How to activate an eSIM on Android in 2026: Quick guide and tips

Activating an eSIM is fairly straightforward, but when a Samsung phone doesn’t follow the exact same steps as a Pixel or Xiaomi device, small differences in menu names can cause confusion. Switching between a physical SIM and an eSIM (or managing both at the same time) can make things even less intuitive.

The biggest hurdle is often understanding the difference between installing and activating an eSIM. You might successfully add the profile to your device, only to realize you still can’t connect.

Our quick setup guide simplifies the process. Not only will we show you how to activate an eSIM on Android, but also how the process differs by device. You’ll also learn some quick tips to troubleshoot activation issues and the necessary configuration steps to activate a travel eSIM.

How to activate an eSIM on Android

In addition to turning on the eSIM, you’ll also need to make sure you’ve enabled mobile data on your eSIM. Here are the steps to follow.

On Samsung

You can toggle your primary line and eSIM on and off as needed. If your eSIM doesn’t include a phone number, you can enable it for mobile data only and keep your primary line for calls and messages. You can set these preferences in the SIM manager menu under Preferred SIMs, as shown in the last step above.

On Google Pixel

To activate your eSIM on Google Pixel:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.
2. Choose the specific eSIM you want to activate from the list, and toggle Use this SIM on. Next, turn on the Roaming option to enable it.
3. Set which line you want to use for data, calls, and SMS in the SIMs menu.

On Xiaomi

To activate your eSIM on a Xiaomi device:

1. Go to Settings > SIM cards & mobile networks and activate the Use eSIM option.
2. Navigate Manage eSIM and find your data plan. Toggle the switch on.
3. From this menu, you can enable mobile data and set data roaming preferences to Always (or For exceptions to limit use to certain apps). This ensures your travel eSIM data works abroad.

How to enable data roaming

If you plan to use a travel eSIM for your trips, you’ll also need to enable data roaming to connect to the internet while abroad. Here’s how to do it if it isn't automatically enabled.

And that’s it! You’re ready to use your eSIM on your trip.

On Google Pixel

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.
2. Select your travel eSIM and toggle Roaming on.

On Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings > SIM cards & mobile networks.
2. Select your travel eSIM and toggle Data roaming to Always.

The difference between eSIM installation and activation

Many eSIM guides blur the line between installation and activation, but these are two separate processes. Installing an eSIM involves purchasing a data plan and adding the eSIM profile to your phone. You typically do this by scanning a QR code or manually entering details as instructed by your provider. Some eSIM carriers, like holiday.com, streamline setup by letting you install eSIMs via their apps.

Once you’ve installed the eSIM, you can activate it through your phone’s settings. You simply turn on the eSIM, enable it for mobile data, and switch on data roaming if you plan to use it for international travel. You can install an eSIM without activating it, which is why you may see the profile in your settings but still have no connection.

Activating an eSIM on Android is quick and easy

Activating your eSIM on Android only takes a few taps. The key is understanding the difference between installing the profile and turning on your data, while keeping in mind the subtle menu differences across devices.

If you’re preparing for an upcoming trip and want an eSIM that’s easy to install, activate, and manage, download the holiday.com app. You can install the eSIM directly from the app and activation only takes a few minutes.