NileRoam

Installation guide

How to Install and Activate an eSIM

Installing an eSIM downloads a digital profile to your phone — it usually takes a few minutes over Wi-Fi. Installation and plan validity are separate concepts, and the start rule depends on the plan. For NileRoam, follow the timing shown on your own order; most current Egypt plans start on first supported-network connection, while a small number can start earlier.

Current Apple, Samsung & Google stepsReviewed 19 September 2026NileRoam setup with manufacturer guidance

Before you install

Five checks before you start

Two minutes of checking avoids the most common installation failures.

  1. Your device must support eSIM

    Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones do — but exact models and regional versions differ. Check your phone against our device list first.

  2. Your device must be carrier-unlocked

    A phone locked to one network can’t install a travel eSIM. Older, overseas-bought or enterprise-managed devices can still be locked — check with the seller or mobile network if you’re unsure.

  3. Use a reliable internet connection

    The eSIM profile downloads over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Home Wi-Fi before you travel is the most reliable option.

  4. Have your installation details ready

    Your private order page provides a QR code and the installation information supplied with your profile. Keep those details to hand — and treat them like a password: never share them publicly.

  5. Install on the device you’ll travel with

    An eSIM installs to one device. Scanning the QR code on a different phone installs it there instead.

Already bought from NileRoam? Use the installation details from your delivery page or email. Can’t find them? Find your order.

Two ways to install

QR code or manual details

Your private order page shows the QR code and, when the profile supports it, separate manual-install fields. Use the method your phone accepts.

Install with the QR code

The quickest route on most phones.

  • Open your order on another screen, or use the method your device supports for scanning an image on the same phone
  • Point the camera at the QR code and follow the prompt that appears
  • Label the new line clearly — for example “NileRoam” or “Egypt”

If the QR code is displayed on the phone you’re installing on, use the device’s own image/link method where supported, or switch to manual details below.

Install with manual details

Use this when your phone asks for separate fields.

When the profile uses the standard LPA activation format, your private order page separates the values your phone may ask you to type:

  • SM-DP+ address — the manual installation address (the technical label your device may show)
  • Activation code / matching ID — the identifier that pairs your order to the profile
  • Confirmation code — only if your order supplies one

Type them exactly as shown in your order. A single wrong character will fail the installation.

Device steps · iPhone

Install on iPhone

Menu labels vary slightly by iOS version and region — your phone may say Mobile Service, Mobile Data or Cellular.

  1. Add the eSIM

    Open Settings → Mobile Service (or Mobile Data / Cellular) → tap Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular.

  2. Install the profile

    Scan the QR code with the camera, or tap Enter Details Manually at the bottom of the screen and type your order’s values. If your order supplies a confirmation code, enter it when asked.

  3. Name the line

    Label the new line — for example “NileRoam” — so it’s easy to recognise later.

  4. Choose the travel eSIM as your data line

    Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data and select the travel eSIM. Your home line can stay enabled — calls and texts to your UK number still arrive on it.

  5. Stop unwanted data switching

    Check Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options and turn off Switch Mobile Data (wording varies by iOS version) if you don’t want your phone routing data to the home SIM when the travel line is weak.

  6. Turn on data roaming for the travel line

    In Settings → Mobile Data, tap the travel eSIM’s line and enable Data Roaming where your order’s instructions require it. Keep the home line’s data roaming off unless you deliberately want to use it.

Steps follow Apple’s current UK guidance for setting up eSIM and using eSIM while travelling. Not sure your iPhone supports eSIM? Check your model.

Device steps · Samsung Galaxy

Install on Samsung Galaxy

Current Galaxy software uses SIM manager and Add eSIM. Older models or software can still show labels such as SIM card manager or Add mobile plan.

  1. Add the eSIM

    Go to Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM. On older Galaxy software you may instead see SIM card manager and Add mobile plan. Connect to Wi-Fi first.

  2. Install the profile

    Choose the QR-code option and scan your order’s QR code, or use the manual/activation-code option shown by your software version and enter the fields from your private order page.

  3. Choose the travel eSIM for data

    Back in SIM manager (or SIM card manageron older software), set the travel eSIM as the preferred SIM for mobile data. Your home SIM can stay enabled for calls and texts.

  4. Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM

    Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile networks and enable Data Roaming where your order’s instructions require it. Check Auto data switching stays off so data doesn’t fall back to the home SIM.

Steps follow Samsung UK’s current guidance for Galaxy eSIM setup and supported-network guidance and turning data roaming on or off. Not sure your Galaxy supports eSIM? Check your model.

Device steps · Google Pixel

Install on Google Pixel

Labels and behaviour vary by Android version and operator.

  1. Add the eSIM

    Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM.

  2. Install the profile

    Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your order’s QR code or enter the details it provides.

  3. Choose the travel eSIM for data

    In Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, set the travel eSIM as the SIM used for mobile data. Your home SIM can stay active for calls and texts.

  4. Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM

    Tap the travel eSIM in SIMs and enable Roaming where your order’s instructions require it. Keep the home SIM’s roaming off unless you deliberately want to use it.

Steps follow Google’s current Pixel eSIM setup guidance. Not sure your Pixel supports eSIM? Check your model.

Device steps · Other Android

Install on other Android phones

Android menus differ by brand, model and software version. If your phone isn’t an iPhone, Samsung or Pixel, start here.

Open Settings and search for “eSIM”, “SIM manager”, “SIMs” or “Mobile network” — the eSIM option lives in or near one of those. Then look for an Add eSIM or Add mobile plan action and follow the QR or manual method above.

Xiaomi

On current Xiaomi software, the path is around Settings → Mobile networks → Turn on eSIM → Manage SIM → Add eSIM. Availability varies by model and region, and some models need the second physical SIM slot disabled first. Xiaomi’s eSIM support

OPPO, Huawei, Motorola & others

Menu paths vary by model, market and software version, so we don’t publish one exact path. Use the Settings search above, confirm your exact model is eSIM-capable, and check your manufacturer’s own support pages for current steps.

Not sure your phone supports eSIM?

Check your exact model on our eSIM compatible devices page — it covers regional and version caveats, the *#06# EID check and carrier-unlock guidance.

Timing

When should I install — and when does my plan start?

“Installing” and “starting” are different events, and confusing them is the most common travel-eSIM mistake. Your order moves through four states:

  1. Purchased

    You’ve paid. Your installation details are in your delivery email and order page.

  2. Installed

    The eSIM profile is downloaded to your phone. Nothing has started yet on most plans.

  3. Line enabled

    The travel eSIM is turned on and selected for mobile data.

  4. Connected in Egypt

    Your phone registers on a supported network — and this is when most plans begin.

When your NileRoam plan starts

Most current NileRoam Egypt plans start when your phone first connects to a supported network in Egypt. A small number can start when the eSIM is first installed instead, so your order’s timing rule is authoritative. If your order says first network connection, installing at home on Wi-Fi will not start that plan; if it says first installation, wait until you’re ready for validity to begin.

After arrival

Arrival checklist for Egypt

Six checks, in order, once you’ve landed.

  1. Turn on the travel eSIM

    Make sure the NileRoam line is enabled in your SIM settings.

  2. Select it for mobile data

    Choose the travel eSIM as the line your phone uses for data.

  3. Enable data roaming on the travel eSIM

    Where your order’s instructions require it — travel eSIMs typically need roaming on to use local networks abroad.

  4. Keep home-SIM data off

    Turn off data roaming on your home SIM (or its mobile data) so your phone can’t fall back to it. Keeping the home line enabled for calls and texts is fine — that alone doesn’t incur data charges, though your home carrier’s own roaming terms always apply to that line.

  5. Allow network registration

    Give the phone a minute or two to register on a supported network automatically.

  6. Toggle Airplane Mode if needed

    One on/off cycle nudges the phone to re-search and connect.

Data still not working? Follow the troubleshooting flow below.

Troubleshooting

eSIM not working? Work through your symptom

Start with the low-risk checks. Stop and contact support before anything drastic.

The eSIM won’t install

  1. Check your internet connection — the profile needs Wi-Fi or mobile data to download.

  2. Confirm your device is eSIM-capable and unlocked: check your model.

  3. Install the latest practical OS version for your phone.

  4. Retype the manual details carefully — one wrong character fails the install.

  5. If installation keeps failing, the installation details may already have been used. Stop and contact support — don’t keep retrying.

Installed, but no data

Check in this order:

  1. The travel eSIM line is enabled.

  2. It’s selected for mobile data.

  3. Mobile data is on.

  4. Data roaming is enabled on the travel eSIM where your order requires it.

  5. Network selection is automatic unless your order’s instructions say otherwise.

  6. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off once.

  7. Restart the phone.

  8. Set the APN only if your order’s instructions provide one — don’t copy APN values from other guides.

  9. Still nothing? Contact support with the details listed in Get help below.

No Service or SOS only

“No Service” means the phone hasn’t registered on any network — that’s different from the profile being installed, and different again from having a data session. Check the line is enabled and selected for data, toggle Airplane Mode, and restart. If you’re somewhere with weak coverage, moving even a short distance can help. Apple, Samsung and Google each publish current no-service guidance for their devices — follow your manufacturer’s own steps for anything deeper.

The QR code can’t be scanned

If the QR code is on the phone you’re installing on, use your device’s supported method for scanning an image on the same phone, or open your order on another screen. If neither works, install with the manual details instead — they achieve the same thing. Never photograph or share the QR code in public channels: it’s an installation credential.

Don’t delete the eSIM while troubleshooting

Do not delete the eSIM unless NileRoam support asks you to. Some installation credentials may not be reusable — deleting the profile can mean the same details can’t install it again. Work through the steps above, then contact support if you’re still stuck.

Get help

Still stuck? Here’s what helps

Recover your order

Lost the delivery email? Use your order number and purchase email to find it again.

Find your order

Contact support

Tell us what you’ve tried. Email [email protected] or use the contact page.

Contact support

What to include: your device model, the country you’re in, the exact error text or a screenshot with your QR code and activation details hidden, whether the eSIM appears in Settings, whether it’s selected for data, whether data roaming is on, and your order number if you have it. Never send your QR code or activation code — support will never need them in a public channel.