eSIM installation interrupted on iPhone: what to check before you scan again

Short answer: if the eSIM setup screen closes on your iPhone, do not scan the QR code again straight away: open Settings > Cellular first and see whether the new eSIM line is already listed, because the install may have finished or partly finished before the screen closed.

Why the setup screen closes

Adding an eSIM takes a short moment while your iPhone downloads the plan over the internet. Interrupting the phone during that moment can end the setup screen early. The most common cause is simple: taking a screenshot while the eSIM is being added. On iPhone, a screenshot at that moment can close the setup screen and stop the install.

To be safe, treat the whole install as a "hands off" moment:

• Don't take a screenshot.
• Don't jump to another app or lock the phone until the plan has finished adding.
• Keep Wi-Fi on until you see the finished screen.

We can't see inside your phone, so we can't say exactly what closed it in your case. These habits simply remove the usual suspects.

What to do right now

1. Wait a minute. Let the phone settle rather than tapping through screens.
2. Open Settings > Cellular. On some regions and versions this is called Mobile Service or Mobile Data.
3. Look at the list of lines. If you see a new line (for example a plan you named "Travel", or a new entry under SIMs or Mobile Data Plans), the eSIM may already have been added.
4. If the line is there, tap it and check it is turned on, then continue with the last steps of setup: choose your home line as Default and set Cellular Data to the travel line. The steps are in the setup guide.
5. If the line is not there, and you are on Wi-Fi, start again from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code once, without touching the phone until it finishes.
6. If the install fails a second time, stop and contact us (see below) rather than scanning over and over.

Why you shouldn't scan again blindly

An eSIM profile can normally only be installed once, so the original QR code may not work a second time. If the first attempt actually went through, a second scan can show an error such as "Unable to add cellular plan" or "Invalid QR code". That error does not necessarily mean something is broken: it can simply mean the eSIM is already on your phone. This is why checking Settings > Cellular comes first.

If it turns out the eSIM is not on the phone and the QR code no longer works, get in touch with your order number and we will help. You will find our contact details in the footer of every page.

Quick fact list

• What to avoid during install: screenshots, and (to be safe) switching apps or locking the phone.
• First check after an interruption: Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service / Mobile Data).
• QR code: one eSIM profile can normally be installed only once.
• Wi-Fi: keep it on until the install finishes.
• No account or registration needed: your QR code is on the order page, and no app is needed: scan the QR code or enter the code in your phone's settings.
• Plan start: validity starts when the eSIM first connects, not when you install it.

Last checked: November 2026.

Other install problems

The QR code won't scan

Use the manual route: copy the activation code from your order page, then in Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM choose "Enter Details Manually". The full steps are in How to install an eSIM on iPhone before you fly.

Your iPhone may not accept the eSIM at all

Check that your model supports eSIM and that the phone is carrier-unlocked. See Is my phone eSIM compatible? and Is your phone unlocked?.

The eSIM is installed but there is no service

That is a different problem, usually at your destination. Turn Data Roaming on for the travel line only, then toggle Airplane mode. The setup guide lists what to try next. Not sure when to switch the line on? Read When to turn on your travel eSIM.

What about Android?

Android phones differ by brand, so there is no single rule. The same habit is sensible: keep Wi-Fi on and leave the phone alone until the download finishes, then check your SIM settings before scanning again. The Android steps are in the setup guide.

FAQ

Can a screenshot really stop an eSIM install on iPhone?

It can close the setup screen and stop the install, so wait until setup finishes before taking one.

How do I know if my eSIM was already added?

Open Settings > Cellular (Mobile Service or Mobile Data in some regions) and look for a new line. If it is there, the eSIM may already have been added.

Can I scan the same QR code twice?

Don't count on it. An eSIM profile can normally be installed only once, so the original QR code may not work again.

I haven't bought a plan yet. Where do I start?

Browse all destinations, pick a plan for your trip, and install it with the setup guide. For a first look at prices, see plans for Armenia from $2.99 or Egypt from $2.99.