eSIM on Samsung Galaxy S24 and S25 — Complete Activation Guide

In short: the Samsung Galaxy S25 (S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra) comes with eSIM from the factory in almost all international markets, just like the entire Galaxy S24 family. You activate it from Settings → Connections → SIM card manager by scanning a QR code, in less than 5 minutes and without visiting a store. You just need to check two things: the market where the phone was sold and whether it came locked by an operator.

If you've just bought a Galaxy S25 or still have an S24 in your pocket and are planning a trip, the question is simple but the answer has nuances: yes, your phone supports eSIM, but not all units sold worldwide have it activated in the same way. Here you'll find exactly what to look for before buying a data plan, how to install it, and what One UI (Samsung's Android overlay) details might complicate things if you're not aware of them.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 have eSIM?

Yes. The Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra—unveiled in early 2025—include eSIM in all international variants, including those sold in Spain, the rest of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Technically, they share the same connectivity platform as the previous generation, so if you're already familiar with the S24, you won't notice any differences in the process.

The usual exception is markets with their own telecommunications regulations, where a local operator may sell the device with the eSIM manager restricted, even if the chip supports it by hardware. This is not common, but if you bought the phone outside your country of residence—or second-hand from a private seller—it's worth checking before agreeing to a plan.

S24 vs S25: real differences in eSIM support

This is where confusion arises, because many people search for "esim samsung galaxy s24" and "esim samsung galaxy s25" expecting to find big differences between both generations. The reality is that, for installation and use, they are practically identical: same menu, same steps, same limit of saved profiles. What changes between S24 and S25 is camera hardware, chip, and battery, not the way they manage mobile connectivity.

Where there can be a difference is in the purchase market. Samsung adjusts the factory configuration according to the declared destination country, so an S24 purchased in 2024 from an operator's physical store may come with the eSIM manager hidden behind an operator menu, while the same unit purchased unlocked (without contract) shows it directly in Settings. If your phone is from an operator, first check the operator's own app before assuming it doesn't have the option.

How to check if your Galaxy S24 or S25 supports eSIM

Before buying any data plan, take two minutes to verify this on the phone itself:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → SIM card manager. If you see the option "Add mobile plan" or "Add eSIM", your unit supports it and is unlocked for use.
2. Check the EID. In Settings → About phone → Status, look for "EID information". If a number appears, the eSIM chip is present and operational.
3. Dial *#06# from the call dialer. Along with the phone's IMEI, the eSIM's EID should also appear. If it doesn't appear, it's a sign that the manager is blocked by the operator, not that the hardware doesn't support it.

If your original operator sold the device with a contract and you don't see any of these options, call and request eSIM unlocking: in most EU countries, it's free once the commitment period has ended, and many operators activate it free of charge even earlier if you explicitly request it. You can read more about what an eSIM is exactly and how it differs from a physical card in our guide on what virtual eSIM is.

How to activate eSIM on your Galaxy S24 or S25 step by step

The process in One UI (Samsung's interface) is practically the same across the S24 and S25 range:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → SIM card manager.
2. Tap "Add mobile plan" and then "Scan QR code from operator".
3. Scan the QR code you receive by email when you purchase your eSIM. Do this with the phone connected to Wi-Fi, not with mobile data.
4. Wait for the system to download the profile (it usually takes less than a minute).
5. Give the new plan a recognizable name, for example "PuraSim travel", so you don't confuse it with your usual line.
6. Under "Mobile data line", select the PuraSim plan as the active line for data.
7. Activate data roaming within the settings of that specific plan: on Samsung, it usually comes disabled by default for the new eSIM, and it is the most common reason for "no internet" upon arrival.

The entire process, from start to finish, should not take you more than five minutes with a good Wi-Fi connection. If you have never installed an eSIM and want the process explained with more screenshots and variants by manufacturer, we have a general step-by-step installation guide that complements this one.

Comparison table: eSIM by model and purchase scenario

What almost no one tells you about eSIM on Samsung

Beyond "go to Settings and scan the QR code", there are a number of specific One UI details that are usually discovered by stumbling upon them at your destination. It's best to know them beforehand:

• Battery saving can cut off eSIM data in the background. One UI has an aggressive optimization mode that, if you don't give it explicit permission, pauses data consumption of apps and the eSIM line itself when the screen is off. Go to Settings → Battery → Background usage limits and add your eSIM to the "unrestricted" list before traveling, or you'll notice that notifications are slow to arrive even if it shows coverage.
• The real limit is not the saved profiles, it's the active ones at a time. You can store many eSIM profiles from different countries on the same Galaxy, but only one can usually be active for data at any given time (along with your physical SIM for calls). If your trip goes through two countries, prepare the profile change from home with stable Wi-Fi, not at the arrival airport with four bars of a network you don't recognize yet.
• Buying second-hand or imported is where most surprises occur. A Galaxy S24 or S25 brought from outside the EU, or refurbished without clear warranty of origin, may have the eSIM manager blocked by the original operator even if the technical specifications say the model supports it. *#06# is your best friend here: if no EID appears, don't buy the plan yet.
• New eSIM data roaming is almost always deactivated by default. This is the number one reason for "it's not connecting" messages received by any eSIM provider, and it can be solved in ten seconds by entering the specific plan within the SIM card manager and activating the roaming toggle.
• Don't confuse eSIM with free roaming. A local data eSIM replaces your Spanish operator's roaming, it doesn't complement it. If your Spanish plan already includes EU roaming at no extra cost, you don't need to buy anything for a weekend in Lisbon or Paris: the difference is noticeable for destinations outside the European Union or for long stays. You can compare both options calmly in our article on eSIM vs traditional roaming.

Common problems when activating eSIM and how to solve them

eSIM not connecting upon arrival:

• Check that data roaming is activated specifically within the new eSIM profile, not just in the phone's general settings.
• Force manual network selection: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Network operators → search manually.
• Restart the phone once the eSIM is installed and roaming is activated; on Samsung, this resolves a good portion of "coverage but no data" cases.

QR code gives an error when scanning:

• Each eSIM QR code can only be redeemed once. If you've already tried it on another device (or twice on the same one), it will be invalidated.
• Scan it with stable Wi-Fi, not with mobile data from another active line at the same time.
• If the problem persists, PuraSim support can resend the code or generate a new one.

It's slow even though it shows coverage:

• Confirm in the SIM Card Manager that data is going through the eSIM and not the physical one (it's easy to misconfigure after the first trip).
• Indoors with a lot of concrete—parking garages, museum basements, certain subway stations—the signal drops just like with any SIM; it's not an eSIM issue per se.
• Deactivate and reactivate mobile data from the quick panel; on One UI, this usually resolves temporary speed peaks.

To maximize your data plan during your trip—what to deactivate, what to leave for Wi-Fi only, and how not to run out of GB halfway through your stay—we have specific tips in how to save data with your travel eSIM.

If you've been using a physical chip on your previous trips and are wondering if the switch is worth it, the comparison of international chip vs. eSIM answers practical logistical questions: queues, stores, and what happens if you lose the chip.

Frequently asked questions

Written by Marc González Sáez Founder of PuraSim and a specialist in eSIM and connectivity for travelers. He has been helping people travel connected worldwide for years without overpaying for roaming, and personally tests eSIMs in each destination before recommending them.