Mint Mobile eSIM: activation, transfer and travel

How to get a Mint Mobile eSIM

Start with compatibility. Mint Mobile says not all phones support eSIM, and it checks whether your phone works with eSIM before you bring it to Mint. Its troubleshooting page also says a phone you bring from another carrier must be unlocked. If it is locked, contact that carrier to get it unlocked.

For a plan purchase, Mint Mobile gives this sequence:

1. Select eSIM as your preferred SIM type when you purchase your Mint Mobile plan.
2. Finish checkout. Mint Mobile sends your eSIM activation code by email.
3. Follow Mint Mobile's activation guide to download the Mint Mobile app, activate your plan and install your eSIM.

Mint Mobile eSIM activation and QR code

Mint Mobile says activation takes a few minutes in its app or by scanning a QR code. Keep the activation email available: Mint's troubleshooting page says it contains the SM-DP+ address and activation code used for manual installation if activation still does not work.

Before installing, Mint Mobile says to complete any phone-number transfer to Mint. It also tells you to maintain a secure Wi-Fi connection or a strong data signal throughout activation. Its troubleshooting guidance recommends removing your previous physical SIM so it does not interfere.

If your installed eSIM is not working, Mint Mobile says to toggle the Mint Mobile eSIM off and on under Cellular in your phone's settings. Check that it is on and set as the default line for data and voice calls. Mint also warns that an SOS error after activation can mean your phone is still locked.

To check whether the eSIM profile appears on an iPhone, Mint Mobile gives these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Cellular.
3. Look at Carrier and verify that your eSIM profile is listed with the name you originally gave it.

Moving your Mint Mobile eSIM to a new phone

Mint Mobile's replacement-eSIM guidance says your new phone must be eSIM-compatible and unlocked. You keep your current plan and number when you switch. Mint says this app-based transfer also works if your current phone uses a physical SIM.

The Mint Mobile transfer instructions we checked omit a step between Change device and This is my new device. The published actions are below, in their stated order, with adjacent actions grouped:

1. Download and install the Mint Mobile app on your new phone, then log in to your account.
2. Select Account in the bottom-right corner. Scroll down and select Change device.
3. Tap This is my new device to confirm you are on the new phone. On the purchase summary screen, tap Checkout.
4. When the service interruption warning appears, connect to Wi-Fi and select I'm connected to Wi-Fi.
5. Enter the SMS code sent to your phone and tap Continue.
6. Once the replacement eSIM is processed and marked successful, tap Continue to install it.
7. Select Install eSIM and follow the remaining on-screen instructions.

Mint Mobile warns you not to delete the eSIM on your current phone until the transfer is complete.

Mint also offers a separate quick-transfer route on select Android models that does not require a replacement eSIM. That route supports both physical SIM and eSIM transfers, but only Android-to-Android, not Android-to-iPhone or the reverse. Mint says to confirm compatibility, fully charge both phones, connect both to Wi-Fi and turn off Number Lock before starting. Instructions vary by device.

Mint Mobile abroad: roaming or a travel eSIM

Mint Mobile says its Minternational Pass lets you call, text and use data abroad in 180+ countries. You can add a pass in your account, buy before departure and activate on arrival, or buy and activate after arrival. For a pre-purchased pass, Mint says you receive an activation text on arrival or can activate through its app.

Mint Mobile lists high-speed-data passes lasting 1, 3 and 10 days, plus a 30-day No Data pass. Its data offerings include 1 GB of high-speed data and unlimited-data options with 3 GB or 10 GB of high-speed data. Treat those high-speed allowances as distinct from the unlimited-data label.

The Mint Mobile provider pages we checked do not state Minternational Pass prices, so we cannot give a dollar-for-dollar roaming comparison. The prepaid travel eSIM examples below are from our price table, checked Oct 2026. They show concrete data costs without repeating every plan in the adjacent price box.

Compare the provider's allowance and validity with your trip, not the price alone. Mint's pass includes roaming calls and texts; the travel offers below are compared by their listed data allowances. Mint also says its Wi-Fi Calling supports additional calls and texts back to the U.S. at no additional cost.

• Mexico: Saily lists 20 GB for 30 days at US$37.99. For a shorter unlimited-data option, Airalo lists 7 days at US$23.50.
• Canada: Saily lists 1 GB for 7 days at US$5.29. Ubigi lists 10 GB for 7 days at US$15.00, giving you a larger allowance over the same validity.
• Europe: Saily lists 1 GB for 7 days at US$4.99. Airalo lists unlimited data for 7 days at US$27.00.
• Japan: Saily lists 20 GB for 30 days at US$24.99. Holafly lists unlimited data for 1 day at US$3.90; that shorter validity is a different purchase from a month-long allowance.