It takes about 60 seconds. Here's the whole thing — for iPhone and Android — plus what to do when you land and how to fix the common snags.
The 4 steps
Buy your plan, get the QR code. With Beaver, buy in the app and your eSIM is ready instantly — no email to hunt for. Do this at home on Wi-Fi before you travel.
Open eSIM settings. iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (wording varies slightly by brand).
Scan or tap to install. Point the camera at the QR code, or in the Beaver app tap install and it configures itself. Follow the prompts — label it "Travel" so it's easy to find.
Switch it on when you land. Set the eSIM as your data line, turn OFF data roaming on your home SIM, and you're online. Keep your home SIM on for calls and texts.
iPhone vs Android — the tiny differences
iPhone (XS or newer): everything lives under Settings → Cellular. You can hold several eSIMs and switch which one carries data with a tap. Turn on "Allow Cellular Data Switching" off so it doesn't fall back to your pricey home line.
Android (Pixel 4+, Galaxy S20+, and most 2020+ flagships): it's under Settings → Network & internet → SIMs. The menu names differ a little between Samsung, Google and others, but the flow — Add eSIM → scan QR → enable — is the same.
When you land
The single biggest mistake travelers make is trying to set everything up on slow airport Wi-Fi while jetlagged. Don't — you already installed the eSIM at home. When you land, just:
Turn on the travel eSIM for mobile data.
Turn off data roaming on your home SIM (so it can't rack up charges).
Toggle airplane mode on and off once if it doesn't connect immediately.
Troubleshooting
The QR code won't scan
Use the Beaver app's one-tap install instead of scanning, or enter the activation details manually (Settings → Add eSIM → Enter Details Manually). Make sure you're on Wi-Fi — activation needs internet.
It installed but there's no signal
Check that the eSIM is set as your data line and that data roaming is enabled for the eSIM itself (this is normal and expected for a travel eSIM). Toggle airplane mode once. If still nothing, you may not have landed in a covered area yet.
"Cellular Plan couldn't be added"
This usually means the eSIM was already installed once (each QR installs once). Reinstall from the Beaver app, which reissues it, or contact support@beaveresim.com.