How long does it take to activate an eSIM?
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If you’re traveling to another country, using an eSIM can be a great way of getting phone service and internet connectivity. Being virtual SIM cards, they are pretty simple to use and are mostly fully functional right after activation.
However, many users still wonder, “How long does eSIM take to activate”? In most cases, it’s only a few seconds or up to a few minutes. For instance, Nomad’s eSIM, which can be used in over 200 destinations, only takes less than 5 minutes to set up.
Still, the process can sometimes be longer depending on connection quality, your device, mobile carrier, and other aspects. Having tested dozens of them together with my team at Cybernews, I’ve decided to give you a detailed guide on what to expect.
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How long does it take for an eSIM to activate?
If you’re looking for a universal answer to the question of “How long does it usually take for an eSIM to activate”, you’ll probably be looking at mere minutes or even seconds. It depends on the provider and a few other factors, most notably, connection.
While looking at user reviews of prominent eSIMs for the sake of this guide, I’ve noticed a common complaint. Depending on the device and the mix of factors I’ve previously mentioned, the activation time can vary. However, it seems as if some devices fail to recognize the eSIM at the first attempt.
It’s usually advised to wait a few minutes first, and then if you see no change in your device’s SIM selection, give it another go. In the mentioned cases, users have reported that restarting their device helped, while other times, the only thing that worked was going through the setup process again.
Why is it taking so long to activate an eSIM?
While not so common, delays can happen while setting up your new eSIM. In such cases, it’s important not to panic – it happens from time to time, and there’s a quick resolution. I’d always recommend going with a trustworthy provider in the first place.
For instance, Nomad eSIM has a convenient troubleshooting section in the help center on its main page. The same goes for a few other top-notch providers, and reaching out to customer support is always a good option. In the meantime, here’s an overview of the most common reasons for delays:
- Your iPhone is not eSIM-compatible. Another potential issue is that your iPhone doesn’t accept eSIMs. To verify this, go to your phone’s settings, select “Cellular”, and then look for the “Add eSIM” option. If it’s not there, your iPhone doesn’t have an option to set up an eSIM.
- You’re not at your destination. If you’ve bought an eSIM for a certain country or region, you might not be able to use it elsewhere. Make sure to check such details before making a purchase. This is because the network providers are different.
- You have too many eSIMs installed. Just like eSIMs are mainly intended for a single device, you can’t use more than one eSIM without removing a previously installed one.
- Your network settings need to be updated. Network scans can be automatic and manual, so once you’re finished setting up your eSIM, you should manually look for it in network settings based on the simple instructions and connect.
- Your APN (access point name) isn’t set up. In some cases, an eSIM might not work if your APN isn’t set up. To fix it, you can scroll through your device’s network settings and reset them if necessary.
- Data roaming isn’t enabled. You will need to enable data roaming on your device to use an eSIM, so make sure it’s on.
- Your carrier is having network issues. Although rare, carrier’s network clogs could lead to eSIMs not working properly.
How do I know when my eSIM is activated?
I know that one of the first things that comes to mind after a successful eSIM setup is whether you’re already using the virtual card, roaming on your regular SIM. If yes, you should make sure your phone is using the eSIM for data and not your regular SIM card. This is important if you’d like to avoid a hefty wallet punch with your next phone bill. Here’s how you can check if the eSIM is active after setting it up:
- Check if your device is eSIM-compatible. You should begin by checking if you can install an eSIM on your device. On iOS devices, head over to your phone settings, tap on mobile or cellular data settings. There, if you see an option to add an eSIM, then your device is eSIM compatible. For Android devices, go to your phone settings, tap on Connections, Phone, More connections. If there is an eSIM section, the device is compatible.
- Check the network connectivity icon. One of the main indicators of successful eSIM connectivity is the connection icon on your device. If your network settings show you’re connected and you see at least one or two bars, you’re good to go.
- Check the eSIM status in your device’s settings. If your device is eSIM-compatible, it should also have some configuration options and status indicators. You can check it via settings.
- Look for confirmation notifications from the carrier. Sometimes, you’ll receive an instant notification or a message from the carrier once the eSIM is officially active. It’s the best-case scenario, as it doesn’t require any action on your end.
What to do if your eSIM isn’t activating
Besides the estimated eSIM activation time, most users want to know what to do in case it simply doesn’t work. Don’t worry – you will be able to use it eventually, but you might need to take a few troubleshooting steps. Here’s what you can do:
- Check your internet connection. If you’ve connected to a public Wi-Fi, your eSIM connectivity might be weak during jams. You can try finding a network with higher connection quality or using your device’s data connection if you’ve got a dual-SIM phone.
- Restart the device. Sometimes, the solution can be as simple as restarting your phone. I’ve also read some forum threads where users state that going through the setup process again did the trick in case the initial attempt failed.
- Contact Nomad customer support. Nomad is known for its excellent customer support and friendly agents who are always eager to help. Even if it’s your first time using an eSIM – the people at Nomad provide the information in friendly terms, allowing you to understand the ins and outs of using an eSIM.
- Contact carrier support. Lastly, if the issue is unrelated to the eSIM, it’s always handy to contact customer support as a last resort and explain the issue. In most cases, they’ll be able to walk you through the setup process again if necessary and address the bigger issues.
Do you need Wi-Fi to activate your eSIM?
In most cases, for Nomad, it is automatically activated, But sometimes due to set up issues or network requirements, buying a local eSIM would also require you to use a local Wi-Fi connection to activate it (this happens rarely!). Downloading an eSIM profile over the internet doesn’t require a lightning-fast connection, but you still won’t be able to do it in case of a jammed network. So, it’s best to use a verified Wi-Fi (like your hotel’s internet or similar) to download it.
It also has to do with your device. For example, iPhone 14 models and later can activate eSIMs without a Wi-Fi connection.
Overall, if you can use your data connection, you should. It’s much faster than public Wi-Fi networks, and it will save you a lot of time because there won’t be any network hiccups.
The importance of choosing the right eSIM provider
Picking the right eSIM carrier while traveling abroad is crucial because you’ll need reliable service right away to get directions, figure out the local transportation, or access translation services. You don’t want to go with shady or unverified providers that don’t even respond when you reach out to support. So, I’d suggest choosing a vetted option like Nomad eSIM.
It’s designed with travellers in mind, featuring plans for multiple countries and destinations. I’d also recommend picking a service like Nomad and similar providers due to their clearly-outlined instructions.
Finally, I’d say making the right choice is also important when it comes to limits. While rare, some providers might feature additional charges for going over the limit for calls or data connection, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
If you’re visiting another country, I’d always recommend using an eSIM as an affordable way of making yourself feel at home with your calls and web surfing. Still, I’ve seen many consumers wondering, “How long does eSIM take to activate?”, but this guide will hopefully point you in the right direction.
To sum up – certain fluctuations are possible, so it all depends on the carrier, your device, and technical specs. Regardless of the circumstances, major eSIM providers like Nomad guarantee a quick setup period of just a few minutes. Still, if yours isn’t cranking right away, you can rely on our guide for assistance.
