How can I activate my eSIM step-by-step?
To activate your eSIM, you need Wi-Fi (not mobile data), the QR code or manual code provided by your operator, and an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone. Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM Plan, scan or enter the code, confirm, and activate the line. The process takes only a few minutes if the code is valid.
The order matters more than it seems. If you activate the eSIM before having the code handy, if you try it with mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, or if your phone is still locked to another network, the system will return an error that has nothing to do with your operator. Before assuming that "the eSIM doesn't work," review the steps in order:
- Connect to Wi-Fi. eSIM installation downloads a profile from the operator's server; many phones reject it with mobile data.
- Have the QR code or manual code visible on another device (another phone, a tablet, or printed). If the QR is on the same phone where you are going to install the eSIM, you will not be able to scan it with the camera.
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM on iPhone, or Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Download SIM on Android (the text varies slightly depending on the brand).
- Scan the QR code or tap "Use activation code" to enter it manually.
- Wait for confirmation ("eSIM ready to use" or similar) and activate the data line.
- Activate data roaming for that line if you are going to use it outside your country: this is the step most people forget.
What is WOM eSIM and how does it differ from a travel eSIM?
An eSIM is simply a SIM without a physical chip: a digital profile that your phone downloads and installs, instead of a card you insert. The installation mechanism is the same industry standard (GSMA) regardless of who sold it to you, so the activation steps you see in this article also apply if your eSIM is from WOM.
The real difference is not in how it's activated, but in what it covers. An eSIM from a local operator like WOM is intended as a primary line within the country where that operator has its own network. A travel eSIM, on the other hand, is designed to be used in several different countries without relying on a single local operator, and is usually sold as a temporary data plan for the duration of your trip. If you are looking for coverage in multiple destinations and not just one, that is the difference that matters to you. You can review more details about what an eSIM is and how it works in general in this guide, and about the differences compared to physical SIMs in this comparison.
What you need before activating your eSIM
Before touching anything in Settings, check these four things. They are the cause of most failed activation attempts, and checking them saves you the next step of "restarting your phone and trying again" which almost never solves the real problem.
- Active and stable Wi-Fi. Not mobile data, not public Wi-Fi with a captive portal that blocks connections.
- The QR code on another device, or the manual activation code (SM-DP+ and code) copied in an email or note.
- Sufficient battery. Some phones block profile installation with very low battery.
- The phone unlocked from the factory (not tied to a single operator) and compatible with eSIM. If you bought it in installments from an operator, it may be locked even if it's a recent model.
How can I activate my eSIM online? QR code installation
The QR code is the fastest method and the one most operators use, including WOM. The exact path in the Settings menu changes slightly between iPhone and Android, so here are both:
| Step | iPhone (iOS) | Android |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Settings > Mobile Data | Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs |
| 2 | Tap "Add eSIM" | Tap "Download a SIM" or "Add mobile plan" |
| 3 | "Use QR code" and point the camera | "Scan operator QR code" and point the camera |
| 4 | Confirm "Add Cellular Plan" | Confirm "Download" |
| 5 | Label the line (e.g., "Travel") and activate mobile data | Label the SIM and activate "Use SIM" |
If the camera doesn't recognize the code, move back a bit, avoid reflections on the screen where the QR is, and confirm that you haven't taken a blurry screenshot. If the QR is in PDF, open it full-size instead of zooming in on a thumbnail.
Manual installation: when you cannot scan the QR code
If you don't have a second device to display the QR, almost all operators (WOM included) also provide a manual activation code, consisting of a server address (SM-DP+) and an alphanumeric code. With this, you can install the eSIM without a camera:
- On iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > "Enter Details Manually".
- On Android: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Download SIM > "Don't have a QR code?" or "Enter manually".
- Enter the server address and activation code exactly as they were given to you, without extra spaces at the beginning or end.
- Confirm and wait for the successful installation message.
You can see the full details of this process, with screenshots, in this installation guide.
How do I activate my WOM eSIM? Steps and where it usually fails
As I mentioned above, a WOM eSIM is installed with the same mechanism as any other: QR code or manual code provided by the operator, active Wi-Fi, and a compatible phone. If you purchased your line with WOM, the code and specific instructions for your order will be delivered directly by WOM through their purchase channel; what we can help you solve are the three points where most people get stuck regardless of the operator:
- The code has already been used. An eSIM activation code usually only works once. If you have already scanned it (even if it partially failed), it may appear as "invalid" on the second attempt. We will review this in the next section.
- The phone is still locked to another network. This happens especially with devices purchased in installments.
- It was installed with mobile data instead of Wi-Fi and the profile was half-downloaded.
An eSIM is linked to the first phone where you install it: it cannot be copied, exported, or transferred to another device via Bluetooth or AirDrop as you would with a photo. If you change phones, you will need the operator to generate a new code for the new device, not reinstall the same QR.
"QR code already used" or "invalid": why it happens and how to solve it
This is the most frequent error and almost never means your eSIM is damaged. Before asking for a new code, review these causes in order:
| Error message | Most probable cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "QR code already used" | The code was already scanned before, even if the previous attempt seemed to fail | Do not reattempt the same QR; request a new one from your operator, do not generate it yourself |
| "Could not activate cellular plan" | Unstable Wi-Fi connection during profile download | Change Wi-Fi network (avoid public networks with access portal) and try again |
| The QR is not scanned by the camera | Compressed screenshot, reflection on the screen, or zoom on a thumbnail | Open the QR at actual size on another device and use the manual code option if it still cannot be read |
| "This device is not compatible" | The model does not support eSIM or is locked to a single operator | Verify compatibility (next section) before continuing to try |
You can see more cases and solutions in this guide to common eSIM problems.
You have signal but no internet: the most common cause
The eSIM was installed correctly, you see the signal bars at the top, but WhatsApp or the browser don't load anything. It's almost always the same switch: data roaming (or "mobile roaming") for that specific line is off by default after installing a new eSIM, and it's not exclusive to travel eSIMs; it happens the same with a local eSIM like WOM if you activate data outside the primary coverage area of that line. Check it in Settings > Mobile Data > [your eSIM line] > Turn on Data Roaming (iPhone) or Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > [your line] > Roaming (Android).
If roaming is already activated and you still can't browse, make sure the eSIM line is set as the default data line: if your phone is still using the physical line for data, the eSIM may be active without actually being in use.
Is your phone compatible with eSIM?
Before continuing to struggle with the code, confirm this: go to Settings > General > About (iPhone) or Settings > About phone (Android) and look for "EID" or "eSIM availability." If an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. If nothing appears, or if the model is a regional version that does not include eSIM (this happens with some models sold outside the US), no code will work, no matter how many times you try.
You have the complete list of compatible models, updated by brand, in this guide to eSIM-compatible phones.
When the problem is not yours, but the provider's
If you have already checked Wi-Fi, code, compatibility, and roaming, and the line still does not activate or provide data, at that point the problem is typically on the operator's side: a poorly generated code, a crashed server, or a support channel that takes days to respond. That's where it's worth separating two distinct things: an eSIM for your usual line in your country, and an eSIM designed specifically for travel.
| Local operator eSIM (daily use in one country) | International travel eSIM (PuraSIM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | One country, that operator's network | More than 200 destinations with the same type of plan |
| Validity for activation after purchase | Depends on each operator | 180 days from purchase |
| Support if something goes wrong | Varies by operator | 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp |
| Activation time | Depends on the provider and their server | Approximately 1 minute |
Neither is "better" in the abstract: if you need a permanent line in your own country, a local operator is still the way to go. But if you have a trip ahead and want data that works as soon as you land, without having to find a physical store or wait for support to respond for several days, that's when it's worth looking at an international eSIM designed for that purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I activate my WOM eSIM?
With the QR code or manual activation code provided by WOM when you purchase the line, following the same standard process as any eSIM: active Wi-Fi, Settings > Mobile Data (or Network & Internet) > Add eSIM, scan or enter the code, and confirm. If the code gives you an error, first check if you have used it before.
How can I activate my eSIM step-by-step?
Connect to Wi-Fi, have the QR code visible on another device (or the manual code handy), go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM, scan or enter the code, confirm the installation, and finally activate data roaming for that line if you are going to use it outside your country.
What is WOM eSIM?
It is the physical chip-free version of a WOM line: a digital profile that you install directly on your phone instead of inserting a SIM card. It works with the same industry standard as any other eSIM, but it is intended as a line within the country where WOM has coverage, not as a multi-destination plan for travel.
How can I activate my eSIM online?
The online method is the QR code: you receive it by email or in a link, open it on another device (or printed), and scan it from Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM on your phone. You don't need to go to any physical store or insert anything.
What happens if my QR code has already been scanned before?
The system will mark it as "already used" or "invalid," even if the previous attempt was not fully completed. Reattempting the same code won't work: you need to ask your operator to generate a new one for you.
Can I transfer my eSIM to another phone?
Not directly. An eSIM is installed on the first device where you activate it and cannot be transferred via Bluetooth, AirDrop, or by copying the QR. If you change phones, you need the operator to generate a new activation code for the new device.
How long do I have to activate my eSIM after purchase?
If you purchased it from PuraSIM, you have 180 days from the purchase date to activate it, so you can buy it in advance and activate it just before your trip. This period may differ with other operators, so check the specific terms of your purchase.
Why do I have signal but no internet?
It's almost always data roaming being off for that specific line. Check it in Settings > Mobile Data > [your eSIM] > Data Roaming (iPhone) or the equivalent on Android, and also confirm that this line is set as the default for data.
Conclusion
eSIM activation almost always fails for the same reasons: no Wi-Fi, the code was already used, the phone was locked to another network, or roaming was off. Check these four points in order before requesting a new code, and in most cases, you will solve it yourself, whether your eSIM is from WOM or any other operator.
If you've tried everything and the problem remains with the provider —badly generated code, unresponsive support— and you have a trip ahead of you, it's worth separating your local line from your travel line. You can see the available plans by destination in international eSIM for travel, with 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp if something doesn't activate on the first try. And if you want the complete guide before your next trip, with everything worth checking besides activation, here is the ultimate eSIM guide for travel.
