By Lisa Salter
Montreal travel advisor · Updated June 26, 2026
Got your eSIM QR code and an iPhone? Activating it takes about five minutes. Here's exactly how — including the one setting that trips most people up.
Need an eSIM to set up? Get one from Lisa.
Get your eSIMBefore you start
- An eSIM-compatible iPhone (iPhone XR / XS, 2018, or newer).
- Your iPhone updated to a recent iOS version.
- A Wi-Fi connection — you install at home, not at the airport.
- Your eSIM QR code, which arrives by email after you buy.
Activate your eSIM: step by step
- Open Settings → Cellular (it may say "Mobile Data").
- Tap "Add eSIM" (or "Add Cellular Plan").
- Choose "Use QR Code" and scan the code from your eSIM email. No code handy? Tap "Enter Details Manually" and paste the details provided.
- Label the line — call it "Travel" or the destination so it's easy to find later.
- Keep your Canadian line as your primary number for calls and texts, and set the eSIM as your data line for the trip.
- Turn Data Roaming ON for the eSIM line (see the note below), and leave it OFF on your Canadian line.
"Stuck on activating"? Here's the fix
It's normal at first
Some eSIMs only finish activating once they reach the destination network. If it says "Activating," it may simply be waiting until you land.
Quick checks
Make sure you're on Wi-Fi, restart the iPhone, and confirm the eSIM is set as your data line with Data Roaming on.
When should you set it up?
Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you travel — but don't expect data until you arrive. Many plans start counting from first use or activation at the destination, so you simply switch the line on when you land and you're connected.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate an eSIM?
Yes — to scan the QR code and download the plan. Set it up at home on Wi-Fi before you travel; you only switch it on once you land.
Why do I turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM?
A travel eSIM uses local partner networks, which counts as "roaming" on that line. Turning it on lets the eSIM connect — it's the eSIM's own data, not a charge from your Canadian carrier. Keep roaming OFF on your home line.
Will the eSIM use my Canadian plan's data?
No. Once the eSIM is your data line, your phone uses it for internet. Your Canadian line stays on for calls and texts only.
When does the eSIM activate?
Often when it first connects to a network at your destination. Installing early just gets it ready; switch the line on when you arrive.
Can I keep both my SIM and the eSIM active?
Yes — that's iPhone's dual-SIM feature. Your Canadian number handles calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.
Don't want to fiddle with settings? Lisa Salter, a Montréal travel advisor, will pick the right eSIM and walk you through activation step by step — in French or English — before you fly. Ask Lisa →
