eSIM setup · Android

Install and activate your eSIM on Android

For an Android phone, open Settings › Network and Internet › SIMs and tap Add SIM › Set up an eSIM, then scan the QR code in your HelloRoam email. It's about 2 minutes at home, and you switch it on after you land. Menu names vary a little by brand, so each step tells you what to look for.

Start setup I've landed

About 2 minutes Updated 28 Sept 2026 Help 24/7

Your phone

Where is eSIM on your Android?

Samsung and Pixel have their own guides with their exact screens. Any other Android phone: stay here and follow the steps below.

Samsung eSIM Setup Guide
The exact One UI screens, step by step.
SettingsConnectionsSIM manager
Pixel eSIM Setup Guide
The exact Pixel screens, step by step.
SettingsNetwork and InternetSIMs
This guideAnother Android phone
You're in the right place. The steps below use stock Android's menus. Where your phone differs, look for these:
OnePlus
SettingsMobile networkSIM card manager
Xiaomi
SettingsSIM cards and mobile networks
Menu names can change with each software update.

1 Get ready · Before you fly

Pick how you'll set up your Android eSIM

Where's your QR code? Pick the one that matches, and we'll show you the right steps. Both take about 2 minutes.

Fastest On another screen A laptop, a tablet or a second phone. Your phone's camera scans it.

On this phone Tap the install button in your HelloRoam email or in the HelloRoam app. No second screen needed. Works on Android 10 or later.

Before you start

0 of 4 ready

Next step

2 Install · At home, on Wi-Fi

Install eSIM via QR Code

Our team is available 24/7 if you need help during setup.

Illustration

Illustration. Menu names can differ by model and software version.

Step 1 of 6

Open Settings › Network and Internet, then tap SIMs. On a Samsung, it's Connections › SIM manager.
Can't find it? Search Settings for eSIM or SIM.
Tap Add SIM. Some phones say Add eSIM instead.
Tap Set up an eSIM. The camera opens.
Point your camera at the QR code in your HelloRoam email to scan and load your eSIM profile automatically.
Show the code on a bright screen and fit the whole code inside the box.
Review the mobile plan details and tap Add mobile plan to finish installing your eSIM.
Name your eSIM (for example, HelloRoam) and set it as your preferred mobile data line.

All steps (6)

2 Install · At home, on Wi-Fi

Install eSIM from your email on this phone

Our team is available 24/7 if you need help during setup.

Step 1 of 3

Open your HelloRoam email on this phone and tap Android 10+ eSIM Install. In the HelloRoam app, tap Install eSIM Now instead.
Review the plan details and confirm to finish.
Your HelloRoam eSIM is on the phone. Tap Next to label it and set your primary SIMs.

All steps (3)

2 Install · At home, on Wi-Fi

Install eSIM via Activation Code

Our team is available 24/7 if you need help during setup.

Step 1 of 5

Open Settings › Network and Internet › SIMs.
Tap Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
In the scanner, tap the option to enter the code yourself.
Copy the manual activation code from your HelloRoam email and paste it in. Tap Continue and wait a few seconds for the profile to download. The code looks like this: LPA:1$operator.com$ABCDE-12345
Paste, don't type it in. One wrong character and the code is refused.
Review the mobile plan details and tap Add mobile plan to finish installing your eSIM.

All steps (5)

3 Activate · When you land

Activate your HelloRoam eSIM on Android

Once you land, head to Settings › Network and Internet › SIMs, tap HelloRoam, switch on Use this SIM and Roaming, then turn Roaming off for your home SIM.

You might land with no data Save these steps before you fly. Download install guide (PDF)

Illustration

Illustration. Menu names can differ by model and software version.

Step 1 of 4

When you land, open Settings › Network and Internet › SIMs. Your HelloRoam line is in the list.
Tap HelloRoam, switch on Use this SIM, then turn on Roaming.
Back in SIMs, tap your home SIM and switch off Roaming. Your home network then can't charge you for roaming.
Your home SIM is the one that isn't HelloRoam.
Your eSIM is active. You're now connected and ready to use data in 185+ countries.

Good to know

Turn on Aeroplane Mode, then connect to Wi-Fi so you don't get charged by your home carrier.
Arrive at your destination before activating your eSIM.

All steps (4)

Turn on Aeroplane Mode, then connect to Wi-Fi so you don't get charged by your home carrier.

Arrive at your destination before activating your eSIM.

4 Check · Signal and data

How do you confirm your eSIM is active?

Two quick ways to check:

Check your signal icon. At least one bar means your eSIM is connected and working.

Open Settings › Network and Internet › SIMs, tap HelloRoam and check that Roaming is on.

We're here whenever you need us.

Still stuck? Our team's here 24/7 on email, WhatsApp, live chat and in the app.

Email help@helloroam.com WhatsApp Live chat In the app

FAQs

The questions Android owners ask most before and after they install.

Can I use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time on Android?

HelloRoam eSIM works on Android phones running Android 9.0 (Pie) or later. esim compatible Android 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/X5 Pro, Motorola Razr 2019 and newer, and Nokia XR21. Your phone downloads the eSIM profile over Wi-Fi, so no physical SIM card is needed. eSIM vs physical SIM on Android: an eSIM skips the SIM tray entirely and activates via QR code.

Can you use eSIM on an Android?

Android phones support running one physical nano-SIM and one active eSIM at the same time using Dual SIM Dual Standby. You choose which SIM handles mobile data through your SIM settings. Keep your Irish home number on your physical SIM while your HelloRoam eSIM handles data abroad. Switch freely between both lines in your SIM Manager.

Do all Android phones support eSIM?

Not every Android phone ships with eSIM hardware. As of 2026, eSIM-compatible Android phones include Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, OnePlus 9 and newer, and Xiaomi 12T Pro and 13 series. Check your phone's spec sheet to confirm eSIM support before purchasing a HelloRoam plan.

Does Android support eSIM travel plans?

HelloRoam eSIM plans work on Android phones for travel in 185+ countries, including Spain, the USA, the UK, France, and Portugal. Install before you leave Ireland, activate when you land, and use data at a fixed price with no surprise charges. HelloRoam covers 212+ networks worldwide.

How do I activate eSIM on Android?

To activate an eSIM on Android, open Settings and go to your SIM manager (the path varies by brand). Turn on your HelloRoam eSIM line and switch data roaming on. Your plan activates when you arrive at your destination. Note that a HelloRoam eSIM is not transferable between devices once installed. HelloRoam covers 185+ countries, including the popular Irish holiday routes to Spain, the USA, and Portugal.

Is eSIM better than a physical SIM for Android?

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.

How do I activate eSIM on Android?

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.

How do I activate eSIM on Samsung Galaxy?

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.

How do I turn on hotspot on Android using eSIM data?

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.

How do I check data usage on Android for my eSIM?

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.

How do I use eSIM for travel on Android?

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.

Why does my Android eSIM show no service or fail to activate?

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.

Can I use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time on Android?

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.