Install at home on Wi-Fi, before you travel. Downloading the profile needs internet, which is exactly what you do not have on arrival.
Steps
- Open the email with the QR code on a second screen, for example a laptop.
- On the iPhone go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Tap Add eSIM or Add Data Plan.
- Choose Use QR Code and scan the code from the screen.
- Once the profile downloads, give it a label you will recognise, such as "Greece".
- Leave Default Line on your own number. Set Cellular Data to the new eSIM only when you arrive.
- Turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching so the phone does not fall back to your own SIM when the eSIM signal dips.
If you do not have the QR code to hand
In the same menu choose manual entry and type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the email. Both are in the order confirmation and in your account.
When you arrive
Go to Settings > Cellular, select the eSIM line and turn on Data Roaming for that line. That is normal for an eSIM: the profile technically connects as a guest on the local network.
The usual mistakes
- Scanning the QR twice. The same code can only be installed once. If you deleted the profile, contact support.
- Data still on the home SIM. Check which line is selected for cellular data.
- Roaming off on the eSIM line. Without it the profile cannot connect.