eSIM install guide

Overview

A Cliqtel eSIM is a digital data plan that installs into a slot your phone already has. You don't swap your existing SIM card; you don't visit a shop; you don't download a sideloaded app. You receive a single install link by email, you open that link on the phone you'll be travelling with, and your phone installs the data profile in around 60 seconds.

There are three install methods in case the first one doesn't suit your setup:

1. One-tap install link — the link we email. Works on iPhone XS and later, Pixel 3a and later, most Samsung Galaxy S / Note / A / Z phones from 2020 onwards, plus recent Xiaomi / Oppo / OnePlus / Huawei phones.
2. QR scan — same content as the link, encoded as a QR. Useful if you bought on desktop and want to install on a different phone.
3. Manual entry — paste the SM-DP+ address and matching ID directly into your phone's eSIM settings. Used when the one-tap link can't open (e.g. corporate phone with a stripped browser).

Before you buy

Two checks save 99% of the support tickets we see:

1. Your phone supports eSIM. On iPhone, open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile data) and look for an "Add eSIM" option. On Android, open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs and look for "Download a SIM instead?" or similar. If you don't see the option, your phone probably doesn't support eSIM; check Apple's or Google's official compatibility lists before buying.
2. Your phone is unlocked. Phones bought outright are usually unlocked. Carrier-financed phones (especially in the US) are often locked to a single network for the first 12 months. Open Settings → About and search for a "SIM lock" status, or ask your carrier. A locked phone will install the eSIM but won't connect.

Method 1 — One-tap install

This is the path 80% of customers take.

1. Open the activation email we sent to the address you bought with. Subject line includes "Your Cliqtel eSIM is ready".
2. Tap the Install on this device button.
3. Your phone opens its native eSIM install dialog. On iPhone you'll see "Add Cellular Plan" with our plan details; on Android you'll see "Download a SIM?" or similar.
4. Tap Continue through 1–2 confirmation screens. iOS asks if you want to label the line ("Travel" is a sensible choice). Android asks if you want to use it for data now.
5. Wait ~60 seconds. The eSIM provisions itself; your screen shows "Adding plan…" or similar.
6. When the dialog closes, the eSIM is installed. You won't see a connection bar yet — that lights up when you land and connect to a local network.

Method 2 — QR scan

If you bought the eSIM on a desktop and want to install on a different phone, the activation email also includes a QR code (further down in the email body).

1. Open the activation email on a desktop or tablet so the QR shows up large enough to scan.
2. On the phone you'll travel with: Settings → Cellular (iOS) or Settings → SIMs (Android). Pick "Add eSIM" / "Add Cellular Plan" / "Download a SIM instead?".
3. Choose "Use QR Code" when prompted, then point the camera at the QR on your desktop screen.
4. Confirm through the install dialog as in Method 1.

Method 3 — Manual entry

For phones where the one-tap link and QR both fail (some locked corporate phones, some kiosk-mode devices). You'll need two values from the activation email:

• SM-DP+ address — looks like idemia.io or similar
• Matching ID — a 24–30 character code with dashes (e.g. 4Y3WC-8OZI0-RY8NH-WE23M)

1. On your phone go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code → Enter Details Manually (iOS), or Settings → SIMs → Download a SIM instead? → Need help? (Android).
2. Paste the SM-DP+ address into the "SM-DP+ Address" or "Server" field.
3. Paste the matching ID into the "Activation Code" or "Confirmation Code" field.
4. Leave any "Confirmation code required" toggle OFF — Cliqtel eSIMs don't use one.
5. Tap Add / Continue and wait for provisioning to finish.

On iPhone

Compatible with iPhone XS and later (XS / XR / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 series, plus iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen). iOS 14 or later recommended.

• After install, the new line appears under Settings → Cellular with whatever label you gave it ("Travel" or similar).
• To switch which line uses data: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → pick the Cliqtel line.
• To keep your home number for iMessage and FaceTime, leave that line as the "Default" for messages and calls under Cellular → Default Line.
• Switching back to your home SIM when you land: same path, pick your home line under Cellular Data.

On Pixel

Pixel 3a and later support eSIM. Stock Android handles eSIM through the standard SIM Manager.

• After install, the new SIM appears under Settings → Network & internet → SIMs. Tap it to set as data-only.
• To switch data line: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Preferred SIM for → Mobile data.
• Calls and SMS keep using your home SIM unless you explicitly change the preferred SIM for those too.

On Samsung Galaxy (One UI)

S20 and later, Note 20 and later, most A50+ phones from 2021 onwards, and all Z Flip / Z Fold models support eSIM.

• During install, One UI shows an interim dialog titled "Adding eSIM…" with a progress bar — wait for this to finish (around 30–90 seconds).
• After install, the line appears as "eSIM 1" by default. Rename it via Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → eSIM 1 → Edit name and icon.
• To switch data line: Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → Mobile data → pick the Cliqtel line.

After install

• Before you travel: the eSIM is installed and dormant. Your phone will still use your home SIM for everything. No data charges accrue.
• When you land: within a couple of minutes the eSIM connects to a local network. You'll see a second signal bar appear in the status area.
• To use the data: set the Cliqtel line as your data line (see per-platform notes above). Your phone will route all data through it.
• When you fly home: switch the data line back to your home SIM. The eSIM stays in place but consumes no data.
• At 80% used: we send an email to the address you bought with so you have time to top up. (50% is silent — alert fatigue.)
• When the plan expires: data stops cleanly. No auto-charge. You can buy a fresh plan and the eSIM keeps working.

Troubleshooting

"Install link doesn't open"

Most often: you opened the email on the desktop instead of the phone. The install link is designed to hand off to the phone's native eSIM dialog — desktop browsers can't do that.

• Open the email on your phone's email app and tap the link there.
• If you don't have the email on your phone, forward it from desktop, or scan the QR code that's further down in the email body.

"Install dialog opens but says 'Could not add cellular plan'"

Usually one of:

• Phone is offline. The install dialog needs internet to fetch the profile. Connect to Wi-Fi and retry.
• eSIM already at the device limit. Most iPhones allow up to 8 stored eSIMs. Pixel and Samsung allow 5–10. Delete an old, unused eSIM under Settings → Cellular (iOS) or SIM Manager (Android), then retry.
• Phone is carrier-locked. Contact your carrier to confirm unlock status.

"eSIM installed but I see 'No service'"

This is expected before you land — the eSIM is dormant until it connects to a local network at the destination. Once you're abroad:

• Toggle Airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off. Forces the phone to re-scan.
• If still no service after 5 minutes: Settings → Cellular → Cliqtel line → Network Selection → turn off Automatic, pick a local operator manually. (You don't need to know which one — pick any operator with a strong signal.)
• Some destinations require enabling Data Roaming on the Cliqtel line even though no roaming fees apply — toggle it ON.

"Data is slow"

Travel eSIMs route through whichever local network is strongest in your location. Speed depends on local network conditions, not on the eSIM provider. Try:

• Manually pick a different local operator under Network Selection.
• Toggle 5G/LTE on the Cliqtel line (some destinations have better 4G than 5G coverage).

"I can't find my install link"

The activation email is sent to whatever address you typed at checkout. Check spam — first-time senders sometimes filter incorrectly. Or sign in to your account at My Numbers → Travel data — every active eSIM shows its install URL there.

Still stuck?

Reply to your activation email or email support@cliqtel.com. Include your phone model, the country you're trying to install for, and a screenshot of whatever screen you're stuck on.