How do I install my Andalu eSIM on an iPhone?
You install your Andalu eSIM on an iPhone from the QR code that arrives by email: in the email itself, or one tap away behind its **Get your order** button. Scan it with the Camera app, add it straight from the screen on the same iPhone, or type the details in Settings. Install it before you travel, on Wi-Fi. When you land, turn on the line and Data Roaming.
Before you start
An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later, not locked to your home carrier. Not sure? See Is my phone compatible with an eSIM?.
A Wi-Fi connection. Your iPhone 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 iPhone.
Install it on the iPhone 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.
Get your eSIM from Andalu
Already paid? Start at step 11.
- 1
Go to Travel eSIMs.
- 2
Type your destination in Where are you going?
- 3
Select your destination.
- 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.
- 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.
- 6
Select Send code.
- 7
Enter the code we text you in Code we texted you.
- 8
Select Verify.
Illustration of your Andalu order page - 9
Select Continue to payment.
Illustration of your Andalu order page - 10
Pay on the checkout page.
- 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 your Andalu order page - 12
Keep the email, so you can find your QR code again. You'll need it again only if you delete the eSIM by mistake.
Scan the QR code with your camera
Use this when your QR code is on another screen. Apple's own guide: Set up eSIM on iPhone.
- 1
Show your QR code on your computer or tablet: open your eSIM email there.
- 2
On your iPhone, open the Camera app and point it at the QR code.
- 3
Tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification when it appears.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 4
Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 5
Tap Add Cellular Plan.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 6
Answer the questions on screen as in Finish setting up.
Add it on the same iPhone
Reading your QR code on the iPhone that will use the eSIM? You can add it straight from the screen. This needs iOS 17.4 or later.
- 1
Open your eSIM email in the email app you use by default. If it has a Get your order button instead of a QR code, tap it to open the page with your QR code in Safari.
- 2
Touch and hold the QR code until a menu opens.
- 3
Tap Add eSIM.
No Add eSIM in the menu? Update your iPhone to the latest iOS, or use Enter the details manually.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 4
Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 5
Tap Add Cellular Plan.
- 6
Answer the questions on screen as in Finish setting up.
Enter the details manually
Use this if the camera won't read the code. Your activation code (LPA) has three parts separated by $ signs, like LPA:1$smdp.example.com$A1B2C3D4E5. Your iPhone asks for the second and third parts separately.
- 1
Open your eSIM email and find the Activation code (LPA). If the email has a Get your order button instead, tap it: the page it opens shows your activation code.
Illustration of your Andalu order page - 2
On your iPhone, open Settings.
- 3
Tap Cellular. In some countries it's called Mobile Data.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 4
Tap Add eSIM. If you see Set Up Cellular instead, tap that.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 5
Tap Use QR Code. If you don't see it, tap Other Options first.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 6
Tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the screen.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 7
In SM-DP+ Address, enter the middle part of your code: everything between the first and the second
$. In the example, that'ssmdp.example.com.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 8
In Activation Code, enter the last part: everything after the second
$. In the example, that'sA1B2C3D4E5.Leave any confirmation code empty. Andalu eSIMs don't use one.
- 9
Tap Next.
- 10
Answer the questions on screen as in Finish setting up.
Finish setting up
After you add the eSIM, your iPhone asks a few questions. Apple's guide to them: Using Dual SIM with an eSIM.
- 1
Give the new line a name you'll recognize, like Andalu or Travel.
- 2
Keep your home number as your default line for calls and messages.
- 3
Keep your home line for cellular data for now. You switch data to the eSIM when you arrive.
Asked whether you'll use the eSIM at home or while you travel? Choose travel.
- 4
Check the eSIM is there: open Settings, tap Cellular, and look for your new line under your SIMs.
Turn on your eSIM when you arrive
Do this once you land. Apple's own guide: Use eSIM while traveling internationally.
On iOS 26 or later you might see a Turn On Travel eSIM notification when you arrive. Tap it, choose Travel eSIM and Current eSIM, and tap Continue. Then check steps 8 and 9 below.
- 1
Open Settings.
- 2
Tap Cellular.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 3
Tap your Andalu line. It has the name you gave it.
- 4
Turn on Turn On This Line.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 5
Go back, then tap Cellular Data.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 6
Tap your Andalu line, so the eSIM is the line that uses data.
Leave Allow Cellular Data Switching off. Then your home line can't use data abroad.
- 7
Go back, then tap Cellular Data Options.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 8
Turn on Data Roaming.
Your eSIM needs Data Roaming to use the local network. It costs nothing extra: your plan already pays for it.
On some iPhones, Data Roaming is on your Andalu line's own page, under Cellular.
Illustration drawn from the platform's own guide · see the original - 9
Turn Wi-Fi off and open a web page. If it loads, your eSIM is working.
Confirm it works
In Settings > Cellular, your eSIM is listed with your SIMs and is turned on.
Before you travel, the eSIM line may show no signal. That's normal: it connects only at your destination.
After you land, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. You should see signal bars for both lines.
With Wi-Fi off, web pages and apps load over the eSIM.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | What it means | What 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 eSIM or Set Up Cellular in Settings > Cellular | Your iPhone is older than an iPhone XS or XR, or doesn't support eSIM where it was sold | 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 iPhone | Make the code bigger and turn up the screen brightness. On the same iPhone, use Add it on the same iPhone |
No Add eSIM when you touch and hold the code | Your iPhone runs an iOS version before 17.4, or the QR code is open in an app that doesn't offer it | Update iOS, or enter the details manually |
A message says the eSIM can't be added, or the code isn't valid | The eSIM is already on a phone, or there's a typing mistake in the details | Check Settings > Cellular in case it's already there. For manual entry, copy each part again. If it still fails, don't keep retrying: contact us |
A message says the SIM isn't supported | Your iPhone may be locked to your home carrier | In Settings > General > About, Carrier Lock should say No SIM Restrictions. If it doesn't, only your carrier can 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 line is off, Data Roaming is off, or data is still on your home line | |
Still no signal after checking every setting | Your iPhone hasn't joined the local network yet | Turn Airplane Mode on and off. Then turn the eSIM line off and on in Settings > Cellular. Then restart your iPhone |
You deleted the eSIM by mistake | The same QR code can install it again on the same iPhone | Scan the same QR code on that iPhone. 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 |
Your home carrier charged you for roaming | Your home line used data abroad | Turn off Data Roaming on your home line, and leave Allow Cellular Data Switching off |
Frequently asked questions
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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 iPhone in Settings > General > About. It tells us which eSIM is yours.