Once you buy a Cedar Mobile eSIM plan, you’ll get an email with your iOS & Android Link/QR code (usually within a minute or two - faster than you can say “expensive roaming charges!”). Can’t find it? Poke around in your spam or junk folder just in case.
Important pre-activation checklist:
- Your phone isn’t locked and is eSIM compatible.
- Your VPN and firewall are turned off, and
- Your phone has the latest software downloaded on it - iOS or Android ... old phone software will cause you problems (just warning you in advance).
- Make sure you have a strong and stable internet/Wi-Fi connection.
- We recommend you remove your screen auto-lock before you start the activation.
- Do not interfere or interrupt the activation process.
Tip: You should activate your eSIM before your trip (highly recommended!).
For iPhone: eSIM install on your iPhone with CedarHub
The simple & fast way for iOS17.4 software and later (post-March 2024)
1. Installation
- Tap the CedarHub link in your Cedar Mobile email
- Tap Installation and then tap iOS
- When Activate New eSIM appears, tap Activate
- Next tap Continue
- You’ll now see Connecting to Network. Just give it a minute or two
- When it says Done, tap Done
In some countries Apple will ask you the following setup
Just follow the prompts:
- Where will you use this eSIM? > Select When travelling / Abroad
- Which type of plan is this? > Select Data only
- While travelling, how will you use it? > Select eSIM + Current SIM
- If asked Low Data Mode > Choose Not now (recommended)
- Apple is preparing your phone for travel -
this is normal.
2. Check your eSIM
- Go to Settings > Mobile
Data/Cellular - You will see your new eSIM in the SIMs list
- It may be labelled Travel, Business, or Mobile Data
- It may show Activating for some time or ON if setup is complete
- Both are normal - your eSIM is installed
3. Important (before you travel)
Depending on your home country Apple may have:
- Automatically set Mobile Data = your new eSIM
This is for upcoming travel - but you are not there yet.
Therefore best to fix this now:
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular
- Tap Mobile Data
- Select your Primary SIM (this is your Home SIM)
4. Name your eSIM (Highly recommended)
Make it easy to recognise:
- Go to your SIM list
- Tap your new eSIM - even if it shows Activating
- Tap Mobile Plan Label
- Then tap Edit custom label
- Enter a new name (e.g. Cedar Europe)
- Tap back to save
5. Final setup (do this now)
While still in your Cedar Mobile eSIM settings:
- Toggle Data Roaming ON (so you’re ready when you land)
- Then toggle your new eSIM line OFF until you arrive
If Apple sends you a notification “Unable to Activate eSIM”
Don’t worry this is normal when installing your eSIM at home. To check:
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular
- If you can see your eSIM, it is installed and ready
You’re all set until you land.
6. When you land - how to activate your eSIM data pack?
- Tap on your Cedar Mobile eSIM
- Ensure Airplane Mode is toggled OFF
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular
- Tap your Cedar Mobile eSIM
- Then toggle your Cedar Mobile eSIM line ON
- Make sure your Primary SIM is toggled OFF
- Make sure Cedar Mobile Data Roaming is toggled ON
This step is ESSENTIAL - it allows your eSIM to connect to local networks
- Then go back Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular and
- Tap Mobile Data and ensure your Cedar Mobile eSIM is selected
You’re now connected
Within a minute or two, your phone will connect automatically.
That’s it - you’re online and ready to explore
7. Using your Primary SIM (optional)
If you want to receive OTPs or texts or calls on your Primary SIM:
- Keep your Primary SIM line ON
ESSENTIAL - make sure Data Roaming is toggled OFF on your Primary SIM. This avoids data roaming charges.
Please note: Home networks may charge for receiving texts and calls when travelling.
Need help? Visit our Help Centre or chat with Aura, our friendly 24/7 support bot.
eSIM install on your iPhone from QR code
Your phone has pre-iOS17.4 software? (pre-March 2024)
1. Go to CedarHub, tap installation and QR Code, and then follow the next steps:
- Open your QR Code on another device or print it
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular
- Tap Add eSIM
- Then tap Use QR Code
- Scan your Cedar Mobile QR code from other device or print out
- Tap Continue when prompted
- Your eSIM will install in a minute or two
- You will be returned to your Mobile Data/Cellular settings
- Your new eSIM will now be seen in the SIM list
- It may be labelled under Travel, Business, or Mobile Data
2. Name your eSIM (highly recommended)
To make it easy to recognise:
- Go to your SIMs list
- Tap your new eSIM - even if it shows Activating
- Tap Mobile Plan Label
- Next tap Edit custom label
- Enter a name (e.g. Cedar Europe)
- Tap back to save
3. Final setup (do this now)
While still in your Cedar Mobile eSIM settings:
- Toggle Data Roaming ON (so you’re ready when you land)
- Then toggle the eSIM line OFF until you arrive
You’re all set until you land
4. When you land - how to activate your eSIM data pack?
Start by toggling your Airplane Mode OFF
- Turn on your Cedar Mobile eSIM
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular
- Tap your Cedar Mobile eSIM
- Next toggle the eSIM line ON
- Make sure your Primary SIM is toggled OFF
- Make sure Data Roaming is toggled ON
This step is ESSENTIAL - it allows your eSIM to connect to local networks
You’re connected
Within a minute or two, your phone will connect automatically.
That’s it - you’re online and ready to explore
5. Using your Primary SIM (optional)
If you want to receive OTPs or texts or calls on your Primary SIM:
Keep your Primary SIM line ON
ESSENTIAL - make sure Data Roaming is toggled OFF on your Primary SIM
This avoids data roaming charges
Please note: Home networks may charge for receiving texts and calls when travelling.
Need help?
Visit our Help Centre or chat with Aura, our friendly 24/7 support bot.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you interrupt the installation and activation steps, it will default into a slower activation process behind the scenes. Don't worry, just go to Troubleshooting - I interrupted the eSIM activation process ... now what?
For Android: eSIM install on your Android/Pixel phone with CedarHub
The simple & fast way - Install your eSIM before you travel.
1. Tap the CedarHub link in your Cedar Mobile email
- Scroll to Installation and tap Android
- Tap Setup on Set up your eSIM
- Then tap Settings on the Activate your eSIM page
2. Check your eSIM
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
You will see your new eSIM in the SIMs list.
It may be labelled eSIM, SIM 2, or Carrier 5/6.
If it is there, your new eSIM is installed
3. Name your eSIM (Highly recommended) Make it easy to find later:
- Go to your SIMs list
- Tap your new eSIM
- Tap Edit and rename it
- Enter a new name (e.g. Cedar Europe)
- Tap back to save
4. Get ready for travel
- Tap your new eSIM
- Then toggle Roaming ON (so you are ready when you land)
- Then toggle the eSIM line OFF until you arrive
You are all set until you land.
5. When you land - activate your eSIM data pack
- Turn On your Cedar eSIM
- Toggle Airplane Mode OFF
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet >
SIMs - Tap your new eSIM (e.g. Cedar Europe) and then toggle Use this SIM ON
- Then tap Get started on Set your SIM preferences
- Tap Next on Label your SIMs
- Tap Mobile data and select Cedar Europe
- Tap calls and select Primary
- Tap texts and select Primary
- Then tap Done
- Then ensure Roaming is toggled ON
This is ESSENTIAL - it allows your eSIM to connect to local networks
- Then go back to the SIMs page to ensure Mobile data is toggled ON in Mobile data
If you don’t see the SIM preferences prompt
Set Mobile data manually:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
- Tap your Cedar eSIM and on Use this SIM toggle ON
- On Set your SIM preferences tap Get started and tap Next
- Tap Mobile Data and select your Cedar eSIM
- Tap Done to save
You’re connected
Within a minute or two, your phone will connect automatically.
That’s it … you are online and ready to explore.
6. Using your Primary SIM (optional)
If you want to receive OTPs or texts or calls on your Primary SIM:
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
Tap your Primary SIM and Use this SIM and toggle ON and ensure Roaming is toggled OFF.
This is ESSENTIAL to avoid data roaming charges on your Primary SIM.
Please note: Home networks may charge for receiving texts and calls when travelling.
Need help?
Visit our Help Centre or chat with Aura, our friendly 24/7 support bot.
eSIM install on your Android/Pixel phone from QR code
1. Open your Cedar Mobile email on your phone
- Tap your CedarHub link
- Tap QR Code
- Take a screenshot of the QR code
2. Then to add the eSIM
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
- Tap Add SIM/eSIM
- Then tap Set up an eSIM
- Tap Scan from photo
- Select your QR code screenshot
- Follow the prompts to install your eSIM
This takes about a minute. You’ll then see a new SIM added (often labelled eSIM, SIM 2, or Carrier 5/6 on Pixel).
3. Next steps
- Continue with the setup as detailed above:
- Rename your eSIM (e.g. Cedar Europe)
- Turn your eSIM Data Roaming ON
- Then switch it OFF until you travel.