iD Mobile eSIM Setup

What is an eSIM and how does it work on iD Mobile?

An eSIM does away with the plastic card entirely, living instead inside the phone itself. Instead of a physical SIM, your iD Mobile eSIM is downloaded as a profile over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Once active, it works exactly like a physical SIM — you can make calls, send texts and use mobile data on the iD Mobile network.

Support covers iPhone XS+, Pixel 3+, Galaxy S20+ and the majority of current Android flagship devices, with dual SIM allowing a physical SIM alongside.

How to set up your iD Mobile eSIM

Before starting, make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. You will also need your iD Mobile eSIM QR code, which is usually sent by email or displayed in the iD Mobile app or account portal after ordering an eSIM.

On iPhone: Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM. Choose Use QR Code and scan the QR code provided by iD Mobile. Follow the on-screen prompts to label the line and set it as your primary or secondary SIM.

On Android / Samsung: Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager → Add Mobile Plan. Scan the iD Mobile eSIM QR code when prompted. On Google Pixel, go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM.

Activating your iD Mobile eSIM

After scanning the QR code, your phone will download the iD Mobile eSIM profile. Activation usually takes one to five minutes. Keep Wi-Fi on throughout this process. Once activated, you should see the iD Mobile network name in your status bar.

If activation fails, check that your device is eSIM compatible, your iD Mobile account has eSIM enabled, and the QR code has not already been used. Each iD Mobile eSIM QR code can only be scanned once. Contact iD Mobile for a replacement if needed.

Troubleshooting iD Mobile eSIM problems

Struggling with eSIM activation? Verify Wi-Fi, restart the phone, then try again via Settings → Mobile Data.

No signal after eSIM activation: Toggle aeroplane mode on and off. If the problem persists, go to Settings → Mobile Data, select your iD Mobile eSIM line and check that it is set as the active data SIM.

eSIM profile missing after phone reset: Factory resets erase eSIM profiles on some devices. Contact iD Mobile to re-provision your eSIM — you will need your account details.

Cannot transfer eSIM to a new phone: iD Mobile eSIM transfers require contacting customer support or using the iD Mobile app. You cannot simply scan the same QR code again on a new device.

eSIM vs physical SIM on iD Mobile

Both eSIM and physical SIM give you full access to the iD Mobile network with the same speeds and coverage. The main advantages of eSIM are: no need to handle a tiny physical card, instant activation, and the ability to switch between networks without changing SIMs. The main advantage of a physical SIM is compatibility with older devices that do not support eSIM.