How to Activate Your eSIM in Under 5 Minutes (Step-by-Step Guide)

Switching to an eSIM might sound complicated, but here's the good news: it's actually one of the quickest and easiest things you can do with your phone. No tiny SIM cards to fiddle with, no SIM ejector tools to hunt for, and definitely no trips to the shops.

Whether you're setting up a new mobile plan or adding a travel eSIM for your next holiday, this guide will walk you through the entire process in plain English. Let's get you connected!

What You'll Need Before You Start

Before diving into the activation process, make sure you have these three things ready:

1. An eSIM-compatible phone (we'll show you how to check in a moment)

2. A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi is perfect)

3. Your eSIM QR code (this will be emailed to you when you purchase your plan)

That's it! No special tools, no technical expertise required.

Quick Check: Is Your Phone eSIM Compatible?

Not sure if your phone supports eSIM? Here's the fastest way to find out:

1. Open your phone's dial pad

2. Type *#06#

3. Look for a 32-digit number labelled "EID"

If you see an EID number, congratulations your phone is eSIM compatible! If not, don't worry. You can still use a traditional physical SIM card with E.Tel.

Most modern smartphones support eSIM, including:

• iPhone XS and newer

• Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer

• Google Pixel 3 and newer

• Recent flagship models from most major brands

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Method 1: Activating Your eSIM on iPhone

Let's start with iPhones, as they make the process wonderfully straightforward.

Step 1: Open Your Settings

Tap on the Settings app (the grey icon with gears).

Step 2: Navigate to Cellular

Look for Cellular (or Mobile Data if you're in some regions) and tap on it.

Step 3: Add a New Plan

Tap on Add Cellular Plan or Add eSIM.

Your phone's camera will automatically open, ready to scan the QR code.

Step 4: Scan Your QR Code

Position your phone's camera over the QR code you received via email. The code should fill most of your screen for the best results.

Your iPhone will automatically recognise the code and begin downloading your eSIM profile. This usually takes just a few seconds.

Step 5: Label Your New Plan (Optional but Helpful)

If you're using dual SIM (keeping both your regular SIM and eSIM active), your phone will ask you to label your plans. You might choose names like:

• "Personal" and "Work"

• "Australia" and "Travel"

• "E.Tel" and "Old Provider"

This just helps you identify which plan you're using. Choose whatever makes sense to you.

Step 6: Choose Your Default Line

Your iPhone will ask which line you'd like to use for:

• Cellular data

• iMessage and FaceTime

• Making calls

For most people, you'll want to set your new E.Tel eSIM as the default for everything. But if you're using a travel eSIM, you might want to keep your Australian number for calls and texts while using the travel eSIM just for data.

Step 7: You're Done!

That's it! Your eSIM is now active. You should see signal bars appear at the top of your screen within a minute or two.

Method 2: Activating Your eSIM on Android

Android phones vary slightly depending on the brand, but the process is very similar across devices.

Step 1: Open Settings

Find and tap the Settings icon

Step 2: Find Network Settings

Look for one of these options (the exact name varies by manufacturer):

• Connections (Samsung)

• Network & Internet (Google Pixel)

• SIM cards & mobile networks (Xiaomi, Oppo)

Step 3: Add a New Mobile Plan

Look for an option that says:

• Add mobile plan

• Download a SIM

• Add eSIM

Tap on it to continue.

Step 4: Scan Your QR Code

Your phone's camera will open automatically. Hold your phone steady and position the QR code within the frame.

The QR code will be scanned automatically, and your eSIM profile will begin downloading. This typically takes 10-30 seconds.

Step 5: Enable Your New eSIM

Once downloaded, you might need to toggle the eSIM to "on" or "enabled." Your phone will usually prompt you to do this automatically.

Step 6: Set Data Preferences (For Dual SIM Users)

If you're keeping your physical SIM active alongside your new eSIM, you'll need to choose which one to use for mobile data.

Navigate to Mobile data or Default for mobile data and select your preferred SIM.

Step 7: Restart If Needed

Some Android phones work better after a quick restart. If you're not seeing signal bars after a minute or two, try:

• Turning Airplane Mode on and off

• Restarting your phone

Troubleshooting: What If It's Not Working?

Don't panic! Here are quick fixes for the most common issues:

No Signal Bars Appearing?

Try these steps:

1. Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 10 seconds, then turn it off

2. Restart your phone

3. Make sure your eSIM is toggled "on" in settings

4. Check that mobile data is enabled for your eSIM

QR Code Won't Scan?

Make sure:

• You're in a well-lit area

• The QR code is displayed clearly (not blurry or cut off)

• Your camera lens is clean

• You're holding your phone steady

If scanning still doesn't work, most eSIM plans also include a manual activation code you can type in instead.

Manual Activation Option

Can't scan the QR code? No worries:

1. In the same menu where you'd scan the code, look for "Enter details manually" or "Enter activation code"

2. Type in the activation code provided in your email

3. Follow the remaining steps as above

Using Dual SIM: The Best of Both Worlds

One of the best things about eSIM technology is the ability to use two phone numbers on one device. This is perfect for:

Travellers: Keep your Australian number active for important calls while using a travel eSIM for data

Business owners: Separate work and personal calls without carrying two phones

Family plans: Use different providers for better coverage or pricing

Your phone makes it easy to choose which SIM to use for calls, texts, and data at any time.

Switching Between Plans

Need to switch which eSIM is active? Easy:

On iPhone:

1. Settings → Cellular

2. Tap the plan you want to use

3. Turn it on or off

On Android:

1. Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections)

2. Tap on SIM cards

3. Select which SIM to enable

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Why Choose E.Tel for Your eSIM?

At E.Tel, we've designed our eSIM service to be as simple and affordable as possible. Here's what you get:

• Instant activation: your QR code arrives within minutes of purchase

• No lock-in contracts: switch or cancel anytime

• Crystal-clear instructions: we guide you through every step

• Reliable Optus network coverage across Australia

• Friendly local support: Aussie team members ready to help

Plus, our travel eSIM options make staying connected overseas incredibly affordable compared to traditional roaming.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Activating an eSIM really is as simple as scanning a QR code. The whole process takes less than five minutes, and you'll wonder why you didn't switch sooner.

Whether you're setting up a new mobile plan or getting ready for your next overseas adventure, E.Tel's eSIM options give you flexibility, convenienc and great value.

Ready to get started? Check out E.Tel's eSIM-compatible plans or grab a travel eSIM for your next trip.

Still have questions about eSIM activation? Our team is here to help! Contact E.Tel support and we'll walk you through it.