The way to get a QR code for eSIM is to buy a plan, then pull the square from your confirmation email or the provider’s app. That little image holds your entire profile, and your phone reads it in seconds. No shop. No queue. I have activated dozens of plans this way, and honestly it beats hunting down a SIM kiosk every time.
This guide shows exactly where the code hides and how to scan it. It was last updated in July 2026 after my most recent activation.
How to Get QR Code for eSIM in 5 Steps
Here is the full routine I run every trip. Roughly 3 minutes on a decent connection.
- Buy an eSIM plan from a provider like Airalo or Saily.
- Wait for the confirmation, which arrives by email and in the app.
- Open the email or the app’s “My eSIMs” screen to find the QR code.
- On a second device or a printout, display that code.
- On your phone, scan it under the eSIM setup menu.
Step four trips up most people. Think about it: you cannot point a camera at the very screen doing the scanning, so I park the image on a laptop or print it out first.
Where Does the QR Code Come From?
The square lands straight from your provider the second you pay. You do not generate it yourself.
Each seller tucks it in a slightly different spot. So I built a quick map. Check the row that matches where you bought your plan.
| Where you bought it | Where the QR code appears |
|---|---|
| Provider app (Airalo, Saily) | Under “My eSIMs” or “Installed” tab |
| Confirmation email | Attached image or a link inside |
| Provider website account | Order history or eSIM details page |
| Physical retail card | Printed on the card or inside the pack |
In every case the code stays tied to your order. Lose the email? Log into the app or your account, and it is still sitting right there waiting for you.
How Do I Scan the QR Code on My Phone?
Scanning is the easy bit once you know the menu. Steps differ a touch by brand. Here is where to tap.
- iPhone: Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung: Settings, Connections, SIM Manager, Add eSIM.
- Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Download a SIM.
Aim the camera at the square and let it read. Your handset then pulls down the profile and asks you to label the line. Apple’s eSIM setup guide walks through the iPhone flow in detail if you get stuck.
I have run this on airport wifi more times than I can count. The whole scan wraps up in under a minute.
What if I Cannot Scan the QR Code?
It happens. There is always a backup, though. Do not panic when the camera refuses to cooperate.
Most providers offer manual entry. Rather than scanning, you type three details by hand: the SM-DP+ address, the activation code, and sometimes a confirmation code on top. The app lists all three right beside the QR image.
I fell back on manual entry once when the code sat on the very phone I was setting up. Slower, sure. But it works every single time. The GSMA eSIM standard is the reason this typed method behaves the same across every network.
How Do I Buy an eSIM to Get a Code?
No plan, no code. So this is the real first step. I buy before I fly, so the square is waiting the moment I land.
Airalo covers the most countries I visit. Saily usually costs a little less on the same route. Both fire off the QR image within seconds of payment, and both let you install before you travel. See my best eSIM provider ranking or the Airalo eSIM review for a deeper look.
Comparing prices? Check Saily against Airalo for your country first, and make sure your device is ready with my eSIM compatibility check.
FAQ
How Do I Get a QR Code for My eSIM?
Buy a plan first. Then open the confirmation email or the provider’s app, where the QR code sits waiting under the order details or the “My eSIMs” screen, ready for you to scan the instant you are set up.
Can I Get the eSIM QR Code Again if I Lose It?
Yes. Log into the provider app or your account and open the order. The code stays saved there, so a lost email is not a problem.
How Do I Scan an eSIM QR Code From the Same Phone?
Use manual entry instead. Copy the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the app into your eSIM setup screen, since you cannot scan a code on the screen you are scanning with.
Why Will My Phone Not Read the eSIM QR Code?
Usual suspects? A dim screen, a scratched lens, or a code someone already burned through once. Try manual entry, crank up the brightness, or ask the provider to reissue a fresh one.
Do I Need Wifi to Scan an eSIM QR Code?
Yes, you need an internet connection to download the profile. I scan on hotel or airport wifi, then the eSIM works on cellular once installed.
