There are several possible reasons. You are in a busy place, such as an airport or festival. The local network has weaker coverage. You are inside a building with thick walls. Your data bundle is almost used up. Your iPhone is connected to a weaker network. Try this. Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off again. Go outside or move closer to a window. Restart your iPhone. Check whether you still have data left. Try manually selecting another network.

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How to activate an eSIM on your iPhone and get online fast

Q: I see signal bars, but internet does not work

Check these three settings first. Is **Mobile Data** set to your eSIM? Is **Data Roaming** on for your eSIM? Is wifi off while you test? It can also help to choose a network manually. Go to **Settings > Mobile Service > your eSIM > Network Selection**. Turn automatic selection off temporarily and try an available network.

Step-by-step iPhone eSIM setup, activation and troubleshooting, including what to check when mobile data does not work right away.

Published: June 23, 20269 min read

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In this article

With an eSIM, you can use mobile internet without a physical SIM card. You receive a QR code or activation details from us, then add the eSIM to your iPhone in a few simple steps.

This guide explains how to install and activate your eSIM step by step. It also covers the most common support questions when the connection does not work right away.

Before you start

Check these four things first.

Your iPhone is connected to wifi. You need internet to download the eSIM.
You have the QR code or activation details ready. You usually receive these by email after your order.
Your iPhone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR support eSIM.
Your iPhone is unlocked. This is usually not an issue with most Dutch devices, but some phones bought abroad may still be locked.

Important: install your travel eSIM preferably shortly before departure or at your destination. Some eSIMs start their validity period as soon as you install or activate them.

Install an eSIM on iPhone with a QR code

This is the easiest way to add your eSIM.

Step 1: open settings

Open Settings on your iPhone. Then go to Mobile Service or Cellular. The exact name depends on your iOS version and region.

Step 2: add an eSIM

Tap Add eSIM. If you do not see this option, check whether your iPhone supports eSIM and whether iOS is up to date.

Step 3: choose Use QR Code

Tap Use QR Code and scan the QR code you received from us.

Tip: open the QR code on another device, such as a laptop, tablet or someone else's phone. That makes it easy to scan with your iPhone.

Step 4: follow the steps on your screen

Your iPhone now asks you to add the eSIM. Tap Continue and follow the steps.

Do not close this screen too quickly. Downloading and adding the eSIM can take a few minutes.

Step 5: give your eSIM a clear label

Your iPhone may ask what you want to call the new eSIM. Choose something like Travel eSIM or HolySim. This makes it easier to recognize which SIM you use for mobile internet later.

Step 6: choose your default line

Your iPhone may ask which line you want to use for calls, SMS and iMessage.

Use your regular SIM for calls and SMS.
Use your eSIM for mobile data.

If you only use the eSIM for internet, set it for Mobile Data only.

Step 7: set mobile data to your eSIM

Go to Settings > Mobile Service > Mobile Data or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Choose your new eSIM, for example HolySim or Travel eSIM.

Keep your regular SIM active if you want to stay reachable on your own number.

Step 8: turn on data roaming for your eSIM

Go to Settings > Mobile Service or Settings > Cellular and tap your eSIM, for example HolySim. Then turn on Data Roaming.

For travel eSIMs, data roaming is often needed to connect to the local network.

Watch out: turn on data roaming only for your travel eSIM. Do not accidentally enable it for your normal SIM unless you know it is included in your plan.

Install an eSIM manually

If scanning the QR code does not work, you can add the eSIM manually.

Go to Settings > Mobile Service > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. Then tap Enter Details Manually.

Enter the details you received from us.

SM-DP+ address
Activation code
Confirmation code, if one was included

Tap Next and follow the steps on your screen.

How do I know if my eSIM works?

Your eSIM is working when you see signal bars, your eSIM is selected for Mobile Data, data roaming is turned on for the eSIM and you can open a website without wifi.

Test it like this:

Turn wifi off temporarily.
Open Safari.
Visit a website.
If the website loads, your eSIM is active.

Frequently asked questions

My eSIM is not working. What should I do?

Go through these steps one by one.

Check that wifi is off while testing.
Check that your eSIM is selected for Mobile Data.
Check that Data Roaming is on for your eSIM.
Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then turn it off again.
Restart your iPhone.
Check that you are in the destination where the eSIM is valid.
Wait a few minutes. Connecting to a local network can take a little time.

If it still does not work, contact us and include a screenshot of your Mobile Service or Cellular settings. That helps us troubleshoot faster.

I have no internet after installation

This is usually caused by one of these settings.

Mobile data is still set to your regular SIM.
Data roaming is turned off.
You are not yet in the country where the eSIM is valid.
Your iPhone has not found a network yet.
The eSIM is installed, but not selected as the active data line.

Check Settings > Mobile Service > Mobile Data or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Your travel eSIM should be selected there. Then check Settings > Mobile Service > your eSIM > Data Roaming. Data roaming should be on.

Does data roaming need to be on?

Yes, usually. A travel eSIM often uses local networks abroad, so data roaming needs to be enabled for the eSIM.

Make sure you enable data roaming on the right SIM: your travel eSIM. This helps prevent unexpected costs through your regular provider.

Can I keep using my normal phone number?

Yes. Your regular SIM can stay active for calls, SMS and WhatsApp. You then use the eSIM only for mobile internet.

Default line for calls: your regular SIM
Mobile data: your eSIM
Data roaming: on for your eSIM

WhatsApp usually keeps working with your own number, even when your internet connection comes through the eSIM.

Can I call and text with this eSIM?

Most travel eSIMs are made for mobile data. That means you can browse, message, navigate and use online services.

Regular calls and SMS through a phone number are usually not included. You can still call over the internet with apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, Signal, Teams or Skype.

When should I install my eSIM?

That depends on your trip.

Install the eSIM shortly before departure or when you arrive.
Activate mobile data only when you want to use the eSIM.
Always check the validity period of your plan.

Some eSIMs start their validity period when you install them. Others start only when the eSIM connects to the network at your destination.

Can I scan the QR code again?

Usually not. An eSIM QR code can often be used only once. If you delete the eSIM from your iPhone, you often cannot install it again with the same QR code.

Only delete your eSIM when you are sure you no longer need it. If you deleted it by mistake, contact us.

I get a message that the QR code is invalid

There are a few possible causes.

The QR code has already been used.
The code is not clearly visible.
You are trying to install the eSIM on an unsupported device.
Your wifi connection is not stable.
The eSIM is already installed on your iPhone.

First check whether the eSIM is already visible under Settings > Mobile Service or Settings > Cellular. If it is already listed, you do not need to scan the QR code again. Select the eSIM for Mobile Data and turn on data roaming.

My iPhone says activation is not possible

Try the following.

Make sure you are connected to a stable wifi network.
Turn Airplane Mode on and off again.
Restart your iPhone.
Check whether iOS is up to date.
Try adding the eSIM again.
Check whether the eSIM has already been added under Mobile Service or Cellular.

If the message keeps appearing, contact us with a screenshot of the message.

I see signal bars, but internet does not work

Check these three settings first.

Is Mobile Data set to your eSIM?
Is Data Roaming on for your eSIM?
Is wifi off while you test?

It can also help to choose a network manually. Go to Settings > Mobile Service > your eSIM > Network Selection. Turn automatic selection off temporarily and try an available network.

My internet is slow

There are several possible reasons.

You are in a busy place, such as an airport or festival.
The local network has weaker coverage.
You are inside a building with thick walls.
Your data bundle is almost used up.
Your iPhone is connected to a weaker network.

Try this.

Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off again.
Go outside or move closer to a window.
Restart your iPhone.
Check whether you still have data left.
Try manually selecting another network.

Can I use the eSIM on another phone?

Usually not after the eSIM has already been installed. An eSIM is often linked to the device where you activate it.

If you want to switch to another phone, contact us before removing the eSIM.

Can I delete my eSIM after my trip?

Yes. When your trip is over and you no longer need the eSIM, you can remove it.

Go to Settings > Mobile Service > your eSIM or Settings > Cellular > your eSIM and tap Delete eSIM.

Important: only delete the eSIM when you are sure you no longer need it. After deletion, the same QR code usually cannot be used again.

My personal hotspot does not work

Not every eSIM plan supports personal hotspot.

First check whether hotspot is available under Settings > Personal Hotspot. If you do not see this option or it does not work, hotspot may not be supported by this eSIM or by the local network.

Can I share my data with others?

Only if personal hotspot is supported. If hotspot is available, you can share your internet through Settings > Personal Hotspot.

If it does not work, your eSIM plan probably does not support hotspot.

Quick troubleshooting checklist

If your eSIM is not working, check this.

Wifi is off while testing
Mobile data is set to your eSIM
Data roaming is on for your eSIM
You are in the right country or region
Airplane Mode has been turned on and off for 10 seconds
iPhone has been restarted
eSIM is visible under Settings > Mobile Service or Settings > Cellular
You did not delete the eSIM by mistake

Need help?

If you are stuck, we are happy to help.

Send us this information.

The country you are in
Your iPhone model
A screenshot of Settings > Mobile Service or Settings > Cellular
A screenshot of the error message, if you see one
Whether the eSIM is already visible on your iPhone

With this information, we can usually see quickly what is going wrong.