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The Pinglo guide

From QR code to your first signal in Japan

One guide that walks with you: check your phone, install the eSIM at home, switch it on when you land, and fix any problem yourself in minutes.

Make it yoursPick your phone and plan — the steps and screens change to match yours.
Your phone
Your plan
Phone language

A different phone? The Samsung steps are very close to most Android phones.

Take the guide with youSave it on your phone so it opens even without internet, handy at the airport in Japan before the eSIM is on. Or print it / save it as a PDF.

The Pinglo guide · printed copy · Phone: iPhone · Plan: — · Phone language: English

Stop 1

Before you start: four things

Tick each one. With all four, installing takes minutes and holds no surprises.

My phone supports eSIM

Dial *#06# in the Phone app: an EID number means it does. Or use the Pinglo checker.

My phone isn't locked to a carrier

Phones bought on contract outside the Gulf may be locked.

It should say No SIM restrictions here:

PathSettingsGeneralAboutCarrier Lock

Stable Wi-Fi, airplane mode off

Installing downloads the eSIM from the internet. Don't start on weak data or patchy Wi-Fi, and make sure airplane mode is off.

The QR code is on a second screen

Open the Pinglo email or your order page on a computer or another phone. No second screen? Use the “No camera” method.

0/40 of 4

Stop 2 · At home

Install the eSIM before you fly

Pick the method that suits you and follow the drawn screen: the blue box is where you tap.

  1. Make sure you're on Wi-Fi and airplane mode is off, then open your phone's settings.

  2. Every SIM in your phone is listed here.

    PathSettingsCellular

  3. Then choose Use QR Code so the phone opens its camera.

    PathSettingsCellularAdd eSIM

  4. Point the camera at the code shown on your second screen, from the Pinglo email or your order page.

  5. Tap Continue and wait a minute or two. Don't close the screen or drop the Wi-Fi while it activates.

    Don't delete the eSIM if activation stalls. Try again after a minute or message us.

    On iOS 26 and later the iPhone may ask whether this eSIM is for travel or for home. Choose travel.

  6. Label the new line Pinglo so you can tell it apart, and keep mobile data on your main line. You'll switch the Pinglo line on when you land in Japan.

    Your plan's validity doesn't start at installation — only at the first connection to a Japanese network. Until you arrive the line may show “Activating” or “No service”; that's normal.

Step 1 of 6

Menu names may differ slightly between system versions.

Stop 3 · At the airport in Japan

When you land: four taps

Turn airplane mode off, then follow the steps. The Japanese network shows up within a minute.

  1. Once the plane lands and airplane mode is off, turn the Pinglo line on.

    PathSettingsCellularPinglo

    On iOS 26 and later a “Turn On Travel eSIM” notification may appear when you arrive. Tap it, then choose “Travel eSIM and Current eSIM” if you want bank texts on your main line, or “Travel eSIM Only”. Then check step 3.

  2. Make Pinglo the data line and turn automatic switching off, so the phone doesn't fall back to your main line.

    PathSettingsCellularCellular Data

  3. This setting is easy to miss. Turn it on for Pinglo and leave it off for your main line.

    PathSettingsCellularPingloData Roaming

    Keep data roaming off for your main line, or your home carrier will bill you for roaming.

  4. Most phones set it by themselves. If the internet doesn't come up, type this value exactly, in lowercase.

    PathSettingsCellularPingloCellular Data Network

    Flex · Govmobile.jp
    Plus · Maxe-ideas

    Your own eSIM's value is also shown on your order page.

  5. The Japanese network's name appears at the top with 4G or 5G. Your plan's validity starts from this moment.

Step 1 of 5
Your plan card

Pick your plan above to see its network, APN and speed.

Stop 4 · All trip long

Get the most from your eSIM

Share your internet

Hotspot is supported on every plan. Turn it on under:

PathSettingsPersonal Hotspot

Keep an eye on usage

Your order page shows what's left and the expiry date. The numbers refresh every 2–3 hours, so a short delay is normal.

Out of data or days? Top up the same eSIM

From your order page, 7% off, with no new code and no new install. It's added within minutes.

The daily allowance resets about every 24 hours

On daily plans the speed drops once the high-speed amount is used and returns in full when the plan's next day starts.

Your main line is for calls and bank texts

Pinglo is data only. Keep your main line on to receive verification codes; WhatsApp keeps your own number.

Some apps may think you're in Singapore

Plus and Max reach the internet through a Singapore address, so some sites may show Singapore content. Maps and everyday apps work normally.

After you're back

Three short steps once you're home.

  1. Switch mobile data back to your main line

    PathSettingsCellularCellular Data

  2. Turn the Pinglo line off. Don't delete it if it's still valid and you'll return to Japan

    PathSettingsCellularPinglo

  3. Plan expired and you won't need it? Only now can you delete it. An expired eSIM can't be topped up

Read once

Six warnings that protect your trip

A minute of reading before you fly avoids the most common travel-eSIM problems.

  1. 01
    Most important

    Don't delete the eSIM after installing it

    The code is for one phone and can't move to another. Even when the data runs out, leave it: you can top it up from your order page while it's still valid. Deleted it by mistake? Don't experiment — open “I deleted the eSIM” in Fix a problem.

  2. 02

    Install before you fly, on Wi-Fi

    Installing needs internet. Leave it for the airport in Japan and you'll have no network to install with.

  3. 03

    Scan the code with the phone you'll travel with

    Don't try the code on another phone “to check”. The first phone that installs it is the only one it works on.

  4. 04

    Roaming for the Pinglo line only

    Turn data roaming on for Pinglo and keep it off for your main line, so your home carrier doesn't send a roaming bill.

  5. 05

    Validity starts at your first connection in Japan

    Not at purchase or installation. But install and use it within 180 days of buying.

  6. 06

    Data only — no calls or SMS

    WhatsApp and FaceTime calls work normally. Bank texts arrive on your main line.

Problem solver

Something wrong? Let's fix it step by step

Pick what's happening. After each step tell us if it's solved; if not, your report goes to us with what you already tried.

Quick questions

When should I install the eSIM?

A day or two before you fly, on Wi-Fi. Validity only starts at the first connection to a Japanese network.

Do I need data roaming on?

Yes, for the Pinglo line only. Keep it off for your main line so your carrier doesn't bill you.

What is the APN, and do I have to enter it?

It's the access point name for the internet. Most phones set it themselves; if the internet doesn't work, enter it by hand. Your eSIM's value is on your order page.

Can I move the eSIM to another phone?

No. The eSIM is tied to the first phone that installs it, so scan the code with the phone you'll travel with.

The eSIM shows “Activating” or “No service” before I travel — is it broken?

No, that's normal. The eSIM only connects to Japanese networks, so it stays without service until you're in Japan and switch it on.

Does hotspot work?

Yes, sharing your internet is supported on every plan.

I haven't installed it and want a refund?

You get a full refund within 7 days of buying if the eSIM wasn't installed and the code wasn't scanned, as set out in the terms.

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