How to Fix eSIM installation issues 2025

When you see an error message during eSIM installation, you can quickly check if it’s caused by one of the following reasons:

1. You are installing your eSIM using mobile data — we recommend using a stable Wi-Fi connection instead.
2. Your phone has no available eSIM slots.
3. The eSIM has already been installed.

I can’t setup/activate my eSIM, what should I do?

Before you start reading this guide, the most important step is:

Make sure your device is eSIM-compatible, as this is one of the most common reasons eSIMs fail to work.

• To check if your device supports eSIM, there are two methods:

1. Dial #06# and press call. If you find an EID number displayed, your device is eSIM-compatible.
2. Check our eSIM-compatible devices list

• Check if your device is carrier-locked:

Go to FAQ: https://esimnb.com/resource/faqs

Quick check for iPhone users:

1. Go to Settings > General > About.
2. Find Carrier Lock.
3. Look for “No SIM restrictions.”
   If you don’t see “No SIM restrictions,” you may need to contact your primary mobile provider for assistance.

If you’ve confirmed your phone supports eSIM, please continue reading to find the possible solutions for your issue.

1. Have you arrived at your destination?

After adding the eSIM to your device, you may notice that the eSIM status shows “Activation Failed” or “Activating…”.

If you haven’t yet arrived in your destination country, don’t worry — eSIM activation happens only when the eSIM connects to a local network.

This means you need to be within the coverage area and turn on data roaming for the eSIM.

So, if you install your eSIM at home and see it stuck at “Activating…”, that’s completely normal.

2. Check if the eSIM is already activated

Sometimes, eSIM installation seems to fail simply because the eSIM was already installed successfully — and scanning the QR code again will cause an error message.

Go to Settings → Mobile Service / Cellular on iOS or Settings → Connections → SIM Manager on Android.

If the eSIM name appears in your system, that means the eSIM is already activated.

3. Restart your phone

In many cases, the eSIM can’t activate simply because your phone needs to reboot. Restarting helps your device reconnect to the local network properly.

Please restart your phone in an area with good signal strength, and make sure that data roaming is turned on after activation.

4. Update your phone’s System Version

If the eSIM still doesn’t work, it might be due to an outdated system version.

Please update your device to the latest System version.

5. Check if the eSIM has already been installed

Since an eSIM can only be installed on one device, and the installation QR code is single-use, if your eSIM has already been installed and added to your device, the QR code will no longer be valid.

6. Disable VPNs or device profiles

VPNs or mobile device management (MDM) profiles may interfere with eSIM installation. Try turning off any active VPNs to complete the installation.

Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and remove any profiles you don’t recognize or need.

If you’ve followed all the steps above and the issue still persists, our support team is available 24/7 and happy to help you anytime.