How to Activate Glo eSIM on iPhone / Android
An eSIM is a SIM that lives inside your phone as software. You do not push a tiny plastic card into a tray. You scan a code, and your phone downloads the Glo line onto itself. Glo began offering eSIM in March 2025, so it is now a real option for people who own a compatible phone.
This guide shows you how to activate a Glo eSIM on an iPhone and on an Android phone, step by step. It also covers what to bring to the shop, how to set up dual SIM, how to avoid mistakes, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Read the before-you-start section first. It saves most people a wasted trip.
What an eSIM is, in plain words
An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, does the same job as a normal SIM card. It identifies you to the network, holds your number and lets you call, text and use data. The difference is that it is built into the phone and loaded with a code, so there is nothing to lose or swap.
eSIM compared with a physical SIM
| Point | Physical SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Needs a tray and card | Yes | No |
| Can be lost or damaged | Yes | No card to lose |
| Dual SIM on one phone | Needs two trays | Works with one physical SIM plus eSIM |
| Moving to a new phone | Move the card | Needs a transfer or new code |
| Works on every phone | Almost all | Only eSIM-compatible phones |
What you need before you start
- A phone that supports eSIM.
- A phone that is not locked to another network.
- A stable internet connection, such as WiFi, to download the eSIM.
- A valid means of identification, as Glo asks for SIM registration.
- Some time. The shop process is quick, but do not rush it.
Which phones support eSIM
Many recent phones do. On the iPhone side, models from the iPhone XS and XR onwards support eSIM. On Android, many recent Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and other flagship or mid-range models do too. Support depends on the exact model and region, so check your phone’s settings or the maker’s website. If you see an option called Add eSIM in your SIM settings, you are likely good.
Check that your phone is unlocked
A phone locked to a different network will refuse another carrier’s eSIM. On an iPhone you can look under Settings, General, About and find Carrier Lock. It should say No SIM restrictions. On Android, ask the seller or the original network if you are unsure.
Buying a second-hand phone? Test the eSIM option before you pay, and make sure it is not tied to someone else’s account.
Get your Glo eSIM at a shop
Glo has said customers can go to the nearest Gloworld shop or dealer outlet to migrate to eSIM. Existing Glo customers can switch their line, and new customers from other networks can add Glo as an extra line. The process takes only a few minutes, but always confirm the current steps with the shop.
What to carry to the shop
- Your phone, charged.
- The phone’s IMEI, which you can see by dialling *#06#.
- Valid identification and your NIN details, as required for SIM registration.
- Your current Glo number and SIM if you are migrating.
- A WiFi connection or enough data to download the eSIM.
What happens at the shop
| 1 | The staff check that your phone supports eSIM. |
| 2 | They verify your identity and your line. |
| 3 | They give you a QR code or an activation message. |
| 4 | You scan the code, or they help you scan it. |
| 5 | Your old physical SIM is switched off if you are migrating. |
| 6 | You test a call and a data connection before you leave. |
Install on an iPhone
| 1 | Connect to WiFi. |
| 2 | Open Settings and tap Mobile Data, or Cellular. |
| 3 | Tap Add eSIM, or Add Cellular Plan. |
| 4 | Choose Use QR Code and scan the code from Glo. |
| 5 | Follow the prompts and tap Continue. |
| 6 | Wait for the plan to activate. |
Label and choose your default lines on iPhone
When the plan is added, the iPhone asks you to name it. Choose a clear label such as Glo or Data. Then choose which line to use for calls and messages and which to use for mobile data. If you keep a second SIM, you can set one line for calls and the other for data.
Install on a Samsung phone
| 1 | Connect to WiFi. |
| 2 | Open Settings and go to Connections. |
| 3 | Tap SIM manager. |
| 4 | Tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code from service provider. |
| 5 | Scan the Glo code and follow the prompts. |
| 6 | Switch the new SIM on and choose it for calls or data. |
Install on a Google Pixel
Go to Settings, then Network and internet, then SIMs. Tap Add, or the plus sign, and choose to download a SIM instead. Scan the QR code from Glo, then follow the steps on the screen. Pixels also let you choose how the new line is used once it is active.
Other Android phones
Brand menus differ. Look in Settings for SIM cards, SIM manager or Mobile network, and find Add eSIM or Download a SIM. If you cannot find it, use the search bar in Settings and type eSIM. If the phrase does not appear, your phone may not support it.
If the shop gives you manual details
Sometimes the QR code is not scannable, so the shop gives a set of manual details, usually an address and an activation code. Choose Enter details manually in the eSIM screen and type them exactly. Capital letters, dashes and numbers all matter. Never share these details with anyone, because they work like a key to your number.
Make sure it works
- Make a call to a friend.
- Open a web page using mobile data.
- Send a text message.
- Check that the network name shows Glo.
- Check your airtime and data balance.
Use eSIM together with a physical SIM
Dual SIM gives you two numbers on one phone. For example, you can keep Glo on eSIM for cheap data and a second network on the physical SIM for calls. Choose your default lines in settings so that the phone does not use the wrong one for data.
Calls, messages and data: which line should do what
| Use | Good choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile data | The line with the best bundle | Saves money |
| Calls | The line friends already know | Fewer missed calls |
| Messages and OTP | The line linked to your bank | Keeps alerts reliable |
| Travel | A line that works abroad | Avoid roaming surprises |
Changing to a new phone
An eSIM is tied to your device. When you buy a new phone you cannot just pull out the card. Ask Glo how to transfer or reissue the eSIM before you give away or sell the old phone. Some phones offer a transfer tool, but you should confirm with Glo for your line.
Lost phone or removed eSIM
If your phone is lost or stolen, contact Glo immediately and ask them to block the line. If you delete the eSIM by mistake, do not try to reinstall it with the old code. Visit a Gloworld shop and request a new eSIM. A removed eSIM often cannot be added again with the same code.
Common errors and what to do
| Message or problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to add eSIM | Phone locked or unsupported | Check lock status and phone model |
| Code invalid | Already used or typed wrong | Ask Glo for a fresh code |
| No service after install | Plan not activated yet | Wait a few minutes, restart, check the line is on |
| Data not working | Wrong default data line | Select the Glo line for mobile data |
| Cannot scan QR | Screen glare or damaged code | Use manual details |
Mistakes to avoid
Never remove it unless Glo tells you to. You may lose the line.
Anyone who scans it first can take your line.
Finish the eSIM setup before installing big updates.
Always test a call and data before leaving the shop.
Check your phone settings after activation
Once the eSIM is on, open the mobile network settings and look at each line. Make sure the Glo line is switched on, that mobile data is allowed on it, and that the network name shows correctly. If you use two lines, check which one is used for data. Many people think the eSIM is faulty when the phone is simply sending data through the other line.
Data roaming on a dual SIM phone
Data roaming is meant for travel. At home, keep it off on the Glo line unless a Glo agent tells you otherwise. On a dual SIM phone each line has its own roaming switch. If you travel abroad, check the settings of both lines first so that you do not pay for data you did not mean to use.
Banking apps and a new SIM
Many banking and wallet apps watch for SIM changes, because thieves use SIM swaps to steal accounts. When you move your number to an eSIM, some apps may ask you to verify again. Do this yourself in the official app, and be cautious if you receive messages that tell you to click a link to confirm. Contact your bank directly if you are not sure.
Keep a backup way to get in touch
Because an eSIM lives inside the phone, a dead or broken phone also means the line is out of reach until you replace it. Keep your important contacts saved in your account, and note your Glo number somewhere safe. A cheap spare phone with a physical SIM can be a useful backup for emergencies.
Does an eSIM drain the battery?
Not by itself. An eSIM uses the same radio as a normal SIM. If you run two lines at once, the phone has more to watch, so battery can drop slightly faster in weak coverage areas. If this bothers you, switch off the line you do not need, or set a single line for calls and data.
WiFi calling and eSIM
Some phones support calls over WiFi, which helps in buildings with weak signal. If your phone and plan support it, you will find a WiFi calling switch in the call or network settings. It needs to be allowed for your line, so confirm with Glo before relying on it.
A simple checklist to print or save
- Confirm the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Back up your contacts and chats.
- Charge the phone and join a stable WiFi network.
- Carry your ID and phone to an official Glo outlet.
- Scan the code and finish the setup before you leave.
- Test calls, text and data on the Glo line.
- Set your default line for calls and data.
- Keep the old SIM until everything works.
What if the shop says your phone is not supported?
Do not argue with the staff. Ask which feature is missing, such as a network lock, an old model or an older software version. If the problem is an update, install the latest update and return. If the phone is locked, ask the original network about unlocking. If the phone simply does not have eSIM hardware, you can keep using a physical Glo SIM, which works the same way for calls and data.
How long should the whole process take?
The actual download and activation usually takes only a few minutes once the shop has verified you. The time you wait depends on the queue at the outlet and how busy the system is. Go early in the day, bring everything in one folder, and keep your phone charged so the process does not stop halfway. If the activation takes much longer than expected, ask the staff to confirm that the line shows as active before you leave.
Keep your phone updated
Install the latest phone software before you start. Updates fix eSIM bugs and improve how the phone talks to the network. After the eSIM is working, keep updating, but avoid starting a big update at the moment you need the line most.
Beware of scams
Only use official Glo shops and trusted dealers for eSIM activation. Be careful with anyone online who offers to activate for you for a fee, or who asks for your QR code or personal details by message. An eSIM is tied to your identity, so treat the code like a password.
Questions people ask about Glo eSIM
Glo has pointed customers to its shops and dealers. Ask customer care whether other options have been added.
If you migrate your existing line, yes. A new line gets a new number.
There is no card to steal or swap, but you must still protect the code and your phone.
Check with Glo for the current terms, since offers have changed.
Usually it is switched off, so do not throw it away until you confirm the eSIM works.
Final thoughts
A Glo eSIM is a neat upgrade if your phone supports it. Check the phone first, visit an official outlet with your documents, scan the code on WiFi, and test everything before you leave. Keep your codes private, and enjoy a line that you cannot lose in a tray.
