Will I lose my eSIM if I factory reset my iPhone?

Yes, a factory reset (Erase All Content and Settings) removes all eSIM profiles. Before resetting, save your QR code or activation details from your purchase page so you can reinstall the eSIM afterward.

Do I need an account or email to use PikaSim eSIMs?

No. PikaSim does not require any account, email address, or personal information. You purchase an eSIM, receive your install details immediately on the purchase page, and install it on your device. No registration needed.

How do I check my remaining data balance?

Use the PikaSim top-up page at pikasim.com/top-up. Enter your eSIM ICCID (found on your purchase page or in Settings > Cellular > your eSIM line) to check your remaining data, validity, and top-up options.

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How to Install eSIM on iPhone & iPad: Complete Setup Guide

Technical Guide • 10 min read

TL;DR

Fastest method: Tap the one-click install link on your purchase page or in the PikaSim app
Data Roaming MUST be ON or your eSIM will show "No Service"
Works on iPhone XS and later, iPhone SE (2nd gen+), and most iPads with cellular
No account or email required. Your eSIM details are on your purchase page

Before You Start

Pre-Install Checklist

eSIM-compatible iPhone or iPad (see full list below)
Carrier-unlocked device (not locked to a single carrier)
WiFi connection (needed to download the eSIM profile)
Your purchase page open on another device, or the PikaSim app installed
iOS 14 or later (check Settings > General > About)

Method 1: One-Click Install (Recommended)

The fastest way to install your eSIM. Available for all PikaSim purchases.

Open your purchase page on your iPhone (or go to "My eSIMs" in the PikaSim app)
Tap the one-click install link
iOS will show "Activate eSIM" or "Carrier eSIM Available". Tap Continue
Wait 10 to 30 seconds while the profile downloads
Tap Done
Go to Settings > Cellular and enable Data Roaming on the new eSIM line (see post-install section below)

Tip: If the one-click link opens in a browser instead of triggering the eSIM prompt, copy it and paste it into Safari. Chrome and other browsers do not always handle eSIM activation links.

Method 2: QR Code Scanning

Use this if you have your purchase page open on a separate device (computer, tablet, or another phone).

iOS 17.4 and later (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series)

Open Settings
Tap Cellular (or Mobile Service)
Tap Add eSIM
Tap Use QR Code
Point your camera at the QR code on your purchase page
Tap Continue when prompted, then Done

iOS 16 and earlier / Other models

Open Settings
Tap Cellular
Tap Add Cellular Plan (or Add eSIM)
Tap Use QR Code
Point your camera at the QR code on your purchase page
Tap Add Cellular Plan when prompted
Label your plan (e.g., "Travel eSIM" or the country name)

QR code on the same phone? Take a screenshot of the QR code, then use Method 3 (manual entry) instead. Or AirDrop the screenshot to another Apple device and scan it from there.

Method 3: Manual Entry

Use this when you cannot scan a QR code (broken camera, QR code is on the same device, etc.).

Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM
Tap Enter Details Manually
Enter the SM-DP+ Address from your purchase page
Enter the Activation Code from your purchase page
Leave Confirmation Code blank (unless your purchase page shows one)
Tap Next and wait for the profile to download
Tap Done

Common mistakes with manual entry:

Extra spaces before or after the address or code (trim carefully)
Confusing the SM-DP+ Address with the Activation Code (they are two separate fields)
Using the wrong field. The SM-DP+ Address looks like a domain name. The Activation Code is a long alphanumeric string.

CRITICAL: Post-Install Settings

You MUST do these two things or your eSIM will not work

Enable Data Roaming:
Settings > Cellular > tap your new eSIM line > toggle Data Roaming ON
Travel eSIMs connect through local partner networks, which your phone treats as roaming. Without this, you will see "No Service."
Set eSIM as your data line:
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select your travel eSIM
If your phone is still using your home SIM for data, your eSIM data will not be used.

Will this charge me roaming fees on my home SIM? No. As long as your travel eSIM is selected as the data line, your home SIM will not use data. You can keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS without extra charges.

APN Settings

Most eSIMs auto-configure the APN (Access Point Name) on iPhone. If your eSIM connects but web pages do not load:

Check your purchase page for APN details
Go to Settings > Cellular > tap your eSIM line > Cellular Data Network
Enter the APN value shown on your purchase page
Leave Username and Password blank unless specified
Tap back to save, then toggle Airplane Mode on and off

Not sure about your APN? Use the live chat on pikasim.com/help and the AI assistant can look it up for your specific eSIM package.

Dual-SIM Setup Tips

Keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and use your eSIM for data abroad. This is the most common and cost-effective setup.

Recommended dual-SIM configuration:

Default Voice Line: Your home SIM (receive calls on your regular number)
Cellular Data: Your travel eSIM (cheap local data, no roaming fees)
Home SIM data roaming: OFF (so your carrier does not charge you for data abroad)
Travel eSIM data roaming: ON (required for eSIM to connect)

Set these in Settings > Cellular. Tap Cellular Data to choose which SIM handles data, and Default Voice Line to choose which handles calls.

Compatible Devices (2026)

Device	eSIM Support	Notes
iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max	Yes (Dual eSIM)	US models are eSIM-only (no SIM tray). International models have SIM tray + eSIM.
iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max	Yes (Dual eSIM)	US models are eSIM-only. International models have SIM tray + eSIM.
iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max	Yes (Dual eSIM)	US models are eSIM-only. First iPhone generation without SIM tray in the US.
iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max	Yes (Dual eSIM)	Supports 2 active eSIMs simultaneously (with iOS 16+). Also has nano-SIM tray.
iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max	Yes	1 eSIM + 1 nano-SIM. Stores up to 8 eSIM profiles.
iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max	Yes	1 eSIM + 1 nano-SIM.
iPhone XS / XS Max / XR	Yes	First iPhones with eSIM. 1 eSIM + 1 nano-SIM. Requires iOS 12.1+.
iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020)	Yes	1 eSIM + 1 nano-SIM.
iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022)	Yes	1 eSIM + 1 nano-SIM. Supports 5G.
iPad Pro (3rd gen+), iPad Air (3rd gen+), iPad (7th gen+), iPad mini (5th gen+)	Yes	WiFi + Cellular models only. WiFi-only iPads do not have eSIM.

NOT compatible:

iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7 and earlier
iPhone SE (1st gen, 2016)
iPod Touch (any generation)
WiFi-only iPads
Carrier-locked iPhones (must be unlocked first)

Troubleshooting

"No Service" or "Searching" after install

Enable Data Roaming (Settings > Cellular > your eSIM > Data Roaming ON)
Set eSIM as data line (Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select eSIM)
Toggle Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then off
Restart your iPhone (power off completely, wait 30 seconds, power on)
Try manual network selection: Settings > Cellular > eSIM line > Network Selection > turn off Automatic > pick a carrier from the list

For a full walkthrough, see our eSIM Not Connecting troubleshooting guide.

QR code will not scan

Increase brightness on the device displaying the QR code
Clean your camera lens
Make sure the full QR code is visible (not cropped or blurry)
Try manual entry instead (Method 3 above)

"Unable to Activate" or "Cannot Add eSIM"

Phone is carrier-locked: Contact your carrier to unlock it
eSIM profile already installed: Check Settings > Cellular. If the eSIM is already listed, you do not need to scan again
QR code already used on another device: Each QR code works on one device only. Check your purchase page for reissue options
Software out of date: Update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update

Update your iPhone software

If you are having persistent issues, make sure your iPhone is on the latest iOS version. Software updates include carrier configuration updates that can fix eSIM activation and connectivity problems.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update
Install any available updates
After updating, try installing or re-enabling your eSIM

FAQ

Can I have multiple eSIMs on my iPhone?

Yes. iPhone XS through iPhone 13 can store 8 or more profiles with 1 active eSIM at a time (alongside a physical SIM). iPhone 14 and later (US models) support 2 active eSIMs simultaneously and can store up to 8 to 10 profiles. You can switch between stored profiles in Settings > Cellular without deleting them.

Will a factory reset delete my eSIM?

Yes. "Erase All Content and Settings" removes all eSIM profiles. Save your QR code or activation details from your purchase page before resetting so you can reinstall afterward.

Can I transfer my eSIM to a new iPhone?

For carrier eSIMs, iOS 16+ supports eSIM Quick Transfer during device setup. For travel eSIMs like PikaSim, delete the eSIM from your old phone and reinstall on the new phone using your original QR code or activation details from your purchase page.

Do I need an account or email?

No. PikaSim does not require any account, email, or personal information. Your eSIM details are displayed immediately on your purchase page after payment. No registration needed.

How do I check my remaining data?

Go to pikasim.com/top-up and enter your eSIM ICCID to check your balance, remaining data, and validity. You can find your ICCID on your purchase page or in Settings > Cellular > tap your eSIM line.

Can I use the same QR code on multiple devices?

No. Each eSIM QR code is tied to one device. Once activated, it cannot be used on another device. If you need to move your eSIM, delete it from the current device first and check your purchase page for reissue options.

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