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By
Clay Thomas
If you are traveling with an Android phone, you can set up an eSIM before you leave so it's ready for your trip.
The process only takes a few minutes, but the exact menus you need to open depend on whether you use a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, OnePlus, OPPO, or another Android device.
Installing an eSIM and activating the data plan are not always the same thing. With Journey Japan, you can install your eSIM over Wi-Fi before your trip. The eSIM connects to the supported network once you arrive in Japan.
Below, we'll walk you through how to install an eSIM on the most common Android phones, and how to fix the most common setup problems.
Before You Install an eSIM on Android
Most eSIM installation problems come from device compatibility, carrier restrictions, or trying to set up the eSIM without a reliable internet connection.
Check That Your Android Phone Supports eSIM
Not every Android phone supports eSIM, even if the phone is relatively new.
Compatibility can depend on:
Your exact phone model
The country or region where the phone was sold
Your software version
Your carrier
The specific variant of the device
For example, two phones with the same model name may have different eSIM capabilities if they were purchased in different countries.
You should therefore check your exact device before purchasing an eSIM rather than relying on the phone series alone.
You can also look through your phone settings for an option such as:
Add eSIM
Set up an eSIM
SIM Manager
Manage eSIM
Add mobile plan
If you do not see any eSIM option, that does not necessarily mean you are looking in the wrong place.
Your particular model or regional version may not support it.
Make Sure Your Phone Is Carrier-Unlocked
Your phone also needs to be unlocked.
A device can support eSIM technology but still be locked to the carrier that originally sold it. If your phone is locked, it may prevent you from installing an eSIM from another provider.
If you purchased your Android phone directly from a carrier and are not sure whether it is unlocked, we recommend checking with the carrier before you buy a travel eSIM.
You should do this before your trip because carrier unlocking can sometimes require additional steps or processing time.
Connect to Wi-Fi and Have Your eSIM Details Ready
You need an internet connection to download an eSIM profile to your phone.
We recommend using a stable Wi-Fi connection when you install it.
If you purchased a Journey Japan eSIM, you will receive your setup information electronically. Keep the QR code and any activation details available while you complete the installation.
If the QR code is displayed on the same phone where you want to install the eSIM, you have a few options:
Open the QR code on a laptop or tablet
Display it on another phone
Print the QR code
Use manual activation details if your Android phone provides that option
You should not send your QR code to other people or publish it anywhere because it is tied to your eSIM.
Important: Once you install a Journey Japan eSIM, leave it on your phone. Do not delete the profile because you cannot currently reinstall or reissue it after removal.
How to Install an eSIM on Google Pixel
If you have a supported Google Pixel, you should be able to install your eSIM directly through the SIM settings.
Connect your Pixel to Wi-Fi.
Open Settings.
Tap Network & internet.
Tap SIMs.
Tap Add SIM.
Choose Set up an eSIM.
Scan the QR code provided by your eSIM provider.
Follow the prompts to download and add the eSIM.
Once the setup finishes, you should see the new plan listed with your other SIMs.
Older Pixel models or older versions of Android may use slightly different wording. You may see options such as Download a SIM instead? or Add mobile network rather than Set up an eSIM.
If the new eSIM appears in your SIM settings, the profile has been installed successfully even if it cannot connect to a network yet.
If you are still outside Japan and have installed a Journey Japan eSIM, you should leave the profile installed and wait until you arrive.
How to Install an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy phones use SIM manager for eSIM setup.
If your Galaxy supports eSIM, follow these steps:
Connect to Wi-Fi.
Open Settings.
Tap Connections.
Tap SIM manager.
Tap Add eSIM.
Select the option to Scan QR code.
Scan your eSIM QR code.
Follow the prompts to add the mobile plan.
Your eSIM should appear in SIM manager once the download is complete.
Some older Samsung software versions may use terms such as SIM card manager or Add mobile plan instead.
Samsung also provides manual setup options on supported devices. If your phone cannot scan the QR code, you should check the setup screen for an option to enter the information manually.
You should not delete the eSIM and start again simply because it does not immediately connect. If you are installing a Journey Japan eSIM before your trip, it will not have a supported Japanese network to connect to until you arrive.
How to Install an eSIM on Xiaomi
Xiaomi's menus vary more between models and software versions, so you may see one of several paths.
On newer supported Xiaomi devices, you can usually follow:
Open Settings.
Tap Mobile networks.
Turn on Use eSIM.
Tap Manage eSIM.
Tap Add eSIM.
Scan your QR code or enter the activation information if your phone provides a manual option.
Follow the remaining prompts.
Some Xiaomi phones instead use:
Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Use eSIM → Manage eSIM → Add mobile plan
If your Xiaomi has two physical SIM slots, you should also be aware that some models cannot use SIM 2 and an eSIM at the same time.
If you have two physical SIMs installed and cannot enable eSIM, try disabling SIM 2 and check the eSIM settings again.
How to Install an eSIM on OPPO
If you have a supported OPPO phone, the eSIM menu is generally located under the mobile-network settings.
You should start with:
Settings → Mobile Network → eSIM
From there:
Tap Add eSIM or the equivalent option on your phone.
Choose the QR code setup option.
Scan the QR code supplied by your provider.
Enter the manual activation information instead if your device provides that option and the QR code cannot be used.
Follow the prompts until the eSIM appears under your mobile-network settings.
OPPO only supports eSIM on selected devices, so you should check your exact model if the eSIM option does not appear.
How to Install an eSIM on OnePlus
OnePlus support varies significantly by model and regional version.
If you have a supported OxygenOS device, you will generally find the eSIM controls under:
Settings → Mobile network → eSIM
You can then:
Open eSIM.
Turn on the eSIM feature if your phone shows a separate switch.
Tap Add eSIM.
Scan your provider's QR code.
Follow the prompts to finish the setup.
You should not assume that every version of a OnePlus model supports eSIM. The feature can vary by region, carrier, and software version.
If you cannot find an eSIM option even though the model is advertised with eSIM support elsewhere, check the specifications for the exact regional version of your phone.
What to Do After You Install the eSIM
If the eSIM appears in your mobile-network or SIM settings, the installation is complete.
You may still need to wait before the plan can connect.
With Journey Japan, you can install the profile over Wi-Fi before your trip, but the eSIM needs to reach a supported network in Japan before you can use the mobile data.
If you see a status such as Activating while you are still outside Japan, don't assume the setup failed immediately.
We recommend that you:
Leave the eSIM installed
Do not scan the QR code again
Do not delete the profile
Keep the setup email until your trip is finished
Complete the mobile data settings after you arrive in Japan
Your phone does not need to show a Japanese cellular connection before you travel.
Install Your Japan eSIM Before Your Trip
Your Android phone may put the eSIM settings in a slightly different place depending on the manufacturer, but the overall process is similar. Confirm your phone is compatible and unlocked, connect to Wi-Fi, scan your eSIM QR code, and leave the profile installed until your trip.
Once you arrive in Japan, select the Journey Japan eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line. If you run into a connection problem, check those settings before changing APNs or removing the profile.
Journey Japan offers fixed-data and unlimited Japan eSIM plans that you can purchase and set up before departure, so your phone can be ready to connect when you arrive.
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