The world of connectivity is being reshaped by the advent of embedded SIM (eSIM) technology. By eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, eSIMs simplify the process of switching between networks and plans, offering more flexibility and convenience. One of the most straightforward methods to set up an eSIM is through direct installation for eSIM setup, a seamless process that leverages your provider’s app to automatically configure your eSIM profile. This method ensures a hassle-free and immediate connection, making it easier than ever to switch carriers or activate new plans while traveling or at home.

Direct installation, is the easiest and most convenient way to set up an eSIM. This involves downloading your provider’s app and allowing it to handle the setup process for you.

This method is only available if your provider has a special agreement with either Apple or Android to handle the eSIM setup. Examples of data eSIM providers that offer direct installation are RedteaGO,  eSIM Data, or BNESIM.

How to use direct installation for eSIM setup:

• After or before purchasing your eSIM, download your data provider’s app on the App Store.
• Login to your account inside the app
• Retrieve your eSIM. In most apps, this happens in the “My eSIMs” tab. This is similar to others. Follow the app guidance to set up your eSIM!
• When the direct installation happens, you will leave the app and a window “activate eSIM ” will happen. This means the iPhone system has taken over.
• Follow the phone setup Wizard to finalize setting up your eSIM 

How and When to Activate Your Data eSIM After Setup

So, your data eSIM is installed, but at this point, it is not activated. In the old world, it would have meant that you have set up a physical SIM card in your device but that it has remained turned off, or in Airplane mode.

For most operators (yes, it is something you need to check when you purchase your eSIM) the validity period of your eSIM will start from the moment you activate it, meaning from the moment you first connect to a telecom network.

Our general advice would be to not activate your eSIM until you are in the country (or countries) it is supposed to be used in and you actually need it. You don’t want to trigger your activation period too early or connect to a network while in a country your plan is not supposed to be used in.

Here is some guidance, using our example from above travelling from the US to Thailand:

• Before leaving your home country, turn off your home line (in our example, US line) OR put it with data roaming off. You want to make sure that when you land in Thailand, roaming is not activated, otherwise, you will get expensive bills!
• Land in Thailand, and from there, you can activate your Thai data eSIM
• Go to Settings.
• Touch Cellular Data or Mobile Data.
• Touch your eSIM plan (under Cellular plans)
• Turn it on “Turn on this line”
• Your eSIM should now be on, connected to a network, with online access.
• Check and make sure you have internet access
• If you don’t have internet connectivity: double-check the eSIM instruction provided by your data eSIM provider when your eSIM was delivered. Some operators require that you set up an access point network (APN) information in the “Cellular Data Network” section of your eSIM parameters. Some providers require that you turn on data roaming on your data eSIM line to be able to be connected.