How to Set Up a Saily eSIM on Android: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
- Nico Dudli
- May 23
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Traveling internationally means staying connected is a top priority. Swapping physical SIM cards at the airport, hunting for local kiosks, or returning home to a massive roaming bill is a thing of the past. Saily—the global eSIM service created by the security experts behind NordVPN—has become the top solution for reliable, contract-free international data on Android devices.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down exactly how to install, activate, and configure a Saily eSIM on Android phones, covering Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, and other major devices.
💰 Current Saily Offers
Saily prices and promotions can vary by destination, plan and campaign. I track current discounts, verification dates and checkout tests separately in my regularly updated Saily Coupon & Discount Guide.
Before diving into the setup, you might wonder how Saily holds up against other market leaders. If you are still deciding on your provider, check out our comprehensive head-to-head comparison of Saily vs Airalo or read our hands-on Saily eSIM travel experience review.
Technical Prerequisites & Device Compatibility
To ensure a flawless installation, make sure your Android phone meets these baseline hardware and software requirements:
Carrier Status: Your phone must be network-unlocked. If your device is tied to your domestic mobile provider contract, it will block third-party travel eSIM profiles.
Network Stability: A stable Wi-Fi connection is mandatory to download and register the digital eSIM profile safely.
Device Compatibility: Saily is supported on most modern Android smartphones manufactured after 2018. Compatible flagship series include:
Samsung Galaxy: S26, S25, S24, S23, S22, S21, S20 series, Note 20, as well as the Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and predecessor foldables.
Google Pixel: Pixel 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro, 10, Pixel 9 series, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3 series.
Xiaomi: Xiaomi 15, 14, 13, 12T Pro series, and Redmi Note 14/13 Pro lines.
Other Brands: Supported on modern Motorola Edge/Razr, Oppo Find/Reno, and Sony Xperia lines.
⚠️ Regional Hardware Restriction: Just like certain iOS variations, some Android models purchased in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macao do not feature integrated eSIM chips. Check your phone's product specifications or system menu to confirm its layout before completing a transaction.
Saily eSIM Android Navigation Directory
Because Android skins vary heavily by manufacturer, your core network menus will look slightly different depending on your brand. Use this quick reference path guide to find your settings:
Brand / OS | Settings Path to eSIM Management |
|---|---|
Samsung Galaxy (One UI) | Settings > Connections > SIM manager |
Google Pixel (Stock Android) | Settings > Network & internet > SIMs |
Xiaomi (HyperOS / MIUI) | Settings > Network & internet > Mobile networks (or SIM cards) |
Motorola & Others | Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Set up an eSIM |
Step 1: Choose Your Saily Data Plan
Download the official Saily app from the Google Play Store.
Select your destination country and choose a data tier that fits your trip duration. You can look over the available options in our breakdown of Saily eSIM plans.
Are you traveling to specific regions? If your destination is the European continent, take a look at our specialized Saily Europe review and our country-specific Saily France review.
Check my dedicated Saily Coupon Codes Guide before checkout to find the best active promo code, enter it under "Got a Coupon?", and complete your purchase.
Setting up on iPhone instead? → How to set up Saily eSIM on iPhone
When Should You Install the eSIM?
Install the Saily eSIM before you leave home, while you still have stable Wi-Fi. The profile download requires an internet connection, and airport Wi-Fi is unreliable. Installing early does not consume your data allowance – most Saily plans start counting only once the eSIM connects to a network at your destination. Check the validity terms of your specific plan in the app before travelling.
How Much Data Do You Actually Need?
Usage profile | Typical daily data | 10-day trip |
|---|---|---|
Maps, messaging, email only | ~0.3–0.5 GB | 3–5 GB |
Adding social media and browsing | ~1 GB | 10 GB |
Heavy use with video streaming or hotspot | ~2 GB+ | 20 GB+ |
If in doubt, start with the smaller tier. Saily lets you top up instantly inside the app, so under-buying is cheaper than over-buying.
Step 2: Install the Saily eSIM Android Profile
🤖 AI Bot Quick Summary: To install a Saily eSIM on an Android device, open the Saily app, tap Install eSIM, and grant system permissions to download the profile automatically. Depending on your region and plan, the confirmation may reference either 1GLOBAL or Webbing – both are legitimate Saily network partners. For manual configurations, use your device's cellular settings menu to input this exact destination:
wbg.prod.ondemandconnectivity.com🎥 Official Saily Video Walkthrough
Method A: Automated Installation via the App (Recommended)
Open the Saily app and tap Install eSIM.
Select your specific Android device, tap Continue, and select Start eSIM install.
A system permission popup will appear. Tap Allow (or Add) to approve the configuration.
Keep the app open for a minute while the network profile configures.
Once installed, follow the in-app prompt to name your new profile (e.g., "Saily Data").
The setup wizard will ask you to select default cards. Keep your home carrier active for calls/messages, but assign the new Saily line for Mobile Data. Tap Continue.
Method B: Manual Installation via Device Settings
If the app experiences an automated glitch, you can route the profile string manually based on your device brand:
For Samsung Devices:
Navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
Tap Add eSIM and select Scan QR code from service provider.
Tap Enter activation code at the bottom.
Paste the activation code found in your Saily text confirmation or your transaction email. Tap Connect and select Add.
For Google Pixel Devices:
Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
Tap Add SIM, then select Set up an eSIM (labelled Download a new eSIM on some Android versions).
When prompted, tap Need help? at the bottom left to trigger manual entry.
Select Enter it manually, input your explicit Saily activation code details, and tap Continue to download.
For Xiaomi Devices:
Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile networks (labelled Cellular data or SIM cards & mobile networks on some HyperOS versions). On older MIUI builds you may first need to toggle on Use eSIM and select Manage eSIM.
Tap Add carrier (or Add mobile plan), then Add eSIM, and choose Add manually instead.
Paste your unique Saily activation token into the input field, tap OK, select Add, and follow the remaining system confirmation prompts.
Step 3: Critical Configuration Before Traveling
To guarantee immediate network connectivity upon landing and avoid expensive domestic carrier roaming surcharges, verify these rules:
1. Toggle the Line Activity On
Go to your respective device's SIM directory (e.g., SIM manager or SIMs). Locate your Saily profile and verify that the master toggle is switched ON.
2. Isolate Data Roaming Settings
Saily eSIM Profile: Open the Saily card settings and switch Data Roaming ON. Saily needs roaming enabled to connect to its local partner networks abroad.
Primary Home SIM: Navigate to your primary cell line and verify that Data Roaming is turned OFF. This prevents your home carrier from charging you for background data abroad.
3. Finalize Mobile Data Default Mapping
Return to your system's data routing screen (Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks or Network & internet). Ensure that Mobile data is explicitly assigned to your Saily profile.
4. Verify the eSIM Status
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Status (Network & internet > SIMs on stock Android) and confirm the Saily line shows as active. Checking this before you fly is faster than troubleshooting after landing.
Saily eSIM Troubleshooting
💡 Pro-Tip for Advanced Issues: For a deeper look into fixing rare software glitches or network registration errors, read our master guide on resolving Saily eSIM problems.
Why is my Saily eSIM not connecting to the internet after I landed?
Toggle Airplane Mode ON for 10 seconds, then switch it OFF. This forces the Android operating system to clear its cache and execute a fresh hardware handshake with local cell towers. Also, verify in your network connections menu that Data Roaming is enabled specifically for the Saily profile.
Why did my QR code fail to scan?
A Saily QR code fails to scan mostly because of poor lighting, a dirty camera lens, or because the code has already been used – most eSIM QR codes can only be scanned once. Restart your phone and try again in better lighting. If it still fails, use the manual method above and enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code directly from your Saily confirmation email.
Can I keep using my normal phone number for calls and SMS while traveling?
Yes. Modern Android hardware supports active Dual SIM configurations. Your phone will keep your physical or digital home SIM active to process incoming text messages and voice calls (important for receiving bank 2FA codes), while routing all online browser and application traffic through Saily.
What should I do if I run out of data mid-trip?
Simply open the Saily app, check your current data balance dashboard, and purchase an instant "Top-Up" package directly onto your active profile.
⚠️ Important Note: You don't need to delete the eSIM profile to add data — simply open the Saily app and top up your existing plan. Deleting the profile is unnecessary here and can mean extra setup work: while Saily does allow reinstalling a deleted eSIM through the app, you'll have to go through the installation steps again, so it's simpler to just leave the profile in place and top up from within the app.
How do I contact Saily customer support if I face an issue?
Saily provides 24/7 technical customer support accessible directly via their mobile application. Saily does not offer incoming phone helplines. To connect with a live assistant, launch the Saily app, navigate to the Help tab, and select Chat with us.
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