How do I install my Andalu eSIM on an Android phone?

You install your Andalu eSIM on an Android phone from the QR code that arrives by email: in the email itself, or one tap away behind its **Get your order** button. The menus differ by brand, so this guide covers Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy step by step. Install it before you travel, on Wi-Fi. When you land, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on roaming.

Before you start

  • A phone that supports eSIM and isn't locked to your home carrier: a Google Pixel 4 or later, or a Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, for example. Not sure? See Is my phone compatible with an eSIM?.

  • A Wi-Fi connection. Your phone downloads the eSIM while you install it. More in Do I need Wi-Fi to install or activate my eSIM?.

  • Your QR code, from your eSIM email: in the email, or behind its Get your order button. It's easiest to show it on a second screen, like a computer or a tablet, and scan it with your phone.

  • Install it on the phone you're taking with you. An eSIM can't be moved to another phone once it's installed.

  • Keep your home SIM where it is. Your number keeps working, and the eSIM runs beside it.

  • Most plans start counting days the first time the eSIM connects to a network at your destination, not when you install it.

  • Another Android brand? The steps are close to these. Look for SIMs or eSIM in your phone's network or connection settings, and use the same QR code or manual activation code.

Get your eSIM from Andalu

Already paid? Start at step 11.

  1. 1

    Go to Travel eSIMs.

  2. 2

    Type your destination in Where are you going?

    The Andalu Travel eSIMs page with the Where are you going? search box ringed
  3. 3

    Select your destination.

  4. 4

    Select Buy next to the plan you want: the bag button at the end of its row. The cart button beside it adds the plan to your cart instead.

    • Buying several plans, or a game too? Add them to your cart and pay once.

    An Andalu eSIM destination page listing eSIM plans, with the Buy button of the first plan, a bag icon at the end of its row, ringed
  5. 5

    Check the country beside Phone number: it's usually filled in for you, and you can tap it to change it. Then enter your mobile number without the country code, like 555 123 4567.

    • Every buyer confirms a mobile number with a text code before paying. Mobile numbers only: an internet or virtual number can't get a code.

    • Verified on this device in the last 7 days? Your number is already there. Skip to step 9.

    The Andalu Confirm your mobile number sheet after Buy, with the Phone number field ringed
  6. 6

    Select Send code.

  7. 7

    Enter the code we text you in Code we texted you.

  8. 8

    Select Verify.

    Illustration of the Andalu Confirm your mobile number sheet at the code step, with the Verify button ringed
    Illustration of your Andalu order page
  9. 9

    Select Continue to payment.

    Illustration of the Andalu Confirm your mobile number sheet with the number verified and Continue to payment ringed
    Illustration of your Andalu order page
  10. 10

    Pay on the checkout page.

  11. 11

    Open the email for your order. Its subject starts with "Your Andalu order" and your order number. Your QR code, manual activation code and ICCID are in it, or on the page its Get your order button opens.

    • Can't find the email? Your order confirmation page opens your inbox already searched for it: select the button named for your email service, such as Open Gmail. The page never shows the QR code itself.

    • Paid for several eSIMs? Each one has its own QR code.

    • The ICCID is your eSIM's own number. Include it if you contact us.

    Illustration of the Andalu eSIM email, Your eSIM is ready, with the QR code ringed
    Illustration of your Andalu order page
  12. 12

    Find the Activation code (LPA) next to the QR code. You paste it whole, starting with LPA:1$, if your phone can't scan the code.

    Illustration of the Andalu eSIM email, Your eSIM is ready, with the Activation code (LPA) ringed
    Illustration of your Andalu order page
  13. 13

    Keep the email, so you can find your QR code again. You'll need it again only if you delete the eSIM by mistake.

Install on a Google Pixel

Google's own guide: Set up a new eSIM. Screens can differ a little between Android versions.

  1. 1

    Open Settings.

  2. 2

    Tap Network & internet.

    Illustration of Pixel Settings with Network & internet ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  3. 3

    Tap SIMs.

    Illustration of the Pixel Network & internet settings with SIMs ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  4. 4

    Tap Add SIM.

    Illustration of the Pixel SIMs settings with Add SIM ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  5. 5

    Tap Set up an eSIM.

    Illustration of the Pixel Connect to mobile network screen with the Set up an eSIM button ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  6. 6

    If you see Confirm your network with a list of networks, tap Use a different SIM.

    Illustration of the Pixel Confirm your network screen with Use a different SIM ringed under Other options
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  7. 7

    Point the camera at the QR code. It's in your eSIM email, or behind its Get your order button.

    • QR code on this phone? Take a screenshot of it, tap Scan from photo, and choose the screenshot.

    Illustration of the Pixel QR code scanner, with the camera frame ringed and Scan from photo below it
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  8. 8

    If the camera can't read the code, tap Try these troubleshooting steps, then Enter activation code, and paste your whole manual activation code.

    Illustration of the Pixel QR code scanner with the Try these troubleshooting steps link ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  9. 9

    Tap Set up.

    Illustration of the Pixel screen that downloads the eSIM, with the Set up button ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  10. 10

    When it's done, tap Settings.

  11. 11

    If you're asked to set your SIM preferences, tap Get started, then Next and Done. Keep your home SIM for calls, texts and mobile data for now.

Install on a Samsung Galaxy

Samsung's own guide: Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers. Screens can differ a little between software versions.

  1. 1

    Open Settings.

  2. 2

    Tap Connections.

    Illustration of Samsung Galaxy Settings with Connections ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  3. 3

    Tap SIM manager.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy Connections settings with SIM manager ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  4. 4

    Tap Add eSIM.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy SIM manager with Add eSIM ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  5. 5

    Tap Scan QR code.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy Add eSIM options with Scan QR code ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  6. 6

    Point the camera at the QR code. It's in your eSIM email, or behind its Get your order button.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy QR code scanner with the camera frame ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  7. 7

    If the camera can't read the code, tap Enter activation code and paste your whole manual activation code.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy QR code scanner with Enter activation code ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  8. 8

    When your eSIM is found, tap Add.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy confirmation to add the eSIM, with the Add button ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  9. 9

    Restart your phone when the eSIM is added. Samsung says this applies the new eSIM.

Turn it on when you arrive: Google Pixel

Do this once you land. Google's guide: Change mobile network settings.

  1. 1

    Open Settings.

  2. 2

    Tap Network & internet, then SIMs.

  3. 3

    Tap your eSIM. It may show a network's name rather than Andalu.

  4. 4

    Turn on Use this SIM.

    Illustration of a Pixel SIM's settings with the Use this SIM switch ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  5. 5

    Turn on Roaming.

    • Your eSIM needs roaming on to use the local network. It costs nothing extra: your plan already pays for it.

    Illustration of a Pixel SIM's settings with the Roaming switch ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  6. 6

    Go back, then tap Mobile data under Your primary SIMs.

    Illustration of the Pixel SIMs settings with Mobile data ringed under Your primary SIMs
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  7. 7

    Choose your eSIM.

    • Leave Automatic data switching off. Then your home SIM can't use data abroad.

  8. 8

    Turn Wi-Fi off and open a web page. If it loads, your eSIM is working.

Turn it on when you arrive: Samsung Galaxy

Do this once you land. Samsung's guide: How to turn international data roaming on or off.

  1. 1

    Open Settings.

  2. 2

    Tap Connections, then SIM manager.

  3. 3

    Turn on the switch next to your eSIM. It may show a network's name rather than Andalu.

  4. 4

    Tap Mobile data.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy SIM manager with Mobile data ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  5. 5

    Choose your eSIM.

  6. 6

    Go back to Connections, then tap Mobile networks.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy Connections settings with Mobile networks ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  7. 7

    Turn on Data roaming.

    • Switch grayed out? Turn on mobile data first, in Connections > Data usage > Mobile data.

    • Your eSIM needs roaming on to use the local network. It costs nothing extra: your plan already pays for it.

    Illustration of the Samsung Galaxy Mobile networks settings with the Data roaming switch ringed
    Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original
  8. 8

    Turn Wi-Fi off and open a web page. If it loads, your eSIM is working.

Confirm it works

  • Your eSIM is listed in SIMs on a Pixel, or in SIM manager on a Samsung Galaxy.

  • Before you travel, the eSIM may show no signal. That's normal: it connects only at your destination.

  • After you land, the status bar shows signal for the eSIM.

  • With Wi-Fi off, web pages and apps load over the eSIM.

Troubleshooting

What you seeWhat it meansWhat to do

Your order confirmation says Your eSIM is on its way

Your eSIM is still on its way

Keep the page open. It checks again by itself, and reloading it is safe

Your order confirmation says Your order is taking a little longer than usual.

Your order is safe and on its way. There's no QR code yet

Nothing to do and don't pay again: it arrives by email within a few hours. Nothing by the next day? Contact us with the order number shown on the page

No Add SIM, Set up an eSIM or Add eSIM in your settings

Your phone doesn't support eSIM, or doesn't support it in the country it was sold in

Check Is my phone compatible with an eSIM? before you travel

The camera doesn't react to the QR code

The code is too small or too dim, or it's on the same phone

Make the code bigger and turn up the brightness. On the same phone, use Scan from photo on a Pixel, or enter the activation code

Your Pixel lists networks and none is yours

That list is for networks you already have a plan with

Tap Use a different SIM to scan your Andalu QR code

A message says the eSIM can't be added, or the code isn't valid

The eSIM is already on a phone, or the pasted code is incomplete

Check your SIM list in case it's already there. For manual entry, copy the whole code again, starting with LPA:1$. If it still fails, don't keep retrying: contact us

A message says the SIM isn't supported

Your phone may be locked to your home carrier

Ask your carrier or the shop you bought the phone from to unlock it

The eSIM shows no signal before you travel

Normal: it connects only at your destination

Nothing to do until you land

No data after you land

The eSIM is off, roaming is off, or mobile data is still on your home SIM

Follow the arrival steps for your Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy

Data roaming is grayed out on a Samsung Galaxy

Mobile data is off

Turn on Mobile data in Connections > Data usage, then try again

Still no signal after checking every setting

Your phone hasn't joined the local network yet

Turn airplane mode on and off. Then turn the eSIM off and on. Then restart your phone

Connected, but pages still don't load

Some networks need a setting that isn't added by itself on some Android phones

Contact us with your ICCID and the country you're in

You deleted the eSIM by mistake

The same QR code can install it again on the same phone

Scan the same QR code on that phone. If it won't install, contact us

You changed phones before your trip

An eSIM can't be moved to another phone

Contact us before you install or delete anything

Frequently asked questions

Shop eSIM data

Still stuck?

Contact us with your order number and the exact message you see, word for word, including any error code. We reply by email, usually within a day. If the eSIM can't be used, buyer protection covers you for 24 hours after delivery.

Include your eSIM's ICCID too. It's in your eSIM email, and on your phone in Settings > About phone > SIM status. It tells us which eSIM is yours.

Contact support