Seeing a PDP authentication error can be frustrating, especially when you just want your data to work. The good news is this error is usually easy to fix and doesn’t mean your eSIM is broken.
A PDP (Packet Data Protocol) error usually means your phone cannot establish a mobile data connection with the network yet. This is often related to coverage, APN settings, or a temporary network issue.
You might see a message like: “Could not activate mobile data network. PDP authentication failure.”
Let’s walk through it together.
First, check your coverage
Before changing any settings, make sure you’re in a location covered by your eSIM.
Double-check your eSIM’s product page and confirm that your current country or region is included in the coverage list.
If you’re outside the coverage area, your phone won’t be able to connect, even if everything else is set up correctly.
If coverage looks good, try these quick fixes
These steps help refresh your connection and resolve most PDP errors.
Before updating your APN, head to our eSIM APN Reference List and find the APN for your destination. You may need to enter this manually in the steps below.
Using an iPhone
If you’re seeing a PDP error on an iPhone, these steps usually help refresh the connection.
- Restart your iPhone
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap Mobile Service (or Cellular)
- Make sure Mobile Data is turned On
- Make sure your Simify eSIM is selected as the active line for mobile data
- Return to Mobile Service (or Cellular)
- Select your Simify eSIM
- Tap Mobile Data Network
- Make sure the APN matches the one listed in our eSIM APN Reference List for your destination
- If there’s already an APN entered, replace it with the correct one
- Leave Username and Password blank
- Turn Airplane Mode On
Wait 10 to 20 seconds
- Turn it Off again
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
This won’t delete your eSIM, but it will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network preferences.
Using a Samsung
If you’re using a Samsung phone, these steps can help clear connection issues and refresh your network settings.
- Restart your phone
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap Connections
- Tap SIM manager
- Make sure your Simify eSIM is selected as the preferred SIM for mobile data
- Make sure Mobile Data is turned On
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap Connections
- Tap Mobile networks
- Tap Access Point Names
- Select your Simify APN, or tap Add to create a new one
- Enter the APN listed in our eSIM APN Reference List for your destination
- Leave Username and Password blank
- Save it and make sure it’s selected
- Turn Airplane Mode On
Wait 10 to 20 seconds
- Turn it off again
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap General management
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset mobile network settings
This clears saved network settings but keeps your eSIM installed.
Using a Google Pixel
Pixel phones follow a slightly different menu path, so here’s the best place to start.
- Restart your phone
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap Network & internet
- Tap SIMs
- Select your Simify eSIM
- Make sure Mobile data is turned On
- Make sure your Simify eSIM is selected as the active SIM for mobile data
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap Network & internet
- Tap SIMs
- Select your Simify eSIM
- Tap Access Point Names
On some Pixel models, this may be under Advanced
- Select the Simify APN, or tap Add APN if needed
- Enter the APN listed in our eSIM APN Reference List for your destination
- Leave Username and Password blank
- Tap Save
- Make sure the APN is selected as the active APN
- Turn Airplane Mode On
Wait 10 to 20 seconds
- Turn it off again
- Go to phone Settings
- Tap System
- Tap Reset options
- Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
This won’t remove your eSIM, but it will erase saved network settings.
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