How to Add eSIM Without QR Code: iPhone & Android (2026)

TL;DR

You don’t need a QR code to activate an eSIM. Every major phone platform offers a manual entry option where you type or paste your carrier’s SM-DP+ address and activation code. On iPhone, go to Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, then tap “Enter Details Manually.” On Samsung Galaxy, follow the eSIM scanner screen and tap “Enter activation code” at the bottom. On Google Pixel, tap “Need help?” on the QR screen, then “Enter it manually.” All you need is Wi-Fi and the activation details your provider sent you.

Why You Might Need to Skip the QR Code

A QR code is just a visual wrapper around a text string. That string contains a server address and an activation code, and your phone can accept those details typed out just as easily as it can scan them from an image.

There are several common situations where scanning a QR code isn’t practical:

• You only have one phone. You can’t point your phone’s camera at its own screen.
• The QR code won’t scan. Low resolution, bad lighting, or a glitchy camera can all cause failures.
• Your provider sent the details as plain text. Many eSIM sellers (including Esimify) deliver both a QR code and the raw SM-DP+ credentials by email, giving you a fallback.
• Your carrier pushes the eSIM to your device’s EID, bypassing QR entirely.

The good news: adding an eSIM without a QR code is straightforward once you know where each operating system hides the option.

What You Need Before You Start

Before walking through the steps for each device, gather these:

1. An eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone. Carrier-locked devices sometimes hide the manual eSIM menu entirely. More on this in the troubleshooting section.
2. A Wi-Fi connection. The eSIM profile downloads from a remote server, so you need internet access during activation. Apple’s own support documentation confirms this requirement.
3. Your activation details. This is either two separate fields (SM-DP+ address and activation code) or a single LPA string that combines both. Your provider’s confirmation email should contain one or both formats.
4. Your EID (optional). If your carrier uses push activation, they’ll need your eSIM chip ID. Dial *#06# on most phones to find it, or check Settings, About Phone.

If your QR won’t scan and you don’t have the manual codes, contact your eSIM provider and ask for the SM-DP+ address and activation code. Any reputable provider can supply them.

Esimify tip: If you purchased a travel eSIM from Esimify, your confirmation email includes both the QR code and the SM-DP+ details for manual entry. No second device required.

How to Add eSIM Without QR Code on iPhone

Apple makes this fairly easy, though the manual option is tucked at the bottom of the screen where many people miss it. Practitioners on Reddit consistently point out that “Enter Details Manually” is hidden below the QR scanner view, and users scroll right past it.

Method 1: Enter Details Manually

This works on any iPhone running iOS 16 or later.

1. Open Settings and tap Cellular (called “Mobile Data” in some regions).
2. Tap Add eSIM (or “Add Cellular Plan” on older iOS versions).
3. When the QR scanner appears, scroll down and tap Enter Details Manually.
4. Type or paste the SM-DP+ address in the first field.
5. Enter the Activation Code in the second field. Some carriers leave this blank, which is valid.
6. If prompted, enter a Confirmation Code (most providers don’t require one).
7. Tap Next, then Add Cellular Plan.

The profile will download over Wi-Fi. Once installed, your phone will ask you to label the line and choose default settings for calls, messages, and data.

Method 2: Long-Press an Emailed QR (Single-Device Trick)

Starting with iOS 17.4, Apple added a feature that eliminates the camera entirely. If your provider emailed you a QR code image:

1. Open the email in Mail or view the QR in Safari.
2. Tap and hold the QR image.
3. Select Add eSIM from the pop-up menu.

This is documented in Apple’s eSIM setup guide and is the cleanest single-device solution for iPhone users.

Method 3: Carrier Link or App

Some carriers send an activation link via SMS or email. Tap it, and iOS walks you through the rest. Carrier apps (downloaded from the App Store) can also trigger eSIM activation without any QR involvement.

After Installation

• Go to Settings, Cellular and set your new eSIM as the Mobile Data line if you want it handling internet traffic.
• If this is a travel eSIM for data only, keep your home line active for calls, SMS, and two-factor authentication.
• Toggle on Data Roaming under the eSIM’s settings if you’re using it abroad.

Planning a trip to Australia or Canada? Install and configure the eSIM before you board, then enable data roaming when you land.

How to Add eSIM Without QR Code on Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s path to manual eSIM entry is a bit less intuitive. The option exists, but the label and location vary slightly across One UI versions.

Method 1: Enter Activation Code

1. Open Settings and tap Connections.
2. Tap SIM manager (or “SIM card manager” on older models).
3. Tap Add eSIM.
4. When the QR scanner opens, look at the bottom of the screen for Enter activation code.
5. Tap it, then paste or type your SM-DP+ address and activation code in the fields provided.
6. Tap Connect or Add.

Samsung typically splits the SM-DP+ address and activation code into two separate fields, unlike Pixel which often accepts the full LPA string in one box.

Method 2: Scan QR From Gallery (One Phone Only)

If you received the QR as an image file or screenshot and only have one device:

1. Start the Add eSIM flow as described above.
2. When the QR scanner opens, tap the Gallery icon (usually in a corner of the viewfinder).
3. Select the screenshot or image containing your QR code.
4. The phone reads it from the image file instead of through the camera.

This “scan from gallery” workaround is documented by carrier support sites and works well when you only have one device.

If “Enter Activation Code” Is Missing

This is a common frustration. Practitioners on Reddit’s r/GalaxyS23 and r/samsunggalaxy report that the manual entry option disappears on certain carrier-locked Samsung models. The culprit is usually the phone’s CSC (Country Specific Code) firmware, which carriers customize.

Here’s what to check:

• Verify the phone is carrier-unlocked. A locked device may hide eSIM options entirely.
• Update your software. Go to Settings, Software Update, and install any pending updates.
• Check your CSC region. Some US carrier firmware variants suppress the manual entry menu. Switching to unlocked firmware (if you own the device outright) can restore it.
• Restart after updating. The option sometimes appears only after a reboot.

If none of that works, use the gallery scan method or contact your carrier about unlocking the device.

How to Add eSIM Without QR Code on Google Pixel

Pixel phones have the most clearly labeled manual entry path of any Android device. Users on Reddit and in eSIM community forums repeatedly confirm that the Pixel’s “Need help?” flow is the most reliable non-QR activation method across carriers.

Manual Entry Steps

1. Open Settings and tap Network & internet.
2. Tap SIMs (or “Mobile network” on older Pixel models).
3. Tap Download a SIM instead (or “Add” if you already have a SIM).
4. When the QR scanner appears, tap Need help? at the bottom.
5. Tap Enter it manually.
6. Paste your activation code. Pixel typically accepts the full LPA string (for example, LPA:1$smdp.example.com$ACTIVATIONCODE) in a single field.
7. Tap Next and follow the prompts to finish.

The single-field LPA entry is a real advantage. Where Samsung and iPhone often ask you to split the server address and code into separate boxes, Pixel lets you paste everything at once.

If the Scanner Won’t Read Your QR

Some Pixel users on r/GooglePixel report that the QR scanner fails silently. In every case, the “Need help? then Enter it manually” path solved the problem. A few users even generated their own QR codes from the LPA string as a workaround, but manual entry is simpler.

Decode Your Activation Codes: SM-DP+, LPA, and What They Mean

The codes your provider sends might look intimidating. They’re not, once you understand the format.

SM-DP+ Address

SM-DP+ stands for Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus. It’s the secure server that delivers your eSIM profile to your phone. Think of it as a download URL for your cellular plan.

Example: Metro by T-Mobile publishes their SM-DP+ address as T-MOBILE.GDSB.NET. When you enter this in the SM-DP+ field, your phone knows which server to contact.

Activation Code (Matching ID)

This is the unique token that identifies your specific eSIM profile on the SM-DP+ server. Without it, the server wouldn’t know which plan to send to your device. Some carriers (like T-Mobile in certain activation flows) leave this field blank because the server identifies your profile through other means, like your EID.

The LPA String Format

An LPA string bundles everything into one line:

LPA:1$<SM-DP+ address>$<Activation Code>

For example:

LPA:1$T-MOBILE.GDSB.NET$ABC123XYZ

The LPA format is standardized, and QR codes simply encode this exact string into a scannable image. When you add an eSIM without a QR code, you’re providing the same information the QR would have carried. Nothing is lost.

Which Format Will Your Provider Send?

• Two separate fields: SM-DP+ address and activation code listed independently. Common from carriers and some eSIM sellers.
• One LPA string: A single line starting with LPA:1$. Common from travel eSIM providers. Paste the whole thing on Pixel; on iPhone and Samsung, you may need to split it at the $ signs.

Quick Fixes When Activation Fails

Even with the right codes, things occasionally go wrong. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

No Wi-Fi, No Download

The eSIM profile must download from the SM-DP+ server. Without an internet connection, this can’t happen. Connect to Wi-Fi before starting. If you’re traveling and don’t have Wi-Fi yet, use a hotel, airport, or cafe network to complete activation.

Phone Is Carrier-Locked

If the eSIM menu is missing entirely, or manual entry options don’t appear, your phone is likely locked to a specific carrier. This is the single most common reason people can’t add an eSIM without a QR code on Samsung devices. Contact your carrier to request an unlock.

Data Doesn’t Work After Installation

The eSIM installed successfully, but you have no internet. Two things to check:

1. Set the correct data line. Go to your SIM manager (Samsung) or Cellular settings (iPhone) and make sure the new eSIM is selected as your mobile data line.
2. Check APN settings. iPhones usually auto-configure APN, though Apple notes that editing is restricted on some carriers. Android phones, especially Pixels, may need manual APN configuration. Your eSIM provider’s support page will list the correct APN values. Multiple practitioners on Reddit’s r/TravelSIMs note that APN friction skews Android, with iPhones generally auto-configuring while Android sometimes needs manual input.

If you’re stuck, Esimify’s help center covers installation troubleshooting for all major devices.

Don’t Delete the eSIM Profile

This is critical. Many eSIM providers allow only a single installation per activation code. If you delete the profile from your phone, the code is often burned, and you’ll need to purchase or request a new one. Provider help centers explicitly warn against this. If your eSIM isn’t working, troubleshoot with the profile still installed rather than removing and re-adding it.

Enable Data Roaming for Travel eSIMs

Travel eSIMs are, by definition, roaming on a foreign network. If you install one and don’t enable data roaming in your phone settings, you’ll have signal bars but no internet. Toggle data roaming on for the eSIM line specifically.

One-Phone Installation Cheat Sheet

Since “I only have one device” is the most common reason people need to add an eSIM without a QR code, here’s a quick reference:

Device	Single-Device Method
iPhone	Long-press the emailed QR image, tap “Add eSIM.” Or use “Enter Details Manually.”
Samsung Galaxy	Tap the Gallery icon in the QR scanner to read a saved screenshot. Or tap “Enter activation code.”
Google Pixel	Tap “Need help?” then “Enter it manually” and paste the LPA string.

All three methods work without a second screen, a printed QR, or a friend’s phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an eSIM without any internet connection?

No. The eSIM profile downloads from a remote server (the SM-DP+), so your phone needs Wi-Fi or an existing cellular data connection during activation. Once installed, the eSIM works independently.

What if my provider only sent a QR code and no manual codes?

You have options. On iPhone (iOS 17.4+), long-press the QR image in your email to activate without scanning. On Samsung, use the gallery scan feature to read a screenshot. On any device, contact your provider and ask for the SM-DP+ address and activation code. They can always provide them because the QR simply encodes that same information.

Do I need a confirmation code?

Not always. Some carriers include a confirmation code as a third field, but many leave it blank. Metro by T-Mobile, for example, documents activations where the activation code field itself can be left empty. If your provider didn’t give you a confirmation code, skip the field.

Where do I find my EID?

Dial *#06# on your phone, and the EID will appear alongside your IMEI numbers. You can also find it in Settings under About Phone (Android) or Settings, General, About (iPhone). Your carrier needs the EID only if they’re pushing an eSIM profile to your device remotely.

Why is the manual eSIM option missing on my Samsung phone?

Carrier-locked Samsung devices running region-specific firmware (CSC) sometimes hide the “Enter activation code” button. Users on r/GalaxyS23 consistently report this issue. Make sure your device is unlocked, software is current, and try restarting. If the option still doesn’t appear, the gallery QR scan is your best alternative.

Can I have two eSIMs active at once?

Most modern phones support dual SIM (one physical SIM plus one eSIM, or two eSIMs). After installing a travel eSIM, set it as your data line and keep your home SIM active for calls and texts. This way, you stay reachable for banking alerts and two-factor codes while using local data abroad. Check out the Esimify blog for more tips on managing dual-SIM setups while traveling.

Is manual eSIM entry less secure than scanning a QR code?

No. Both methods deliver the same information to the same server over the same encrypted channel. The QR code is just a convenience layer. Manual entry is equally secure.

What destinations does Esimify cover?

Esimify offers travel eSIMs for 200+ countries and regions, from Chile to China and everywhere in between. Browse the full destination catalog to find prepaid data plans for your next trip.