What an eSIM is and why your Moto G Stylus 5G can use one

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lives in your phone's software instead of as a physical chip. Your Moto G Stylus 5G has a slot for one eSIM alongside its physical SIM card slot, so you can carry two phone numbers at once — useful if you want a work line and a personal line, or if you're traveling and want to add a local carrier without removing your home SIM.

Unlike a physical SIM, you don't need to visit a store or wait for mail. Your carrier sends you a QR code or activation code, you scan or enter it in your phone's settings, and the eSIM activates within minutes. The process is the same whether you're setting up a new line or switching carriers.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Moto G Stylus 5G supports one eSIM and one physical SIM at the same time, letting you use two phone numbers on one device.
  • You need an activation code or QR code from your carrier before you start — contact them first to request it.
  • The eSIM is added through Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs, where you'll scan a QR code or enter a code manually.
  • Once added, you can choose which SIM handles calls, texts, and data, and switch between them anytime without restarting your phone.
  • If the QR code doesn't scan, most carriers let you enter the activation code by hand instead.

Get your activation code or QR code from your carrier

Before you touch your phone's settings, contact your carrier and ask them to send you an eSIM activation code. Most carriers offer this through their website, app, or customer service line. Some carriers call it an "eSIM QR code," others call it an "activation code" or "confirmation code" — the name varies, but the function is the same.

When you request it, have your account number and phone number ready. The carrier will either email you a QR code you can screenshot, text you a code to enter by hand, or give you both options. If they email a QR code, open the email on a computer or a second device — you'll need to see it on a screen while your Moto G is in front of you.

Some carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the US) have streamlined this: they let you add an eSIM directly through their app without a separate code. If your carrier offers this, use their app instead — it's faster and less error-prone than typing a long code by hand.

Open Settings and navigate to the SIM management screen

On your Moto G Stylus 5G, open Settings and tap Network & Internet. Then tap SIMs. You'll see your physical SIM listed (if you have one) and a button that says Add SIM or Add eSIM.

If you don't see a SIM or eSIM option in Network & Internet, look for Mobile Network instead — Motorola sometimes labels this section differently depending on your Android version. Once you find it, the next steps are the same.

Scan the QR code or enter the code manually

Tap Add eSIM. Your phone will ask whether you want to scan a QR code or enter a code manually. If you have the QR code visible on another device or printed out, tap Scan QR code and point your camera at it. Hold steady for a few seconds — the phone will read it automatically.

If you're entering the code by hand, tap Enter activation code and type the long string of characters your carrier sent you. Be careful with uppercase and lowercase letters — the code is case-sensitive. If you make a mistake, the phone will tell you the code is invalid and let you try again.

Once the code is accepted, your phone will contact your carrier to download the eSIM profile. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. You'll see a progress screen; don't close Settings or turn off your phone during this step.

Name your eSIM and choose which SIM does what

After the profile downloads, your phone will ask you to name the eSIM — something like "Work" or "Travel" helps you remember which number is which. This name only appears in your phone's settings, not to people who call you. You can change it anytime by going back to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and tapping the eSIM.

Next, you'll choose which SIM handles calls, which handles texts, and which handles data. You can set them all to the same SIM, or split them — for example, use your physical SIM for calls and texts, and your eSIM for data. You can also change these settings anytime without restarting your phone.

If you want both SIMs to ring when someone calls, look for a Dual SIM or Both SIMs option in the call settings. Not all carriers support this, so if you don't see it, your carrier may not offer it.

Test the eSIM and troubleshoot if it doesn't connect

Once the eSIM is added, check that it has signal. Look at the top of your screen — you should see two signal indicators if both SIMs are active, or one if only one is in use. Open a web browser and load a website to confirm data is working. Send a test text or make a test call to the eSIM number to verify calls and texts work.

If the eSIM shows no signal or won't connect, first check that airplane mode is off (swipe down from the top of the screen and look for the airplane icon). Then go back to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and make sure the eSIM is toggled on. If it's already on, toggle it off and back on to force your phone to reconnect.

If the eSIM still won't connect after 10 minutes, restart your phone. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. If it still doesn't work after that, contact your carrier — the eSIM profile may not have activated on their end yet, or there may be an issue with your account.

Switch between SIMs or remove the eSIM later

To switch which SIM handles calls, texts, or data, go back to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and tap the SIM you want to change. You can make these changes as often as you want — your phone doesn't need to restart.

If you want to remove the eSIM entirely, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs, tap the eSIM, and look for a Delete, Remove, or Deactivate button. Removing it from your phone doesn't cancel your service with the carrier — you'll need to contact them separately to close the account or pause the line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two eSIMs at the same time on my Moto G Stylus 5G?

No. Your Moto G Stylus 5G supports one eSIM and one physical SIM only. If you need two eSIMs, you would need a different phone model that supports dual eSIM.

What if the QR code won't scan?

Try entering the activation code manually instead. Go to Add eSIM, choose "Enter activation code," and type the code your carrier sent you. If the code doesn't work either, contact your carrier to confirm the code is correct and hasn't expired.

Do I lose my physical SIM if I add an eSIM?

No. Both SIMs work at the same time. You can use them together, or disable one in Settings if you want to use only the other. Your physical SIM stays in its slot and keeps working unless you remove it or turn it off in settings.

Can I use the eSIM while traveling internationally?

Yes. Many carriers offer international eSIM plans, or you can add a local carrier's eSIM when you arrive in another country. Contact your carrier before you travel to ask about their eSIM options abroad, or research local carriers in your destination and request their eSIM activation code.

What happens if I switch phones — can I take the eSIM with me?

The eSIM is tied to your phone's hardware, so you can't move it to a different device. If you get a new phone, contact your carrier and ask them to send you a new eSIM activation code for the new device. Your old eSIM will stop working once you activate the new one.