Can’t Activate Your eSIM? Here’s What to Do Before Your Flight
Planning a trip and relying on your eSIM for seamless connectivity? Activating your eSIM before you fly is essential—but sometimes it doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. Here’s what you need to know (and do) if you’re having trouble activating your eSIM before departure.
1. Know When Your eSIM Can Be Activated
Not all eSIMs work the same way. Some travel eSIMs only activate once you arrive in the country where they’re valid. That means you won’t be able to fully activate or use the eSIM until you’re physically there. This is common with region-specific or pay-per-use plans.
Others can be installed and activated in advance, so you’re ready to connect the moment you land. That’s why it’s important to read your confirmation email carefully — it contains all the details specific to your eSIM plan.
2. Check Your Confirmation Email
After purchasing your eSIM, you’ll receive a confirmation email that usually includes:
- A QR code for quick installation
- An activation code for manual setup
- Specific notes on when and how to activate your eSIM
Always refer back to this email before installation. If you’re unsure whether your eSIM can be activated before your trip, this email will tell you.
3. Use a Strong, Stable Internet Connection
Installing an eSIM requires a reliable internet connection. We recommend using strong Wi-Fi or a stable mobile data connection during setup. If your connection is weak or drops out, the eSIM profile might fail to download or you may see an error.
If you get messages like “Activation failed,” it’s often because you’re not yet in the country where the eSIM activates. If you see “Unable to install eSIM,” it might mean the eSIM is already installed on your device — in that case, please contact us for help.
4. Don’t Leave the Screen During Installation
Once you start installing the eSIM, stay on the installation screen until the process finishes. Switching apps, locking your phone, or letting it go idle can interrupt the setup and cause errors.
This usually takes 2–3 minutes — just give it your full attention to avoid having to start over.
Final Tips Before You Fly
- Check whether your eSIM activates on arrival or can be pre-activated.
- Keep your confirmation email handy — it’s your step-by-step setup guide.
- Use reliable Wi-Fi during installation.
- Don’t interrupt the installation process.
If you’ve followed all the steps and still can’t activate your eSIM, reach out to our support team — we’re here to help, even while you’re on the move.
