When it comes to using eSIMs, people might come across a technical difficulty or issue that won’t let them use the service and properly enjoy the benefits. If this is your case and you need to get some help, keep reading, as we have information related to how to solve these issues. Many difficulties can arise when using an eSIM, so let’s check on how to solve most of them!
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How to activate an eSIM on a mobile?
People need to know that to activate an eSIM, it is needed to get the QR code of the eSIM first. To get the QR code, it will depend on the customers’ provider. For local cellular carriers, these can be either get on a store or can be claimed through a website.
As for international eSIM companies, the QR code will be sent to the customer’s email once the purchase process is completed.
After this is done, the user needs to go to the “Mobile/Cellular Data” menu on their phone and scan the QR code.
This process is just about the same for both Android and iOS users, so there’s no major difference. In some cases, the eSIM can be “automatically” activated depending on the provider. Some companies allow their buyers to activate it through an app, and some others activate the eSIM in a store. So, it all depends.
Why is my eSIM not working on my phone?
When it comes to talking about the issues someone might have with an eSIM, there is one thing that’s on top of the list. People need to make sure their device is eSIM compatible, which in some cases, is something that can be easily forgotten.
This can vary from one cellular operator to another, so check compatibility as best as possible. But, leaving this aside, let’s talk about other issues that customers encounter when using an eSIM.
eSIM is not working on an iOS or Android device
When it comes to an eSIM not working issue that’s related to a device, there are some features that must be taken into consideration on both devices:
- The Android or iOS device must be unlocked. If it isn’t unlocked, it won’t work with a different data plan from another provider.
- Check that the eSIM was properly installed on the device before turning the roaming function on.
- Check that your device and cellular operator both support the usage of a Dual SIM with an eSIM.
- Verify that the device you have works with the local cellular networks to avoid issues with the eSIM.
In case your device has all of this and it’s not working, it is recommended to call the operator and ask for further assistance.
Check the data plan of your eSIM card
When it comes to using an eSIM, it is an important factor to verify it has unlocked bands. That will allow people to use their phones with different cellular operators even when traveling abroad.
Therefore, if the cellphone is unlocked and ready to be used, check out that the data plan you want to use is set up and ready to be used. Also, check that the cellular works with dual SIM functionality to avoid issues with using your eSIM.
In case you need help finding the data plan you are going to use when traveling, you need to do the following:
- Go to “Settings” on your phone or device.
- Find the “Mobile/Cellular Data” option.
- Verify the information about the data plan if needed.
Therefore, there’s no need to worry about when using an eSIM when buying one from a provider such as Holafly. What’s even better is that when using Holafly, you can even use an app to manage and monitor your eSIMs with ease!
Restart your device and check coverage
Restarting the device can help people not only to ensure that the coverage might work better but it will also help out in case there’s an issue related to how the cellular data is working. Therefore, customers need to know how to do this on both, iOS and Android devices, as the issue can occur on either.
For iOS users, it is recommended to go to the “Settings” menu and then to “Mobile/Cellular Data” to see if everything is ok after restarting the device. Also, it is important to keep an eye on the “Roaming” option in case it was deactivated when restarting the device.
In case the issue is more complicated than it seems, a network reset might be needed and to do so follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Find the “General” menu.
- Press on the “Transfers or Reset” button.
- Click on “Reset” and then on “Reset Network Settings.”
That way, things might change a bit, but it is important to keep in mind that it will lose information related to APNs, VPNs, and WiFi networks.
As for Android users, check that the coverage in the area where you are is strong enough. And if not, you can restart the device and restart the “Mobile/Cellular Data” option until it starts working. Also, people can reset the network of the device in the same way as with an iOS device.
Keep your mobile updated
In case your eSIM is not working, chances are the operative system has something important not working. To make sure you have your cellphone’s software is up-to-date, do the following:
- iOS devices: Create a backup on iCloud and make sure you have WiFi available. Go to “Settings”, then press “General,” and then on “Software Update.” If there’s something available to install, it will come up there!
- Android devices: Find the “Settings” menu and then go to “System,” then “System Update,” and check if there’s any update pending or choose the one you want to install.
Reboot your mobile
When it comes to major solutions, this one is the last we like to recommend. Rebooting your device will erase everything you have on it, and it will basically turn into the device you bought from the store with nothing on it.
In case you think this is the best idea to make your eSIM work, this is what you need to do:
- On iOS devices, go to “Settings,” find the “General” menu, press on “Transfers or Restore iPhone,” and then press on “Restabilize” to reboot the device.
- On Android devices, go to “Settings”, then “System”, then “Additional Adjustments”, and the option of “Factory Reset” will be there.
eSIM was not properly installed
In case the eSIM is not working, it might be an issue related to it not being properly installed or activated. To know whether it was properly activated or not, go to “Settings” and then press on “Mobile/Cellular Data,” where you can find the different SIM and eSIMs you have.
If the eSIM was properly activated, it should appear here. You can check that the eSIM is properly working by clicking on it and making sure that all the details are correct.
Another thing that can happen comes with the fact the device might not work with a Dual SIM feature, so that’s something to check out as well when trying to activate an eSIM.
eSIM is not working because of the signal
Before buying an eSIM, it is important to check if it will have the same coverage as a SIM card. Check out whether the coverage will be strong or not. And if you are buying an international eSIM, check that it will have coverage in the areas you are visiting.
Are there other reasons why an eSIM can’t work?
Lost eSIM
Even though eSIMs can’t actually get “lost” because of how it works, customers might have an issue with their device, and the eSIM can get lost or erased accidentally, so they will need to ask for a new one.
eSIM being activated on a different device
When it comes to using an eSIM, it is important for travelers to keep in mind that eSIMs only work on one device at a time. Therefore, it is important to activate it on the device that will actually be used during the trip.
eSIM was erased mistakenly
For those who don’t have much knowledge about how eSIMs work, an issue related to erasing the eSIM can happen at any given. Therefore, this will make the eSIM totally unable to be used, and clients will need to get a new one.
Uncompleted eSIM activation
If the eSIM activation process is not completed, it won’t work. That’s why people need to complete the whole process before using one.
APN has to be adjusted
Some carriers allow their buyers to change their APNs when needed. This is not something all companies allow people to do, so keep this in mind. In order to check that the APN is properly adjusted and working, people have to go to the “Mobile/Cellular Data” menu, press on “More Options,” and finally on “Mobile Network” to check the APN.
There, the user can write the new name of the access point. If this option doesn’t appear, it means the company doesn’t allow people to modify the APN.
FAQ
eSIMs can either expire or not. These will expire if they were bought to work for a certain amount of time, for example. If you are traveling and you buy an international eSIM, chances are the user bought an eSIM for a week, a month, or more.
On the other hand, local eSIMs don’t expire. These will work as long as people have access to a local cellular data plan. So, if by any chance it “expires,” the customer will need to contact customer support from their cellular operator.
Most eSIMs are activated manually. Therefore, people need two things, a working cellphone and an internet connection to complete the process.
The process for both Android and iOS devices is mostly the same. The customer needs to scan a QR code while having an internet connection for the eSIM to be activated. For iOS users, companies like Holafly make things easier as they can use the official app of Holafly to complete the activation process there.
Overall, the process is quite simple as people simply have to scan the QR code they received. And the eSIM will start working immediately. If it’s an international eSIM, chances are people need to activate the roaming option.
When it comes to talking about eSIMs, it is important to say that these can’t “break”. This technology doesn’t break because it is embedded in the device, so there’s no chance of that for sure!
