How do I activate an eSIM on Android?

Use these instructions when My Account shows that your line uses eSIM. Eligible phones purchased from Silvercell use their preinstalled physical SIM by default; phones that only support eSIM use eSIM. Customers bringing their own phone can still choose an available eSIM option.

After placing your order, activate your new eSIM service in MY ACCOUNT. Under My Lines, find the line you want to activate and select ACTIVATE NOW.

Before continuing, please make sure the phone is connected to the internet so it can securely download your new service. You can use your home Wi-Fi or your existing phone service if your old service is still active.

When the phone is connected to the internet, select CONTINUE in the activation pop-up. To activate later, select CANCEL to close the pop-up.

Wait for My Account to confirm that your service is active. Then follow the Programming Your Phone instructions and the steps below to set up the eSIM on your phone.

Keep the phone connected to the internet during setup. You may see a notification from YNP (Your New Provider) about setting up your new cellular plan. Select the notification and follow the prompts. If you do not see it, follow the instructions in My Account to add an eSIM through your phone's settings. Android menus vary by manufacturer and model; the instructions below show a general example.

1. Start by initiating the download for your new eSIM.

*Note: YNP stands for Your New Provider.

2. It can take up to 5 minutes for your phone to connect to the new network. Once the download is successful, you may also need to turn off and restart your phone.

3. If you are adding an additional eSIM to your Android phone, go to Settings > Network and internet (on some phones this will be labeled as Connections) > SIMs or SIM manager.

4.  Note: This is also where you will turn on and off your SIMs if you have multiple on your phone, simply click onto each SIM and you will toggle the Use SIM on and off.

5. Select "Add more".

6. Then, you will click on "Download a SIM instead?"

7. If you need the QR-code backup method, select BACKUP METHOD in Programming Your Phone in My Account. Follow its QR instructions, or choose "Scan QR code" on your phone and scan the Silvercell QR code below. If you are viewing this guide on the phone you are setting up, open it on another device so the phone can scan the code.

*Note* Some Androids do not need to scan the QR code and will receive the notification for activation automatically.

6. After you scan the QR code, you will follow the onscreen prompts. Follow these until your phone has finished activating and you are connected to the Silvercell network

7. Once eSIM setup is complete, disconnect from Wi-Fi and make a test call using your Silvercell line. If the phone has more than one SIM, select that line before placing the call.

*Once you are finished with your test call, don't forget to turn back on your Wi-Fi.

If you need additional help, Silvercell's 100% U.S. based live chat agents are available from 8am - 9pm CST Monday through Friday and from 10am - 6pm CST Saturday through Sunday (excluding holidays).

To chat with us, simply use the SilverService chat or message option.

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