Iceland eSIM

An Icelandic esim is a digital SIM profile that gets installed directly onto your device, no physical card involved. It connects your phone to mobile networks and gives you data access throughout the country — from the capital to the more isolated stretches of the highland interior.

After you receive the QR code by email, go into your phone's settings and look for the option to add a cellular plan or eSIM — this is usually found under Mobile Data, Cellular, or SIM Card, depending on the device. Select "Add Plan" or "Add eSIM", point your camera at the QR code, and let it scan. The profile downloads automatically.

You do need a working internet connection to scan and download the eSIM profile itself — your home Wi-Fi before travelling is the obvious option. The actual activation in Iceland happens automatically when the device finds a local network, so that part does not require a separate connection.

Most high-end phones since around 2020 have eSIM support — iPhones from the XS onward, Samsung Galaxy S and Z line from 2020, Google Pixel 3 and later, and a bunch of other Android handsets.

A few things can cause QR code scanning issues — poor lighting, a smudged screen on the device showing the code, or occasionally a camera focus problem. Try cleaning both screens and making sure there is enough light. If the scan keeps failing, you can usually enter the activation details manually instead. And if neither works, get in touch with our support team.

The installation process itself only takes a couple of minutes once you have the QR code — scan, download, done. The esim plan then activates the first time your phone connects to a local network, which typically happens within seconds of landing. There is no waiting period — it switches on as soon as coverage is detected.

Removing an eSIM profile is irreversible on most devices - you can't just reinstall from the same QR code after deleting. Some providers offer a one-time rescan, but it is not guaranteed. If you deprofile by mistake, the first thing to do is contact our support team; don't try anything else. We will see what options we have to get you back online .

Yes, that is in fact one of the biggest reasons why people choose an eSIM instead of taking out their home SIM. Most dual-SIM phones nowadays allow you to keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts and use the eSIM for data.

The simplest test is to open a browser and try to load a page — if it loads, the data is working. You can also tap on the signal bar in your phone's status bar and check if the carrier name shown here belongs to a local network.

You’re able to download the eSIM profile to your device prior to leaving your home — and this is actually the suggested method. Getting it in place beforehand is one fewer chore to have at the airport.