# eSIM setup **<— Return to:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/sim-card-setup-PL4yxO2mAr](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/sim-card-setup-PL4yxO2mAr) --- **—> Next lesson:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/esim-setup-SU93vspGee](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/esim-setup-SU93vspGee) ## **Step #1: Enable eSIM Support** Before you can use an electronic SIM card, you need to enable eSIM support on your device. This gives your phone permission to download and install eSIM profiles. **Here's how:** 1. Open ***Settings*** 2. Go to ***Network & Internet*** 3. Find and **enable *eSIM support*** * A message will appear prompting you to restart your phone * Tap ***Restart*** * Wait for the phone to reboot and then log back in ![eSIMs can only be added when eSIM support is enabled](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy9jY2M1ODNmYy1iYmExLTQyODItYWZjNC02NGFhMmFiNWI0NmUvaW1hZ2UucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTQxMjMwMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5NDIwOTQwMH0.wneJxVbUuK0LPHzA0cGNpj1vg0Xye-Vt9yIK2XHFxbc) ## **Step #2: Scan Your eSIM QR-code** Once eSIM support is enabled, you can now add your eSIM by scanning the activation QR code provided in your provider. **Follow these steps:** 1. Open ***Settings*** and go to ***Network & Internet*** 2. Tap on ***SIMs*** 3. Select ***Add SIM*** 4. Choose ***Set up an eSIM*** 5. When prompted, **scan the activation QR code** from your provider. * You’ll be asked to grant **camera permission** to scan the code — tap ***Allow*** :::info Scanning the QR code with the regular ***Camera*** app will __not work__. To activate your eSIM, instead follow this path: ***Settings*** *→ **Network & Internet** → **SIMs** → **Add SIM*** Then choose **“*Set up an eSIM*”** to scan the QR code properly. ::: ![Scan the QR code your provider gave you](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy9jNDE1M2RhNS0xNjllLTQwYjYtYWRmZC1iN2I0M2VhY2M5MmYvaW1hZ2UucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTQxMjMwMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5NDIwOTQwMH0.ZPxMhZDl-JkPC8OZVV01mpt026UFW2oZQDbBGAlNC4I) :::warning ## **Troubleshooting: *“Add SIM”* option is grayed out** If the ***Add SIM*** button appears grayed out, it’s likely due to your network settings. **Here’s how to fix it:** * Make sure ***Airplane mode*** is **turned off** * Ensure the ***Wi-Fi ***radio is **enabled** * You **don’t need to connect** to a Wi-Fi network—just having Wi-Fi turned on is enough * Avoid using an **Ethernet connection** during setup Once these settings are adjusted, you should be able to proceed with adding your eSIM. ::: ## **Step #3: Download Your eSIM** Now that you've scanned the activation QR code, it's time to complete the eSIM installation. **Follow these steps:** 1. Tap ***Set up*** * Wait for the SIM setup process to complete (this usually takes around **30 seconds**) 2. Once finished, tap ***Settings*** 3. Select the newly added SIM to continue configuration :::info Once installed, your eSIM will appear with a name (e.g. **“*Connect*”**) in your SIM settings. This is normal and indicates that the eSIM has been successfully added to your device. ::: ![This example shows a newly added eSIM (Connect 3) below the physical SIM card (Personal)](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy8wYTNlZGUxNS1kMTIxLTQ4MjQtYTA5Mi1jZWI4NGI1ZTg2YjkvaW1hZ2UucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTQxMjMwMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5NDIwOTQwMH0.MlIFxXs0N7h_h-78B8baHPFg-IMlRc7mqOPQyxJIbGE) :::tip Note that the eSIM has a different symbol showing on the left side with a downward arrow in it. ::: ## **Step #4: Activate Your eSIM** With your eSIM downloaded, just a few more steps remain to get connected. **Do the following:** 1. Make sure the SIM is **enabled** * Look for the switch labeled **“*Use this SIM*”** and ensure it’s turned **on** 2. Select **“*Use Connect*”** to set your eSIM as the default for mobile data * *This step may be skipped if the eSIM is your only SIM* 3. When prompted, choose **“*No, thanks*”** to prevent switching between SIMs for mobile data * *This also may not appear if you only have one SIM* 4. Verify that ***Mobile data*** and ***Roaming*** are both **enabled** 5. **Setup complete.** You should now be connected to the internet using your Above SIM. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy80NWE3ZGUwZC1lNzhlLTQ1ODMtOTk4NS1jNTc3NDUwOTZjYWIvaW1hZ2UucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTQxMjMwMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5NDIwOTQwMH0.TPWC-w8pn6h7hR7na_zgqN6vxrEdTmeEEVBqlF1gP_w) :::warning ## **Important: eSIMs are One-Time Use** Once an eSIM has been added to a phone, it **cannot be reused** on another device. If you need to move your eSIM to a different phone, or if you've removed it and want to add it back, you’ll need to **contact your provider for assistance**. A new activation QR code may be required. ::: # **Troubleshooting** ### **Unable to Install the SIM** 1. Make sure your device is connected to the internet and can load websites normally in a browser 2. If you're using an Ethernet adapter, ensure the **Wi-Fi radio is turned on** (you don't need to be connected to Wi-Fi—just have it enabled) ### **Validate That the SIM Is Working** 1. Confirm that the SIM appears in your settings under ***Network & Internet > SIMs*** 2. Check that it’s **enabled** and **selected for mobile data** ### **SIM Installed, but No Internet Connection** #### Check the *Access Point Names* setting for the SIM ### **I Removed the SIM and Need to Reinstall It** eSIMs can only be activated once. If you've removed the SIM and need to reinstall it, **contact support** — we’ll issue you a new activation QR code. ### **Disable 5G** To switch your connection to LTE and disable 5G: 1. Open ***Settings*** 2. Tap ***Network & Internet*** 3. Tap ***SIMs*** 4. Select your eSIM (labeled ***Connect*** or ***Plus***) 5. Tap ***Preferred network type*** 6. Select ***LTE*** This will limit your connection to 4G/LTE and prevent automatic switching to 5G. ### **Check Your Remaining Data Balance** To view your recent data usage: 1. Open ***Settings*** 2. Tap ***Network & Internet*** 3. Tap ***SIMs*** 4. Select your eSIM 5. Your data usage for the **past 30 days** will be displayed at the top of the screen :::info **Note:** This shows usage only—it does not reflect your full data plan balance. The progress bar is only a visual indicator and will alert you when you've used **2GB of data** by default. If you want to know exactly how much data is remaining on your plan - please reach out to us directly. ::: :::tip More info for conscious mobile data usage here: [Usage tips](/doc/7467608c-cf37-48f1-a229-b0a8f97af999) ::: --- **Documents** - [Getting Started](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq) - [Application Guides](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/application-guides-jAjlxuCIBy) - [Above Essentials](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/above-essentials-KkbCdqt7F7) - [Profiles](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/profiles-UiYjt5uT5E) - [Migrating from other devices](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/migrating-from-other-devices-h0cJeSFPOe) - [Backup & Restore](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/backup-restore-8eA0cmjC3G) - [FAQs](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/faqs-HUNU8JOych) - [Privacy Strategies](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/privacy-strategies-uHCZH7KxdC) - [Older Above Phones](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/older-above-phones-fG3zUVbYnS)