Most eSIM guides lead with the QR code method because it's fast and looks clean. Point camera, confirm, done. But when it doesn't work — camera can't read the code, you're on a phone without a working camera, or you just received a text with a code and no image — people often get stuck thinking there's no other option.
There is. Manual eSIM installation has been part of the standard since the beginning. It requires typing in two pieces of information rather than scanning them, but it achieves exactly the same result. The profile that ends up on your phone is identical regardless of how you got it there.
This guide walks through manual installation on both iPhone and Android, explains what the information you're entering actually means, and covers the issues that sometimes trip people up during the process.
What You Need Before Starting
Manual eSIM installation requires two things that your provider should have sent you:
- SM-DP+ Address — This is the address of the remote server that holds your eSIM profile. It looks like a domain name, something like
smdp.provider.com. You might also see it labeled as "LPA address," "server address," or "SM-DP+ server." - Activation Code — A long string of characters (often alphanumeric, sometimes with hyphens) that identifies your specific eSIM profile on that server.
Some providers combine these into a single formatted string that looks like: LPA:1$smdp.provider.com$ACTIVATIONCODE123. If you received something in that format, the part after the first $ is the SM-DP+ address, and the part after the second $ is the activation code.
You'll also need an active internet connection — Wi-Fi is the most reliable choice here — and your phone must be carrier-unlocked. If you're not sure about that last point, check our eSIM setup guide for how to verify.
Type the activation code carefully. These strings are case-sensitive and a single wrong character means the installation will fail. If you're entering it manually from a printed document, double-check each segment before confirming.
Manual Installation on iPhone
Apple's implementation is straightforward, though the exact menu labels vary slightly between iOS versions. These steps apply to iOS 16 and later.
- Open Settings
- Tap Cellular (or "Mobile Data" in some regions)
- Tap Add eSIM
- On the eSIM setup screen, look for "Enter Details Manually" or "Use QR Code" — choose the manual option
- Enter the SM-DP+ Address in the first field
- Enter the Activation Code in the second field
- Tap Next and follow the prompts to confirm and name the plan
iOS will then connect to the server, verify your activation code, and download the profile. If everything is correct, you'll be asked to confirm the addition and give the plan a label (like "Travel eSIM" or the destination name). After that, the profile appears in your cellular settings and you can configure it as your primary or secondary data line.
What to do if "Enter Details Manually" doesn't appear
On some older iOS versions (pre-16), the option may be slightly harder to find. After tapping "Add eSIM" and being shown the QR scanner, look for a small text link below the camera view — it's often labeled "Enter details manually" or "I cannot scan." If you're on iOS 15 or earlier and can't find it, updating iOS first often resolves both the display issue and occasional compatibility problems with newer eSIM profiles.
Manual Installation on Android
Android is trickier because the path varies significantly between manufacturers. Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and others all organize their settings differently. The underlying functionality is the same; it's just buried in different places.
Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings
- Go to Connections → SIM card manager
- Tap Add mobile plan
- Select Scan carrier QR code — then look for a manual entry option below the scanner, often labeled "Enter activation code" or "Need help scanning?"
- Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code in the respective fields
Google Pixel
- Open Settings
- Go to Network & internet → SIMs
- Tap the + (add) icon
- When the QR scanner appears, look for "Need help?" or "Enter code manually" at the bottom
- Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code
Other Android phones
The general pattern: Settings → Network/Connections → SIM or Mobile Network → Add eSIM or Add SIM → look for a manual entry option near the QR scanner. If you can't find it, try Settings → search for "eSIM" in the settings search bar, which usually surfaces the right screen directly.
On some Android phones running older versions of the manufacturer's UI, the manual entry option is a small, easy-to-miss text link beneath the QR scanner view. Scroll down or look at the bottom of the camera viewfinder screen before assuming the option doesn't exist.
Troubleshooting Manual Installation Failures
"Activation code is not valid"
This usually means one of three things: a typo in the code, the code has already been used on another device, or the code has expired. Check your typing first — it's the most common cause. If the code is correct and fresh, contact your provider to verify it hasn't been marked as used on their end.
"Cannot connect to server"
Your phone is reaching out to the SM-DP+ address and either not getting a response or getting an error. This almost always means a network problem on your end. Switch to a different Wi-Fi network, or temporarily use cellular data if you still have it active on your physical SIM. Airport and hotel Wi-Fi networks sometimes block certain outbound ports; a mobile hotspot from someone else's phone is often the cleanest fix in that situation.
The installation appears to succeed but no eSIM appears in settings
This occasionally happens when the download completes but the profile doesn't register properly. Restart your phone. On iPhone, also go to Settings → General → About and wait a moment — this forces iOS to re-read installed profiles. If the eSIM still doesn't appear after a restart, it may not have fully downloaded, and you'll need to try the installation again (provided the code is still valid and unused).
"Cellular plan already installed"
This is actually a success message in disguise — it means the profile is already on your device from a previous attempt. Check Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or SIM manager (Android) and you'll likely find it listed there. You don't need to install it again; you just need to enable it and configure it as your data line.
After Installation: Setting Up the eSIM as Your Data Line
Installing the profile is only half the job. Once it appears in your cellular settings, you need to tell your phone to actually use it for data. On iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data and select your new eSIM plan. On Android, go to SIM manager and set the new eSIM as your preferred data SIM.
If you're keeping your home number active on a physical SIM for calls and texts, you'll want to configure your phone to use the eSIM for data only while the physical SIM handles voice. Most dual-SIM phones handle this with straightforward settings. On iPhone this is under Settings → Cellular → "Default Voice Line" and "Default for Cellular Data" — set data to the eSIM and voice to your regular SIM.
If data still isn't working after you've done this, that's a separate issue from installation — the profile is there, but the connection itself isn't coming through. Check out our article on cellular data not switching to eSIM for the fixes specific to that problem.
Is Manual Installation Less Secure Than QR?
No. The security of eSIM installation doesn't come from the method of entry — it comes from the encryption and authentication protocols between your phone and the SM-DP+ server. Both QR scanning and manual entry use the same underlying process; the QR code is simply a machine-readable way to encode the SM-DP+ address and activation code so you don't have to type them.
Enterprise eSIM deployments — the kind used in corporate device fleets — frequently use manual entry or automated API-based provisioning precisely because it's reliable and auditable. There's no security reason to prefer QR over manual entry, or vice versa.
When Manual Installation Is Actually the Better Option
A few situations where skipping the QR code entirely and going straight to manual is the smarter move:
- You received the eSIM details via SMS or messaging app and have no separate image
- You're traveling solo and have no second device to display the QR code from
- Your phone's camera has a cracked lens or autofocus issues
- You're installing in a bright outdoor environment with poor camera conditions
- You prefer not to use screen-to-screen scanning (reduces glare and focus issues entirely)
For future trips, it's worth keeping the SM-DP+ address and activation code saved somewhere accessible — a notes app, your email, or even written down — as a backup to the QR image. If you're already prepared before your flight, check our guide on installing eSIM before your flight for the right timing and setup approach.
Manual installation is a perfectly complete solution, not a workaround. Once the profile is on your phone, your eSIM works exactly as intended — and you'll have data ready without any further fuss.