You can use an eSIM on most recent Android phones in Israel, as long as the phone is carrier-unlocked and supports 4G calling. Buy the plan before you fly, scan the QR code over Wi-Fi, and switch the line on when you land. You never touch a physical SIM tray, and your home SIM stays in the phone for banking codes and texts from your own number.
This guide covers which Android phones work, the exact install steps on Pixel and Samsung, what changed on Israeli networks in 2026, and how to avoid the problems travelers hit most.
TL;DR
- Any unlocked Android with eSIM support and 4G/VoLTE calling works. Check Google's eSIM instructions for the menu path on your phone.
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, keep the line switched off, and turn it on after landing.
- Israel has retired 2G and 3G, so a phone that relies on 3G for voice will not work reliably.
- Our 350GB plan costs $25 and includes a local +972 number, 3,000 call minutes and 1,500 SMS.
- Keep your home SIM active as the second line; Android handles dual SIM natively.
Table of Contents
- Does your Android phone support an eSIM for Israel?
- How to install an Android eSIM for Israel
- What changed on Israeli networks, and why it matters to you
- What to look for in an Israel eSIM for Android
- Our perspective: why we built the plan the way we did
- Our Android plan
- A simple arrival routine on Android
- If the eSIM does not connect
- Roaming, kiosk or eSIM: which suits an Android traveler
- FAQ
- Sources
Does your Android phone support an eSIM for Israel?
Three things decide it: the hardware, the lock status and the network bands.
Hardware. Pixel phones have supported eSIM for years, and Google notes that eSIM setup works on Android 11 and up. Samsung publishes its own list of eSIM-capable Galaxy models and supported carriers by country, and Israel appears in it. Many mid-range phones from other brands also have eSIM, but some budget models, and some regional variants of otherwise capable phones, ship without it. A phone sold in one market can lack the eSIM chip that its twin in another market has.
Lock status. Google states that an unlocked device is required to use international travel eSIM plans. If you bought your phone on a US installment plan, it may still be locked to your carrier. Call your carrier and ask for an unlock before you travel, because the process can take days.
Network support. Israel's mobile networks have moved on. According to a certification update, 2G and 3G service ended on December 31, 2025, and from January 1, 2026 only devices that support 4G with VoLTE and 5G work properly. An older Android that falls back to 3G for calls is the one most likely to leave you with a data connection but no voice calls.
A 60-second check before you buy
- Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID number (a long string of digits), the phone has an eSIM chip.
- Open Settings, search for "SIM" or "eSIM", and confirm there is an option to add one.
- Confirm the phone is unlocked: your carrier can tell you, or you can try a SIM from another carrier.
- Check that VoLTE or "4G calling" is available in the mobile network settings.
If all four pass, you are set.
How to install an Android eSIM for Israel
The steps differ slightly by brand, but the idea is the same everywhere: add a new mobile plan, scan a QR code, label the line.
On a Google Pixel
Google's documented path is Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM, as laid out in the Pixel Help page. Then:
- Connect to reliable Wi-Fi. The profile has to download.
- Choose the option to scan a QR code and point the camera at the code from your order email.
- Wait for the download to finish, then confirm.
- Name the line something obvious, such as "Israel".
On a Samsung Galaxy
Google's guidance lists the Samsung route as Settings > Connections > SIM manager. From there:
- Tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code from service provider.
- Scan the code and follow the prompts.
- Rename the line and choose how it should behave (see below).
Set the line up properly
The most common traveler mistake is leaving all settings on automatic. Do this instead:
- Mobile data: assign the Israel eSIM.
- Calls and texts: keep your home SIM as the default for texts if you want to receive bank verification codes, and use the Israeli number when you call local businesses, drivers or hotels.
- Data roaming: turn it on for the Israel eSIM line only. Turn it off for your home SIM, so your home carrier does not bill you for roaming data in the background.
We keep a longer walkthrough with screenshots in our guide on how to install an eSIM on Android in Israel, and a combined one for both platforms on setting up an Israel eSIM on iPhone and Android.
When to install: at home or at the airport
Install at home. The download needs internet, and the one moment you do not have it is when you step off the plane without a plan. Once installed, leave the line toggled off. Many eSIMs begin counting their validity when they first connect to a network, so you want that to happen in Israel, not in your living room. Check the activation rules on your order page before you travel. Our page on the Israel eSIM QR code explains how to get the code ready before takeoff.
What changed on Israeli networks, and why it matters to you
Israel pushed carriers to offer eSIM
In February 2024 the Ministry of Communications instructed mobile companies to launch eSIM services within months, as reported by Ice and summarized in an English-language regulatory update. That policy made eSIM a normal product for Israeli residents, and the ecosystem around it has matured since.
Local eSIMs are built for residents, not visitors
This is the detail travelers miss. Many local eSIM offers are aimed at residents and can involve identity verification at a retail store with a passport or Israeli ID, according to the same reporting. If your plan is to land and sort out a local eSIM in a shop, you may be spending part of your first day in a queue. A travel eSIM bought in advance avoids that, because it works through wholesale arrangements and does not require a store visit.
3G is gone
With 2G and 3G retired, your Android relies entirely on 4G and 5G. Voice calls ride on VoLTE. In practice:
- Make sure "VoLTE calls" or "4G calling" is switched on for the Israel line. On Samsung it is usually under Settings > Connections > Mobile networks.
- Set the network mode to 4G/5G auto, not a 3G-preferred option.
- Update your phone software before flying. Carrier profiles that enable VoLTE sometimes arrive with updates.
Not every Android model has VoLTE enabled for every foreign network. If you plan to make voice calls, test it once on arrival, for instance by calling the local number from your home phone.
What to look for in an Israel eSIM for Android
Plans vary widely, and the headline price rarely tells the full story. Compare on these points:
| Criterion | Why it matters in Israel |
|---|---|
| Local +972 number | Taxi apps, delivery apps, restaurants and hotels often want to reach or verify a local number. Data-only plans leave you without one. |
| Calls and SMS included | Phone calls to guides, drivers and hosts are normal; data-only plans push you to app calling only. |
| Data allowance | Maps, video calls, hotspotting and streaming add up on a longer trip. A small cap can run out mid-trip. |
| Validity period | Match it to your trip length, with a day or two of margin. |
| Activation method | QR code before you fly beats any process that needs a store, ID or a physical SIM. |
| Dual-SIM behavior | You want your home SIM to remain active while the eSIM carries data. |
| Hidden fees | Look for any top-up requirements, taxes added at checkout or expiry surprises. |
Traditional options usually lose on at least one row. Airport kiosks can mean queues and a physical SIM swap, and home-carrier roaming can be expensive. We have compared those costs in detail for specific carriers, such as T-Mobile roaming in Israel and AT&T roaming in Israel. The industry has noticed the shift as well: GSMA Intelligence reports consumer awareness of eSIM doubling in two years, and travelers are turning to eSIMs to avoid roaming bills and kiosk lines.
Our perspective: why we built the plan the way we did
We sell one thing: a prepaid eSIM for people visiting Israel. That narrow focus shaped the plan.
Most travelers do not need a complicated product. They need to land, open maps, order a ride, message the hotel, and not think about it again. So we made the plan large (350GB of 5G data), because a data cap is the thing that makes you ration maps and video calls on the third day of a trip. We included a local +972 number with 3,000 minutes and 1,500 SMS, because in Israel a local number is often how delivery drivers, hosts and ride apps reach you. We kept the price flat at $25, with no hidden fees.
We also designed around Android's dual-SIM behavior. You do not remove your home SIM. Your home number stays reachable for verification codes, and the eSIM handles data and local calls. For anyone who has missed a two-factor text while abroad, that matters more than it sounds.
Our advice to Android users is simple. Check unlock status and VoLTE first, install over Wi-Fi at home, and treat the first call on arrival as your test. If something is off, you want to find out in the arrivals hall, not on day four.
— sabraconnect
Our Android plan
Our Israel eSIM gives you 350GB of high-speed 5G data for $25, a local +972 number, 3,000 minutes of calls, 1,500 SMS and unlimited browsing on select apps. Activation is by QR code, works on Android and iPhone, and needs no SIM swap. You can see the details on our Android eSIM page for Israel, or pick a 14-day or 30-day traveler plan on the SabraConnect home page.
If your trip centers on the city, our eSIM for Tel Aviv page explains what to expect there, and the local number page shows how a +972 number helps with ride, delivery and hotel apps.
A simple arrival routine on Android
- Before landing: switch the phone out of airplane mode only when you are ready, or keep it on until you have landed.
- At the gate: turn on the Israel eSIM line in SIM settings and enable data roaming for that line.
- Check the status bar: you should see a local network name and a 4G or 5G indicator within a minute or two.
- Set mobile data to the Israel line and turn off data roaming on your home SIM.
- Test a call: ring the Israeli number from another phone, or call a local business.
- Open maps and load an offline copy of your area as a backup anyway.
If the eSIM does not connect
Most failures come down to a handful of settings, and they are usually quick to fix.
- No signal after turning the line on: toggle airplane mode on and off, then restart. Confirm data roaming is enabled for the eSIM line.
- Connected but no internet: check that mobile data is assigned to the eSIM and not your home SIM. Check the APN settings only if your provider tells you to change them.
- Calls fail or drop: turn VoLTE on and make sure the network mode is not set to 3G. With 3G retired, that setting can leave voice without a path.
- QR code will not scan: make sure you are on Wi-Fi. If the code is on the same phone's screen, take a screenshot, open it in Google Photos or the Samsung gallery and use the phone's scan from image option, or ask for manual installation details.
- The eSIM was deleted: a deleted eSIM usually cannot be reinstalled with the same code, so do not remove the profile before the trip ends.
We list more cases in Israel eSIM not working? 6 fast fixes.
Roaming, kiosk or eSIM: which suits an Android traveler
| Option | Strength | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Home-carrier roaming | No setup | Daily fees or capped data can add up; check your plan's international terms |
| Airport kiosk SIM | Physical SIM, local number | Queue after a flight, SIM swap, and your home SIM sits in your pocket |
| Data-only travel eSIM | Cheap, installs remotely | No local number, no calls or SMS |
| Travel eSIM with local number | Installs remotely, keeps your home SIM active, includes calls and SMS | Needs an unlocked, eSIM-capable phone |
The last row is the category we sell in. If your phone supports it, it is the lowest-friction option for most trips. If your phone has no eSIM chip, a physical SIM is your fallback.
FAQ
Is eSIM supported in Israel?
Yes. Israel's Ministry of Communications told mobile companies to launch eSIM services in 2024, and Samsung's carrier list includes several Israeli operators. For visitors, the practical route is a travel eSIM that you install before the trip.
Can I get an eSIM on my Android?
If your phone is a recent model with an eSIM chip and is carrier-unlocked, yes. Look in Settings under SIMs or SIM manager for an option to add an eSIM, or dial *#06# and look for an EID number. Android 11 or newer is recommended.
Do I need to remove my home SIM?
No. Android supports dual SIM with one physical SIM and one eSIM. Keep your home SIM for your regular number and set the Israel eSIM for data, then turn off data roaming on the home line to avoid charges.
Why does my Android have data but calls fail in Israel?
Usually VoLTE. Israel has ended 2G and 3G service, so voice depends on 4G calling. Switch on VoLTE or 4G calling, set the network mode to 4G/5G auto, and update your phone's software.
When should I install the eSIM?
Install it at home over Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly, and keep the line turned off until you land. Check your order details for how validity starts.
Sources
- Set up a new eSIM, Pixel Phone Help
- Get a SIM or eSIM and add it to your Pixel phone
- Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers, Samsung
- Israel MoC certification update, GMA/CAICT
- Ministry of Communications eSIM mandate, Ice (Hebrew)
- GSMA