How to Set Up eSIM on Android: Done in 2 Minutes

Android phones support eSIM when they run Android 9.0 (Pie) or later and have eSIM hardware on board. Common eSIM compatible phones include Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, OnePlus 9 and newer, Xiaomi 12T Pro and 13 series, Oppo Find X3 and X5 Pro, Motorola Razr 2019 and newer, and Nokia XR21. Check your model's spec sheet before buying a plan, as not every Android ships with an eSIM chip. Setup follows the same QR code or manual code process on all supported models.

An e-sim works on Android through a built-in chip that stores a digital SIM profile downloaded via a QR code or activation code. HelloRoam sends that code by email after you buy a plan. Scan it through Settings on your Android, your phone connects to the local carrier, and you get data in minutes. No physical card swap, no going to a store. eSIM Japan plans, for instance, connect your Android to Japanese local networks the moment you land at Narita or Haneda, with no SIM hunting required. Once connected, you can also share your connection. How to turn on hotspot on Android: go to Settings, then Connections or Network, then Mobile Hotspot. This lets you share data with a laptop or travel companion. How to use Android as a hotspot is the same path across Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus devices.

Installing an eSIM on Android without a QR code takes about 2 minutes using a manual activation code. Open your phone's eSIM settings, tap Add eSIM or Add mobile plan, choose Enter activation code manually, then type the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your HelloRoam email. Works on any compatible Android running Android 9.0 or later.

An installed HelloRoam eSIM can't move to another phone, and that includes your phone's own transfer feature. Getting a new Android? Before your HelloRoam eSIM's first connection to a network your plan covers in your destination, email help@helloroam.com. We can issue a new eSIM. After that first connection, we don't issue a new one for a change of phone. Your phone may also hide the eSIM option if your model doesn't support eSIM hardware, runs Android below 9.0 (Pie), or is carrier-locked. Check your device specs and update your Android version first.

An installed HelloRoam eSIM can't move to another Android phone. Beyond that, eSIM beats a physical SIM card for travel in three ways. First, you install it instantly from your email: no SIM card swap, no visit to a store. Second, you keep your home physical SIM active at the same time for calls and texts, so your number stays reachable. Third, you can store multiple eSIM profiles and switch between country plans without carrying extra cards.

Activating eSIM on Android takes about 2 minutes. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung), tap SIMs or SIM Manager, then tap Add eSIM. Scan the QR code from your HelloRoam email or choose Enter activation code manually and type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code. Confirm the plan details, tap Download, and wait about 60 seconds. Once installed, turn on Data Roaming for the HelloRoam line. eSIM activation on Android 9.0 (Pie) and later follows this same path across brands.

Activating eSIM on Samsung Galaxy phones uses One UI. Open Settings, tap Connections, then SIM Manager, then Add eSIM. Choose Scan QR code or Add with activation code. Scan the QR code from your HelloRoam email, confirm the plan, and tap Download. The Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 series, and Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models all support this eSIM activation process. After download, go to SIM Manager and set your HelloRoam eSIM as the preferred data line.

Turning on hotspot on Android lets you share your HelloRoam eSIM data with other devices like laptops and tablets. On most Android phones, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot and Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot, then toggle it ON. On Samsung (One UI), go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot. Make sure your HelloRoam eSIM is set as the active data line first, or the hotspot will use your home SIM instead. Hotspot usage counts against your data plan balance.

Checking data usage on Android works through Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage (or Settings > Connections > Data Usage on Samsung). You can see total data consumed by the current billing period and break it down by app. Tap your HelloRoam eSIM line to see usage specifically for that SIM. Set a data usage warning or limit so you get an alert before you hit your plan cap. HelloRoam also shows your remaining balance in your account dashboard in real time.

eSIM travel plans on Android work the same as any eSIM. You buy a HelloRoam plan for your destination, install it before you fly, and turn on Data Roaming when you land. Your phone connects to a local network automatically. HelloRoam covers 185+ countries across 212+ networks, so your Android eSIM for travel works in Mexico, Japan, Europe, and beyond. You keep your home SIM active for calls. No physical SIM card swap, no international roaming fees from your home carrier.

If your Android eSIM shows no service, follow this eSIM troubleshooting checklist. First, confirm Data Roaming is ON at Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > your HelloRoam line. Second, restart your Android phone with the eSIM active. Third, select a network manually under Network Selection or Carrier settings and pick a local carrier. Fourth, toggle airplane mode on and off to force the phone to reconnect. Fifth, if the eSIM activation failed during setup, contact HelloRoam support at help@helloroam.com with your order ID for a replacement profile. The same troubleshooting steps work whether you are on a Samsung, Pixel, or OnePlus device.

eSIM on Android supports using eSIM and a physical SIM card at the same time on devices running Android 10 or later with dual SIM hardware. Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 6 and newer, and OnePlus 9 and newer all support running eSIM alongside a physical SIM. Your home SIM stays in the tray for calls and texts, while HelloRoam eSIM handles data abroad. Go to Settings > SIM Manager (or Connections > SIM Manager on Samsung) to assign which SIM handles calls, messages, and data independently.