How to install an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy

Installing your Eflexsim eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy takes about two minutes. The path is Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM. From there you scan the QR code from your activation email, label the line, and set Eflexsim as the mobile data SIM. The Galaxy S20 onward generally supports eSIM, with the caveat that some India and South Korea variants ship with the feature disabled at the firmware level.

Below: which Galaxy models support eSIM, the install steps, dual-SIM setup with your home line, and Samsung-specific gotchas worth knowing before you travel.

Which Galaxy models support eSIM

The general rule: Samsung Galaxy flagships from 2020 onward support eSIM in regions where the carrier model ships with the chip enabled.

Generally compatible flagships:

• Galaxy S20 series (S20, S20+, S20 Ultra). First generation with eSIM.
• Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra.
• Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra.
• Galaxy S22 series (S22, S22+, S22 Ultra).
• Galaxy S23 series including S23 FE.
• Galaxy S24 series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE).
• Galaxy S25 series.
• Galaxy Z Fold 2, Z Fold 3, Z Fold 4, Z Fold 5, Z Fold 6.
• Galaxy Z Flip, Z Flip 3, Z Flip 4, Z Flip 5, Z Flip 6.

Mid-range:

• Galaxy A54. Supported in most regions, disabled in some.
• Galaxy A55. Same as A54.
• Galaxy A35. Supported in EU and US; check region.

The big exceptions are some India and South Korea models. Samsung historically ships them eSIM-disabled to comply with regional carrier preferences. If you bought your Galaxy in India or Korea and Add eSIM doesn't appear in SIM manager, the chip is locked at firmware level. There's no fix beyond using a different phone, or you can request a refund on your plan since the eSIM can't install.

Before you start

Three checks:

• Galaxy is on One UI 5.0 or later (Android 13 or later). Most travelers are on One UI 6 or 7 by now. Check Settings → About phone → Software information → One UI version.
• You're on Wi-Fi. Install needs internet, and you don't want to use cellular data setting up a cellular plan.
• Your Galaxy is unlocked. Check Settings → Connections → SIM manager. If you can see the option to "Add SIM," your phone is generally unlocked. If your phone was bought through a US carrier on a payment plan, the carrier holds the unlock until the device is paid off.

The activation email lands in your inbox right after checkout. Keep it open on a separate device (laptop, tablet, another phone) so the Galaxy can scan the QR from a different screen.

Step-by-step install via QR code

1. Open the activation email on a separate screen. Galaxy can't scan its own screen.
2. On your Galaxy, open Settings.
3. Tap Connections → SIM manager (or "SIM card manager" on older One UI versions).
4. Tap Add eSIM at the bottom (or + Add eSIM).
5. Tap Scan QR code from service provider.
6. The Galaxy camera opens. Point it at the QR code on your other screen. Hold steady. It usually scans in 1-2 seconds.
7. Confirm by tapping Add when the eSIM details appear. The profile downloads (10-30 seconds on Wi-Fi).
8. Name the line ("Eflexsim Italy" works fine).
9. Set Eflexsim's role: Galaxy asks which SIM to use for Mobile data, Calls, and Texts. Set Mobile data to Eflexsim. Leave Calls and Texts on your home line.

You're done. Open Chrome or Maps to confirm. If a page loads, you're on Eflexsim's data.

Step-by-step manual install

If the QR won't scan, manual entry covers you:

1. In SIM manager → Add eSIM, tap Enter activation code manually at the bottom.
2. Open your activation email. The codes you need are right at the top.
3. Copy the first code into the Activation code field. The format is usually LPA:1$smdp.example.com$ACTIVATION_TOKEN. Copy the whole string including the LPA:1$ prefix.
4. Leave the Confirmation code field empty if it appears.
5. Tap Connect or Activate.

Samsung handles the rest. You'll see the same naming and SIM-role prompts as the QR flow.

Setting Eflexsim as your mobile data SIM

After install, Galaxy walks you through SIM preferences. If you skipped or want to change them later:

1. Settings → Connections → SIM manager.
2. Under Preferred SIMs, tap Mobile data and pick Eflexsim.
3. Tap Calls and pick your home line.
4. Tap Texts and pick your home line.

You also need Data roaming enabled for the Eflexsim line:

1. SIM manager → tap the Eflexsim line.
2. Toggle Data roaming on.

This is the most common cause of "I installed Eflexsim but I have no data" complaints. Counterintuitively, Galaxy still labels Eflexsim's partner-network connection as "roaming" even when it's a local carrier in the country you're visiting. Without roaming enabled, the line is registered but data is blocked.

Galaxy-specific tips

A few Samsung-specific quirks worth knowing.

Smart Network Switch. Galaxy can auto-switch between Wi-Fi and cellular based on signal quality. Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → ⋮ → Advanced → Switch to mobile data. For travel, leaving this off is usually safer. You want your phone to stay on Wi-Fi as long as possible to save your Eflexsim allowance.

Dual VoLTE. Most modern Galaxies support running both lines in 4G/5G mode simultaneously (called "Dual VoLTE"). Older Galaxies sometimes downgrade one line to 2G/3G when both lines are active. If you see one line stuck on 3G, check SIM manager → Eflexsim line → Network mode and set to LTE/5G.

Z Fold and Z Flip eSIM behavior. Foldables work identically to standard Galaxies. Both inner and outer screens show the same SIM manager settings. Note that on Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, US carrier variants are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray), which mirrors Apple's recent shift.

Always-On Display battery impact. Running dual SIM with Always-On Display drains battery faster than single SIM with AOD. If you're traveling and battery matters, turn AOD off while abroad.

Bixby Routines. You can automate SIM switching with Bixby Routines. For example, switch the mobile data SIM to Eflexsim automatically when the phone connects to airport Wi-Fi at your destination. Settings → Modes and Routines → Routines → + → "If [condition]" → "Then [action: change mobile data SIM]." Power-user move; not required.

One UI updates and eSIM stability. Each One UI major update (5 → 6 → 7) sometimes introduces eSIM behavior changes. If your eSIM stops working after a system update, restart the phone first. If the issue persists, see my eSIM has no signal.

For the iPhone equivalent of this guide, see install on iPhone. For more on managing both lines, see how to switch between your physical SIM and eSIM, or email support@eflexsim.com if you hit something we haven't covered.