Samsung Galaxy S24/S25 eSIM Setup Guide 2024

Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 or S25 Support eSIM?

Every model in Samsung's Galaxy S24 and S25 lineup — including the standard, Plus, and Ultra variants — supports eSIM on both the global (Exynos) and North American (Snapdragon) versions. The S24 and S25 series each support up to two active SIMs simultaneously: one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM, or two eSIMs on select models and carriers. This means you can keep your home number live while adding a local or travel data plan without touching a SIM tray.

According to the GSMA, eSIM adoption has grown dramatically — by 2025, more than 2.4 billion eSIM-capable devices were in active use worldwide, and that figure is forecast to exceed 3.5 billion by 2027. Samsung has been one of the driving forces behind that growth, embedding eSIM support across its flagship Galaxy S lineup since the S20 series.

One important caveat: carrier-locked devices may restrict eSIM to the locking carrier's profiles only. If you bought your S24 or S25 directly from a carrier rather than unlocked, check with your carrier or confirm your device is unlocked before purchasing a travel eSIM.

What Do You Need Before You Start?

Before you scan a single QR code, run through this quick checklist to make sure the process goes smoothly.

An unlocked or compatible device: Your Galaxy S24/S25 must be SIM-unlocked (or at least unlocked for eSIM profiles from third-party providers). Most phones purchased outright or after completing a carrier contract are fully unlocked.
A stable Wi-Fi connection: eSIM profiles are downloaded over the internet. Mobile data from your existing SIM works in a pinch, but Wi-Fi is more reliable during the download.
Your eSIM QR code or activation code: You'll receive this from your eSIM provider (like Simology) via email or in-app after purchase. Keep it handy — QR codes can typically only be scanned once.
A compatible eSIM plan: Make sure the plan covers your destination. Simology offers plans for destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond.
Sufficient battery: There's no hard minimum, but avoid starting the process below 20% charge. If your phone dies mid-download, you may need to contact your provider to re-issue the profile.

How Do You Add an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy S24 / S25? (Step-by-Step)

Adding an eSIM to your Samsung Galaxy S24 or S25 is a straightforward process that takes about three to five minutes from start to finish. The menu path is identical across the S24 and S25 series — Samsung standardized the SIM Manager interface starting with One UI 6.

Step 1 — Open SIM Manager

Open the Settings app (gear icon).
Tap Connections.
Tap SIM Manager.

You'll see your current physical SIM listed here, along with an option to add an eSIM.

Step 2 — Tap "Add eSIM"

Tap Add eSIM (sometimes labeled Add mobile plan depending on your One UI version and region). Samsung will ask how you want to add the plan:

Scan QR code — the standard method for most travel eSIM providers including Simology.
Enter activation code manually — used when a QR code isn't available; you'll type in a long alphanumeric string.
Download from carrier — for direct carrier integrations (less common for travel plans).

Step 3 — Scan Your QR Code

Point your camera at the QR code from your eSIM provider. The phone will read it automatically — no need to press a shutter button. If you're activating from an email on the same device, take a screenshot of the QR code and use the Upload from gallery option instead of the camera.

Pro tip: QR codes from most travel eSIM providers are single-use. If you accidentally close the screen before the download completes, contact your provider immediately to request a reissue — don't attempt to scan the same code again.

Step 4 — Confirm and Download

Samsung will display the plan details (carrier name, data allowance, validity period). Review them, then tap Confirm or Add. The eSIM profile downloads in 10–30 seconds on a good Wi-Fi connection.

Step 5 — Set Data Preferences

Once downloaded, you'll be taken back to SIM Manager. Here you can:

Set the eSIM as your default data SIM (recommended for travel — your travel plan handles data while your home SIM handles calls/SMS).
Toggle Allow mobile data switching if you want the phone to fall back to your other SIM when one has no signal.
Rename the eSIM (e.g., "Simology Travel") for easy identification.

That's it — your eSIM is active and ready to use.

How Do You Manage Multiple eSIMs on the S24/S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S25 can store multiple eSIM profiles, but only one eSIM can be active at a time (alongside your physical SIM). Think of it like a digital SIM drawer — you can hold several plans and switch between them without re-downloading.

Switching Between eSIM Profiles

Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → eSIM profiles. Tap the profile you want to activate, then tap Activate. The previously active eSIM profile is automatically deactivated. Switching takes about 10–15 seconds.

This is particularly useful for frequent travelers. You can pre-load eSIM profiles for multiple destinations — say, one for Japan and one for Australia — and flip between them as your itinerary changes, without needing to purchase and download a new plan each time (as long as the plans are still valid).

Deleting an eSIM Profile

To delete a profile: SIM Manager → eSIM profiles → [profile name] → Delete. Be aware that deleting an eSIM profile is permanent — the profile is wiped from the device. If the plan still has remaining data, contact your provider before deleting to check whether the plan can be re-issued.

How Many eSIMs Can the S24/S25 Store?

Samsung doesn't publish a hard cap on stored (inactive) eSIM profiles, but in practice most Galaxy S24/S25 devices can store 5–10 inactive profiles. Active simultaneous eSIMs are limited to one at a time (plus one physical SIM). If you hit a storage limit, delete old or expired profiles to free up space.

Does Your Samsung Galaxy S24/S25 Work With Dual SIM and eSIM at the Same Time?

Yes — the Galaxy S24 and S25 are true Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) devices, meaning both your physical SIM and your active eSIM are on standby simultaneously. You can receive calls and SMS on your home number while your travel eSIM handles all data. For a deeper dive into how this works in practice — including managing OTPs and call routing — check out our guide on dual SIM + eSIM: two numbers, one phone.

The practical benefit for travelers is significant: you never miss a bank OTP or a call from home just because you're using a foreign data plan. Your home carrier SIM stays active for calls and texts (subject to your home carrier's roaming rates for those services), while your Simology eSIM delivers affordable local data.

What If Your eSIM Isn't Working on the S24/S25?

Most eSIM issues on Samsung Galaxy devices fall into one of a handful of categories. Here's a systematic troubleshooting guide so you can fix problems without waiting on hold with customer support.

Problem: "This device does not support eSIM" Error

This usually means one of three things:

The device is carrier-locked — contact your carrier to unlock it.
The regional variant doesn't support eSIM — a small number of S24 units sold in specific markets shipped without eSIM hardware enabled. Check Samsung's official spec sheet for your exact model number (e.g., SM-S928B vs SM-S928U).
One UI needs updating — go to Settings → Software update and install any pending updates.

Problem: QR Code Won't Scan

Make sure you have adequate lighting and the QR code isn't blurry or pixelated.
If you're scanning from a screen, increase brightness to maximum.
Use the Enter activation code option as a fallback — your provider's QR code encodes an activation URL you can type manually.
Check that your Wi-Fi connection is active before scanning.

Problem: Download Fails or Gets Stuck

Switch to a different Wi-Fi network (some corporate or hotel networks block eSIM provisioning servers).
Toggle Airplane Mode on and off, then retry.
Restart the device and attempt the download again via SIM Manager → eSIM profiles → [pending profile] → Retry.
If the profile shows as "failed," contact your eSIM provider — they can reset the download token.

Problem: eSIM Downloaded But No Data Connection

Confirm the eSIM is set as the default data SIM in SIM Manager.
Check that mobile data is toggled on for the eSIM in Settings → Connections → Mobile networks.
Verify the APN settings. Most modern eSIM plans configure APNs automatically, but if your provider requires manual APN entry, they'll include the settings in their setup documentation.
Confirm you're in a coverage area — check your provider's coverage map for the destination.
Restart the phone. A cold reboot resolves most lingering registration issues.

Problem: eSIM Works But Data Is Very Slow

Check whether you've exhausted your high-speed data allowance. Many travel plans throttle speeds (often to 128–256 kbps) after the included high-speed data is used.
Toggle the eSIM off and back on in SIM Manager to force a network re-registration.
Check if your plan supports 5G or is limited to 4G LTE in your current location.

Samsung S24 vs S25: Are There Any eSIM Differences?

The core eSIM experience is nearly identical between the S24 and S25 series, but there are a few minor differences worth knowing.

Feature	Galaxy S24 Series	Galaxy S25 Series
eSIM support	Yes (all models)	Yes (all models)
Physical SIM + eSIM	Yes	Yes
Dual eSIM (2 active)	Limited (select markets/carriers)	Limited (select markets/carriers)
One UI version	One UI 6.x	One UI 7.x
SIM Manager UI	Standard	Slightly redesigned in One UI 7
Max stored eSIM profiles	~5–10	~5–10
eSIM provisioning standard	GSMA SGP.22 (Consumer eSIM)	GSMA SGP.22 (Consumer eSIM)

The biggest practical difference is the One UI version. One UI 7 on the S25 series has a slightly reorganized Settings layout, but the core path (Settings → Connections → SIM Manager) remains the same. If you're upgrading from an S24 to an S25, your eSIM profiles do not transfer automatically — you'll need to re-download them on the new device.

Can You Transfer an eSIM From an Old Phone to the S24/S25?

eSIM profiles are locked to the device they were downloaded to — they can't be directly transferred like a physical SIM. However, the process of moving to a new phone is manageable:

Check your plan's remaining validity and data before transferring.
Contact your eSIM provider (or log into their app) and request a re-issue or transfer to your new device. Most reputable providers including Simology support this.
Delete the profile from your old device if prompted (some providers require this before issuing a new QR code for the same plan).
Download the new QR code on your S24/S25 following the standard setup steps above.

If you're moving from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy, the process is the same — eSIM profiles are not cross-platform transferable, so a re-issue from your provider is necessary. For travelers who frequently switch devices or juggle multiple numbers, our expat starter pack guide covers the broader SIM strategy in detail.

Is eSIM Better Than a Physical SIM for Travel?

For most travelers, eSIM has clear advantages over buying a local physical SIM — especially when you're arriving in a new country late at night or don't speak the local language. Here's how the two compare:

Factor	eSIM (Travel Plan)	Local Physical SIM
Setup time	Minutes (before you land)	30–60 min (find a shop, queue)
Availability	24/7, online	Shop hours, airport kiosks
Keep home number	Yes (dual SIM)	No (or requires two phones)
Risk of losing SIM	None	Physical card can be lost/damaged
Cost	Varies by plan	Varies by country
Coverage	Depends on provider's network partnerships	Local network direct
Plan flexibility	Easy to change/top up online	May require visiting a store

According to a 2024 survey by Juniper Research, travelers who use eSIM-based data plans save an average of 70% compared to standard international roaming rates from their home carrier. That's a meaningful difference — especially on longer trips or in regions where roaming charges are notoriously high.

For digital nomads managing connectivity across multiple countries, the flexibility of eSIM is even more pronounced. Our digital nomad eSIM strategy guide breaks down when to choose a multi-country plan versus a single-destination plan.

Does eSIM Work With 5G on the Samsung Galaxy S24/S25?

Yes — both the S24 and S25 series are 5G-capable devices, and eSIM plans can deliver 5G speeds where the underlying network and plan support it. Whether you actually get 5G depends on three factors:

Your eSIM plan's speed tier: Some budget travel eSIM plans are capped at 4G LTE speeds even in 5G coverage areas. Check your plan's specifications before purchasing.
Local 5G network availability: 5G coverage varies significantly by country and city. In major metropolitan areas across the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, 5G is widely available. Rural areas may be 4G LTE only.
5G band compatibility: The S24 and S25 support a broad range of sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G bands, making them compatible with most global 5G networks.

If 5G speed is a priority for your trip — say, for video calls or large file uploads — look for plans that explicitly advertise 5G support. For most everyday travel use (maps, messaging, social media), 4G LTE is more than sufficient.

FAQ

How do I check if my Samsung Galaxy S24 or S25 supports eSIM?

Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager. If you see an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option, your device supports eSIM. You can also dial *#06# to view your device's IMEI and EID number — the presence of an EID confirms eSIM hardware is present.

Can I use two eSIMs at the same time on the Galaxy S24/S25?

The Galaxy S24 and S25 support one active eSIM at a time alongside one physical SIM (Dual SIM Dual Standby). You can store multiple eSIM profiles on the device and switch between them, but only one eSIM profile can be active simultaneously. Some markets and carrier configurations may support dual active eSIMs — check your specific model's documentation.

Will my eSIM work if I travel to multiple countries?

It depends on your plan. A single-country eSIM plan will only work in the specified country. If you're visiting multiple countries, choose a regional plan (e.g., a Europe-wide or Asia-wide plan) or a global plan that covers all your destinations. Simology offers regional plans covering the Caribbean, Africa, and other multi-country regions.

Can I still receive calls on my home number while using a travel eSIM?

Yes — this is one of the biggest advantages of eSIM for travelers. With your home SIM in the physical SIM slot and your travel eSIM active for data, your phone operates in Dual SIM Dual Standby mode. You'll receive calls and SMS on your home number while your travel eSIM handles data. Note that answering calls on your home number while abroad may still incur roaming charges from your home carrier.

What happens if I delete an eSIM profile by accident?

Deleting an eSIM profile permanently removes it from your device — it cannot be recovered locally. Contact your eSIM provider immediately. Most providers can re-issue a new QR code for the same plan if it still has remaining validity or data, though some providers limit the number of re-issues per plan.

How do I know when my eSIM data is running low?

Go to Settings → Connections → Data usage and select your eSIM as the monitored SIM. Samsung's One UI also supports data usage warnings and limits — set a threshold in the same menu to get a notification before you hit your cap. Some eSIM providers also offer in-app data balance tracking.

Can I set up my eSIM before I travel?

Absolutely — and it's highly recommended. Purchase and download your eSIM plan at home over Wi-Fi before your departure. The plan will be stored on your device and ready to activate when you land. Most travel eSIM plans don't start counting your validity period until you first connect to a local network, so downloading in advance costs you nothing.

Why does my eSIM show "No service" even though it's activated?

First, confirm you're in a coverage area for your plan's network. Then check that mobile data is enabled for the eSIM in Settings → Connections → Mobile networks. If the issue persists, toggle Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds and then off — this forces the phone to re-register on the network. If you still see no service, check the APN settings with your provider or try a device restart.