Help centre
eSIM Frequently Asked Questions
Before you buy
Is my phone compatible?
Most phones sold since 2019 support eSIM: iPhone XR/XS and later, recent Pixel and Galaxy models, carrier-unlocked. Check your model in 10 seconds on the compatibility page. If your device turns out to be incompatible after purchase, you are refunded.
When does the plan start? Can I buy in advance?
Buy whenever you like. The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network at destination, and you have 180 days to activate it.
What does “unlimited” mean?
Unlimited plans cover normal travel use: maps, video calls, streaming, hotspot for your travel companions. Unusual usage (routers, proxies) is covered by our fair-use policy.
Which plan size do I need?
Maps, messages and a few photos use under 1 GB a week. Social feeds and video calls take 3 to 5 GB. Streaming or hotspot: 10 GB or unlimited. The data calculator estimates your own trip.
Can I use one eSIM in several countries?
Yes, with a multi-country plan: Europe, Asia, Americas, Middle East, Africa or Global. Each product page lists every country covered. For a single country, the local plan is usually cheaper.
Install and activate
How do I install it?
Open the email. On iOS 17.4+, tap Quick Install. Otherwise scan the QR code or enter the details by hand. Step-by-step guides are available for iPhone and for Android.
Illustrated step-by-step guide · Install on iPhone · Install on Samsung
Where is my QR code?
It is in the confirmation email, sent about a minute after payment, with a Quick Install link. Check your spam folder. Still nothing after ten minutes? Contact us with your order number.
Can I install the eSIM on another phone later?
No. An eSIM installs on one device only, and a deleted eSIM cannot be reinstalled. Install it on the phone you will travel with, and do not delete it before the end of the trip. Changing phones? Contact support before you delete anything.
During the trip
Do I keep my number, calls and WhatsApp?
Yes. RapideSIM is data only: your usual SIM stays active for calls, SMS and WhatsApp; the eSIM carries the internet. Just turn off data on your home line to avoid roaming.
What if I run out of data?
Top up from your private eSIM page, without reinstalling anything. You can follow your usage there too.
Can I share my connection (hotspot)?
Yes on data plans, at no extra charge: turn on your phone's Personal Hotspot. On unlimited plans, hotspot is allowed within the fair-use policy.
How do I check my remaining data?
On the My eSIM page: enter your order number and email to see the remaining data and validity, and top up without reinstalling. Your phone's data counter for the eSIM line gives an estimate too.
It does not work on arrival. What should I do?
Three checks: the eSIM line is on, Data Roaming is enabled for that line, and it is selected for mobile data. Then restart the phone. Still offline? Our support answers 24/7 on WhatsApp, chat and email, and refunds an eSIM that cannot work on your device.
A problem after your purchase?
Before you write to us, these answers solve most eSIM issues in a few minutes.
"Unable to Activate eSIM"
Don't panic, this is normal. The message shows when the eSIM is not yet connected to a compatible network: at home, before you leave, there is none.
Still nothing at your destination?
- Restart your phone and wait a few minutes.
- Turn Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then off.
- Settings → Cellular → your eSIM: turn "Turn On This Line" off, then on again.
On Android, the same settings live under Settings → Connections → SIM manager and Mobile networks.
Check whether the eSIM is installed and how much data is left
RapideSIM has no app to install: everything is on the top-up page. Enter your order number or the ICCID of the eSIM to see its status (installed or not), remaining data, validity and expiry date, updated every few hours.
The same page lets you add days or data to the eSIM you already installed: same QR code, nothing to reinstall.
Find the right eSIM on your phone
If several eSIMs are installed, you need to find the RapideSIM one. Its ICCID is in your confirmation email and on the top-up page.
Then go to Settings → General → About and scroll to the SIM blocks: the one whose ICCID matches is your RapideSIM eSIM. Its label ("Travel", or the name you chose) is what shows under Settings → Cellular.
On Android, the same settings live under Settings → Connections → SIM manager and Mobile networks.
No internet connection
Your eSIM only works and activates in the destination country. If you are there and still have no internet, check:
- Is Data Roaming on? Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Data Roaming must be ON.
- Is the right SIM selected for data? Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select your RapideSIM eSIM.
- Is "Turn On This Line" enabled? Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → must be ON.
- Is "Allow Cellular Data Switching" off? Settings → Cellular → turn it off so you don't fall back on your main SIM's data.
On Android, the same settings live under Settings → Connections → SIM manager and Mobile networks.
The QR code says "invalid"
Each eSIM QR code installs only once. "This code is no longer valid" or "already used" almost always means the eSIM is already on your phone: no need to scan it again.
Check under Settings → Cellular whether an eSIM line already exists, or look up its status on the top-up page with your order number.
Wrong network near a border
Near a border, your phone may latch onto the neighbouring country's network, where your plan is not valid: you see signal bars, but no data.
Pick the network manually: Settings → Cellular → your RapideSIM eSIM → Network Selection → turn off "Automatic" → choose a network of the country you are in.
No internet in Japan: set the APN
The APN (the operator's access point) sets itself in all our destinations, and hotspot sharing works by default. The one exception is Japan, where the APN must be "vmobile.jp". Without it you have signal but no data.
iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Cellular Data Network. Enter vmobile.jp in the APN field under "Cellular Data" (and under "Personal Hotspot" if you share your connection), then make sure Data Roaming is on.
Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access Point Names → Add. Name and APN: vmobile.jp. Save, then select it.
Why can't I install my eSIM?
If the QR code or the manual installation fails, check these five points:
- Your phone is unlocked. An eSIM cannot be installed on a carrier-locked or contract phone: ask your carrier to unlock it.
- Your phone supports eSIM.
- You have a good internet connection (Wi-Fi or data): the eSIM profile is downloaded during installation.
- You are not behind a firewall: some corporate or public networks block the download.
- The QR code has not already been scanned on another device: each eSIM can be installed once only.
Install on iPhone · Install on Samsung · Check compatibility
What should I send support to get help faster?
Via WhatsApp, chat or email, send us:
- your order number;
- the ICCID of the eSIM (in the confirmation email, and on the phone under Settings → Cellular → your eSIM);
- your phone model;
- a screenshot of the error or of the cellular settings.
With these details, the problem is usually fixed in the first reply.
Not working?
- Restart the device
Switch your phone off completely, wait 10 seconds, then switch it back on.
- Check the connection
To install, be on stable Wi-Fi and not on a call. At destination, check roaming and the data line above.
- Contact support
Our team is available 24/7 to sort out installation problems. Send your order number and a screenshot.