Why Airport Wi-Fi Is Still Useful When You Have an eSIM

Airport Wi-Fi is a helpful first option, not a promise

Airport Wi-Fi is useful because it gives you a connection before the travel line is configured. It is not guaranteed at every airport or on every terminal network, so treat it as the first option, not the only option. If the sign-in page will not load, wait for hotel Wi-Fi or another steady connection rather than trying to force setup through weak mobile data.

After landing: Wi-Fi first, then the eSIM

Buy the plan before travel, but do not scan the QR code, tap a quick-install prompt, install or activate the travel eSIM before you leave. After landing, use airport Wi-Fi only after you can sign in and open a normal webpage. If that does not work, use hotel Wi-Fi or another steady trusted connection, then open the SIM Shop setup email and start. This keeps setup simple when you are tired and travelling.

Use this arrival order

1. Turn off Aeroplane Mode. Use airport Wi-Fi only after you can sign in and open a normal webpage. If that does not work, wait for hotel Wi-Fi or another steady trusted connection.
2. Open the SIM Shop delivery email on the phone you will use. Keep the QR code on a second screen or printed if your phone needs to scan it with its camera.
3. Use the steps below for your exact phone. If the email includes manual details, use those exact values rather than an APN or activation code from the internet.
4. Choose the new travel eSIM for Mobile Data. Keep your Australian line’s data roaming off unless you deliberately want your Australian carrier’s roaming service.
5. Only turn Data Roaming on for the travel eSIM if the current SIM Shop setup email says that plan needs it. Open a simple webpage or map to confirm data is working before you leave the Wi-Fi area.

iPhone: add the travel eSIM after landing

1. With the QR code on another device or on paper, open Camera, scan it, tap Mobile Plan Detected, then Continue and Add eSIM or Add Mobile Plan. If the QR code is in a default email app or browser on iOS 17.4 or later, touch and hold it, then choose Add eSIM.
2. If the email gives manual details instead, open Settings and choose Mobile Service, Cellular or Mobile Data (the label varies by iOS version), then use Add eSIM, Add Mobile Plan or Set Up Mobile. Choose Enter Details Manually if it appears, then copy only the supplied details.
3. If prompted for a label, call the line SIM Shop Travel. In Settings > Mobile Service > Mobile Data on current iOS, or the equivalent Cellular/Mobile Data > Mobile Data route on other versions, select that travel line for data.
4. Leave Allow Mobile Data Switching off unless support has explained why to use it. For roaming, open the travel line’s Mobile Data Options and follow the order email. Keep the Australian line’s Data Roaming off unless you deliberately use home-carrier roaming.

Samsung Galaxy: add the travel eSIM after landing

1. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. Choose Add mobile plan > Scan carrier QR code. Some Galaxy versions call this Add using QR code or Add eSIM > Scan QR code.
2. Scan the QR code from your SIM Shop email. If your email contains an activation code instead, choose Add using activation code and enter only the supplied details.
3. Back in SIM card manager, make sure the travel eSIM is enabled. Under Primary SIM or Preferred SIM card, choose it for mobile data and turn Auto data switching off unless support has told you otherwise.
4. For the roaming setting, start at Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Data Roaming Access if that label appears. Only change it when your current setup email says this plan requires it. Galaxy labels, and whether that control is per line, vary by model and carrier. Stop and ask support if you cannot identify the travel line.

Google Pixel: add the travel eSIM after landing

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM, then follow the QR-code or manual-details option shown on the phone. Google notes that the carrier flow can differ slightly by device and Android version.
2. After the travel eSIM appears, return to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Turn Mobile data on and, under Your primary SIMs, choose the travel eSIM for Mobile data.
3. Keep Automatic data switching off unless support has advised otherwise. It can send data through the other SIM, which is not a helpful surprise for a travel setup.
4. The Pixel roaming control is in the relevant SIM’s mobile-network settings. It varies by model and Android version, so use it only when the current SIM Shop email says the travel plan needs roaming.

Other Android phones: do not guess the menu

1. Open Settings and search for eSIM, SIM, SIM manager or mobile network. First confirm that your exact phone actually offers an eSIM or add-plan option.
2. If it does, use the maker’s on-screen QR or manual-details route and the values from the SIM Shop email. Do not follow Samsung or Pixel labels on another Android brand as if they are universal.
3. Choose the travel eSIM for mobile data after it installs. Follow the order email for any APN or roaming step, and ask support for the exact route if the menus do not match.

If airport Wi-Fi will not connect

Stop there. Use hotel Wi-Fi or another steady trusted connection, then continue from the same setup email. Do not add random settings or try a manual code while you wait.

Avoid the airport shortcut that creates a bigger problem

• Do not assume airport Wi-Fi will be free, available or working.
• Do not complete setup using weak mobile data if the Wi-Fi portal fails.

When the first setup screen is not the one you expected

For help with your phone, plan or order, contact us with the order number, phone model and iOS or Android version. If a screenshot would help, crop it to the eSIM screen and hide QR and activation details. Do not try a random manual code while you wait.

Sources and checks

Information checked: 19 July 2026.

These links support the phone menus and safe setup checks used in this guide. Phone labels can vary by model and software version, so follow the screen on your own device and the instructions in your order email.

• Apple Support AU: Set up eSIM on iPhone
• Samsung Australia: install a nano-SIM card and eSIM on Galaxy
• Google Pixel: set up a new eSIM