How to Buy and Install a Hong Kong eSIM — iPhone & Android Guide

Last updated: March 2026

Installing a Hong Kong eSIM takes under five minutes. You don't need to visit a store, swap a physical SIM, or find WiFi at the airport before you have data. This guide covers the full process — buying, installing, and activating — for both iPhone and Android.

Quick overview: how it works

Step 1: Purchase your eSIM online — you'll receive a QR code by email
Step 2: Install the eSIM via your phone's settings before you travel
Step 3: Enable the eSIM when you land in Hong Kong — data starts immediately
Works on: iPhone XS and later, most modern Android devices
No physical SIM swap required — your home SIM stays in your phone

Before you start: check your phone is eSIM compatible

Most smartphones released after 2018 support eSIM, but it's worth confirming before purchasing. Your phone also needs to be unlocked — a locked device won't connect to a foreign network regardless of eSIM compatibility.

Compatible iPhone models

All of the following iPhone models support eSIM:

Model	eSIM support	Notes
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR	✓	Dual SIM (nano + eSIM)
iPhone 11 series	✓	Dual SIM
iPhone 12 series	✓	Dual SIM
iPhone 13 series	✓	Dual SIM
iPhone 14 series	✓	US models: eSIM only (no physical SIM tray)
iPhone 15 series	✓	Dual SIM / eSIM only depending on region
iPhone 16 series	✓	Dual SIM / eSIM only depending on region

iPhone SE (2nd gen and later) also supports eSIM. iPhone XR and earlier do not support two active eSIMs simultaneously.

Compatible Android models

eSIM support varies more across Android manufacturers. The following are confirmed compatible:

Brand	Compatible models
Samsung	Galaxy S20 and later, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip series, Note 20 series
Google Pixel	Pixel 3 and later (except Pixel 3a)
OnePlus	OnePlus 12 and later
Motorola	Razr series, Edge series (select models)
Huawei	P40 and later — eSIM support varies by region

If your model isn't listed, check Settings → About Phone → SIM Status. If you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM.

Check unlock status: Go to Settings → General → About (iPhone) or contact your carrier directly. If you bought your phone outright or have completed your contract, it's likely already unlocked. Carrier-locked phones will connect during installation but won't activate on the Hong Kong network.

Step 1: buy your Hong Kong eSIM

Purchase your eSIM before you travel — ideally a day or two in advance so you have time to install it without rushing. You don't need to be in Hong Kong to install it. The eSIM just won't connect to a Hong Kong network until you arrive.

With Travelsim Asia, the process after purchase is:

You'll receive a confirmation email within minutes containing your QR code
The email also includes your activation instructions and a link to your customer portal
No account creation required — everything is accessible from the email link

Browse Hong Kong eSIM plans →

Step 2: install the eSIM on iPhone

Install the eSIM before you leave — you'll want a WiFi connection during setup, and it's easier to troubleshoot at home than at the airport.

Method A: scan the QR code (recommended)

Open Settings → Mobile Service (or Cellular on US devices)
Tap Add eSIM (or "Add Mobile Plan" on older iOS versions)
Select Use QR Code
Scan the QR code from your confirmation email — use a second device to display the email if needed
Tap Continue when prompted — the eSIM will download and install
Label the plan (e.g. "Hong Kong") when asked — this makes it easy to identify later

Method B: enter details manually

If you can't scan the QR code, your confirmation email also contains an activation code and SM-DP+ address for manual entry. In Settings → Add eSIM, choose "Enter Details Manually" and input both values.

Configure dual SIM settings (iPhone)

After installation, set your lines correctly so your home SIM isn't used for data in Hong Kong:

Go to Settings → Mobile Service
Tap Default Line — keep your home SIM as default for calls and SMS
Tap Mobile Data — select your Hong Kong eSIM
Turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching — this prevents iOS from automatically falling back to your home SIM for data

Data Roaming: Make sure Data Roaming is enabled on your Hong Kong eSIM line — Settings → Mobile Service → [your HK plan] → Data Roaming → On. This is required even though the eSIM is a local Hong Kong plan. Without it, data won't work on arrival.

Step 2: install the eSIM on Android

The menu labels vary slightly between manufacturers but the process is the same across all Android devices.

Samsung

Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager
Tap Add eSIM
Select Scan QR code and scan your QR code
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm and install
Set the eSIM as your preferred data SIM under SIM Manager → Mobile Data

Google Pixel

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
Tap the + icon to add a new SIM
Select Download a SIM instead?
Scan your QR code and follow the prompts
Set as preferred data SIM under Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs

Other Android devices

The path is typically Settings → Connections / Network → SIM / Mobile Network → Add eSIM. If you can't locate it, search "eSIM" in your Settings search bar.

Enable Data Roaming on Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → [select your HK eSIM] → Data Roaming → On. Same requirement as iPhone — without this, data won't activate on arrival.

Step 3: activate in Hong Kong

Your eSIM is installed but won't connect to a Hong Kong network until you're in the country. On arrival at Hong Kong International Airport:

Switch your active data SIM to your Hong Kong eSIM (if not already set)
Enable Data Roaming on the eSIM line if you haven't already
Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 10 seconds, then turn it off — this forces your phone to search for a local network
You should see the carrier name appear in your status bar within 30–60 seconds

Most eSIMs activate automatically on first network contact. If you don't have data within a few minutes of landing, see the troubleshooting section below.

APN settings for Hong Kong eSIM

Most eSIMs configure APN settings automatically. If your data isn't working after activation, you may need to set the APN manually. For Travelsim Asia's Hong Kong eSIM (CMHK network):

Field	Value
APN	cmhk
Username	Leave blank
Password	Leave blank

On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → [HK plan] → Mobile Data Network → APN.
On Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names → Add new APN.

Troubleshooting: common issues

eSIM installed but no data on arrival. Check that Data Roaming is enabled on the eSIM line. Toggle Airplane Mode off and on to force a network scan. If still no connection, check the APN settings above.
QR code won't scan. Make sure the QR code is displayed at full screen brightness on a separate device. Alternatively, use the manual activation code included in your confirmation email.
"SIM not supported" error. Your phone may be carrier-locked. Contact your home carrier to confirm unlock status before travelling.
eSIM not appearing in settings. Restart your phone after installation. On iPhone, go to Settings → Mobile Service — the new plan should appear there. If not, re-scan the QR code.
Home SIM using data instead of eSIM. On iPhone, go to Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data and confirm your Hong Kong eSIM is selected. Disable "Allow Mobile Data Switching".
Data runs out mid-trip. Log in to your Travelsim Asia customer portal via the link in your original confirmation email and purchase a top-up — no new QR code needed.