How to set up a travel eSIM on iPhone

Last updated: September 13, 2026

Every iPhone from the iPhone XS and XR onward can run an eSIM, and US models from the iPhone 14 onward have no SIM tray at all. That makes iPhone one of the easiest phones to set up for travel: add a data eSIM for your destination, keep your usual number on your home line, and switch data over when you land.

The short answer

On Wi-Fi, open Settings → Cellular (called Mobile Service or Mobile Data in some countries) → Add eSIM → Use QR Code, and scan the code from your alodata order email. Label the new line, keep your home line as the default for calls and texts, and when you land choose the travel line for Cellular Data and turn on Data Roaming for it.

Before you start: three checks

• Your model: iPhone XS, XR or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later.
• Carrier lock: open Settings → General → About and find Carrier Lock. 'No SIM restrictions' means your iPhone can take another provider's eSIM.
• Wi-Fi and your order email: install over Wi-Fi, with the QR code open on another screen, or keep the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the same email to hand.

Add the eSIM

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service / Mobile Data).
2. Tap Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
3. Scan the QR code from your order email. No second screen? Tap Enter Details Manually and enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code instead.
4. Give the new line a label when asked. Something like 'Travel' makes the next choices obvious.
5. Keep your home line as the Default Line for calls and texts, and for iMessage and FaceTime.
6. Leave your home line selected for Cellular Data for now, and keep Data Roaming off for the travel line until you arrive.

When you land

1. Open Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data and choose the travel line.
2. Tap the travel line and turn on Data Roaming. A travel eSIM connects by roaming, so it needs roaming on.
3. Tap your home line and turn its Data Roaming off, so your home carrier can't charge you for data abroad.
4. Leave Allow Cellular Data Switching off. When it's on, your iPhone can use your home line for data during calls.

Your plan starts the first time the eSIM uses data at your destination, not when you buy or install it, so installing a few days early costs you nothing.

Keeping your home number

Your home line stays on for calls and texts, so bank codes and messages still reach you. Your home carrier may charge roaming for calls and texts on that line, so check its rates, or switch the line off in Settings if you only need data.

iMessage, FaceTime, WhatsApp and other messaging apps keep working over the travel eSIM's data, using your usual number.

For more on running two lines, see how to use an eSIM and a physical SIM together.

Two eSIMs, or an eSIM-only iPhone

iPhone 13 and later can run two eSIMs at the same time, so an eSIM-only iPhone can keep your home eSIM active and add a travel eSIM next to it. Older dual-SIM models run one physical SIM and one eSIM together.

Your iPhone can hold more eSIMs than it can use at once. When a trip ends, switch the travel line off in Settings → Cellular rather than deleting it: most travel eSIMs can only be installed once.

If it doesn't connect

• No service after landing: check that Data Roaming is on for the travel line and that it's selected for Cellular Data.
• Still nothing: turn Airplane Mode on and off, or restart the iPhone so it searches for a network again.
• Stuck on the wrong network: open the travel line's settings, turn off Automatic under Network Selection, and pick another network.
• No 'No SIM restrictions' under Carrier Lock: the iPhone is locked to a carrier. Ask the carrier that sold it to unlock it.

For every fix, step by step, see eSIM not working? How to fix it.