SimifyHelp Centre

How to Activate Your eSIM (iPhone & Android)

Activation happens when your phone connects to a local network in a covered country. Follow these steps on iPhone, Android, or Pixel to get connected.

Updated 2/12/2026

HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR eSIM (IPHONE, ANDROID, & PIXEL)

Installing an eSIM and activating it are two different things. Installation adds the eSIM to your phone. Activation happens when your phone connects to a local network in a covered country.

If you haven’t installed your eSIM yet, start with How to Install Your Simify eSIM. If your eSIM is already installed and you’ve arrived at your destination, follow the steps below to get connected.

BEFORE YOU START

You don’t need Wi-Fi to activate your eSIM. Let’s just make sure that:

  • You are already in your destination country
  • Airplane Mode is turned off
  • Your Simify eSIM is installed on your device

If you don’t see your Simify eSIM listed, let’s install it first. You can follow our How to Install Your Simify eSIM guide to help you get set up.

USING AN IPHONE

Activation on iPhone happens automatically once your phone connects to a local network, as long as the correct settings are enabled.

What to check on your iPhone:

  1. Your Simify eSIM is turned on
  2. Simify is selected as your Mobile Data line
  3. Data Roaming is enabled for the Simify eSIM
  4. Any other SIMs or eSIMs are turned off or not set for mobile data
Test

Once these are set, wait a minute or two for your phone to register on the local network.

USING AN ANDROID PHONE

Most Android phones activate the eSIM automatically when they detect a supported network.

What to check on your Android device:

  1. Your Simify eSIM is enabled
  2. Simify is selected as the preferred SIM for mobile data
  3. Data roaming is turned on for the Simify eSIM
  4. Other SIMs or eSIMs are not selected for mobile data
Test

Once connected, your plan activates automatically—no manual activation needed.

USING A GOOGLE PIXEL PHONE

Google Pixel phones follow the same activation logic, with slightly different menu labels.

What to check on your Pixel:

  1. Your Simify eSIM is enabled
  2. Simify is selected as the mobile data SIM
  3. Roaming is turned on for the Simify eSIM
  4. Other SIMs or eSIMs are disabled for data use
Test

Give your phone a moment to connect once settings are in place.

HOW TO CONFIRM YOUR ESIM IS ACTIVE

Your Simify eSIM is active if:

  • You see signal bars for the Simify eSIM
  • Mobile data works without Wi-Fi

If it doesn’t connect right away, try restarting your phone or toggling Airplane Mode off and on.

WE’VE GOT YOU

If you’ve followed the steps above and things still don’t look quite right, that’s okay. eSIM connections can sometimes take a moment, especially right after landing.

And if you need a hand at any point, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our support team is here to help and happy to walk you through it. Just reach out, and we’ll take it from there.💛