Installation guide
How to Install a NomadSIM eSIM
Open your phone’s Settings, go to Cellular (iPhone) or Network & Internet (Android), tap “Add eSIM”, then scan your QR code or tap the one-click link from your confirmation email. Most phones activate in under 2 minutes. Use the interactive guide below for your exact phone.
Interactive install guide
Pick your phone and follow the steps — we’ll walk you through it.
Which phone do you have?
The last step — the Airplane Mode toggle — is what actually activates your data. Don't skip it.
Open Settings
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On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
Full reference guide
Installing on iPhone
iOS 13 and later · eSIM supported on iPhone XR and newer
Step-by-step
Open Settings
On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
Look for the grey gear icon on your home screen or in your App Library.
Tap Mobile Data (or Cellular)
Scroll down and tap "Mobile Data" (or "Cellular" in some regions).
On some iPhones this appears as "Cellular" — it's the same screen.
Tap "Add eSIM" or "Add Data Plan"
Tap "Add eSIM" at the top of the screen. On older iOS it may say "Add Data Plan".
If you don't see this option, check that your device supports eSIM in Settings → General → About.
Scan the QR code or use one-tap install
On iOS 17.4+ tap "Use QR Code" to scan, or tap the one-tap link from your confirmation email. On older iOS, tap "Use QR Code" and point your camera at the code.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection before scanning. The QR code is in your confirmation email.
Label your eSIM
Give the new eSIM a label like "NomadSIM" so you can identify it later.
You can change this label any time in Settings → Mobile Data → [your eSIM].
Set NomadSIM as your data line
Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data and select NomadSIM as your preferred data SIM.
If you're not sure which line is NomadSIM, look for the label you set in the previous step.
Enable Data Roaming
Tap your NomadSIM line, then turn on "Data Roaming". This is required for the eSIM to connect abroad.
Data Roaming must be ON even if you're already in Colombia — eSIMs require it for local data too on some networks.
Turn it on — toggle Airplane Mode
Once the eSIM is installed and NomadSIM is your data line with Data Roaming on, wait until NomadSIM's signal bars appear in the top-right corner. Then open Control Center, turn Airplane Mode ON for about 15 seconds, and turn it OFF again. This is what switches your plan from pending to active — your data should connect within a minute.
No signal bars yet? Give it a minute after installing, then do the Airplane Mode toggle. Still nothing after that → open the troubleshooter.
Install methods
- 1.Open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
- 2.Tap Use QR Code and scan the QR from your confirmation email or the screen above.
- 3.Follow the on-screen prompts. Label the plan “NomadSIM” when asked.
- 4.When asked which line to use for data: select NomadSIM.
- 5.Go to Settings → Cellular → NomadSIM and turn on Data Roaming.
If your iPhone runs iOS 17.4 or later, tap the Open in iPhone Settings button in your confirmation email or on your confirmation page. The eSIM installs automatically — no QR scan needed.
Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Enter Details Manually. Copy the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your confirmation email or the “Enter codes manually” section above.
Installing on Android
Android 10 and later · compatible Pixel, Samsung, and most flagship phones
Android menus vary by manufacturer. The steps below cover most phones; Samsung and Pixel users may see slightly different labels.
Step-by-step
Open Settings
Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Look for the gear icon in your app drawer or notification shade.
Go to Network & internet (or Connections)
Tap "Network & internet" (on Pixel/stock Android) or "Connections" (on Samsung).
On Samsung devices this setting is called "Connections" — tap that instead.
Tap SIMs → Add SIM (or Download a SIM)
Tap "SIMs" or "Mobile network", then "Add SIM" or "Download a SIM instead".
The exact wording varies by manufacturer and Android version. Look for any option that mentions adding or downloading a SIM.
Scan the QR code
Point your camera at the QR code from your confirmation email. On Android 12+, you can also use the one-tap link directly.
Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi before scanning. The QR code is in your confirmation email.
Set NomadSIM as your data SIM
In Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, set NomadSIM as the preferred SIM for Mobile data.
On Samsung go to Connections → SIM manager → Mobile data and choose NomadSIM.
Enable Data Roaming
Tap on your NomadSIM line and turn on "Roaming" or "Data roaming".
This setting is required even in Colombia on some networks. Without it, mobile data won't work.
Turn it on — toggle Airplane Mode
Once the eSIM is installed and set as your mobile-data SIM with Roaming on, wait until NomadSIM's signal bars appear in the status bar. Then swipe down to Quick Settings, turn Airplane Mode ON for about 15 seconds, and turn it OFF again. This switches your plan from pending to active — your data should connect within a minute.
No signal bars yet? Give it a minute after installing, then do the Airplane Mode toggle. Still nothing after that → open the troubleshooter.
Install methods
- 1.Open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (or “Mobile network” on some devices).
- 2.Tap Scan QR code and scan the code from your confirmation email.
- 3.Follow the prompts to complete installation.
- 4.Set NomadSIM as the preferred data SIM when prompted.
- 5.Enable Data Roaming for the NomadSIM profile in SIM settings.
Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Scan QR code.
Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → scan or enter code manually.
Common errors & fixes
Hit a snag? These four issues cover 95% of install problems.
eSIM installed but no signal
It can take up to 5 minutes for the network to register your eSIM after activation. Toggle Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off. If still no signal, confirm Data Roaming is enabled and NomadSIM is selected as the data SIM.
"QR code already used" or "Activation code invalid"
eSIM QR codes are single-use. If you see this error, the eSIM may have been installed on another device, or the installation started but didn’t finish. Contact us — we can check the status and issue a replacement if needed.
"This device doesn’t support eSIM"
Not all phones support eSIM. Check our compatibility checker before purchasing to confirm your device is supported. iPhones sold in mainland China and some carrier-locked models do not support eSIM.
Carrier-locked phone
If your phone is locked to a carrier (common with contract phones), you may not be able to add a second eSIM from a different carrier. Contact your primary carrier to check your lock status or request an unlock before installing.
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