BigDataESIM
My Account Get eSIM →

📱 How to Install Your eSIM

Complete step-by-step guide for iPhone and Samsung devices — including how to enable data & international roaming.

📱 All iPhone models 📱 All Samsung models 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

📋 Jump to your device

💡
Install before you travel. Set up your eSIM at home on WiFi before your flight. When you land in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia, your data activates automatically — no setup needed at the airport.

iPhone XS / XR / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 Series

iPhone XS, XS Max, XR · iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max · iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max · iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max · iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max

Step 1 — Add the eSIM

1

Open Settings

Tap the grey Settings app on your iPhone home screen.

2

Go to Mobile Data / Cellular

Tap Mobile Data (UK/AU) or Cellular (US). Both are the same setting.

3

Tap "Add eSIM"

Scroll down and tap Add eSIM. If you don't see this option, your iPhone model or carrier may not support eSIM — check the compatibility table below.

4

Tap "Use QR Code"

Select Use QR Code. Your camera will open automatically.

5

Scan your QR Code

Open the confirmation email from BigDataESIM and hold your phone camera over the QR code. Keep the QR code on a separate device (laptop or another phone) to scan it.

⚠️ The QR code can only be scanned once. Do not share it.
6

Confirm and Continue

Tap Continue when prompted. Your iPhone will download the eSIM profile. This takes 30–60 seconds on WiFi.

7

Name Your eSIM (optional)

You can label it as "Pakistan eSIM" or "Hajj eSIM" so you know which line is which. Tap Done.

8

Set as Secondary / Travel Line

When asked, set your BigDataESIM as the Secondary line and keep your existing SIM as Primary for calls. Tap Continue.

Step 2 — Enable Data & Roaming

🇵🇰 For Pakistan

  1. Settings → Mobile Data
  2. Tap your BigDataESIM line
  3. Turn Data Roaming ON
  4. Tap Mobile Data at top → select BigDataESIM line
  5. When you land in Pakistan, data starts automatically

🇸🇦 For Saudi Arabia / Hajj

  1. Settings → Mobile Data
  2. Tap your BigDataESIM line
  3. Turn Data Roaming ON
  4. Tap Mobile Data at top → select BigDataESIM line
  5. When you land in Saudi Arabia, data starts automatically

iPhone 15 / 16 Series (eSIM Only)

iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max · iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max

⚠️
iPhone 15 and 16 (UK models) have no physical SIM slot. They are eSIM-only. You can store up to 8 eSIMs and use 2 at once. Installation is the same process as iPhone 14, but slightly faster.
1

Open Settings → Mobile Service

Tap Settings → Mobile Service (replaces "Cellular" on these models).

2

Tap "Add eSIM"

Tap Add eSIM then Use QR Code.

3

Scan QR Code from your email

Open the BigDataESIM confirmation email on a computer or second device. Hold your iPhone 15/16 camera over the QR code to scan.

4

Confirm Download

Tap Continue. The eSIM installs in seconds. You'll see it appear as a new line in Mobile Service.

5

Enable Data Roaming

Tap the new eSIM line → turn Data Roaming ON. Then select it as your active data line at the top of Mobile Service.

💡
iPhone 15/16 also supports eSIM transfer — you can transfer an eSIM from one iPhone to another without re-scanning, if both are nearby and on the same Apple ID.

Samsung Galaxy S21 / S22 / S23 / S24 Series

S21, S21+, S21 Ultra · S22, S22+, S22 Ultra · S23, S23+, S23 Ultra · S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

⚠️
UK / EU Samsung models support eSIM. US carrier-locked models may not. If your Samsung was bought from a UK network (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) it is eSIM compatible.
1

Open Settings

Pull down the notification shade and tap the ⚙️ gear icon, or find Settings in the app drawer.

2

Go to Connections

Tap Connections (the first section in Settings on most Samsung devices).

3

Tap SIM Manager

Tap SIM Manager. You'll see your current physical SIM listed here.

4

Tap "Add eSIM"

Tap Add eSIM or Add mobile plan. Samsung may show a QR scanner immediately.

5

Scan QR Code

Open your BigDataESIM confirmation email on a computer or second device. Scan the QR code using your Samsung's camera.

6

Confirm Installation

Tap Add or Confirm. The eSIM profile downloads and installs. Takes 30–60 seconds.

7

Set as Data SIM

In SIM Manager, set your BigDataESIM as the Mobile data SIM. Keep your UK SIM for calls and texts.

Enable Roaming on Samsung

🇵🇰 Pakistan data roaming

  1. Settings → Connections
  2. Tap Mobile networks
  3. Select your BigDataESIM line
  4. Toggle Data roaming ON
  5. Land in Pakistan — data activates automatically

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia / Hajj

  1. Settings → Connections
  2. Tap Mobile networks
  3. Select your BigDataESIM line
  4. Toggle Data roaming ON
  5. Land in Saudi Arabia — data starts automatically

Samsung Galaxy A Series

A52s 5G · A53 5G · A54 5G · A55 5G — Note: A52 (non-s), A32, A22 do NOT support eSIM

ℹ️
The installation process on Samsung A series is identical to the S series above. Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM.
1

Settings → Connections → SIM Manager

Same path as S series. If you don't see SIM Manager, your A-series model may not support eSIM.

2

Add eSIM → Scan QR Code

Tap Add eSIM. Scan the QR code from your email on a separate device.

3

Set as Data SIM

In SIM Manager → Mobile data → select BigDataESIM. Enable Data roaming under Mobile networks.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold / Z Flip Series

Z Fold 3, 4, 5, 6 · Z Flip 3, 4, 5, 6 — All support eSIM (UK models)

1

Settings → Connections → SIM Manager

Same path as all other Samsung devices. Fold/Flip models have full eSIM support on all UK variants.

2

Add eSIM → Scan QR Code

Tap Add eSIM. Use the inner screen or outer cover screen — both work with the camera.

3

Set Data Line + Enable Roaming

Set BigDataESIM as your data SIM. Go to Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming → ON.

Enable Data & Roaming — Full Guide

After installing the eSIM, follow these steps to ensure your data works when you land.

iPhone — Enable Data & Roaming

1

Settings → Mobile Data (or Cellular)

Tap the BigDataESIM line you installed.

2

Turn ON Data Roaming

Toggle Data Roaming to green/ON. Your iPhone will show a roaming warning — tap OK.

3

Select BigDataESIM as Mobile Data line

Back in Mobile Data, tap Mobile Data at the very top → select BigDataESIM / secondary line. This routes all internet traffic through the eSIM.

4

Turn OFF iMessage / FaceTime data (optional)

To save data, you can turn off iMessage over mobile data in Settings → Messages → Send as SMS and use WiFi calling instead.

5

Set APN (only if data doesn't start)

Usually automatic. If data doesn't work after 5 minutes, go to Settings → Mobile Data → BigDataESIM → Mobile Data Network and enter APN: globaldata (or contact support).

Samsung — Enable Data & Roaming

1

Settings → Connections → SIM Manager

Tap your BigDataESIM line.

2

Tap "Mobile Data" → Select BigDataESIM

In SIM Manager, under the Mobile data section, select the BigDataESIM line.

3

Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks

Tap Mobile networks. Make sure you're viewing settings for the BigDataESIM line.

4

Turn ON Data Roaming

Toggle Data roaming to ON. A popup warns about roaming charges — tap OK (there are no extra charges with your eSIM plan).

5

Network Mode: Auto / 4G LTE preferred

In Mobile networks, set Network mode to LTE/3G/2G (auto connect) for best coverage in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

💡
Tip for Hajj pilgrims: In Mecca and Madinah, STC network has the strongest signal at the Haram. If your eSIM connects to Mobily or Zain and signal is weak, go to Mobile Networks → Network Operators → Search manually → select STC.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and how to fix them fast.

?

QR code won't scan

Make sure the QR code is displayed on a SEPARATE device (not the same phone). Keep the phone steady 15–20cm from the screen. Ensure your screen brightness is at 100%.

?

eSIM installed but no data

1) Check data roaming is ON. 2) Check BigDataESIM is selected as the mobile data line. 3) Restart your phone. 4) Wait 5 minutes after landing for the network to register.

?

'eSIM not supported' message

Your device may be carrier-locked or a model that doesn't support eSIM. Contact your UK carrier to confirm eSIM is enabled on your account.

?

Data stopped working mid-trip

Your data allowance may be used up. Visit bigdataesim.com/order-status.php with your order number to check usage. You can purchase a top-up.

?

Can't find 'Add eSIM' option on Samsung

Go to Settings → About Phone → Software Information and check your Android version. eSIM requires Android 10 or later. Also check Settings → Connections — SIM Manager should be listed there.

?

Both SIMs showing but only one works

On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → select BigDataESIM line as your data SIM. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Mobile data → select BigDataESIM.

?

Phone showing 'No Service' in Pakistan/Saudi

1) Turn Airplane mode on, wait 10 seconds, turn off. 2) Go to Mobile Networks → Network Operators → Search manually. 3) Select Jazz, Telenor, Zong, or Ufone (Pakistan) or STC, Mobily, Zain (Saudi).

Device Compatibility Table

eSIM support by model — UK/EU variants.

DeviceModeleSIMNotes
Apple iPhone XS / XS Max / XR ✅ Yes First iPhones with eSIM
Apple iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / Pro Max ✅ Yes
Apple iPhone 12 / Mini / Pro / Pro Max ✅ Yes
Apple iPhone 13 / Mini / Pro / Pro Max ✅ Yes
Apple iPhone 14 / Plus / Pro / Pro Max ✅ Yes
Apple iPhone 15 / Plus / Pro / Pro Max ✅ Yes eSIM only (UK models)
Apple iPhone 16 / Plus / Pro / Pro Max ✅ Yes eSIM only (UK models)
Apple iPad Pro 2018+ ✅ Yes WiFi + Cellular models only
Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra ✅ Yes UK models
Samsung Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra ✅ Yes UK models
Samsung Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra ✅ Yes UK models
Samsung Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra ✅ Yes UK models
Samsung Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra ✅ Yes UK models
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 ✅ Yes All UK variants
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 ✅ Yes All UK variants
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G ✅ Yes 5G model only
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G ✅ Yes
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G ✅ Yes
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G ✅ Yes
Samsung Galaxy A52 (non-5G) ❌ No Physical SIM only
Samsung Galaxy A32 / A22 ❌ No Physical SIM only
Google Pixel 3 / 3 XL + ✅ Yes All Pixel 3 and later
Google Pixel 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 series ✅ Yes
OnePlus OnePlus 9 Pro, 10 Pro, 11+ ✅ Yes Check UK model
Huawei P40 / P50 series ✅ Yes Depends on variant

Ready to get your eSIM?

Instant delivery. Works on all compatible devices above. Pakistan & Saudi Arabia plans available.

🇵🇰 Pakistan Plans 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Plans