eSIM Stuck on Activating: Causes and Fixes (2026)

TL;DR: “Activating…” usually means the phone is downloading the eSIM profile. Use strong Wi-Fi, wait, restart once if needed, and never scan the same QR twice. If the line is installed but still will not finish connecting, set Network Selection to Manual and pick the exact network name shown on your RoameSIM plan for that country.

What “Activating” means

Your phone is talking to the SM-DP+ server to install the profile. Slow hotel Wi-Fi, VPN, or a dropped connection freezes this step. After install, the phone still needs to register on a local partner network - that is where manual network selection often helps.

Fixes when eSIM is stuck on Activating

1. Stay on reliable Wi-Fi (not flaky airport free Wi-Fi if you can avoid it).
2. Turn VPN / Private DNS Off until install finishes.
3. Wait up to 10-15 minutes before retrying.
4. Restart the phone, reopen Settings, and check if the plan already appeared.
5. Retry install once from your RoameSIM email or tracking link - only if the plan is not listed yet.
6. Select the network manually using the operator name on your plan card (see below).

Fix that often works: manual network selection

Many travellers fix a stuck or unfinished activation after the profile is already on the phone by choosing the correct local network by hand.

1. Open your RoameSIM order email, tracking page or plan card and note the network / operator name for the country you bought (for example the name shown under the package, such as Orange or Turk Telekom).
2. On your phone, open the travel eSIM line settings.
3. Find Network Selection (or Mobile network / Carrier).
4. Turn Automatic off so the phone searches for available networks.
5. From the list, select the network that matches the name on your package for that country.
6. Wait 30-60 seconds, then test mobile data with Wi-Fi off.

iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your RoameSIM line → Network Selection → Automatic Off → pick the matching network.

Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs / Mobile network → Automatically select network Off → pick the matching network.

If several similar names appear, choose the one that best matches the plan card. Wrong network selection is a common reason the eSIM stays on Activating, Searching, or No Service even after a successful QR install. Related: eSIM no service and installed but no internet.

iPhone stuck on Activating

Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. If it hangs, leave Wi-Fi on, force-restart the iPhone (volume + side button), then check whether the line already exists. If it exists but will not connect, use manual network selection above. See iPhone install guide and unable to activate eSIM.

Android stuck on Activating

Use the QR or “Download a SIM instead” flow on a stable network. Samsung Secure Folder / Work profiles sometimes interfere. After the plan appears, use manual network selection with the operator name from your plan card. Guide: install eSIM on Android.

Do not do this

• Do not scan the QR repeatedly - see QR code already used.
• Do not delete a half-installed profile without support guidance.
• Do not leave Network Selection on Automatic if the matching operator never appears - switch to Manual and pick the plan’s network name.

Still stuck?

Related: QR code not working · full troubleshooting hub. Contact info@roamesim.io with device model, OS version, order reference, and a screenshot of the network list plus your plan’s network name.

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