eSIM Setup Guide for Android (Samsung, Pixel, and More)
Most Android phones from 2019 onward support eSIM under Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs. Install your travel eSIM by scanning the QR code, set it as your default for mobile data, and turn on data roaming for that specific line.
Which Android Phones Support eSIM?
Every Google Pixel from the Pixel 3 onward supports eSIM, as does most Samsung Galaxy S20/Note20 and later, along with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines from their first generation. Support on other brands (Motorola, OnePlus, Huawei outside mainland China) varies more by specific model and region, so it's worth checking your exact device before buying a plan. See the full eSIM compatible phones list for a brand-by-brand breakdown.
How Do You Install an eSIM on Android?
- Confirm compatibility under Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
- Buy your travel eSIM plan for your destination before you fly
- Tap Add SIM or Add eSIM in settings, then scan the QR code from your provider, or use their app's one-tap install
- Label the new line (e.g. "Travel") so it's easy to tell apart
- Set it as your default for mobile data under Network & Internet → SIMs → Mobile Data
- Turn on data roaming for that specific line
Does the Setup Differ Between Samsung and Pixel?
The core steps are the same, but menu wording varies slightly by brand. On Pixel, the eSIM option lives directly under Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs, with a straightforward "Add eSIM" button. On Samsung's One UI, look under Settings → Connections → SIM Manager, where you'll find the same add-eSIM flow under a slightly different label. If you can't find it in either location, search your settings app directly for "eSIM."
Why Can't I Find the eSIM Option on My Phone?
Three common causes: your phone doesn't actually support eSIM (check the compatibility list), it's carrier-locked and the carrier has disabled the menu, or you're looking in the wrong settings sub-menu for your specific brand. Searching your settings app for "eSIM" or "add SIM" usually surfaces it even if it's buried somewhere unexpected.
Works the same way on Samsung, Pixel, and other Android brands — scan and you're online.
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Setting up an iPhone instead? See how to set up dual eSIM on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM the same way?
No. Support varies by model, region, and sometimes carrier — some carrier-specific Samsung variants sold in the US have eSIM disabled at the software level even though the hardware supports it. Check your specific model and carrier before buying a plan.
Why can't I find the eSIM option in my Android settings?
Either your phone doesn't support eSIM, it's carrier-locked, or the menu is in a slightly different location on your specific brand's version of Android. Search your phone's settings app for 'eSIM' or 'add SIM' if you can't find it under Network & Internet.
Can I use two eSIMs at once on Android?
Most eSIM-capable Android phones support having a physical SIM and an eSIM active together, and some newer models support two active eSIMs simultaneously, similar to recent iPhones. Check your specific model's dual-SIM support.
How do I set my travel eSIM as the default for data on Android?
Go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then SIMs, and select your travel eSIM under Mobile Data. The exact wording varies slightly by brand (Samsung, Pixel, etc.), but the setting lives in the same general SIM management area.
Does Android warn me before switching to roaming data?
Most Android phones show a roaming icon or notification when a line is roaming, but they won't stop you from using data on it unless you've disabled data roaming for that specific line in settings.