In short: installing an eSIM on Android or iPhone takes less than a minute in both cases: you connect to Wi-Fi, scan the QR code, and select the eSIM as your data line. The only thing that changes between eSIM on Android vs iPhone is the menu name, which is much more uniform on Apple and varies by brand on Android.
It doesn't matter if you're going to Rome for the weekend or spending three weeks traveling through South America: the process of installing the eSIM is practically identical for any destination; what varies is the phone you have in your pocket. Here are the two routes explained step by step, the real differences between systems, and what to do when you switch phones without losing your eSIM along the way.
Is there a real difference between Android and iPhone?
The end result is identical: on both systems, you install the eSIM by scanning a QR code and use it for data abroad. What changes is the menu path and the names of the options, not the technology. An eSIM is an international standard, so the same profile works equally well on an iPhone as it does on a Samsung, a Pixel, or a Xiaomi.
On iPhone, everything is very guided because Apple controls the hardware and software: the menu is exactly the same on an iPhone 13 as on an iPhone 16. On Android, however, each manufacturer applies its own layer over the base operating system, so the exact path depends on the manufacturer's layer: Samsung uses One UI, Google Pixel uses pure Android, Xiaomi uses HyperOS or MIUI depending on the model. This is why a screenshot from a friend with a different Android phone sometimes looks nothing like what you see.
First of all, check that your model supports eSIM: not all Androids have it, and within the same brand there are "physical SIM only" versions sold in some markets. If in doubt, your phone's manual or the connectivity settings section will confirm it in seconds.
Install an eSIM on iPhone
On iPhone, the eSIM is installed from Settings in less than a minute. Connect to Wi-Fi, go to Settings, enter Mobile Data (or Cellular), tap Add eSIM, and scan the QR code you received by email. The phone configures it automatically and asks you how you want to use each line.
The detailed process on iPhone is this:
- With Wi-Fi active, open Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
- Choose Use QR Code and scan the one sent to you by email.
- Label the line, for example "Travel" or the destination name.
- Leave your Spanish line for calls and choose the eSIM for mobile data.
It works on iPhone XR/XS and later models. On newer models, if the operator allows it, you can sometimes activate it directly from a link without needing to scan anything with the camera. One detail often overlooked: do not delete the eSIM when restarting the phone or performing a full restore without first checking if you need to reinstall it, because a factory reset can delete it, and then a new QR is needed.
If the QR doesn't scan on the first try, don't try twenty times in a row: move the camera back a bit, increase the brightness of the screen where you have the QR (if you're looking at it from another device), and make sure there are no reflections. Most reading failures are due to focus, not the code itself.
Install an eSIM on Android
On Android, the process is just as fast, but the menu name changes depending on the brand. The idea is the same for all: find the connections or SIM section, choose to add eSIM, and scan the QR with Wi-Fi connected. On Samsung, Google Pixel, and Xiaomi, the path has slight variations that are useful to know beforehand to avoid wasting time searching blindly.
Depending on your manufacturer, search here:
- Google Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Download a SIM.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Add eSIM.
- Xiaomi: Settings > SIM cards & mobile networks > Add eSIM.
In all cases, after scanning the QR, the eSIM is installed, and you only need to activate its data upon arriving at your destination. A nuance not everyone knows: on some Xiaomi phones with dual physical SIMs inserted, the option to add eSIM does not appear until you free up one of the two physical trays or activate "dual SIM mode" in the network settings. If your Add eSIM menu is grayed out or doesn't appear, check that first before assuming your model isn't compatible.
The path changes by manufacturer, but the QR is the same for any compatible phone, regardless of the system. And if you're going to use it in a destination with expensive roaming within the European Union, it's worth understanding why an eSIM is better than traditional roaming from your operator.
Comparison table of steps
To see it at a glance, this is the equivalence between iPhone and Android at each phase of the process. Notice that the number of steps is almost identical; only the menu names change.
| Step | iPhone | Android (varies by brand) |
|---|---|---|
| Open SIM menu | Settings > Mobile Data | Settings > Connections / Network & Internet |
| Add eSIM | Add eSIM | Add eSIM / Download a SIM |
| Scan QR | Use QR Code | Scan QR code |
| Choose data | Mobile Data > eSIM | SIM Manager > Mobile data |
| Label the line | Automatic, editable | Depends on the layer (some omit it) |
| Minimum compatibility | iPhone XR / XS onwards | Varies by model and sales market |
Common tip for both systems: install and scan the QR with Wi-Fi before traveling; never wait until you're at the destination airport without data. Once saved, the eSIM activates upon arrival without needing to scan anything again.
Choosing the data line on each system
The step that causes the most confusion is telling the phone to use the eSIM for data and your Spanish SIM for calls. On both systems, this is done right after installation, and it's what prevents you from incurring expensive roaming charges with your national plan without realizing it.
The logic is identical on Android and iPhone: you keep your main line for SMS and calls, with data roaming turned off, and assign the travel eSIM as the mobile data line. On iPhone, you adjust it in Mobile Data by choosing the line; on Android, in the SIM manager by marking which one uses data. This way, your Spanish number remains active but you browse with the eSIM, which is much cheaper than your usual plan's roaming. If you're still not sure how having two active lines at once works, the guide on how to install an eSIM explains it from scratch.
Be careful with a detail that is often overlooked: on iPhone, if you activate iMessage or FaceTime with the data eSIM set as default for everything, some apps may try to use it for VoIP calls and consume your travel data instead of your Wi-Fi. Check in Settings > Mobile Data which apps have permission to use mobile data with the eSIM and deactivate those you don't need outside your home country.
Differences that matter in daily use
Although the installation process is almost identical, there are usage nuances that you will notice depending on the system. On iPhone, the limit of eSIMs you can have stored at once is lower than on many Androids: if you travel a lot and accumulate profiles from previous trips without deleting them, the system may ask you to delete some before adding a new one. On Android, the limit is usually higher, but it varies so much by manufacturer that there isn't a single figure that applies to all models.
Another real difference: the speed with which the eSIM changes networks upon landing. On both systems, the connection is usually established within the first few minutes after exiting airplane mode, but on some Androids with highly customized layers, it is advisable to restart the phone once if the data bar does not appear after a couple of minutes. On iPhone, this step is rarely necessary.
If you are going to use the eSIM in a specific country and want to know what to expect from actual coverage beyond the operating system, check out destination guides such as the one for eSIM in South Korea or eSIM in Peru, where the type of phone is no longer relevant, and what matters is the local network.
Transferring eSIM from iPhone to Android (and vice versa)
Switching phones is the main concern: you cannot simply "move" the QR from one phone to another, because many QR codes are single-use and become invalid as soon as they are scanned the first time. If you switch from iPhone to Android (or vice versa), the usual practice is to reinstall the eSIM with a new QR, or use device transfer if your plan and operator allow it.
As a general rule, an eSIM already installed on an iPhone does not automatically copy to an Android, nor vice versa: they are different systems and each manages the eSIM profile independently. There are two real options: request a reinstallation QR from the provider if you still have an active plan, or use device transfer tools, which only work reliably within the same system (from one iPhone to another iPhone, for example).
A common mistake: deleting the eSIM from the old phone before confirming that the new one works on the new phone. Always do it the other way around: install on the new device first, check that you have data, and only then delete the profile from the old one. With PuraSIM, if you still have a plan, 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp will help you manage the reinstallation on the new phone.
Myths and what almost no one tells you
There are ideas circulating about eSIMs that create more doubts than they resolve. These are the ones that cause the most confusion among those who switch from Android to iPhone or vice versa:
- "Airplane mode deletes the eSIM": false. Airplane mode only deactivates the signal; it does not delete any profile. You can activate and deactivate it as many times as you want without fear of losing the eSIM.
- "If I screenshot the QR, I can reuse it later": in most cases, no. Most eSIM QR codes are single-use: once the system processes them, they become invalid, even if you keep the image. Save the original email from the provider, not just the screenshot.
- "Restoring an iPhone backup also brings installed eSIMs": not always. Apple does not guarantee that all eSIMs will be automatically restored when copying to a new iPhone; in many cases, they must be reinstalled from scratch with a new QR from the provider.
- "I need to remove the physical SIM to use the eSIM": no, both coexist. You can have your physical Spanish SIM inserted and an active data eSIM at the same time, which is precisely what allows you to keep your number while browsing cheaply at your destination.
- "All Androids with eSIM work the same": not entirely. Some models sold in certain markets come in a version without eSIM, even if the same model has it in other countries. It's advisable to check by the exact model number, not just the commercial name.
Frequently asked questions
Is it harder to install an eSIM on Android than on iPhone?
No, it takes about the same amount of time, around a minute, on both systems. The difference is that on iPhone, the menu is identical across all models, while on Android, the path varies between Samsung, Pixel, or Xiaomi. Once you find the SIM section, scanning the QR is just as easy in both cases.
Does the same eSIM work for both Android and iPhone?
Yes. eSIM is a standard, so the same plan works on any compatible phone, whether Android or iPhone. The only thing that changes is how you install it on each system. The QR you receive is valid for both: you just scan it from the corresponding menu on your phone.
How do I transfer my eSIM from an iPhone to an Android?
It cannot be copied directly between different systems. If you still have a plan, ask the provider for a reinstallation QR or use the transfer feature if available between devices of the same system. Many QRs are single-use, so it's advisable to confirm that the new installation works before deleting the eSIM from the old phone.
How do I set the eSIM for data only and my SIM for calls?
After installing the eSIM, go to mobile data settings (iPhone) or the SIM manager (Android) and assign the eSIM as the data line. Leave your Spanish SIM for calls and SMS with data roaming turned off. This way, you browse with the eSIM and keep your usual number.
What if my Android menu doesn't match the guide?
Search in Settings for "SIM," "eSIM," or "mobile networks," as each manufacturer organizes it differently. If you can't find it, use the search function within the settings by typing "eSIM." Also, check that your specific model is compatible before attempting installation, as not all versions of the same model have eSIM.
Can I have multiple eSIMs installed at once on the same phone?
On many models, yes, although the maximum number varies by system and manufacturer. On iPhone, there is a limit of saved profiles, and if you reach it, you will be asked to delete an old one before adding a new one. On Android, the limit depends on the brand, and there is no fixed number valid for all models.
Does an eSIM consume more battery than a physical SIM?
There is no significant difference between the two: consumption depends on data usage and network searching, not whether the card is physical or digital. If you notice increased consumption right after arriving at a new destination, it's usually because the phone is searching for and switching antennas, which stabilizes within the first few minutes.
Conclusion
Installing an eSIM on Android or iPhone takes the same amount of time: scan a QR with Wi-Fi and select the eSIM as the data line. The only real difference is the name of the menus, which is much more uniform on Apple and varies among Android brands. If you switch systems, reinstall with a new QR before deleting anything from the old phone, and if you still have a plan, ask support for help before losing connection mid-trip.
PuraSIM has over 200 destinations in its catalog, so whether you need an eSIM for Spain, an eSIM for all of Europe, or an eSIM for the United States, the installation process is the same as described here, regardless of your phone's system. If you're torn between an eSIM and a traditional physical card, the comparison of international chip vs. eSIM will help you decide before purchasing.
