How to Manually Enter eSIM Activation Details

Your eSIM purchase is ready, but the QR code will not scan or is no longer available. That is when you may need to manually enter eSIM activation details instead. It takes a few minutes when you have the correct information, and it can get your phone prepared before you land in Israel.

Manual setup is a useful backup, not a different type of plan. Your phone still downloads the same digital mobile profile that a QR code would install. The difference is that you enter the activation server address and confirmation code yourself.

What you need before manual eSIM setup

Do not start in airport mode or while relying on an unstable connection. Manual activation requires an active Wi-Fi connection or another working mobile connection so your phone can download the eSIM profile.

Have your eSIM delivery email or activation instructions open on a second device if possible. You will usually need an SM-DP+ address and an activation code. Some providers also supply a confirmation code. These details are case-sensitive in many cases, so copy and paste them rather than typing when your device allows it.

Your phone must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-compatible. It also needs an available eSIM slot. If you have previously added several travel eSIMs, check your settings first. Many phones can store multiple profiles but allow only a limited number to be active at one time.

Treat the activation details like a password. Do not post screenshots of the code, forward the full email publicly, or share it with another traveler. Most eSIM activation codes are designed for a single installation and may not work again after use.

How to manually enter eSIM activation details on iPhone

On an iPhone, open Settings, then select Cellular or Mobile Data, depending on your iOS version. Choose Add eSIM. If the QR code option appears first, look for Enter Details Manually near the bottom of the screen.

Enter the SM-DP+ address in the first field. Then enter the activation code exactly as provided. If your instructions include a confirmation code, add it in the matching field. Select Next and let the phone contact the activation server.

The download can take a few moments. Keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi and stay on the setup screen until the profile is added. Interrupting the process by closing settings, changing networks, or restarting the phone can cause confusion about whether installation was completed.

Once the eSIM appears, give the line a clear label such as “Israel Travel” or “Israel eSIM.” This makes it much easier to select the correct line for mobile data after arrival. If your plan includes a real Israeli +972 number, labeling it also helps you recognize the line for local calls and SMS.

Choose the right line settings

Adding the eSIM does not always mean your phone will use it immediately. During setup, iPhone may ask which line should handle calls, messages, and mobile data. The best choice depends on your travel setup.

Many visitors keep their home line active for calls or messages while selecting the Israel eSIM for cellular data. This can be convenient, but check your home carrier’s roaming settings and charges before leaving. If avoiding roaming fees is the priority, consider turning off cellular data on your home line and disabling data switching.

For an Israel prepaid eSIM, select the new line as your mobile data line once you are ready to use it. Follow the activation instructions for data roaming settings. Some network configurations require data roaming to be enabled on the travel eSIM for service to connect, while your home line should remain protected from unintended data use.

Manually enter eSIM activation details on Android

Android menu names vary by manufacturer and software version, but the process is similar. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet, Connections, or SIM Manager. Look for Add eSIM, Add Mobile Plan, or a plus sign next to SIMs.

Choose the option to add a plan manually. Your device may phrase it as Use a different method, Need help?, or Enter activation code. Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code supplied in your eSIM instructions, then confirm the download.

On Samsung phones, the path is commonly Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. On Google Pixel phones, it is commonly Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM. The wording can change, so look for the manual-entry option rather than relying only on a specific menu label.

After the profile downloads, open SIM settings and make sure the Israel eSIM is enabled. Set it as the preferred SIM for mobile data when appropriate. If the phone asks whether to use the new SIM for calls and texts, choose based on whether your plan includes local calling and SMS and whether you want to keep your primary number active.

When should you install an Israel eSIM?

Installing before departure is usually the least stressful option. Complete the download while you have reliable home or hotel Wi-Fi, then keep the line turned off until you arrive if your plan instructions recommend that approach. At Ben Gurion Airport, you can enable the eSIM, select it for data, and connect without searching for a physical SIM shop.

That said, timing depends on your plan’s validity rules. Some prepaid plans begin when the eSIM first connects to a local network, while others may begin after installation or on a stated activation date. Check the plan instructions before adding the profile days or weeks ahead of your trip.

When you arrive, allow a minute or two for your phone to register on an available Israeli network. You may see 4G, LTE, or 5G depending on your location, device, plan, and local network conditions. Service can vary indoors, in remote areas, or in other places where mobile reception is naturally limited.

If manual activation does not work

First, confirm that every character in the SM-DP+ address and activation code is correct. A missing plus sign, a space added by autocorrect, or a copied period can stop activation. If you are typing the details, slow down and compare them against the original email.

Next, confirm that the device is unlocked and connected to reliable Wi-Fi. A carrier-locked phone may display an eSIM option but reject a plan from another provider. Also check whether an old eSIM is still active or whether your phone has reached its active SIM limit.

Do not repeatedly retry after a message says the code has already been used. The profile may have installed partially, or the code may need to be reset. Check your phone’s SIM or cellular settings for the new eSIM label before trying again. If it is listed, enable it and continue with the network settings rather than attempting another installation.

If the eSIM is installed but has no service after arrival, make sure the line is enabled, selected for mobile data, and allowed to use data roaming if your activation instructions require it. Turning airplane mode on for 10 seconds and then off can prompt the phone to search again. Restarting the device is also worth trying once the correct settings are in place.

A quick pre-flight check

Before your travel day, verify that the eSIM profile appears in your phone settings, the label is easy to recognize, and your home line is configured the way you want. Save your activation email somewhere you can access offline, but keep the codes private. If you need to install at the airport, airport Wi-Fi can help, but completing setup before departure gives you one less task after a long flight.

eSIM Israel plans are built for travelers who want prepaid local connectivity without the uncertainty of arrival-day mobile shopping. With the manual activation details saved and your settings checked, your phone can be ready for maps, messages, local calls, and the next turn in your trip as soon as you need it.