How to activate a Visible eSIM

Verizon’s budget Visible carrier brand provides unlimited data at a cheaper price than its parent. If you’ve bought a Visible plan and you’re looking to activate an eSIM-based phone for service, here’s how to do it.

How to activate a Visible eSIM

Compatible devices

Unlike some other carriers, Visible supports both Android and iPhone eSIMs. Be sure to check the official compatibility list before trying to activate.

In general, though, supported Android devices are limited to recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy flagships, such as the Pixel 7 and the Galaxy S22 5G. Every iPhone released since 2018’s iPhone XS and XR is compatible.

All phones must be unlocked. If you’re transferring from another carrier, your number will be ported after the eSIM is activated.

Activating on Android

• Open the Visible app. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi first.
• Check off everything in the checklist and tap Go to activation.
• The eSIM will start downloading, but once it’s done, it still needs to turned on outside of the Visible app. On a Google phone, go to Settings > Network and Internet > SIMs. If you have a Samsung device, go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager.
• Toggle on the Visible eSIM.
• Return to the Visible app. At this point you’ll be connected to the Visible network, a process that can take up to 15 minutes.

Activating on iPhone

• Open the Visible app. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi first.
• Check off everything in the checklist and tap Go to activation.
• You’ll see a spinning circle as setup gets underway. This should take less than 5 minutes, but can take longer and still complete.
• When you’re prompted to go to the Install Cellular Plan screen, just tap Continue.
• At the Add Cellular Plan screen, tap Continue again.
• Choose a label for your Visible plan. This doesn’t matter much if it’s going to be your only phone line, but you might want to identify it if you’re going to be using separate lines for separate tasks, such as personal use versus phone calls from work. When you’re ready, tap Done.
• If you’ve got more than one phone number, choose a default line for calls or texts to people not in your contacts. Hit Continue.
• Likewise, choose default lines for iMessage and FaceTime, then cellular data. In each case, tap Continue to move on.
• A Waiting for Activation pop-up should appear. Tap Dismiss, and a few seconds later, a Phone is Activated pop-up should show. You’ll automatically be switched back to the Visible app.
• Wait about 15 minutes or so while the connection process completes.

How to transfer a Visible eSIM to a new phone

While switching eSIMs between phones can be more inconvenient that physical SIM cards, the process isn’t too complicated.

• Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi, then open the Visible app on your new device.
• Select Your Devices, then scroll down and tap Switching phones is SIMple.
• Tap Switch Now and follow prompts. Before the transfer starts, an authentication code will be sent to your email address and your Visible text number, so be sure at least one of those is accessible.