How to Install and Activate an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy

Adding a travel eSIM to a Samsung Galaxy is quick once you know where the menu lives: it's inside SIM manager. You scan a QR code or type an activation code, choose which line handles mobile data, and you're set. Do it at home on Wi-Fi so you land with everything ready.

This guide covers the install, the settings that stop your phone using the wrong plan, and a quick test for when you arrive.

Before You Start

• Check your Galaxy supports eSIM. Samsung says availability varies by country and carrier. See our Samsung compatibility list and Samsung's eSIM support page.
• Make sure the phone is unlocked. Samsung doesn't lock its phones to a network, but a carrier may have. Use our guide to checking if a phone is unlocked.
• Update One UI and connect to stable Wi-Fi.
• Keep the QR code or activation details on another screen.
• Know when the plan starts. Yatelo's validity begins when the eSIM first connects to a supported network, not when you install it. See when to install and activate a travel eSIM.

Most eSIMs can only be installed once. If you delete the profile from your phone, you may not be able to reinstall it, so complete the setup carefully and don't delete it as a first fix.

Add the eSIM by QR Code

1. Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
2. Tap Add eSIM. When prompted, tap OK.
3. Choose Scan QR code and point the camera at the code on your other screen.
4. Tap Next or Connect and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Give the new line a clear name, such as "Yatelo Travel".

Samsung also offers an eSIM Simple Setup option on some phones, which downloads a plan automatically. If it's on your screen and your provider supports it, it's the fastest route.

Enter an Activation Code Manually

1. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM.
2. Choose the option to enter an activation code (wording varies by One UI version).
3. Enter the activation details exactly as provided. Copy and paste if you can, since one wrong character is the most common cause of a failed install.
4. Tap Next or Connect and wait for the confirmation.

Set Up the Travel Line

1. In SIM manager, make sure the Yatelo eSIM is switched on.
2. Choose it as the preferred SIM for Mobile data.
3. If you still need your home number, keep your home SIM as the preferred SIM for calls and messages.
4. Check Data roaming for the Yatelo line. Some plans don't need it, and some do. The setup screen tells you which, and you should keep it off for your home line.
5. If the setup screen tells you to, turn off automatic network selection and choose a supported network from the list.
6. Turn off any automatic data switching if you don't want the phone falling back to your home SIM for data.

For the fuller two-line setup, see our Dual SIM guide. To understand the roaming setting, read why a travel eSIM may need roaming.

Test When You Arrive

1. Switch on the Yatelo line and confirm it shows signal.
2. Turn off Wi-Fi and load a small web page.
3. If it doesn't connect, wait a few minutes, then toggle Airplane Mode for about 30 seconds and restart the phone.
4. Recheck the data SIM, roaming and network selection.

Common Samsung Problems

• Add eSIM is missing: check the exact model number, region and carrier variant, and update the software.
• The QR code is rejected: confirm it hasn't been used already and that you're scanning it through SIM manager, not the regular camera.
• Signal but no data: check the preferred data SIM, roaming and network selection.
• Your home line is using data: turn off data switching and home-line roaming.

For more, work through our eSIM troubleshooting guide before you delete anything. Haven't chosen a plan yet? Browse Yatelo destinations.