$16.50about $1.65 a day
Get Ubigi for JapanHow to set up an eSIM on iPhone
Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code your provider sent you, or tap Install in its app. Label the new line Travel and keep Primary for calls and texts. When you land, set Cellular Data to Travel and turn Data Roaming on for Travel, off for Primary.
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- Travel carries your dataMaps, WhatsApp, iMessage, all on the eSIM.
- Primary keeps your US numberCalls and texts still reach you.
How to activate an eSIM on iPhone, in 8 steps
Four steps at home, two at the airport, two when you land, about ten minutes in all. The screens look like this, give or take a word between iOS versions.
At home, 1 to 7 days before
On your home Wi-Fi, with the QR code or the provider's app at hand
1Check first
Check your iPhone takes an eSIM
In Settings > General > About, Carrier Lock should say No SIM restrictions and an EID line should show. If Carrier Lock says anything else, ask your carrier to unlock the phone now, it can take a few days.
2After you buy the plan
Have the QR code on another screen
In the provider's app, tap Install and the iPhone opens the eSIM screens itself, so skip to step 4. A QR code has to be scanned, so open the email on a laptop or a second phone. Most plans start counting days when the eSIM first connects abroad, so installing early costs nothing.
3About two minutes, on Wi-Fi
Add the eSIM in Settings
Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM, tap Use QR Code, point the camera at the code and wait for "Activating". If the camera won't read it, tap Enter Details Manually and paste the codes from the email.
4Right after the install
Name the new line Travel, keep Primary for calls
Label the eSIM Travel and leave your US line as Primary. Choose Primary for Default Line and for iMessage & FaceTime, so people see your US number. Keep Cellular Data on Primary until you fly, with Allow Cellular Data Switching off.
Look for these two rows Tap Add eSIM Choose Use QR Code Scan the code Label it Travel Keep Primary as the default
At the airport, before you board
Two switches while you still have your US signal
5Before airplane mode
Turn off Data Roaming on your US line
In Settings > Cellular > Primary, turn Data Roaming off and leave the line itself on. This switch saves you money. With roaming on, AT&T and Verizon can start a $12 day pass once that line uses data abroad, even with the eSIM installed.
6At the gate
Switch Cellular Data to Travel
In Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data, choose Travel and keep Allow Cellular Data Switching off, so the iPhone never falls back on your US data. Download offline maps and your boarding pass first, you'll have no data until you land.
Primary: roaming off Data on Travel
On landing
Still on the plane or walking to passport control
7As the wheels touch down
Turn on Data Roaming for Travel
Turn off airplane mode, then in Settings > Cellular > Travel turn Data Roaming on. Your iPhone sees the eSIM as a foreign line on a local network, so it needs roaming on. It costs nothing extra.
8Give it a minute
Check you have service
The local network's name and bars show at the top left of the lock screen, docomo in this Japan example. Still "No Service" after two minutes? Turn airplane mode on for ten seconds, then off, or see the fixes below.
Travel: roaming on The lock screen, a minute later Where you end up
Keep your US number, iMessage and WhatsApp
With two lines on, your iPhone splits the work. Your US line keeps your number for calls and texts, and the eSIM carries all your data. Nobody at home sees a new number.
Your iPhone, abroadTwo lines on at the same time
PrimaryYour US number
- CallsStill ring on your number
- TextsArrive as usual
- Bank codesTwo-factor texts reach you
Turn On This Line
Data Roaming
TravelYour eSIM
- Maps and ridesDirections, taxis, trains
- iMessage, WhatsAppSent over this data, with your US number
- Everything elsePhotos, email, the web
Cellular DataChosen
Data Roaming
Reply in iMessage or WhatsApp, not by text or call. Receiving texts on your US line is fine. Sending a text or making a call from it abroad can start a day pass on some carriers, the same $12 you set up the eSIM to avoid.
eSIM not working on iPhone? Fix "No Service"
Open the line that matches your screen and try the fixes in order.
"No Service" or "SOS" next to Travel after landing
Check Settings > Cellular > Travel > Data Roaming is on. Then turn airplane mode on for ten seconds and off again.
Still nothing: in the same screen, tap Network Selection, turn Automatic off and pick a network your provider names (for Ubigi in Japan, Docomo or au). Restart the iPhone as a last step.
Bars show, but nothing loads
Your data is probably still going to Primary. Check Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data says Travel.
If it does, the eSIM may need an access point name. The provider's email or app gives it: enter it in Settings > Cellular > Travel > Cellular Data Network.
"Unable to Complete Cellular Plan Change"
The install needs internet. Connect to Wi-Fi, wait a minute and scan again. If Travel already shows under SIMs in Settings > Cellular, the install worked and you can ignore the message.
The QR code says it is no longer valid
Each QR code installs once. If you deleted the eSIM or scanned it on another phone, ask the provider for a new code from its app or support chat. Never delete the travel eSIM before you're home.
There is no Add eSIM button
Check Settings > General > About again. No EID line means this iPhone can't take an eSIM. A Carrier Lock other than No SIM restrictions means your carrier has to unlock it first.
A website thinks I'm in another country
Some eSIMs send your traffic out through another country. One user reported that Saily's Japan eSIM shows a Hong Kong IP address, which blocked ChatGPT. Users report a Japanese IP address with Ubigi in Japan. The Saily review has the details.
My carrier texted me about a day pass
Turn off Data Roaming on Primary right away, and check Allow Cellular Data Switching is off in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Then call your carrier about the charge over Wi-Fi.
Setting up an eSIM on Android
The same idea, with different menu names. Your US line keeps calls and texts, the eSIM gets mobile data with roaming on.
Samsung Galaxy
Add it in Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, then scan the QR code.
In SIM manager, set Mobile data to the eSIM. Turn on roaming for the eSIM only.
Google Pixel
Add it in Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap Add SIM and choose to download one.
Open the eSIM there, turn on Mobile data and Roaming. Turn Roaming off on your US SIM.
iPhone eSIM questions
Do I turn off my primary line when using eSIM?
No. Keep your primary US line on so calls, texts and two-factor codes still reach you, and turn only its Data Roaming off. The travel eSIM carries your data, with its own Data Roaming on.
Do I turn off roaming when using an eSIM?
Turn roaming off on your US line and on for the travel eSIM. Your iPhone sees the eSIM as a foreign line using a local network, so it only connects with Data Roaming on. Roaming off on the US line keeps your carrier from starting a day pass.
How to scan eSIM QR code?
Open the QR code on another screen, such as a laptop. On your iPhone go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code and point the camera at the code. If it will not read, tap Enter Details Manually and type the codes from the provider's email.
How do I manually install an eSIM on my iPhone?
Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code, then tap Enter Details Manually. Paste the SM-DP+ Address and the Activation Code from your provider's email or app, then follow the screens.
Is my iPhone eSIM enabled?
Open Settings > General > About. If you see an EID line, your iPhone supports eSIM. Carrier Lock should say No SIM restrictions, otherwise ask your carrier to unlock it before the trip.
Can you have two eSIMs on one phone?
Yes. An iPhone can store several eSIMs and use two lines at the same time, for example your US line for calls and texts and a travel eSIM for data.
Does eSIM change your phone number?
No. A travel eSIM is a second line for data, usually without a number. Your US number stays on your primary line, and iMessage and WhatsApp keep showing it.
Why is my eSIM not working?
Most often Data Roaming is off on the eSIM line, Cellular Data is still set to your US line, or the phone has not found the network yet. Turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM, choose it under Cellular Data, then switch airplane mode on and off. More in the fixes above.
How do I turn on eSIM on my iPhone?
Go to Settings > Cellular, tap the eSIM line, and turn on Turn On This Line. For a travel eSIM, also turn on its Data Roaming when you land and choose it under Cellular Data.