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eSIM Stuck at Activating

Is your eSIM stuck on “Activating…”? It often means no local network. Enable roaming, restart, and fix delays for faster activation.

Updated this week

You may sometimes see that your eSIM is stuck at 'Activating...'. This typically means that your eSIM has not been able to connect to a local network, so it is unable to complete the activation. It is normal for your eSIM to not be activated if you have not arrived at your destination.

Key Reasons for 'Activating' and 'Not Activated' Status

  1. Local Network Dependency: eSIMs activate by connecting to supported local networks. If you are still in your home country or a region outside your eSIM plan’s coverage, the eSIM cannot complete activation.

  2. Network Constraints at Airports: Limited network coverage in certain areas like airports can delay eSIM activation even after reaching the destination.

If you are not at your destination yet, you can turn off your eSIM, and turn it on only after you have arrived at your destination.

If you have arrived at your destination, but your eSIM is still stuck at activating, try the following:

  1. Arrive at your destination: Ensure you are in the correct country or region for your eSIM plan. The eSIM cannot connect to a local network outside the supported locations.

  2. Restart your device: Rebooting your phone can help establish the connection to a local network.

  3. Enable Data Roaming: Verify that the 'Data Roaming' option is switched ON for your eSIM.

  4. Set Cellular Data Defaults: Assign the eSIM as the default line for mobile data in your device settings.

  5. Improve signal reception: Move to an area with strong network coverage, preferably outside or away from obstructions.

  6. Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn Airplane Mode ON and then OFF to reset network connections.

  7. Turn eSIM OFF and ON: Use your device settings to disable and re-enable the eSIM profile.

While troubleshooting, please do NOT delete your eSIM, as it will no longer be valid after deletion.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the basic steps above do not resolve the issue, consider these advanced measures:

  1. Manual Network Selection: Go to your device's network selection settings and disable the 'Automatic' option. Select a supported network manually based on your location. For example:

    • Canada: Bell or Rogers

    • Mexico: Movistar or AT&T

  2. Adjust Voice and Data Settings: If your phone supports 5G, switch to 4G or LTE in the 'Voice & Data' settings for improved compatibility.

If you’re still facing issues with eSIM activation after trying the troubleshooting methods, please contact customer service via our website chat or in-app chat on the iOS or Android app.

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