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Ubigi eSIM not working: Causes and how to fix it

Is your Ubigi eSIM not working? Find out which are the main causes and learn how to fix them or choose a better connectivity alternative.

julio osuna english content writer

Published: November 23, 2024

Is your Ubigi eSIM not working? We know this can be a headache, but there are different causes of why this is happening. 

Read on to find the potential causes of your Ubigi eSIM’s failure, how to fix it and, more importantly, an alternative solution that will give you peace of mind when traveling.

Worried about getting a broken eSIM? Switch to Holafly and enjoy 24/7 customer support

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Ubigi eSIM not working

Common issues with Ubigi

If you’re Ubigi eSIM isn’t working, you’re likely to be struggling with one of the following problems:

  • Unable to connect or activate the Ubigi eSIM
  • Can’t access internet on iOS and Android
  • Network not displayed on iOS devices
  • eSIM not transferred on iPhone

Let’s examine each one to understand why this is happening, and then we’ll focus on the solutions.

Unable to connect or activate the Ubigi eSIM

After scanning the Ubigi eSIM QR code, it’s possible that your phone won’t automatically connect. This can happen for two reasons:

  • You’re not in a location covered by one of Ubigi’s eSIM destinations.
  • It’s your first time using a Ubigi eSIM. If this is the case, you might simply have to wait a few minutes for things to appear.

Can’t access internet on iOS and Android

Once connected, your Ubigi eSIM should work without a hitch – but that’s not always the case. 

If you’re still unable to access the internet on either an iOS or Android device, it is likely that you have an existing SIM or eSIM plan activated. Your Ubigi eSIM won’t work until your previous plan has been deactivated or removed as your primary plan.

Network not displayed on iOS devices

Upon activation, your Ubigi eSIM will become the secondary data plan on your iOS device. The Ubigi eSIM won’t start working on your iPhone or iPad as long as the primary line remains active.

Since that’s always the case, users must select a manual network for the Ubigi eSIM to start working, but we’ll tell you how to do this later.

eSIM not transferred on a new or the same iPhone

If you’re moving to a new iPhone or restoring data to your current device, the eSIM won’t be transferred as this is a limitation process from Apple.

How to fix your Ubigi eSIM

There are a number of steps you can take to fix your Ubigi eSIM. While some address specific problems, most are general solutions that can help regardless of the symptoms you are seeing.

Check device compatibility

Before purchasing, ensure your device is compatible with the Ubigi eSIM to avoid issues. Ubigi refunds don’t apply for eSIM incompatibility

Here’s what you need to do to check the eSIM-compatibility:

  • Choose your preferred Ubigi eSIM.
  • Press on “Check eSIM compatible devices”.
  • Browse the available iOS, Android, and Windows devices before purchasing.

If your device is not listed, avoid purchasing a Ubigi eSIM, or you can contact customer support to double-check compatibility.

Ubigi eSIM-compatible device list on their website
Checking Ubigi eSIM compatibility. Source: Ubigi

Check which eSIM your device is using

If, after installing the eSIM, the Ubigi data is not working, here’s what you need to do to switch from your previous SIM/eSIM to your travel plan:

  • iOS:
    • Go to “Settings”.
    • Go to the “Mobile data” menu.
    • Select “Mobile data”.
    • Press “Cellular data” and choose “Secondary” to start using your Ubigi eSIM.
  • Android:
    • Go to “Settings”.
    • Press on “Connections”.
    • Choose “SIM card manager”.
    • Press on “Mobile data”.
    • Change to your Ubigi eSIM and accept the changes.

Check network compatibility

If your Ubigi eSIM is up and running – on Android or iOS – but is unable to connect to the internet, here’s what you need to do:

  • Go to “Settings”.
  • Choose “Cellular or Mobile data”.
  • Go to “Data plans” and choose your Ubigi eSIM.
  • Press on “Network selection” and deactivate the automatic option to do a manual search.
  • After a few seconds, choose the “Ubigi” network or choose the available network displayed on the product page for the Ubigi eSIM you purchased.
Ubigi available networks for Japan
Ubigi available networks for Japan. Source: Ubigi

Reinstall your eSIM on Android and iOS

As mentioned above, Apple has a limitation when transferring eSIMs. Here are some steps to follow when restoring or transferring an eSIM to your device.

Restoring or transferring data to the same iPhone or Android:

  • Delete your eSIM profile before moving to the transfer or data-restoring process.
  • After restoring or transferring, download the Ubigi app and log in to your account.
  • Once in, go to the “Settings” menu and choose “eSIM”, and then click on “Re-install my Ubigi eSIM”.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process for your eSIM.

Restoring or transferring data to a new or different iPhone or Android:

  • If you have access to your previous device, make sure to delete your Ubigi eSIM profile or contact Ubigi customer support to get help if you don’t have access to your old device.
  • Download the Ubigi app on your new device and log in to your account on your new eSIM.
  • Go to “Settings” and then choose “eSIM” and click on the “Re-install my Ubigi eSIM”.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen and complete the eSIM installation on your new iPhone or Android device.

Basic solutions

If any of the previously mentioned solutions don’t work, here are some basic solutions you can try:

  • Check your 3G and LTE networks are activated on your Android or iOS device mobile networks.
  • Turn on and off the airplane mode and wait until the data starts working.
  • Restart your smartphone or tablet in case there’s a background issue happening.
Basic solutions for the Ubigi eSIM not working
Basic solutions for the Ubigi eSIM not working. Source: Ubigi

How to solve the “Final Step” issue from Ubigi?

The “Final Step” is a common issue when installing a Ubigi eSIM. This happens when completing the installation on the app, and here’s what you need to do:

  1. Turn off the WiFi on your smartphone.
  2. Ensure your Ubigi eSIM is activated by going to “Settings”, then “Mobile data”, and choosing your Ubigi eSIM profile to check the “Turn on this line” option is activated.
  3. Go back to “Settings”, then to the “Mobile data” menu, select the “Mobile data” option, and select your Ubigi eSIM.
  4. Go back to the Ubigi app and you’ll be redirected to your account with the “Final Step” issue solved.

Ubigi eSIM still not working? Get a Holafly eSIM instead

If you have tried everything to solve the issues with your Ubigi eSIM, but it is not working, consider using the Holafly eSIM instead for peace of mind when traveling.

Holafly offers customer support in 19 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and other popular ones. It also offers different contact channels, such as WhatsApp, live chat, and a call center that’s available 24/7.

Also, if any issue arises while using your eSIM, there’s a super flexible refund policy to help users find an ideal solution.

Lastly, Holafly has different high-end features, like unlimited data with customizable days, data sharing for up to 1 GB per day, and coverage in over 200 destinations.

Holafly eSIM home website

Think about your next travel destination, choose the number of days you’re traveling, stay connected with Holafly unlimited data, and forget about your eSIM not working!

Julio Osuna

Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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