Sometimes, you’ll see voice or roaming features are sold separately. 

You need to understand the validity duration, cost per gigabyte, and covered areas of each provider to buy the best eSIM plans. Better if the provider allows you to get some personalized plans as well. 

And most importantly, check the reviews of the provider on the internet. Parameters like speed, call drop rate, network clarity, and hidden fees or charges.

Evaluate data volume, validity period, cost per MB or GB, and which countries or regions the provider covers. Some users buy short-term travel eSIMs; others prefer monthly or longer validity.

Check reviews of providers. Speed, network quality, and hidden fees matter. Read the terms about over-usage charges or speed throttling.

In addition, make sure the plan offers the kind of activation method you prefer (QR code, manual entry, app-based). That affects how smoothly you will activate eSIM on your phone later.

3. How to Make a Purchase Securely (Payment & Registration)

Normally, the official website of the provider will ask new users to register and create a new account to make purchases. Make sure you give an email address that you check every day. 

To be on the safe side, you can read the T&C and other policy pages before signing up. Providers that take your passport or national ID info should keep your sensitive data secured, and they will mention this on their pages. 

Now, select the type of eSIM you want to buy from the website. The site will take you to the checkout page, where you have to select a payment method. Most sites will support card, bank deposit, and MFS. But other global sellers might also support crypto as well (example: sites made with eSIM script). 

While making the purchase, make sure everything’s in the plan. The provider shouldn’t charge you additionally for any primary features later on. 

4. Activate the eSIM on Your Device (iPhone & Android)

Once you complete the purchase, you will receive instructions (often a QR code). Now you move to activation.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular.
2. Tap Use QR Code (or if offered, Transfer From Nearby iPhone).
3. Scan the QR code sent by your provider.
4. Tap Add Cellular Plan to confirm.
5. Verify that the new line is active in Settings → Cellular.

If the eSIM is assigned by the carrier automatically (Carrier Activation), you may receive a prompt titled Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed. Tap it and continue.

If you can’t scan the QR, you may use manual entry by entering the SM-DP+ address or activation code (if your provider supports it).

To know more, visit Apple Support for the full guidelines. 

On Android

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections → SIM & mobile network, depending on model).
2. Locate Add mobile plan or Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR code you received from the provider.
4. Follow prompts to confirm activation.
5. Once installed, ensure that the eSIM line is enabled as a data or voice line.

If QR scanning fails, you may enter the activation code manually (some Android models allow manual provisioning).

To check the whole process in detail based on your phone mode, click here.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• You should be connected to a WiFi during the process
• You have to restart the device after activating your new SIM
• If you see there are some network issues, on-off the airplane mode a couple of times
• If no signal appears, check whether your eSIM line is set as “On” and selected for data.

5. Configure eSIM Settings & Test Connectivity

Now, it’s time to adjust the settings. Turn on data roaming if required. If you see multiple SIM profiles, set your primary data SIM from the settings. 

Check your internet connection by searching for something on Google or playing a video on the YouTube app. Monitor the speed and latency thoroughly while surfing the internet. 

If you see the data isn’t working, you should reboot the phone at least a couple of times and check again. 

Finally, you should visit the user portal of the eSIM provider you chose and check if your ID is registered successfully. Also, check the usage of your plans as well. Something unusual should be reported to the support center ASAP. 

Common Activation Problems & Fixes

It’s possible to have QR codes that won’t work properly. In that case, you should try using the activation key manually. Otherwise, you have to request another QR from the seller. 

When your device is locked to a specific carrier, third-party eSIMs won’t work. So, you need to unlock your phone before you buy a new eSIM card. 

All phones have a limited capacity to onboard eSIM profiles. If your phone has already reached the limit, delete some of the old profiles from your mobile. 

Some developing countries don’t allow virtual activation of eSIM cards. You need to visit their customer care and ask them to activate your SIM card. 

Post-Activation Tips: Manage Your eSIM Plan

It’s better to renew or top up data or talktime from the platform you bought the SIM card. 

If you carry both a home (physical SIM) and a travel eSIM, switch between profiles depending on network cost or speed. Adjust data priority in mobile settings.

Keep an eye on your remaining data. The phone’s settings usually show live usage. If you notice internet slowdowns, check whether you have exceeded your plan’s fair-use limit.

When you no longer need a profile (e.g., after returning from travel), you may delete or disable the eSIM line via settings. 

How Businesses Can Sell eSIMs Online — Quick Note

For startups, running an eSIM selling website is a great idea. You can easily grab the market by offering the best services and user experiences through a robust platform. 

However, building an eSIM platform requires complex work at the backend, like provisioning logic, QR generation, payment generation, payment gateway integration, and creating a customer dashboard. 

All these require investing a noticeable amount of money and time. So, ViserLab has bought the best solution, the eSIM script. This ready-to-launch script has all the functions integrated, so you only need to customize the frontend according to your brand identity and launch. 

Onboard as many clients as you want and create unlimited plans for your customers. The international eSIM selling script has multiple payment gateways integrated. So, you can easily sell your plans anywhere in the world. 

Our script allows you to focus on growth, marketing, and business expansion rather than spending time on complex development processes. 

FAQs

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital version of physical SIM cards, where users don’t have to insert any chip or card into the slot.

Which phones support eSIM?

Almost all phones with the latest OS versions (mainly after 2024) support at least one eSIM in the device along with another physical sim. 

Can I activate eSIM without Wi-Fi?

Most of the time, you should stay under a smooth internet coverage to activate or register an eSIM. 

How long does eSIM activation take?

The activation will be done almost instantly after scanning the QR code in your phone and accepting all the terms. 

Can I reuse an eSIM profile?

It depends on the provider whether they will allow it or not. 

Final Thoughts

You have seen how to move from device compatibility check to buying plan, then securely purchasing, activating on your phone, testing connectivity, and managing your eSIM plan. The whole flow works even if you’ve never used eSIM before.

If you want to step up and begin selling eSIMs online rather than just buying them, explore ViserLab’s International eSIM Selling Script to launch your own eSIM store without building all backend plumbing from scratch.

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