Don't worry it happens sometimes. The good news is the activation process is still happening behind the scenes, but it takes a bit longer. Just follow the instructions below:

1.    After about 15 - 20 minutes, go to Settings and tap Mobile (or Cellular).

2.    Under the SIMs list, you will see your Primary number and your new eSIM will be located either under Business or Secondary or possibly Travel.

If you want, you can rename your new eSIM.

3. Go to Mobile Plan Labels - and tap Mobile Data.

4.  Tap the new eSIM which may be labelled Business or Secondary or Travel.

5.  Hit Custom Label and name it something like "Cedar Mobile" (helps to have different name). Tap Done.

6.  Next go to Default Voice Line and choose Primary. Tap Continue.

If you want to have iMessage and Facetime:

7.  Then go to iMessage & FaceTime and turn ON, also pick Primary - yes, (only if you use them). Tap Continue.

8.  Under Mobile Data, your shiny new Cedar Mobile eSIM will be listed.

9.  When you see Mobile Data Switching - resist the urge! Leave it OFF. Tap Done.

10.  Your phone may still be doing a little behind-the-scenes setup, so give it a few minutes to fully connect.

It happens to the best of us! If your eSIM is still valid and you’re using the same device, you can reinstall it from the original iOS and Android Link/ QR code.

Here’s how to work that magic:

1. Find the email from Cedar Mobile with your original eSIM order - the one with the iOS and Android Link/ QR code … and install again.
2. Need help? Check out our handy: FAQ - How to activate my eSIM?

Sometimes you’re sure you’ve got data … you even checked your data usage on your email update. Sometimes there is up to a 2 hour delay in transferring the data OR your eSIM validity may have expired.

Best and most accurate way to double-check your usage - Here’s how:

iPhone:

• Tap into Settings,
• Next go to Cellular or Mobile Data
• Scroll down to see your Cedar Mobile plan usage, called Current Period
• This will list which apps are gobbling up your data e.g. YouTube, Weather, Uber, etc.

Android:

• Head to Settings
• Next go Network & Internet,
• Next - Data Usage or Mobile Network
• You’ll find your Cedar Mobile data plan usage and app-by-app breakdown whose chewing it all up, e.g. (WhatsApp, Google Maps, YouTube, etc.)

Google Pixel:

• Head to Settings
• Next go Network & Internet,
• Next - SIMs
• Select Carrier for your SIM card
• Tap App data usage

You’ll find your Cedar Mobile data plan usage and tap Android OS to see app-by-app breakdown (WhatsApp, Google Maps, YouTube, etc.)

Sometimes your eSIM needs a moment to adjust to its new network surroundings.

Still not working? Your current spot might have weak mobile signal coverage. Try moving to a better location with “robust” mobile network coverage … more signal bars and 4G & 5G

Still nothing? Try:

• Flip Airplane Mode ON
• Wait 10 seconds
• Flip it OFF

This resets your phone and helps it lock onto the best available network.

Sometimes VPNs can block eSIM installation when travelling, therefore best to deactivate the VPN:

On iPhone:

• Go to Settings, and tap General
• Scroll to VPN & Device Management and tap
• Tap VPN, if active the status will say Connected
• To deactivate the VPN, tap the toggle to disconnect ... it will now say Not Connected.

On Android:

• Open Settings
• Tap Network & Internet
• Go to More connection settings
• Tap VPN and toggle off.

On Google Pixel:

• Open Settings
• Tap Network & Internet
• Tap VPN  or VPN by Google and toggle off.

The easiest way to disable it, just uninstall the app. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen and select Uninstall.

Start with these quick steps:

• No signal bars? You might be in a mobile dead zone. Move over to a spot with better signal.
• Got a VPN or firewall, turn them OFF.
• Turn your eSIM OFF and ON. If that doesn’t help, power off your phone and give it a fresh start.
• Still on Airplane Mode? Switch it OFF!

If still not working:

• Open your phone’s Settings, next go to Cellular/Mobile, then Cellular/Mobile Data
• Make sure your Cedar eSIM is turned ON
• And don’t forget: your eSIM Data Roaming should be ON too.
• Toggle Data Roaming OFF and ON a few times.
• If you see signal bars, then it's working. No bars? Reboot your phone to refresh that network.

Still nothing? You might be in a coverage-challenged area. Time to find a better spot - like outside the building or the down the street.

If your eSIM is refusing to install, here’s your checklist:

eSIM Compatible?

Not all phones are eSIM compatible.

Not sure? Check FAQ: How to check if my phone is eSIM Compatible?

Unlocked phone?

If it’s locked, only your Home mobile carrier can unlock it.

Need help?

Check out FAQ: How do I know if my phone is locked?

Signal check!

You need a strong and stable Wi-Fi internet connection.

VPNs/Firewalls

If they’re on, they might be blocking installation. Turn them off and try again.

Need help?

Go to FAQ: How do I switch off the VPN on my phone? and FAQ: How do I turn off my phone’s firewall?

 iOS and Android Link/QR Code

Make sure it hasn’t already been accidentally installed and used on another phone.

Go to the above FAQ question - FAQ: How do I activate my eSIM?

Low bars = low speed. Look at your signal. If you’re seeing 3G, E, or LTE instead of the 4G or 5G, you’re in a weak mobile network zone.

Move around! Find a better signal.

Maybe your auto mobile/cellular network selection is not working well:

• Turn Airplane Mode ON (yes, everything goes dark for a moment)
• Then turn it OFF. Your phone will now find the strongest network in the area.

Still slow? Best to go and try a new location.

We offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee if:

• Your eSIM just won’t activate
• Your trip got cancelled before you activated the eSIM
• You found out your phone is locked or incompatible after purchase

Just submit a refund request via the email template in our Support section.

A few simple ground rules:

1. Submit within 30 days of buying your eSIM.
2. The guarantee only applies if your eSIM is unactivated and unused
3. If you’ve already activated it, we’ll look into a partial refund if due to a faulty eSIM and if there’s data left.
4. Once approved, refunds take 10-15 business days.
5. Refunds come through the original payment method.

Check our: Terms of Service

No iOS and Android Link/QR code? No problem. Let’s find it:

• Check your Order Confirmation Email - that’s proof you hit "Buy".
• Check your Spam/Junk Folder - sometimes iOS and Android Link/QR codes like to hide.
• Be in a good signal area.
• Turn off VPNs and Firewalls (they can be difficult).
• Restart your phone and give it another go.

iMessage and FaceTime are powered by data. When you pop in your new Cedar mobile eSIM, your iPhone might ask which SIM to use for iMessage and FaceTime. Simply give the Primary SIM the go ahead and follow the guidelines below.

Here’s what to do:

These apps use your Apple ID and are linked to your Primary phone number. As long as your phone knows it should grab data from your Cedar Mobile eSIM, you’re good.

Settings:
Just keep your iMessage and FaceTime settings exactly how they were.

Keeping Your Primary Line ON?

You can leave your Primary Line turned ON. This means you’ll still get your regular calls and texts from back home. BUT - and this is super important:

1. You need to turn OFF Data Roaming on your Primary line or your wallet might cry later (international roaming data charges are sneaky little beasts).
2. Most mobile network providers will not charge you to receive calls and texts while your overseas - but some do. So best to check before you leave home, which sort of home mobile provider yours is.

Reminder - you cannot transfer your eSIM if it’s been activated already.

On iPhone:

Make sure:

• Both iPhones are running iOS 16 or newer
• Turn Bluetooth ON
• You’re signed into the same Apple ID on both
• Your old iPhone and new iPhone is unlocked (and eSIM compatible)

Now, let’s do the transfer:

On your OLD iPhone:

1.Go to Settings, next Cellular (or Mobile)

2. Tap the eSIM plan you want to remove, and select Delete eSIM

On your NEW iPhone:

1. Go to Settings, next Cellular (or Mobile), then go to Add eSIM
2. Tap Transfer From nearby iPhone (or pick the number)

Heads-up:

• If you run in difficulties: Check that new phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible, your VPN and firewall is turned off and your phone has the latest iOS software downloaded (makes a difference, so worthwhile doing so)
• Back up your data, to be safe
• Restart both phones and make sure Wi-Fi isn’t being weird.

On Android:

Step 1: Prep like a pro

• Make sure both phones support eSIM and are unlocked
• Back up your data
• VPN and firewalls are turned off
• You have the latest phone Android software downloaded … trust me it makes a difference if you don’t.

Step 2: Transfer Time!

On your OLD phone:

• Go to Settings, then Network & Internet (or Connections)
• Select SIMs (or SIM Manager)
• Select the eSIM, choose Delete, Remove or Erase SIM

On your NEW phone:

• Head to Settings, next Connections, then go SIM Manager (or similar)
• Select Download eSIM
• Scan that QR code from your Cedar Mobile email.
• Follow the prompts. Easy!

Need Help? Check your internet connection, try a restart, check your VPN’s/Firewalls are off, make sure you’ve got all the latest software updates

On Google Pixel:

Step 1: Prep like a pro

• Make sure new phone supports eSIM and is unlocked
• Make sure the eSIM has not been activated on the old phone

Step 2: Transfer Time!

In your OLD phone:

• Head to Settings, next Connections, then go to SIMs
• Select eSIM to delete
• Scroll right down and tap Erase eSIM
• Tap Confirm then Erase
• Easy!

On your NEW phone:

• Head to Settings, next Network and Internet, then SIMs, then Add SIM (or similar)
• Select Download eSIM
• Scan that QR code from your Cedar Mobile email
• Follow the prompts.

Any issues? Check your internet connection, try a restart, check your VPN’s/Firewalls are off, make sure you’ve got all the latest software updates.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings, then Cellular (or
   Mobile)
2. Tap the eSIM you want to delete
3. Tap Delete eSIM
4. Confirm it and Delete

On Android:

1. Go to Settings, go to Connections, then SIM Card Manager
2. Choose the eSIM you want to remove
3. Toggle it OFF first
4. Then hit Remove/Delete
5. Confirm

On Google Pixel:

1. Head to Settings, next Connections, then go to SIMs
2. Select eSIM to delete
3. Scroll right down and tap Erase eSIM
4. Tap Confirm then Erase

If your phone isn’t auto switching to the strongest network like it should, here’s how to do it manually:

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings, next go Cellular (or Mobile Data)
2. Pick the eSIM in question
3. Go to Network Selection
4. Turn Automatic OFF
5. Choose another network from the list

On Android:

1. Open Settings, next go to Connections
2. Tap Network Operators
3. Toggle Automatic OFF
4. Pick a network manually

On Google Pixel:

1. Open Settings, next go to Network and Internet then SIMs then Carrier
2. Toggle OFF Automatically select network
3. Wait a short time then select desired network from the list.

To do a manual eSIM set you'll need the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your Cedar Mobile email. Let’s break it down:

iPhone:

1. Go to Settings,
2. Next go to Cellular or Mobile Service
3. Tap Add eSIM, Next go Use QR Code, then Enter Details Manually
4. Copy/paste the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code from your Cedar Mobile email (toggle back and forth if needed)
5. Leave the Confirmation Code blank
6. Tap Next, next go to Continue, then Done
7. Toggle iMessage and FaceTime ON when prompted.

Android:

1. Go to Settings, next go to Connections, then SIM Manager
2. Tap Add eSIM, next go to Scan QR, then Enter Activation Code
3. Grab that long LPA:1$... code from your Cedar Mobile email and paste it
4. Tap Connect, next go to Add
   - don’t close the window! Give it a few minutes.
5. Once complete, go to Settings, then go to Mobile Networks
6. Flip that Data Roaming switch ON.

Google Pixel:

1. Go to Settings, next go to Network & Internet, then SIMs
2. Tap the Add SIM then select Set up an eSIM then tap on Help setting up an eSIM
3. Tap Enter it manually
4. Tap Code
5. Copy/paste the long LPA:1$… code from your Cedar Mobile email
6. Tap Connect, then Add.

Once activated, go to Settings,
then Mobile Networks and turn Data Roaming ON.