Before you start: what you need
- A phone that supports eSIM. iPhone XS, XR and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and most phones released since 2018. If your mobile network settings offer an Add eSIM option, you are fine.
- A carrier-unlocked phone. A phone locked to your home operator will not accept anyone else's eSIM. Phones bought outright are usually unlocked; if yours came on an operator contract or instalment plan, check with the operator.
- Wi-Fi. The phone downloads the eSIM during installation and cannot use the eSIM itself to do it.
- Your QR code. It is ready in the Shpper app right after purchase. To scan it, open it on a second screen such as a laptop or another phone.
When to install: at home, before you fly
Install your eSIM at home a day or two before departure, not at the airport. Airport Wi-Fi can be slow or ask for a login, and if anything needs fixing you want time to do it calmly.
Installing early costs you nothing. A Shpper plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network abroad, not when you buy or install it. Buying for a family member? Install it on the phone that will actually travel, because an installed eSIM cannot be moved to another phone.
How to install eSIM on iPhone
On iPhone the quickest route is one-tap install from the Shpper app on the iPhone itself, with nothing to scan. You can also scan the QR code from another screen. After the first step, both routes use the same iOS screens.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Either open your eSIM in the Shpper app and use one-tap install, or go to Settings → Mobile Service → Add eSIM → Use QR Code and scan the code on your other screen. Depending on iOS version and region, the menu may be called Mobile Data or Cellular.
- Tap Continue and wait for the download to finish.
- Label the new line something clear, such as Travel.
- Keep your usual line as the default for calls and messages, and leave mobile data on it until you land.
How to install eSIM on Android and Samsung
On Android you scan the QR code from another screen or enter the details manually. Menu names vary by brand, model and Android version, so treat these paths as a guide rather than exact wording.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and open your QR code in the Shpper app on a second screen.
- Find the eSIM option. On Samsung Galaxy it is usually Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM. On Google Pixel it is usually Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, then add a SIM and choose to download an eSIM. Other brands keep it under Mobile network, SIM cards or Connections.
- Scan the QR code. If the camera will not read it, choose to enter the code manually and type the details from the Shpper app exactly as shown.
- Confirm the download and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
- Name the line Travel, and keep your usual SIM for calls, texts and, until you land, mobile data.
When you land: turn on Data Roaming and switch mobile data
Your phone will not use the eSIM until you change two settings. Do it after landing, once airplane mode is off.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the Shpper line. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service, tap the Shpper line, then Data Roaming. Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming. Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, tap the Shpper line, then Roaming.
- Make the Shpper line your mobile data line. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data. Samsung: SIM manager → Mobile data. Pixel: open the Shpper line and turn on Mobile data.
- Give it a minute to find a network. This first connection abroad starts your plan.
- Your phone treats the eSIM as a roaming line, so with Data Roaming off it can show signal and still load nothing.
- To avoid your home operator's roaming charges, turn Data Roaming off on your usual line. On iPhone, also turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching.
eSIM not working or no internet? Try these fixes
An eSIM that shows bars but will not load pages usually has a settings problem, not a plan problem. Work through these in order.
- Check Data Roaming is on for the Shpper line itself, not just your usual line.
- Check mobile data is on and set to the Shpper line.
- Set the APN to globaldata. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service, tap the Shpper line, then Mobile Data Network, and type globaldata in the APN field. Android: in the Shpper line's settings open Access Point Names, add a new APN with globaldata as the name and APN, save it and select it.
- Restart the phone. Or turn airplane mode on for about 30 seconds, then off, so the phone searches for a network again.
- Still stuck? Contact Shpper's 24/7 support with your phone model to hand.
- No signal at all? Make sure the Shpper line is switched on. You can also turn off automatic network selection in mobile network settings and try another network from the list.
Good to know after installing
- It is a data plan. On a dual-SIM phone your usual SIM keeps your number for calls and SMS, including bank OTP codes, subject to your home operator's roaming service.
- An installed eSIM cannot be moved to another phone, so keep it installed until your trip is over.
- Hotspot is supported, so you can share data with a laptop or a travel companion.
- The Shpper app alerts you when data runs low and before your plan ends. You can add more data in the app; a top-up replaces your current allowance on that eSIM, so top up when you are nearly out.
- Shpper covers 190+ countries with single-country plans, regional packs and a Worldwide plan. Data runs from 1 GB to unlimited and validity from 3 to 90 days, depending on the destination; prices are on each destination page.
