In summary: installing an eSIM is done from the phone's Settings by scanning a QR code, and the entire process takes between 3 and 5 minutes with Wi-Fi. It works the same on iPhone and Android: you scan the QR, confirm the profile download, and activate the eSIM as your data line before traveling.
If this is the first time you've heard of eSIM, don't worry: there's nothing to insert, nothing to wait for by mail, and nothing that can get lost in your luggage. It's a digital profile that your phone downloads and stores, and as soon as you land, you'll have internet without roaming and without stress. This guide takes you step-by-step through the entire process, for both iPhone and the most common Android devices, with the exact menus you'll find and the typical mistakes that cause people to waste time.
Before you start: what you need
- An eSIM-compatible phone — iPhone XS or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, Google Pixel 3 or later. To check without a doubt, dial *#06# on your phone: if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. You can review the complete list of eSIM-compatible phones if you have any doubts about your specific model.
- Wi-Fi connection — essential for downloading the profile. Do not attempt this with mobile data: some carriers block eSIM profile downloads over the mobile network.
- Your eSIM QR code — arrives by email after purchase. It's a good idea to have the email open on a computer or tablet, so the phone you're configuring has its camera free to scan.
- Quiet time, before leaving home — installation is quick, but doing it calmly avoids errors. The airport, with saturated Wi-Fi and the rush of boarding, is the worst time to try it for the first time.
Important: an eSIM QR code is single-use and for a single device. Scanning it "for trial" on another phone can invalidate it, so only open it on the phone where you actually intend to install the eSIM.
How to install an eSIM on iPhone
The process is practically identical on all iPhones from the XS (iOS 12.1 onwards). These instructions apply to iOS 16, 17, and 18, which most users have installed today.
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the Settings app (the gray gear icon) on your iPhone's home screen.
Step 2: Go to Cellular Data
Tap "Cellular Data" in the main Settings menu.
Step 3: Add Data Plan
Tap "Add Data Plan" (on iOS 16 and later) or "Add eSIM Plan" on earlier versions. Your iPhone will automatically open the camera to scan the QR.
Step 4: Scan the QR
Point the rear camera at the QR code in your PuraSIM email. Keep the phone steady, about 15-20 cm from the QR, and in good light. The iPhone will detect it in a couple of seconds.
Tip: If the QR is on another phone's screen, brightness and reflections can make it difficult to read. It's more reliable to open the email on a computer or, if possible, print the QR on paper.
Step 5: Confirm installation
A confirmation message will appear. Tap "Continue" and then "Add Data Plan". Your iPhone will download the eSIM profile: the process usually takes between 30 and 60 seconds with good Wi-Fi.
Step 6: Name the line
Your iPhone will ask you to name the new line. Type something you'll recognize at a glance, like "PuraSIM Travel" or the destination name. Then tap "Continue".
Step 7: Set the default data line
This is the step most people skip and the one that causes the most problems later. Your iPhone will ask which line to use for data: select the eSIM so that all internet traffic goes through the travel plan. Your Spanish SIM remains active for calls and SMS, without touching it.
If this screen doesn't appear automatically, go to Settings → Cellular Data → Cellular Data Line and select the eSIM there.
When is the eSIM activated?
The eSIM is installed and ready at home, but data from the plan only starts to be consumed when you are within coverage at your destination. Upon arrival, the phone automatically connects to the local network: you just need to have configured the eSIM as your data line in the previous step.
How to install an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
These instructions apply to Samsung Galaxy S20 and later with One UI 3.0 or higher.
Step 1: Settings → Connections
Open Settings and tap "Connections".
Step 2: SIM Manager
Tap "SIM Manager" (in older versions of One UI it may appear as "SIM card management").
Step 3: Add mobile data plan
Tap "Add mobile data plan" or the "+" icon.
Step 4: Scan the QR code
Select "Scan carrier QR code". The camera will open: scan the QR from your PuraSIM email.
Step 5: Confirm and wait
Confirm the installation. The Samsung downloads the eSIM profile in 30-60 seconds. When finished, you will see the new line listed in the SIM Manager.
Step 6: Activate the eSIM as a data line
Inside the SIM Manager, tap the newly installed eSIM line and select "Mobile data" to make it the default. While you're at it, go into your Spanish SIM and deactivate "Mobile data" or "Data roaming" there, to avoid accidental charges from your usual carrier.
How to install an eSIM on Google Pixel
Valid for Pixel 3 and later with Android 12 or higher.
Step 1: Settings → Network & internet
Open Settings and tap "Network & internet".
Step 2: SIMs → Add SIM
Tap "SIMs" and then the "+" button to add a new line.
Step 3: "Download a SIM?"
When asked for the installation method, select "Download a SIM?".
Step 4: Scan
Point the camera at the QR. The Pixel automatically recognizes it as soon as it's in focus.
Step 5: Confirm and configure
Confirm the installation and wait 30-60 seconds. Once installed, go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs and set the eSIM as the default data line.
How to install an eSIM on Motorola
For Motorola Edge and Razr models with eSIM support, the process is similar but with Motorola's own UI menus:
- Settings → Network & internet → Calls & SMS
- Tap the "+" icon to add a line
- Select "Download a SIM instead"
- Scan the QR when the camera opens
- Confirm and wait for the profile download to complete
- Configure the eSIM as the data line in Settings → Network
eSIM, physical destination SIM, and roaming: quick comparison
Before traveling, many people hesitate between three options for having data outside of Spain. Here's a qualitative comparison to help you decide wisely, without made-up numbers:
| Aspect | Travel eSIM (PuraSIM) | Local physical SIM | Roaming with your Spanish operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Digital, with QR, from home | Physical, must be bought and inserted upon arrival | No requirements, already active |
| When you can have it ready | Before leaving home | Only upon arrival at destination | You already have it |
| Dual line (calls + data) | Yes, your Spanish number remains active | No, unless dual physical SIM (uncommon) | Yes, it's the same line |
| Cost | Paid in advance according to the chosen plan | Variable depending on the country and local operator | Cost skyrockets outside the EU; check current price with your operator |
| Risk of loss or damage | None, it's a digital profile | Physical card can be lost or damaged | Not applicable |
| Language of the process | In Spanish, from your own mobile | Depends on the shop and local language | Not applicable |
If you want to delve deeper into the difference between these options, we have dedicated guides on eSIM versus roaming and on international chip versus eSIM that go into more detail on each case.
Dual SIM Configuration: Using eSIM and Your Spanish SIM Simultaneously
The great advantage of eSIM is that you can have two active lines at once: your Spanish number for calls and SMS, and the PuraSIM eSIM for data, without relying on your usual operator's data roaming. Here's how to configure it correctly:
On iPhone
- Settings → Cellular Data → Cellular Data Line → select the eSIM
- On the same screen, check that "Enable Data on Network" is activated for the eSIM
- Settings → Cellular Data → tap your Spanish SIM → deactivate "Data Roaming" to avoid accidental charges
On Android
- Settings → Connections → SIM Manager (or Network & internet → SIM, depending on the manufacturer)
- Under "Mobile data," select the eSIM line
- On your Spanish SIM, deactivate "Mobile data" or "Data roaming"
What to do upon arrival at your destination
If you installed the eSIM at home — which is recommended — the process is practically automatic upon landing:
- Disable airplane mode if you had it on during the flight
- The phone automatically searches for a network; it may take between 30 and 60 seconds
- You'll see the local operator's name in the signal bar
- If it doesn't connect, check in Settings → Cellular Data that the eSIM is still active and selected for data
- Open WhatsApp or Google Maps to confirm you have a connection before moving from the airport
If you also want to maximize your plan's data usage during your trip, check out these tips for saving data with your eSIM, and if you're concerned about security when connecting to public networks, it's also worth reading about eSIM, VPN, and privacy while traveling.
Common errors and what almost no one tells you
Most eSIM problems are not technical, they're configuration issues. Here are the most common ones and some details that are rarely explained:
Installing the eSIM and forgetting to activate it as the data line
This is, by far, the most common mistake. The eSIM installs correctly, but the phone continues to use the Spanish SIM as the default data line. Result: you arrive at your destination without internet and think the eSIM isn't working, when in reality, it's just a tap away in the data line menu. Always review Step 7 for iPhone or the equivalent step for Android before leaving home.
Confusing "install" with "activate"
An eSIM can be installed days or weeks before the trip without consuming anything. The data plan does not start to be consumed until the phone connects to a network in the destination covered by your plan. There's no rush to install it on the day of the flight; in fact, the sooner you install it, the less stress you'll have.
Not checking the network name upon arrival
When you land, look at the name of the operator that appears in the status bar. If you see "SOS Only" or no network name, it can almost always be resolved by activating and deactivating airplane mode once, or by restarting the phone. There's no need to reinstall the profile.
Leaving data roaming activated on the Spanish SIM
If you don't deactivate data roaming on your Spanish line, your mobile might switch between networks and generate unexpected charges, even if you have the eSIM as your preferred line. This is a thirty-second step that should never be skipped.
Thinking you need a "unlocked" phone in the traditional sense
eSIM compatibility and being carrier-free are different things. An iPhone or Android may have eSIM hardware and still be locked by contract to a specific carrier, which prevents it from accepting profiles from other providers. If you have doubts about your specific model, first check compatibility and then whether your carrier has it locked.
Not all eSIMs are created equal inside
The term "eSIM" describes the technology, but each provider builds its own network of agreements with local operators. That's why it's convenient to choose the plan considering the specific travel destination — it's not the same to cover several European countries on a single route as needing data only within Spain for a foreign visitor, or preparing a trip to the United States — and review what coverage each plan offers before buying it.
How to delete or deactivate an eSIM when you return home
When you return from your trip, you don't need to delete the eSIM immediately. You can simply deactivate it and let your Spanish SIM's data take precedence again:
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular Data → Cellular Data Line → select your Spanish SIM
- Android: Settings → SIM Manager → Mobile Data → select the Spanish SIM
If you prefer to completely delete the profile: Settings → Cellular Data → tap the eSIM line → "Delete eSIM Plan". Keep in mind that this is irreversible: the profile cannot be restored once deleted, so if you think you might revisit the destination soon, it's better to simply leave it deactivated.
Frequently asked questions about how to install an eSIM
How long does eSIM installation take?
Between 3 and 5 minutes in total, including data line configuration. The profile download itself takes between 30 and 60 seconds with a normal Wi-Fi connection.
Do I need internet to install the eSIM?
Yes, you need Wi-Fi. The installation downloads the profile from the provider's servers, so without a connection, the process cannot be completed.
Can I install the eSIM directly at the airport?
It's possible, if the airport has Wi-Fi available, but it's preferable to install it calmly at home, before the usual rush of any trip departure.
What if the QR code doesn't scan?
Make sure you have good lighting and that the camera can focus properly. If it still doesn't scan, print the QR on paper: sharper images usually resolve the issue. If the problem persists, contact PuraSIM support to have the QR re-sent to you.
Do I have to install a new eSIM every time I travel?
It depends on the plan contracted. PuraSIM eSIM plans are designed per trip, so for your next destination, you buy a new plan and repeat the installation, which will be much faster the second time around.
Can I install an eSIM if my phone is locked to a carrier?
If your phone is locked to a specific carrier — common with subsidized contracts — it may not accept eSIM profiles from other providers. Contact your carrier to request unlocking; it's usually free once the minimum contract period is over.
Can I have several eSIMs installed at once on the same phone?
Most mobile phones allow you to save several eSIM profiles, although only one can be active as a data line at any given time. You can have an eSIM from a previous trip installed and add a new one without a problem, and switch between them from the same mobile data menu.
Summary: the steps you shouldn't forget
- Install the eSIM before leaving home, with Wi-Fi and without rushing
- The QR can only be used once and on a single device
- Configure the eSIM as the default data line: this is the step most people forget
- Deactivate data roaming on your Spanish SIM to avoid accidental charges
- Upon arrival, deactivate airplane mode and wait for it to connect; it's usually automatic
If you have any problems during installation, PuraSIM support is available via chat or email at hola@purasim.com.
