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Step-by-Step Guide on How to Install eSIM on Your Google Pixel Phone

This guide covers all three ways to install an eSIMno eSIM on your Google Pixel — one-tap Quick Install, QR code scan with the Camera app, and manual SM-DP+ / Activation Code entry. Pixel handles eSIM under Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Your codes also arrive in your order confirmation email, so you can install straight from there too. Pick the method that fits your setup. To confirm that your model supports eSIM, see our device compatibility list.

In a hurry? The 3-step version.
  1. Install the eSIMno line at home on Wi-Fi (one tap from your order email, or from Profile > My eSIMs > Install).
  2. When you land, turn Data Roaming ON for the eSIMno line (this does not affect your home line).
  3. Set the eSIMno line as your mobile-data line. That's it — you're online.
Want every detail and screenshots? Keep reading.

Updated for Pixel 10 (Android 16) and Pixel 9 (Android 15). Older Pixel devices follow the same flow under Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.

A note on menu labels: to add an eSIM you tap the + next to a SIM slot in Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Depending on your Android version this may read Add SIM, Add eSIM or Download a SIM instead? — they are all the same option, and we use the "+ / Download a SIM" wording throughout this guide.

Already have other eSIMs on your Pixel? Modern Pixel devices support multiple stored eSIM profiles. Add the eSIMno line as usual; pick it as your Mobile Data line while you travel, then switch back to your home line in Settings > Network & internet > SIMs when you return.

💡 Best practice — install your eSIMno line at home before you travel. eSIM installation needs a stable internet connection so your phone can talk to the eSIM provisioning servers. Installing at home on Wi-Fi is fast and stress-free; the eSIM only starts using data when you land in your destination country, so there's no waste. See when to set up your eSIM for the full timing guidance.
⚠️ Heads-up — eSIM install codes are one-time-use. If you delete the eSIM from your phone, or factory-reset the device after installing, the original QR code and SM-DP+ codes will not work again — this is a hardware-level GSMA security rule, not specific to eSIMno. Please install carefully and make sure your phone has a stable internet connection before you tap install.

I. OPEN THE INSTALLER

  • Fastest route — your order email already has everything. Your order confirmation email shows, for each eSIM, a one-tap Install on Android link, the QR code and the SM-DP+ / Activation codes — so you can jump straight to a method below. The email's Install eSIM button opens the same installer on esimno.com.
  • Or open it from your account: sign in at esimno.com from any browser (computer, tablet or another phone — the codes are the same), open Profile > My eSIMs, find the eSIM you just bought (status "Ready to install") and tap Install (or Details > Install — both open the same installer).
  • In the Quick Install pop-up, set Operating System to Android and Device Brand / Version to Google Pixel. eSIMno auto-detects this from your browser, but you can override it (for example, when the device you will install on is not the one you are browsing from).

II. CHOOSE YOUR INSTALL METHOD

The pop-up has two tabs: Easy Install (a one-tap button + a QR code on the same screen — Methods A and B) and Manual Install (the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code to type by hand — Method C).

Which method to use depends on where you opened esimno.com (or your order email):

  • On the actual Pixel you want to install on → start with Method A (Quick Install), one tap. If the deep link is blocked, fall back to Method C (Manual). Method B (QR) won't work here — a phone can't scan its own screen.
  • On a different screen — a computer, tablet or another phone showing the QR → use Method B (QR Code) and scan it with the camera of the Pixel you're setting up (never another phone, or the eSIM installs on that phone).
  • Prefer paper? Tap Print QR Code in the pop-up, print it at normal size, then scan it with the Pixel you're setting up whenever it suits you — same as Method B. Treat the printout like a password: anyone who scans it before you could install your eSIM on their own phone. Keep it private, don't photograph it, and discard it after installing.

All three methods finish with the same short set of steps — see "Finishing the setup" right after Method C.

A. QUICK INSTALL (ONE-TAP)

On the Pixel you want to install on, open the Easy Install tab and tap Install on this Android (or the Install on Android link in your order email). Pixel's native eSIM installer opens automatically with the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code pre-filled — then complete the steps in "Finishing the setup" below.

B. QR CODE INSTALL — USE YOUR CAMERA

Pixel on Android 14 and later detects eSIM QR codes through the Camera app — no need to open Settings:

  • Open the Camera app on the Pixel you want to install on.
  • Point it at the QR code shown in the eSIMno pop-up (or your order email) on the other screen.
  • Tap the eSIM banner that appears, then complete the steps in "Finishing the setup" below.

Camera didn't detect the QR? Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the + next to a SIM slot (or Download a SIM instead?), and scan from inside that screen instead.

C. MANUAL ENTRY

Use this if the camera won't detect the QR. Switch to the Manual Install tab — it shows copy-to-clipboard fields and a numbered step list for the device you selected:

  • Tap the SM-DP+ ADDRESS row to copy it.
  • Tap the ACTIVATION CODE row to copy it. (If your phone asks for one combined string, copy the FULL LPA STRING row instead.)
  • Follow the numbered steps in the pop-up to paste these into your Pixel's Settings, then complete the steps in "Finishing the setup" below.
⚠️ Pixel quirk — the manual form is tucked behind "Need help?". On the Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the + next to a SIM slot (or Download a SIM instead?). Tap Next, then Use a different network if your current network needs confirming. Now tap Need help?, then Enter it manually, and paste the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code copied from the eSIMno pop-up.

Images: SIMs menu (tap +) → "Need help?" / "Enter it manually" link → manual entry form for SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code.

FINISHING THE SETUP (same for all methods)

Once the codes are accepted, tap Download / Activate and wait 30–90 seconds (occasionally up to 3 minutes) for the profile to download. When the "Download Finished" screen appears, tap Settings / Done. If asked, name the new line (the preset is fine, or type eSIMno / Travel).

Images: download progress → "Download Finished" confirmation screen.

Your eSIM profile is now installed. Continue below to switch on data and roaming.

III. ACCESS DATA & ROAMING

⚠️ Critical — Data Roaming must be ON for the eSIMno line. Your phone treats every eSIMno eSIM as a "roaming" network even when you are in the destination country. Without this toggle the eSIM installs correctly but shows no internet. This does NOT trigger roaming charges on your home line — the toggle only affects the eSIMno line you just installed.
  • Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, select the new eSIMno line, enable Use SIM and tap Yes.
  • Enable Mobile data and Roaming on the eSIMno line. (Again — this does NOT affect your home line.)
  • Make sure the Mobile data preference is set to your eSIMno line.
  • If your eSIMno line connected to the wrong carrier, disable Automatically select network and pick the supported network manually from your eSIMno coverage list.

Your eSIMno line should now be active and providing data. APN settings are auto-configured inside the eSIM profile — you don't need to set them manually.

IV. QUICK TROUBLESHOOTING

If your eSIM does not work after install, try these in order:

  1. Toggle Airplane mode for 10 seconds — the fastest fix for "no service" right after install. Swipe down to open Quick Settings, tap Airplane mode on, wait 10 seconds, tap it off again.
  2. Check Data roaming is ON for the eSIMno line — by far the most common cause of "installed but no internet". See section III.
  3. Confirm you are in the destination country — eSIMno eSIMs only connect to networks in the countries the plan covers, not in your home country.
  4. Check the carrier — Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > [your eSIMno line], disable Automatically select network, pick a supported carrier manually.
  5. Still no data? Contact support with your order number, Pixel model, Android version and destination country, and we'll diagnose it.

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