How to Turn an eSIM LPA Activation Code into a QR Code (and Install It)

More and more mobile plans arrive as an eSIM — a digital SIM that you download instead of inserting a plastic card. Most carriers and travel eSIM providers send a QR code to scan, but many also (or only) send a line of text such as LPA:1$rsp.example.com$ABCD-1234-EFGH-5678. This guide explains what that code means, how to turn it into a QR code in a few seconds, and how to install it on iPhone and Android.

What is an LPA activation code?

An eSIM activation code follows the GSMA standard SGP.22, which every modern phone supports. LPA stands for Local Profile Assistant — the eSIM manager built into your phone. The code tells it where to download your mobile plan (the “eSIM profile”) and which profile is yours.

A typical code looks like this:

LPA:1$rsp.example.com$ABCD-1234-EFGH-5678

Part	Example	Meaning
Prefix	LPA:	Marks the text as an eSIM activation code
Format	1	Version of the activation-code format (always 1)
SM-DP+ address	rsp.example.com	The carrier’s server that stores your eSIM profile
Matching ID	ABCD-1234-EFGH-5678	The “activation code” that identifies your profile
OID (optional)	1.3.6.1.4.1.…	A technical identifier of the server, rarely used
Confirmation flag (optional)	1	Means you must also type a confirmation code during installation

The parts are separated by a dollar sign $. When a confirmation code is required, the code ends in $1 — for example LPA:1$rsp.example.com$ABCD-1234$$1 (the empty part in between is the unused OID). The confirmation code itself is never part of the QR code; your provider sends it separately and you type it on the phone.

When do you need to convert it into a QR code?

A QR code is the fastest and least error-prone way to install an eSIM. Converting the text code is useful when:

• Your provider sent the activation code only as text, in an email, an app or a PDF.
• The QR code is shown on the same phone you want to install the eSIM on — you cannot scan your own screen.
• You are setting up the eSIM for someone else, such as a family member, and want to show them a code to scan.
• You prefer not to type a long code by hand, where a single wrong character (O instead of 0) breaks the installation.

How to convert an LPA code into a QR code

The free eSIM QR code generator on QR.tools does it in your browser — the code is never uploaded.

1. Open the generator and make sure the eSIM tab is selected.
2. Paste the full code into “eSIM activation code (LPA)”. The SM-DP+ address and activation code fields fill in automatically. If you received the two parts separately, type them into those fields instead — the full code is built for you.
3. Tick “Confirmation code required” only if your provider told you that a confirmation code is needed.
4. Check the preview. QR.tools decodes the code it just drew and shows “Scannable — verified” when it reads back correctly. If the code contains characters that an activation code cannot contain, you see a warning instead of a broken QR code.
5. Download or show it. Save it as PNG or SVG, print it, or simply keep it open on a computer screen and scan it with the phone.

Codes copied from emails and PDFs often contain hidden line breaks, invisible characters or typographic dashes (– instead of -). The generator removes them automatically, so the QR code contains exactly what the carrier’s server expects.

How to install the eSIM from the QR code

Before you start, connect the phone to Wi-Fi and make sure it is not carrier-locked and supports eSIM.

iPhone

1. Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service / Mobile Data, depending on your region and iOS version) → Add eSIM.
2. Choose Use QR Code and point the camera at the code.
3. Follow the prompts, enter the confirmation code if asked, and choose a label for the line.

On iOS 17.4 and later you can also install an eSIM without scanning: open the code with the QR code scanner on your iPhone and tap Install on iPhone. It opens Apple’s official eSIM setup link and starts the installation directly. If you prefer typing, choose Enter Details Manually and copy the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the scanner result.

Android

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (on Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM).
2. Choose Scan QR code and scan the code.
3. Confirm the download and enter the confirmation code if asked.

Most Android phones also accept the code by hand: look for Enter it manually or Need help? on the scanning screen and paste the full LPA:1$… text.

Troubleshooting

• “This code is no longer valid” or “already used”. Most eSIM profiles can be downloaded only once. If you deleted the eSIM or the first attempt failed halfway, ask your provider to issue a new code.
• “Unable to complete cellular plan change” or “couldn’t add eSIM”. Check the internet connection, restart the phone and try again. Make sure the phone is unlocked and that the plan supports your model.
• The phone asks for a confirmation code you never received. The code ends in $1, so the provider expects one. Contact them; it is usually sent by SMS or email.
• You only have a QR code but need the text. Upload a screenshot of the QR code to the online QR code scanner. It shows the SM-DP+ address and activation code with copy buttons — handy for manual entry.
• The scan does not work. Increase the screen brightness or print the code larger. Our guide to QR code design best practices explains sizes and contrast that scan reliably.

Keep your activation code private

An eSIM activation code works like a key: anyone who scans it first can install your plan on their phone. Treat it like a password.

• Don’t post screenshots of eSIM QR codes or activation codes in chats or on social media.
• Generate QR codes only with tools that work locally. On QR.tools, conversion and scanning run entirely in your browser, and download file names never include the activation code.
• Delete the image once the eSIM is installed and working.

Key takeaways

• An eSIM activation code looks like LPA:1$SM-DP+ address$Matching ID, sometimes with $$1 at the end when a confirmation code is required.
• You can convert it into a scannable QR code for free with the eSIM QR code generator — without uploading it anywhere.
• Install it via Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → Add eSIM on iPhone or Settings → SIMs → Add eSIM on Android, or tap Install on iPhone on iOS 17.4 and later.
• Most eSIMs install only once, so keep the code private until it is on your phone.