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SimOptions eSIM not working? Here’s what you can do

SimOptions eSIM not working? Get your device up and running using this step-by-step guide.

Struggling to stay connected abroad due to a SimOptions eSIM not working? Whether it’s a compatibility issue or a network error, most common issues with SimOptions are easy to resolve, provided you know what to look for.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the steps you can take to resolve common issues with SimOptions eSIMs. We’ll also introduce you to Holafly’s unlimited data plans if your SimOptions problems persist and you want to look at other options.

In this article

Why is SimOptions eSIM not working?

What’s behind your SimOptions eSIM not working? Here are some of the most common culprits:

Device incompatibility: Not all devices support eSIM technology.
Your device is carrier-locked: Some devices are restricted to SIMs from an individual network provider.
eSIM activation issues: Your eSIM might not activate if you can’t connect to a local network of Wi-Fi when you land abroad.
Incorrect APN settings: Your device’s APN details must match those provided by SimOptions with your eSIM purchase.

How to fix SimOptions eSIM issues

Follow the instructions below to troubleshoot the most common SimOptions eSIM issues for iPhone and Android.

Check if your device supports eSIMs

First, check if your phone is eSIM compatible. Most recent flagship Android and iPhone models support eSIMs, except for devices from mainland China and certain devices from Hong Kong and Macao.

Follow these steps to check:

iPhone

Most iPhone releases from the XR and later support eSIMs. Here’s how to quickly check:

Go to Settings.
Tap Mobile Data/Cellular.
Tap Add Mobile Data Plan.
You should see the option to Add eSIM if your iPhone is eSIM compatible.

If your SimOptions eSIM is not working on an iPhone that supports them, make sure your device isn’t carrier-locked. Tap Settings, General, About, then Carrier Lock. You should see the message No SIM restrictions.

Android

Recent flagship Android devices tend to support eSIMs. However, some older or budget models don’t support eSIM technology, so make sure to check yours does before buying an eSIM. Here’s how you can find out:

Open Settings.
Tap Connections, SIM Card Manager, then Add eSIM.
You’ll see an Add eSIM or IMEI section if your device supports eSIMs.

The steps above can differ slightly depending on the make and model of your device.

Restart your phone after eSIM installation

By restarting your device, you force it to reset its network settings. Turning your phone off also closes any apps and services that can disrupt the eSIM activation process.

Turn on data roaming

If your device’s data roaming is turned off, your SimOptions eSIM won’t be able to connect to the local network carrier. Follow these steps to enable data roaming on your Android or iPhone:

iPhone

Open Settings, then tap Cellular or Cellular Data/Mobile Data.
Tap Mobile Data Options/Cellular Data Options.
Toggle the Data Roaming on.

If you have a dual-SIM iPhone, you can adjust the data roaming settings for each SIM card and eSIM separately.

Android

Here are the steps to enable data roaming on Android devices. The steps and menu options can vary slightly between different devices:

Open Settings.
Tap Connections, Mobile Networks, and search for the Data roaming option.
Swipe the toggle switch for Data roaming to the right-hand side.

Enable and disable Airplane Mode

You can reset your phone’s network connection settings by enabling Airplane Mode for 30 seconds. Then, when you turn off Airplane Mode, your phone will attempt to connect to the best local carrier automatically.

Here’s the fastest way to enable Airplane Mode on iPhones and Androids:

iPhone

Swipe your finger downwards from the edge of the top-right corner of your screen to reveal the Control Panel. You can then enable and disable Airplane Mode by tapping the airplane icon.

Android

Swipe downwards from the top edge of your device’s screen to reveal the Quick Settings menu. You’ll see the airplane icon that allows you to toggle Airplane Mode on and off.

Manually select a local network in settings

If your device doesn’t automatically connect to the correct network when you’re abroad, follow these steps to choose a network manually:

iPhone

Open Settings
Tap Cellular Data/Mobile Data.
Tap Mobile Data Options/Cellular Network.
Tap the Automatic search toggle to turn it off.
Select a network from the list that appears.

If this works, you should see the network’s name with signal bars on your device’s Home Screen.

Android

Here’s how to manually select a network on recent Samsung devices. The following steps are typical for most Android phones:

Open Settings.
Tap Connections, then Mobile Networks.
Swipe the Select automatically toggle to the left to switch it off.
Select a carrier from the list.

Try connecting several different providers to see which one actually works best in your area.

Update your APN settings

Your SimOptions eSIM can’t access data services if your device’s Access Point Name (APN) details are incorrect. You should refer to the SimOptions documentation to find the correct APN details for your location.

When you’ve found the correct APN details, you can update your settings by following these steps:

iPhone

Open the Settings app.
Tap Mobile Data or Cellular, depending on your device’s region settings.
Tap Mobile Data Network or Cellular Data Network.
Type in the correct APN details.
Restart your iPhone to apply the changes.

Read our guide to the most common data issues with iPhones if updating your APN settings doesn’t work.

Android

Open Settings.
Tap Network & Internet, Mobile Network, then Advanced.
Tap Access Point Names
Enter the correct APN details.
Restart your Android device to apply the changes.

If you’re still unable to access data services after following these instructions, read our guide to the most common data issues with Androids.

If you’ve followed all the instructions above and your SimOptions eSIM is not working, contact SimOptions customer support via live chat or email.

If you need a trustworthy eSIM, Holafly is here to help

If you’re having no luck with your SimOptions eSIM, consider purchasing a data plan from Holafly instead. Enjoy unlimited data in 200+ destinations, a reliable service trusted by over 10 million users worldwide, and 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and WhatsApp.

Want to know about the benefits and drawbacks of SimOptions? Read our in-depth SimOptions review.