eSIM QR code won't scan? Camera and lighting fixes

If your eSIM QR code won't scan, the cause is nearly always glare, a too-small image or camera focus rather than a broken code. Turn the screen brightness up, open the code at full size and hold your camera 15–20 cm away. If it still won't scan, you can install the eSIM manually instead.

Why won't my eSIM QR code scan?

• Screen glare: If you're scanning the code off another phone or laptop screen, glare or low brightness can stop the camera from reading it clearly. Turn the display brightness all the way up and tilt the screen to avoid reflections.
• Code too small: A tiny screenshot thumbnail is harder to scan than a full-size image. Open the code in its own window or PDF at full size rather than scanning a shrunken preview.
• Camera permissions: Make sure your phone's Camera (or Settings app, on iPhone) has permission to access the camera when you're adding the eSIM.
• Distance and focus: Hold the scanning device 15–20 cm from the code and give the camera a moment to focus before it locks on.
• Printed copy: If you have access to a printer, a printed copy of the code is often easier to scan than a screen, since there's no glare or refresh flicker.

If the camera picks the code up but your phone then rejects it, that's not a scanning problem. Work through our guide to eSIM QR code errors like "code already used", and if it's been close to a year since you bought the plan, check why an eSIM QR code expires.

What if the code still won't scan?

If the code won't scan no matter what, there's a manual route: your phone's eSIM setup screen has an option to enter the details by hand. Contact support with your order number and we'll send you the manual activation details (an SM-DP+ address and activation code). Choose "Enter Details Manually" on your phone, type them in and the install skips the camera entirely.

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