Install guide

How to install your Israel eSIM

Both Airalo and Holafly send a QR code by email after purchase. The install is the same regardless of provider. Allow 3 minutes.

Install before you land — if possible

You need WiFi (or your home cellular signal) to scan the QR code. If you wait until landing at Ben Gurion, use the free airport WiFi to do it. The actual activation doesn't happen until you're in Israel and turn airplane mode off.

iPhone (iOS 16+)

  1. Open the email from Airalo or Holafly. Have the QR code visible on a second device (laptop, tablet) or take a screenshot of it on the iPhone itself.
  2. On your iPhone, open Settings → Cellular (or Settings → Mobile Service on newer iOS).
  3. Tap "Add eSIM" → "Use QR Code".
  4. Scan the QR code from your second device. If you screenshot-ed it, tap "Enter Details Manually" and your iPhone will auto-detect the saved QR — or paste the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the email.
  5. iPhone will say "Activate eSIM?" — tap Continue.
  6. Label the line "Israel" so you can switch back to your home line easily.
  7. Set your Default Line. For data only (recommended): keep your home number as default for calls/SMS, set Israel line for Mobile Data. This way bank SMS still reaches you, but data uses the cheap Israel line.
  8. Wait 2–5 minutes. You'll see "Israel" in your status bar when active.

If it doesn't activate within 10 minutes

Turn airplane mode on, wait 15 seconds, turn it off. If still nothing, restart the phone. 99% of activation issues resolve with one of those two steps.

Android (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus)

Steps vary slightly by manufacturer but the pattern is the same.

  1. Settings → Connections → SIM card manager (Samsung) or Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (Pixel).
  2. Tap "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan".
  3. Choose "Scan QR code" — point the camera at the QR from a second device.
  4. Confirm the plan when prompted.
  5. Label it "Israel".
  6. Set Mobile Data to use the Israel line, keep your home line for calls/SMS.

Pixel-specific: the option may be under "Download a SIM instead?" on the SIM screen.

What to do at Ben Gurion

  1. As soon as the plane lands, turn airplane mode off.
  2. Your phone will automatically connect to the Israeli network (Cellcom for Airalo, Pelephone for Holafly).
  3. If you don't see signal within 5 minutes: airplane mode on/off again, or restart.
  4. If still nothing: connect to the free airport WiFi and contact your provider's chat support. Both have multilingual chat.

Common problems

"No service" after install

99% of the time, just restart the phone. Second most common cause: data roaming is off (Settings → Cellular → Israel line → Data Roaming → On).

"Could not activate eSIM"

Your QR code may have been scanned already. Each QR is single-use. Contact the provider; both reissue without question.

Working but no data

Check Default Data Line is set to Israel, not your home line.

Slow speeds

Likely throttling (Holafly) or a poor-coverage area (Old City Jerusalem can be patchy due to dense stone walls). Move 50 metres and re-check.

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