In short: to install an eSIM on a compatible Samsung Galaxy (S21 and later, Z Fold 3+, Z Flip 3+), go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add mobile plan, scan the QR code that PuraSim sends you by email, and activate it as a data line with roaming turned on. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
If you have a Samsung Galaxy from the last few years, you almost certainly already have an integrated eSIM and don't know it. In this guide, we explain how to check your model's compatibility, install your eSIM step-by-step from the SIM Manager, activate it with a QR code, and configure it as a data line for your next trip. All in less than 5 minutes.
Which Samsung Galaxy models have eSIM?
Samsung massively introduced eSIM in its Galaxy range starting in 2021. The installation process is practically identical across all recent models — you can review the generic step-by-step in our general guide to installing an eSIM — but for Samsung, there are some important exceptions depending on the destination market that are worth knowing before purchasing.
Here is the list of the most common eSIM-compatible models among travelers:
| Series | Models | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21 | S21, S21+, S21 Ultra | ✅ |
| Galaxy S22 | S22, S22+, S22 Ultra | ✅ |
| Galaxy S23 | S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE | ✅ |
| Galaxy S24 | S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE | ✅ |
| Galaxy Z Fold | Z Fold 3, Z Fold 4, Z Fold 5, Z Fold 6 | ✅ |
| Galaxy Z Flip | Z Flip 3, Z Flip 4, Z Flip 5, Z Flip 6 | ✅ |
| Galaxy Note 20 | Note 20 Ultra | ✅ |
How to verify if your Samsung has eSIM? The quickest method is to go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager. If you see the "Add mobile plan" or "eSIM" option, your phone is compatible. If only the physical SIM appears, your model or regional variant may not support it. If you're also unsure what an eSIM is exactly or how it differs from a physical card, we explain it without jargon in what is a virtual eSIM.
How to install the eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- A Samsung Galaxy compatible with eSIM (see table above)
- Internet connection (WiFi or mobile data from your physical SIM)
- Your PuraSim eSIM QR code (you will receive an email with it after purchase)
- Sufficient battery — we recommend more than 30%
The installation process on Samsung Galaxy is surprisingly simple and is carried out entirely from the system settings, without the need for external applications:
- Open Settings on your Samsung Galaxy.
- Go to Connections.
- Tap SIM manager.
- Select Add mobile plan (or "Add eSIM" depending on the One UI version).
- The system will ask you to scan a QR code — in the next section, we detail this step.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the installation.
- Assign a name to the profile (for example, "PuraSim Europe") to easily identify it.
The entire process should not take more than 3-5 minutes. Once installed, the eSIM will appear in your SIM Manager next to your physical card, and you can activate or deactivate it whenever you want.
Activate eSIM on Samsung Galaxy with QR code
The most common method to activate a travel eSIM like PuraSim is via QR code. When you get to the "Add mobile plan" step in the previous section, Samsung offers you several options:
- Select Scan QR code.
- Point the camera at the QR code you will find in the PuraSim confirmation email.
- The system will automatically download the eSIM profile.
- Confirm the installation when the system asks you to.
- Choose when you want to activate the eSIM: you can activate it now or later from the SIM Manager.
- If you have chosen to activate it, select whether you want to use it for data, calls, or both.
Manual alternative (SM-DP+): If the QR code does not work or you prefer to enter the data manually, PuraSim also provides you with the SM-DP+ activation code. On the "Add mobile plan" screen, look for the option Enter activation code and enter the SM-DP+ server address and the activation code that you will find in your email. This method is especially useful if you are trying to install the eSIM from another device that already has the camera occupied.
Configure the eSIM as the primary data line
Once the PuraSim eSIM is installed, the next step is to configure it correctly so that all your trip's data traffic goes through it — and not through your Spanish SIM, which could incur roaming charges.
- Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
- Tap Mobile data.
- Select your PuraSim eSIM as the active data line.
- Return to the SIM Manager and tap Data roaming.
- Activate data roaming for the PuraSim eSIM — this is essential for it to work abroad.
This step confuses many people because it sounds contradictory: activating "roaming" precisely to avoid roaming charges. The explanation is simple — for your PuraSim eSIM, roaming simply means "using data outside of Spain," not roaming from your lifelong carrier. If you want to understand the real difference between these two concepts, we explain it in detail in what is data roaming, and if you are still undecided between activating roaming with your usual carrier or using a travel eSIM, compare it in eSIM vs. roaming.
What about calls? We recommend keeping your physical Spanish SIM as your call and SMS line. This way, you will continue to receive calls on your usual number while using PuraSim's data. To configure it, go to SIM Manager > Calls and select your physical SIM.
With this dual SIM configuration, you only pay for the data you use with PuraSim, with no surprises on your usual carrier's bill. It's the smartest way to travel connected.
Frequent problems when installing eSIM on Samsung
Although the process is simple, small obstacles sometimes arise. Here are the 5 most common problems and how to solve them:
1. The "Add mobile plan" option does not appear.
Cause: The model is from South Korea or China, or the current operator has blocked the eSIM function.
Solution: Confirm the device's origin (Settings > About phone > Status > IMEI). If the IMEI starts with certain prefixes from those markets, the hardware does not support eSIM. If the problem is the operator, call your company to request that they unblock the eSIM.
2. The QR code is not scanned correctly.
Cause: Poor lighting, dirty screen, or low-quality QR code in the print.
Solution: Make sure you have good lighting, clean the camera, and increase the brightness of the screen where the QR is displayed. Alternatively, use the manual SM-DP+ activation code that you will find in the PuraSim email.
3. The eSIM installs but does not connect to data.
Cause: Data roaming is not activated or the eSIM is not selected as the data line.
Solution: Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Mobile data and select your PuraSim eSIM. Then activate "Data roaming" for that line.
4. "Unable to download profile" error.
Cause: Connection problem during download or QR code already used.
Solution: Make sure you have a stable WiFi connection. Some eSIM profiles can only be scanned once — if the code has already been used, contact PuraSim support to obtain a new activation code.
5. The eSIM disappears after a system update.
Cause: In some cases, One UI updates can affect saved eSIM profiles.
Solution: Always save the QR code or SM-DP+ code in a safe place before updating. If the eSIM disappears, reinstall it from the SIM Manager using the saved code. If the profile is no longer valid, contact PuraSim.
What almost no one tells you about eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
Beyond the official step-by-step, there are a series of details that you only discover when you have already installed a few eSIMs on a Galaxy — or when something doesn't go as expected in the middle of a trip. Here are the ones that really make a difference.
"I have to delete the previous eSIM before installing a new one" — false. A recent Samsung Galaxy saves several eSIM profiles in memory at once (up to five in most models), although only one can be active alongside your physical SIM. The real problem is not the lack of space, but the clutter: over time you accumulate expired travel profiles with generic names like "Carrier" that are no longer useful. From time to time, go to SIM Manager, tap each expired profile, and press Delete SIM — you'll save yourself confusion the day you activate the correct eSIM in a hurry at the airport.
The eSIM does not transfer itself to a new phone. If you switch from one Samsung Galaxy to another in the middle of a long trip (or just before leaving), your previous eSIM profile does not automatically move to the new device as a physical card would. You need a new QR code. That's why it's advisable not to delete the PuraSim confirmation email until the trip is completely over, and to notify support in advance if you know you're going to get a new phone before leaving.
The first minute after landing is when it fails. The most common error is not the installation itself, but forgetting to select the PuraSim eSIM as the active data line as soon as you get off the plane — the phone may still try to use your physical SIM by default, and that's where some users end up with unintended roaming charges. Check the status bar icon: if you see the name of your Spanish operator with a small "R" for roaming, it means the phone has not switched data lines.
In border areas, the phone doesn't always choose correctly. If you travel through areas close to another country — Andorra, the French Riviera near the Catalan border, or the Rock of Gibraltar — the Galaxy may connect to the mobile network of the neighboring country due to pure antenna proximity, even if your eSIM is intended for the correct destination. If you notice that the coverage doesn't match where you are, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators and manually select the appropriate network instead of leaving it on automatic.
And one last point about digital luggage: a data eSIM does not replace a physical chip if you need a local phone number for procedures (for example, bank SMS verifications at your destination). If you're wondering whether to take a spare physical chip or just stick with the eSIM, we review the real differences in international chip vs. eSIM. For everything else — maps, messaging, online banking — the eSIM's data covers you amply without relying on public WiFi in cafes or airports.
Conclusion
Installing an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy is a quick and simple process that any traveler can do in a few minutes from the SIM Manager. The key is to choose a compatible model, activate the eSIM before the trip with WiFi, and configure it correctly as a data line with roaming activated. With PuraSim, you have more than 200 destinations in the catalog and 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp in all languages, so if something goes wrong during installation, you are not alone. And if your next trip is within Spain and you only need a local backup plan, the eSIM for Spain is also available.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
Is my Samsung Galaxy compatible with eSIM?
Most Samsung Galaxy models from 2021 onwards are compatible with eSIM: S21, S22, S23, S24 series, Z Fold 3/4/5/6, and Z Flip 3/4/5/6. The quickest way to check is to go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager and see if the "Add mobile plan" option appears.
How do I install an eSIM on my Samsung Galaxy?
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add mobile plan, scan your eSIM's QR code, and follow the on-screen steps. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes and requires no external tools.
Can I use the eSIM and my physical SIM at the same time?
Yes. Samsung Galaxy is a Dual SIM device that allows you to use the eSIM and physical SIM simultaneously. You can keep your Spanish number on the physical SIM for calls and use the PuraSim eSIM exclusively for data abroad. This is the ideal setup for travelers.
Why doesn't the eSIM option appear on my Samsung?
There are two main reasons: your model was sold in South Korea or China (markets where Samsung does not include eSIM), or your current operator has blocked the function. Verify the device's origin and contact your operator if necessary.
How many eSIMs can I have on a Samsung Galaxy?
Current Samsung Galaxy phones allow you to store multiple eSIM profiles in memory, but you can only have one active at a time along with your physical SIM. You can switch between saved profiles from the SIM Manager without needing to rescan the QR code.
Can I buy PuraSim eSIM before traveling and activate it later?
Yes, and it's recommended. You can install the eSIM profile at home with Wi-Fi as soon as you receive the email from PuraSim, and decide when to activate it from the SIM Manager. Many travelers install it days before their flight and activate it only upon landing, to avoid excessive data usage or last-minute problems at the airport.
Can I transfer my PuraSim eSIM to a new Samsung Galaxy?
Not automatically. Unlike a physical SIM, an eSIM profile is linked to the device where it was installed. If you change phones, you will need a new QR code — contact PuraSim support via email or WhatsApp before getting a new phone if your trip is already underway.
Do I need Wi-Fi at the destination airport to activate the eSIM?
No, not if you already installed it before leaving. The profile installation (which does require internet) is done at home; activation as a data line is a simple switch in the SIM Manager that works without a prior connection. This is precisely the advantage of preparing it in advance.
