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How to Install and Activate Unlimit Mobile eSIM on iPhone & Android
Learn how to install and activate your Unlimit Mobile eSIM on iPhone and Android. Follow setup steps, fix common issues, and get connected before you travel.
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How to Install and Activate Your Unlimit Mobile eSIM on iPhone and Android
Setting up a phone plan is something that every student moving abroad has on the to-do list. However, it is usually left for the airport, after a long flight and with no Wi-Fi. An eSIM removes that step, since you can install it at home before you board.
How Do You Install and Activate an Unlimit Mobile eSIM?
Unlimit Mobile eSIM installation and activation takes a few minutes on most phones. You choose a plan, complete the digital ID check, receive your QR code and instructions by email, scan the code or tap the one-click link, turn the new line on and test the connection. Please note that the exact steps depend on your phone and your plan, so it is advised to keep your order email open while you set up.
What Should You Check Before Installing Your Unlimit Mobile eSIM?
A quick eSIM compatibility check at home saves you from a failed setup later.
eSIM support: Confirm that your phone supports eSIM on our device compatibility page .
Unlocked phone: Your phone needs to be carrier-unlocked, which means it is not tied to your current mobile operator.
Stable internet: Connect to Wi-Fi before you scan, since the eSIM profile downloads over the internet.
Destination: Make sure your plan covers where you are going. Unlimit Mobile has plans for Canada, the USA and the UK , and you can view the coverage map for each.
QR code: Keep the QR code and instructions from your order email ready, ideally on a second screen or printed.
How to Install and Activate an eSIM on iPhone
If you want to install an eSIM on iPhone, our iOS installation guide sets out these steps:
Open Settings and tap Mobile Service (Cellular on some iPhones).
Tap Add eSIM.
Tap Use QR Code.
Scan the QR code from your Unlimit Mobile email.
Tap Continue, and then tap Done once the eSIM is added.
Go to Mobile Data and select your new Unlimit eSIM as the data line.
Under SIMs, tap the new eSIM and turn on Data Roaming.
If you would rather not scan, you can use the one-click installation link in the same email instead. Please note that turning on Data Roaming here applies only to your Unlimit line, so the roaming setting on your home SIM stays as it is. Additionally, menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions, which Apple's eSIM setup guide covers in detail.
How to Install and Activate an eSIM on Android
To activate an eSIM on Android, our installation guide uses a Samsung Galaxy phone, so the menus may look slightly different on other models.
Open Settings and tap Connections.
Tap SIM Manager, and then tap Add eSIM.
Scan the QR code from your Unlimit Mobile email.
Once the eSIM is added, rename it to something you will recognise, such as "Unlimit", and tap Next.
Check that the new eSIM is selected, and tap Done.
Make the new eSIM your primary SIM for mobile data.
Under Mobile networks, turn on Data roaming for the new eSIM.
As on iPhone, the one-click installation link in your email works in place of the QR code. On a Google Pixel, the eSIM option sits under Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM, according to Google's Pixel guide . It is important to note that menu names change with the model and software version, which is why Samsung's own guide calls the same menu SIM card manager. Whether an eSIM works also depends on your phone model, the region it was sold in and its carrier lock. Hence, this Android eSIM activation guide works best alongside the instructions sent with your plan.
How to Fix Common Unlimit Mobile eSIM Activation Problems
One might assume that a failed eSIM setup means the eSIM itself is faulty. But this is not the case. Most problems come from the connection, the settings or the steps, and they can usually be fixed in a few minutes.
Why Is My eSIM QR Code Not Working?
Internet: Check that you are on stable Wi-Fi.
Code: Confirm that you are scanning the code from your latest Unlimit Mobile email, or try the one-click installation link instead.
Manual option: Tap Enter Details Manually on iPhone, or Enter Activation Code on Android, and type in the SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager Data Preparation) address and activation code we send you. On iPhone, leave the confirmation code blank.
Already installed: Look under Mobile Service or SIM Manager, since the eSIM may have installed on an earlier attempt.
Still invalid: Contact our support team if the code still does not work.
Why Is My eSIM Installed but Not Connecting?
Take a scenario where the eSIM shows in your settings, but there is no signal. In this case, work through these steps:
Confirm that the eSIM line is turned on and selected for mobile data.
Check that Data Roaming is on for the Unlimit eSIM.
Check that your plan is active and that you are in a covered area.
Review your APN (Access Point Name) settings, but only if our instructions ask you to.
Restart your phone and test again.
What Should You Do If eSIM Activation Fails?
Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked, and then go through your activation instructions once more. Please note that deleting the eSIM is not a fix, since you may not be able to reinstall the same profile. If the issue continues, email support@unlimitmobile.com or reach us through our contact page , which lists WhatsApp numbers for India, Canada and the USA.
Tips for International Students, Newcomers and Travellers
International students: Check your phone's compatibility and install your eSIM before you leave home.
Newcomers and immigrants: Have your connection ready for arrival, since maps, banking and calls are needed from day one.
Business travellers: Read your plan's activation requirements before the trip.
Expat families: Check every family member's phone, since each one needs its own eSIM support.
Unlimit Mobile offers eSIM plans for Canada, the USA and the UK. In Canada, for example, our 12-month plan works out to about CAD 32 a month, whereas Bell lists its 100GB Select plan at CAD 60 a month .
Get Your Unlimit eSIM Ready for Your Next Trip
It is evident that a few minutes of checks at home save you a long wait at the airport. Confirm that your phone is compatible, keep your QR code ready and follow the steps for your device. Explore Unlimit Mobile plans and check your phone's compatibility before you buy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install an eSIM before arriving in Canada?
Yes. With Unlimit Mobile, you can install your eSIM at home and have your Canadian number ready before you land. Please check your plan's activation instructions, since the rules can differ by plan.
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM together?
Yes, on dual-SIM phones. Which combinations are available, such as one physical SIM with one eSIM, depends on your phone.
Why is my eSIM installed but not working?
Check that the line is turned on, your plan is active, you are in a covered area and your SIM and data settings point to the eSIM.
Can I reinstall a deleted eSIM?
This depends on the provider's policy. Contact support before you delete a working eSIM profile.
What should I do if my Unlimit eSIM activation fails?
Go through your setup instructions again, and then contact Unlimit Mobile support for help with your specific plan.
How do I scan an eSIM QR code?
Open the eSIM option in your phone's settings and point the camera at the code. If you cannot scan it, the one-click installation link in your Unlimit Mobile email installs the same eSIM.
How do I check if my phone supports eSIM?
Check our device compatibility page, or look for an eSIM option in your phone's settings. Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked.
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