Getting Started with Your Airalo eSIM: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through purchasing and installing your Airalo eSIM. This guide is specifically made for first-time users of Airalo and aim to give you an extensive overview of the installation process so you can get the best possible start to using your new eSIM.

Need More Information on eSIM?
If you’re new to eSIMs or have specific questions about their features and capabilities, check out our detailed article on FAQ: What is an eSIM.

Android User?
This guide is created for iOS devices. While the purchasing steps are largely consistent across different devices, the installation process may vary for Android users. If you’re using an Android device, we recommend following Airalo’s official Android installation guides for Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy.

Need Help Installing an eSIM from a Different Provider?
Although installing any eSIM generally follows similar steps across various eSIM providers, there are small differences. You’re free to follow the Airalo eSIM installation guide below but if you run into problems, we recommend you consult with a guide specifically for your provider. For assistance with installing an eSIM from another provider, please visit our Installation Guide page.

Note: You need to maintain an active internet connection throughout the installation process.

Finding the Best eSIM with Airalo

Airalo is a world leading eSIM provider, offering eSIMs in nearly every country and region worldwide with a range of data options to fit your needs. Accessing affordable mobile data abroad has never been easier. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be connected in minutes with your new Airalo eSIM.

When you’ve entered your travel destination, you will be directed to Airalo’s country specific page and be presented with the available options. The number of available eSIMs varies across destinations but you’re typically presented with six options ranging between 1 and 20 GB in size brackets 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 20 GB.

A good tip when choosing your eSIM is to consider both data size and validity. For example, if you’re traveling for 14 days, a 7-day validity eSIM will only cover half your trip. Larger data packages generally come with extended validity, with most Airalo eSIMs offering up to 30 days of use for plans of 3 GB or more.

During the purchasing process, you will be asked to sign up as a user. These login credentials will allow you to access the Airalo app and use the direct installation method outlined below.

Installing Your eSIM: The Direct Method Step-by-Step

After purchase, you have three installation options:

the direct method
the QR code method
the manual activation method.

For most users, the direct method is recommended. However, the QR code method can be helpful if you’ve purchased multiple eSIMs to share with friends or family, and the manual activation method is helpful as a backup solution.

This guide follows Airalo’s official instructions for the direct installation method, which you can access here. Additionally, a YouTube video with a step-by-step screen walkthrough from Airalo is available below to visually guide you through each installation step.

Getting Started: Purchase Your Airalo eSIM

To begin with we assume that you have already purchased your Airalo eSIM, otherwise please find a link to the Airalo webpage here, where you can buy eSIMs for more than 200 destinations worldwide. The website works on both desktop and mobile devices.

After your purchase, you will receive an email from Airalo which includes your eSIM as a QR-code, and a link to download the Airalo app. You can choose to install your eSIM directly from the QR-code, but we highly recommend getting the Airalo app to be able to monitor your data usage as you go. However, most of the steps in the native iOS-settings below will be identical regardless of which installation method you decide to use.

Step 1: Download and Install the Airalo App

For the direct installation method, start by downloading the Airalo app. Then login using the credentials you entered during purchase, this will direct you to the main screen of the app.

Next, select “My eSIMs” in the main menu at the bottom which will show any purchased eSIM ready to be installed.

Press “Details” -> “Install eSIM / Access data” -> Under direct method, select “Install”.

By following these steps, the Airalo app will direct you to the native iOS installation where you will install your eSIM. Before redirecting you to iOS, the Airalo app provides a brief guide on the steps you’ll need to complete in the iOS settings to successfully install your eSIM.

Success Criteria for Step 1

Successfully installed the Airalo app, and initiate the installation by being directed from the Airalo app to the native iOS installation.

Step 2: Naming Your eSIM

Once you’ve been directed from the Airalo app to the native iOS installation page, iOS will begin the installation.

Start by pressing “Continue”. It may take a few moments for the installation to initialize. Next, you will be labeling your Airalo eSIM so you can differentiate between it and your primary SIM / eSIM. This step is primarily relevant if you have chosen an eSIM with calls and SMS, as it will allow you to choose which SIM to use for a specific call.

Choose When to Use Your eSIM and Your SIM

iOS will suggest that your own SIM card will be named “Primary”, while your eSIM will get a standard name of “Personal, secondary, Business, Travel etc.”. You can, however, choose to rename it to whatever suits you.

Next, you will need to make three selections for default lines of: 1) calling and sending texts, 2) iMessage & FaceTime, and 3) Mobile data.

Your default line for calling and sending texts -> Select “Primary” (your regular SIM card).
Your default line for iMessage & FaceTime -> Select “Primary” (your regular SIM card).
Your default line for mobile data -> select Airalo eSIM (select the name you gave to your Airalo eSIM).

Once you’ve made these selections, your eSIM will be successfully installed. The iOS installation window will close, returning you to the Airalo app, where a green success message: “Your eSIM has been successfully installed”, will appear at the top. Although the eSIM is now installed, it’s important to proceed with Step 3 to successfully activate it.

Success Criteria for Step 2

Select the correct default lines in the native iOS eSIM installation window, and be taken back to the Airalo app.

Step 3: Activating Your eSIM – Switching On Data Roaming

Important Note: To activate, the eSIM must connect to a local network at your destination. This means you cannot activate and start using your eSIM while still in your home country.

In the final step 3, you will switch on your eSIM. While you’re able to follow these steps as a preparation, remember that by switching on your eSIM and choosing it as your devices data source, your device will cut the connection through your regular SIM/eSIM.
Hence, it’s recommended to wait until you reach your destination or, at the earliest, when you’re at the gate ready to board.

TIP: If you’re at your destination and not connected to Wi-Fi, you can perform these steps while being in “Airplane Mode”. This will ensure that your phone doesn’t start sending data on your regular SIM card.

Step A: Toggle On Your eSIM

Open your Settings app and go to “Cellular”. Under the headline “Carriers” you will see both your regular SIM and the new Airalo eSIM recognized by the name you called it “Secondary, Business, Travel” etc.

The Airalo eSIM will be “Off”. Select the Airalo eSIM and toggle “Turn on This Line”. While on the same page, also toggle on “Data Roaming”.

Step B: Direct

Go back to the previous screen under “Cellular”. Select the top option “Cellular Data” and choose your Airalo eSIM.

Now you will successfully have turned on your eSIM and told your device to send and receive data using it. If your device is in Airplane Mode, you can safely turn it off.

Success Criteria for Step 3

Successfully turn on the eSIM, enable data roaming, and set the eSIM as the primary data source.

Answers to Common Problems

Q1: I’ve activated the eSIM in my destination country, but it’s not connecting – there’s no signal, and it continues searching for a network.

In some cases, it may take several minutes for the eSIM to connect to the local network. This is particularly true in areas with poor coverage including the runway of some major airport. Allow for up to 10 minutes of activation time and make sure you have followed the activation steps listed above. Try and compare your settings with the pictures and make sure they match.

If your phone still hasn’t found a signal, see Solution 1: Manually change the eSIM APN settings and Solution 2: Manually select the cellular network.

Q2: I’ve activated the eSIM in my homy country and it is stuck activating.

On some occasions, trying to activate your eSIM without being at your destination country will result in an error “Unable to activate – Please contact provider for assistance”. If this happens, please wait and try again once you arrive at your destination country and are within reach of local cellular networks.

Q3: My phone has suddenly lost signal and is struggling to find a network.

This can happen if you cross regional borders, such as during a domestic flight, and have previously manually changed networks. In some countries, Airalo partners with multiple local providers to ensure broad coverage.

In some larger countries, local providers may have significant regional differences in coverage. If your phone was previously connected to provider A and you’ve moved to an area where provider A has no signal, your phone will need to switch to provider B to regain connectivity.

All though your phone should automatically find the right network, you can speed up the process by manually selecting the cellular network. Please see Solution 2: Manually select the cellular network.

Solutions to Common Problems

Solution 1: Manually change the eSIM APN settings

Go back to the Airalo app under “My eSIMs” and select “Install eSIM / Access data”. Scroll down until you see “Step 2/2 – Access data”.

If you see “The APN is set automatically”, disregard the rest of this step and move to Solution 2: Manually select the cellular network.
If you see anything besides “The APN is set automatically”, you need to manually enter the APN values of your eSIM.

First, copy the APN value listed under “APN” in the Airalo app.

Next, go to your phone’s settings under “Mobile Network” -> “Cellular Data Network” and insert the APN text in the first and second box of fields under APN like in the video. The first box of fields, should be named “Cellular data or Mobile data“. And the second box of fields should be named “Personal Hotspot“.

Note that you only need to update the fields named APN, the other fields should be left empty.

Solution 2: Manually select the cellular network

If your phone is having trouble connecting to the correct cellular network, you can assist by manually selecting the appropriate network.

You can find the supported provider(s) in the Airalo App under “My eSIMs” -> “Install eSIM / Access data”. In some countries only a single provider is listed while in other there might be multiple. In these cases, you are free to select any available provider.

To manually change network, go to your phone’s settings under “Mobile Network” and select “Network Selection” and toggle off “Automatic”. Your phone will now initiate a search of available networks, and it may take a few moments before a list of available networks appear.

Select any of the supported networks, and wait a few seconds. If you’ve selected one of the supported networks, the phone should show both bars and e/3G/LTE/4G/5G.

Please note:
• There may be minor spelling differences between provider names as displayed on the Airalo website and the list of carriers available on your phone.
• If you accidentally select a non-supported network, your phone will simply be rejected by that network without incurring any costs.