QR code won't scan — what to try

The fastest fix for a QR code that won't scan: open the activation email on a different device. Your phone almost certainly can't scan its own screen, and small phone screens make for dim, narrow QR images. Open the email on a laptop, tablet, or second phone, then point your install phone's camera at that screen.

If that doesn't work, the manual entry path takes the same two codes from your email and types them in by hand. No QR scan needed.

The fastest fix (works 70% of the time)

Display the QR code on a different screen than the one you're installing on.

• If you opened the activation email on your iPhone and you're trying to install onto that same iPhone. Your phone can't see its own screen. Open the email on a laptop or another device.
• If you have access to a printer, print the QR code. Paper holds steady, doesn't reflect, and is the most reliable surface for scanning.
• A second phone works perfectly. So does a tablet. So does an iPad mirrored from a Mac.

Once the QR is on a separate screen, restart the install on your phone. Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan (on iPhone) or Settings → SIM Manager → Add eSIM (on Samsung) → scan.

Common reasons the QR fails

Most QR failures fall into one of these categories:

• Wrong screen, glare, or angle. Phone screens reflect. Tilt the source screen slightly away from overhead lights. Hold the camera 6-12 inches away from the QR, perpendicular to the screen.
• Source screen brightness too low. Auto-brightness can dim the QR enough to fail. Crank the source device to full brightness before scanning.
• QR rendered too small. A QR on a phone screen that's smaller than ~2 inches square can be hard to scan. Pinch-zoom the email or open it in a desktop browser for a bigger image.
• Camera focus stuck. Tap the QR on your install phone's camera view to force focus. If your camera can't focus close, back off another few inches.
• The QR was already used. Eflexsim QR codes are single-use. If you scanned it once and it installed somewhere else (or if you reinstalled and tried the same QR), the second attempt fails. Email support@eflexsim.com for a fresh QR.

How to install manually

If you've tried the screen swap and the lighting fixes and the QR still won't scan, the manual path always works. Your activation email has the two codes you need at the top.

The exact field labels vary by phone:

• iPhone: Cellular → Add Cellular Plan → Enter Details Manually.
• Samsung: SIM manager → Add eSIM → Enter activation code manually.
• Pixel: SIMs → Add SIM → Download a SIM instead? → Enter manually.
• Other Androids: search Settings for "Enter manually" or "Activation code."

Once you're on the manual entry screen:

1. Open your activation email. The two codes you need are right at the top.
2. Copy the first code (sometimes labeled "SM-DP+ Address" by the phone. The email just labels it as the first code).
3. Paste it into the first phone field.
4. Copy the second code into the second phone field.
5. Leave any "Confirmation code" or third field empty. Tap Activate.

Tip. The codes appear in your email in the same order the phone asks for them. Just copy top to bottom and you're done.

iPhone-specific issues

A few iPhone failures aren't really QR scan failures, but they look like one:

• "Could not add cellular plan." Usually means your iPhone is carrier-locked. Check Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says anything other than "No SIM restrictions," your home carrier needs to unlock you first.
• Camera opens but won't engage. If the camera shows a video feed but doesn't recognize the QR, restart your iPhone and try again. Old-build iOS sometimes glitches the scan handler.
• Stuck on "Activating." Once the QR scans, your iPhone reaches out to the activation server to download the profile. If that takes longer than 30 seconds, your Wi-Fi may be too slow or unreliable. Try a different network.

Android-specific issues

• "Couldn't activate eSIM. Try again." Usually means the QR was already used or the activation server is reachable but the profile is locked. Email support and we'll issue a fresh QR.
• No "Add eSIM" option in Settings. Your phone may be region-restricted (some India and Korea Samsung models). Check eSIM compatibility.
• Profile downloads but no service. This isn't a QR failure. It's a roaming or APN issue after install. See my eSIM has no signal.

When to contact support

Email support@eflexsim.com with your order number if:

• The QR was already used and you need a fresh one.
• The phone shows a specific error code you can't find here.
• Manual entry also fails with the same codes.
• You've tried two different scan sources and both fail.

Include the make and model of your phone, your iOS or Android version, and a brief description of what step you got stuck at. We reply within 4 hours.

Need a refund? See our refund policy. If the QR can't be made to work, we refund within 14 days of purchase as long as the eSIM hasn't activated on any device.