How to activate eSIM on Oppo?
Go to Settings, then SIM & Network, and tap "Add eSIM" (in some ColorOS versions it appears as "Add data plan" or "Download SIM"). There, you scan the QR code provided by your carrier or enter the code manually. With active WiFi, the phone downloads the profile and the line is ready in a few minutes.
That's the short path. If your Oppo doesn't show the "Add eSIM" option in that menu, the problem is almost never that you did something wrong: it's usually because the model doesn't have eSIM enabled for your region, the device is locked to a carrier, or the system is outdated. Before scanning anything, confirm that your model is on the list in the next section: it will save you from trying ten times without result.
If you are still unclear about what an eSIM is or how it differs from a physical card, it's a good idea to resolve that doubt first in this guide about what an eSIM is before proceeding with activation.
Which Oppo models support eSIM?
Not all Oppo devices come with eSIM, and this causes more confusion than it should. Availability depends on three things simultaneously: that the model's chip supports it, that the software version (ROM) for your region has it activated, and that the device is not locked to a specific carrier. It is common to find the same model, with the same hardware, where one version does show the option and another does not.
The following table is indicative by product family. Before taking anything for granted, check your own device by going to Settings and searching for "eSIM" in the settings search bar: if the result does not appear, your specific unit does not have it enabled, regardless of what the generic technical specifications of the model say.
| Oppo Family | Typical eSIM Support | What to check on your device |
|---|---|---|
| Find N (foldables) | Frequent in recent global versions | Search for "eSIM" in Settings; confirm it's not a market-exclusive version without the function |
| Find X (high-end) | Depends on generation and sales region | Check if the device came unlocked or linked to a carrier |
| Reno | Infrequent, varies by market | Confirm in Settings before purchasing an eSIM plan |
| A Series | Almost never includes it | If you need eSIM, consider another device or use a physical SIM |
If you have doubts about whether your specific phone is compatible, it's advisable to first check this list of eSIM-compatible phones, which covers more brands besides Oppo.
Activate with QR code, step-by-step
This is the method most providers use, including PuraSIM: they send you a QR code by email and you scan it directly from your phone. Follow these steps in order, from most common to least common depending on the ColorOS version you have installed.
- Connect your Oppo to a WiFi network before starting (profile download requires a stable internet connection, and doing it over mobile data may fail halfway through).
- Open Settings and go to "SIM & Network" (in older models it may appear as "SIM card & mobile data").
- Tap "Add eSIM" or "Add data plan." If you don't see this option, first confirm point 2 in the previous section.
- Choose "Scan QR code" and point the camera at the code you received. If the QR is in a PDF on the same phone, almost all Oppo devices allow scanning directly from the screen without needing to print it or use another device.
- Confirm the plan download when the system prompts you. The process is quick and shouldn't take long.
- When finished, activate the new line and, if you're going to use it for data, mark it as the default mobile data line.
If you have never installed an eSIM before and want the general procedure (not specific to Oppo) with screenshots of each step, you can also review this eSIM installation guide.
Activate eSIM manually (without QR)
When you cannot scan the code, either because you are activating the eSIM on the same phone where the email arrived, because the camera is failing, or because your provider gave you the code as text, all Oppo phones with eSIM allow manual entry. The process is almost identical, only one step changes.
- Settings → SIM & network → Add eSIM.
- Instead of "Scan QR code," choose the "Enter manually" or "I don't have a QR code" option (the exact text changes between ColorOS versions).
- Here you will need two different pieces of information, not just one: the SM-DP+ server address and the activation code. Both come in the email or on the page provided by your carrier, usually below the QR code itself, although they may seem less important at first glance.
- Type both fields exactly as they appear, without extra spaces at the beginning or end: this is the most frequent error in this step.
- Confirm and wait for the profile to download, just like with the QR.
If your provider only gave you "a code" and you don't see the SM-DP+ server separately, check the full email: they are almost always together on the same line in the format "LPA:1$server$code," and you have to split them into the two fields of the manual form.
Why your Oppo doesn't detect the eSIM
When your Oppo simply doesn't offer the option to install an eSIM, it's almost always one of these four causes, in order of real frequency.
First, the device is from a region or sales channel where the eSIM is software-disabled even if the chip supports it: this happens with units imported from markets where the local carrier doesn't offer eSIM. Second, the phone is locked ("simlock") to a specific carrier, and that lock prevents adding any line that isn't from that carrier, physical or eSIM. Third, the ColorOS system is outdated; some old versions don't include the eSIM menu even if the hardware supports it, and an update resolves it. Fourth, you've already used the maximum number of eSIM profiles the device allows you to save (usually several, but with a limit) and you need to delete an inactive one before adding another.
One non-obvious detail that should be checked before assuming hardware failure: on Oppo, eSIM availability depends on the regional firmware (ROM), not just the model. The same hardware, with a ROM intended for a market where the carrier doesn't offer eSIM, may not show the option at all, while the international version of the same model does. This is why two people with "the same Oppo" sometimes have different experiences.
Common errors when activating an eSIM on Oppo and how to solve them
In addition to the complete absence of the option, specific errors appear during the activation process. This table combines the most common ones with their cause and the solution to try first.
| What you see on screen | Most probable cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "Could not connect to server" | Unstable WiFi connection during download | Switch to another WiFi network (or data from another phone acting as a hotspot) and retry |
| "This QR code has already been used" | The profile was already installed on this or another device | Request a new code from the provider; eSIM profiles are usually single-use |
| Camera does not recognize QR | Other device's screen with low brightness or glare | Use manual entry with SM-DP+ and activation code |
| Profile installs but no signal | New line was not activated as data line | Settings → SIMs and networks → select the eSIM for mobile data |
| "Too many attempts, try again later" | Several failed attempts in a row with the same code | Wait and use manual entry instead of repeatedly rescanning the QR |
If the message you see is not on this list, it's advisable to check this guide to common eSIM problems, which covers cases not exclusive to Oppo.
Using eSIM and physical SIM at the same time on your Oppo
Most Oppo devices with eSIM allow both the eSIM and a physical card to be active at the same time, functioning like a normal dual SIM: one line for calls and WhatsApp with your usual number, and the other for data, for example during a trip. To configure this, go to Settings → SIM & Network and, with both lines visible in the list, define which one you will use for default calls and which one for mobile data; you can change this assignment whenever you want without reinstalling anything.
The point where most people get stuck is not technical but one of expectation: activating a second eSIM (or an additional physical SIM) does not automatically replace the first data line. If, after activating the eSIM, you still don't have internet with it, check that it is specifically marked as the mobile data line, not just as "active." To better understand when each combination is suitable (two eSIMs, eSIM plus physical, or physical only) you can review this comparison between eSIM and physical SIM.
How to confirm that the eSIM has been activated correctly
Before confirming the process, there are three signs that indicate everything went well, and it's advisable to check them in this order because each one depends on the previous one.
- The line appears in Settings → SIMs & networks with "Active" status, not "Installed" or "Inactive."
- The carrier's name (or the name your provider gave to the plan) appears in the status bar, at the top of the screen, next to the signal icon.
- When WiFi is temporarily disabled, the phone browses using mobile data with that line. This is the real test: the first two confirm that the profile was installed, but only this one confirms that it actually transmits data.
If all three are met, the activation is complete and nothing else needs to be done until the plan runs out or you change your destination.
If you've done everything correctly and the problem is with the operator
There comes a point where the problem is no longer with the Oppo. If you followed the steps, your model is compatible, the ROM doesn't block it, and yet the plan doesn't activate data or disconnects when you arrive at your destination, then the eSIM itself is failing, not the phone. At that point, the next step is not to reinstall the profile again: it's to write to the support of the provider who sold you that eSIM.
This is exactly where many eSIM providers for travel fall short: they leave travelers with an automated chat or without a response while they are abroad. At PuraSIM, support is 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp, activation takes approximately 1 minute once the phone recognizes it, and you have 180 days from purchase to activate the eSIM when you need it, without the validity period running in the meantime. Coverage extends to more than 200 destinations, so if this trip is not your last, the same eSIM (or a new one from the same provider) works for the next one without having to research from scratch which operator to use in each country.
If your Oppo will be traveling with you soon and you haven't yet decided between a travel eSIM and roaming from your usual carrier, this comparison can help you decide: eSIM vs roaming, which is better depending on the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to activate eSIM on Oppo?
From Settings → SIM & Network → Add eSIM, by scanning the QR code provided by your carrier or entering the code manually. With active WiFi, the process is quick.
Which Oppo models support eSIM?
It depends on the model, the sales region, and whether the device is locked to a carrier. Foldables from the Find N line and recent global versions of the Find X line include it more frequently; the A series almost never has it. The most reliable way is to search for "eSIM" in your device's Settings search bar.
How can I activate my eSIM step by step?
Connect to WiFi, go to Settings → SIM & Network → Add eSIM, choose to scan a QR code or manual entry, confirm the download, and when finished, mark the line as mobile data if you are going to use it for browsing.
How to activate eSIM manually?
On the "Add eSIM" screen, choose "Enter manually" and separately enter the SM-DP+ server address and the activation code provided by your carrier, without extra spaces. Confirm and wait for the profile to download.
Why doesn't my Oppo show the option to add eSIM?
It could be that your model or region doesn't have eSIM enabled by software, that it's locked to a carrier, or that the system is outdated. Checking for ColorOS updates usually resolves the outdated software case.
Can I have eSIM and physical SIM active at the same time on my Oppo?
Yes, on compatible models, both lines can be active simultaneously, one for calls and one for data, and you can change this assignment from Settings whenever you want.
Can the eSIM QR code be used more than once?
No. eSIM profiles are installed only once; if you have already used it on another device or tried to install it before, the provider must issue a new code.
What do I do if my Oppo installed the eSIM but I have no signal?
Check that this line is specifically marked as the mobile data line in Settings → SIM & Network, not just as "active." If the problem persists, contact your eSIM provider's support.
Conclusion
Activating an eSIM on a compatible Oppo is a quick process: Settings, Add eSIM, QR or manual code, confirm. What really determines if it will work for you is everything before that step, that your model and ROM support it, and everything after, that the provider responds if something goes wrong once you are in another country. If you are going to travel and want an eSIM with 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp, activation in approximately 1 minute, and 180 days from purchase to activate it when you need it, check the options available for more than 200 destinations in PuraSIM's international eSIM collection. And if this is your first trip using an eSIM, this complete guide serves as a general reference: definitive guide to eSIM for travel.
