How to install a travel eSIM on an iPhone

Every step below comes from Apple's own pages: "Set up eSIM on iPhone" (published Oct 22, 2026), "Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone" and "Using Dual SIM with an eSIM", all checked on Nov 2, 2026. Your provider's email may word things differently. If the two disagree, the provider's instructions win for that plan.

Before you start

Apple lists three requirements. You need an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later. Your provider has to support eSIM. And the iPhone has to be on Wi-Fi or a hotspot, though Apple says some eSIM-only iPhone models can activate without Wi-Fi in some countries.

Check the lock too. In Settings, tap General, then About. "No SIM Restrictions" next to Carrier Lock means you can use another carrier's plan. If you're unsure the phone qualifies at all, start with does your phone support eSIM.

I'd install at home, on your own Wi-Fi. Apple says you can buy prepaid plans before you travel. When the plan's validity clock starts is the provider's rule, not Apple's, so read that on the plan page before you tap anything.

Option 1: scan a QR code

During iPhone setup, tap Use QR code on the Set Up Cellular screen. After setup, the steps are:

1. Open the Camera app and scan the QR code.
2. Tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification.
3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap Add Cellular Plan.
5. If asked for a confirmation code, enter the one your provider gave you.

If you're on iOS 17.4 or later and the QR code arrives in your default email app or browser, touch and hold it, then tap Add eSIM.

Option 2: a link or an app

Some providers send a link. On iOS 17.4 or later, tap it. When the Activate New eSIM notification appears, tap Allow, then Continue.

If the provider has an app, Apple says you can download it from the App Store and set up the eSIM there.

Option 3: enter the details by hand

Open Settings and tap Cellular (or Mobile Data). Tap Add Cellular Plan, then Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the screen. Your provider supplies what goes in.

After it installs

Label the plan. In Settings, tap Cellular, tap the number, then Cellular Plan Label. "Travel" is clear enough.

Next, pick the data line. Apple says one number at a time uses cellular data. Go to Settings, Cellular, Cellular Data and select the travel eSIM. On iOS 26 and later, a notification may offer Turn On Travel eSIM when you arrive, with a choice of Travel eSIM Only or Travel eSIM and Current eSIM. If you keep both, Apple says the travel eSIM carries data, but you might still incur roaming fees from your home eSIM. I'd choose the travel eSIM only, and switch the home line off, unless I needed calls on it.

Apple also describes a setting called Allow Cellular Data Switching, which lets the iPhone use data from both plans depending on coverage. For a prepaid plan with a fixed allowance, I'd leave it off.

When you get home

With iOS 26 and later, Apple says the iPhone turns off the travel eSIM and turns your home SIM back on automatically, depending on your country or region. If no notification appears, go to Settings, Cellular and check that Turn On this Line is enabled for your primary eSIM. Turn off travel lines you no longer use.

If you haven't picked a plan yet, the best travel eSIMs by trip type is the place to start, and the eSIM plans in the catalog list data and validity side by side. One more thing to read before you rely on it for work: what eSIM plans say about hotspot.