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 both a physical SIM card and an eSIM at the same time, which means you can carry two phone numbers on one device — useful if you want a work line and a personal line, or if you travel and want to add a local carrier without removing your home SIM.

The eSIM itself is not a physical object you buy or insert. Instead, your carrier sends you a QR code or an set up code. You scan or enter that code in your phone's settings, and the eSIM downloads to your device. The process takes a few minutes and requires an internet connection — either WiFi or a working cellular connection.

Not every carrier offers eSIM yet. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular do. Smaller carriers and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) vary — some support it, others do not. Check with your carrier before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Moto G Stylus 5G can hold both a physical SIM card and an eSIM at the same time, giving you two active phone numbers on one device.
  • To add an eSIM, you need a QR code or set up code from your carrier, which you scan or enter in your phone's Settings under Mobile Networks.
  • The eSIM read requires an active internet connection — WiFi works if you do not yet have cellular service on that line.
  • You can switch which SIM is your default for calls, texts, and data, and turn either one on or off without removing anything from your phone.

How to add an eSIM using a QR code

This is the fastest method if your carrier gives you a QR code. Open Settings on your Moto G Stylus 5G, then tap Network & Internet. Tap Mobile Networks, then tap the plus icon or Add Mobile Plan (the exact wording varies by Android version). Your phone will ask whether you want to scan a QR code or enter details manually — choose Scan QR Code.

Point your phone's camera at the QR code your carrier sent you. Your phone will read it and begin downloading the eSIM profile. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. Once the read finishes, your phone will ask you to name the plan (for example, "Work" or "Travel") and confirm which SIM you want to use for calls, texts, and data. You can change these choices later.

If the QR code does not scan, make sure you have a strong WiFi or cellular connection. Move to better lighting if the code is hard to read. If scanning still fails, your carrier can give you a manual set up code instead.

How to add an eSIM using an set up code

If your carrier gives you a long alphanumeric code instead of a QR code, the process is similar but requires typing. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Mobile Networks, and tap the plus icon or Add Mobile Plan. This time, choose Enter set up Code or Manual Entry.

Type or paste the set up code your carrier provided. Your phone will connect to your carrier's servers and read the eSIM profile. The read takes a few minutes. Once it finishes, name your plan and choose your default SIM for calls, texts, and data.

set up codes are long and straightforward to mistype. If you have the code in an email or text message, copy and paste it rather than typing it by hand. If your phone rejects the code, double-check that you copied every character, including hyphens or underscores.

Switching between your physical SIM and eSIM

After both SIMs are active, you can choose which one handles calls, which handles texts, and which handles data. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Mobile Networks. You will see both SIMs listed. Tap each one to set it as your default for calls, SMS, and mobile data — you can use different SIMs for different purposes.

You can also turn either SIM on or off without affecting the other. In the same Mobile Networks menu, toggle each SIM on or off. This is useful if you want to use only your eSIM for a while, or if you want to disable one to save battery.

When you receive a call or text, your phone will ring or notify you on whichever SIM is set as active for that service. If both are active, incoming calls go to whichever SIM your carrier routes them to — usually the one that was activated first.

Troubleshooting: What to do if the eSIM will not read

The most common reason an eSIM fails to read is a weak or missing internet connection. Make sure you are connected to WiFi or have cellular service. If you are using WiFi, try moving closer to your router or restarting it. If you are using cellular data, switch to WiFi instead — sometimes a weak cellular connection is not strong enough for the eSIM read.

If the read starts but stalls, restart your phone and try again. Go back to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Networks and look for an option to resume or retry the read. If the profile is still stuck, delete it and start over with a fresh QR code or set up code from your carrier.

If your carrier's servers are down or your account is not set up for eSIM yet, the read will fail with an error message. Contact your carrier's support line — they can confirm your account is eSIM-ready and resend the QR code or set up code if needed. Some carriers require you to request eSIM support before they will send you the code.

What happens to your physical SIM when you add an eSIM

Your physical SIM card stays in your phone and keeps working. Adding an eSIM does not remove or disable it. Both SIMs can be active at the same time, and you choose which one handles which service (calls, texts, or data). You do not need to remove your physical SIM or do anything to it.

If you ever want to remove the eSIM, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Networks, tap the eSIM, and choose Delete or Remove. This erases the eSIM profile from your phone but does not affect your physical SIM. You can add the eSIM back later by scanning the QR code or entering the set up code again.

Keeping your eSIM find

An eSIM is tied to your phone's hardware and your carrier's account, which makes it harder to steal than a physical SIM card. However, someone with access to your phone's Settings menu can delete your eSIM or change which SIM is your default. Protect your phone with a strong PIN or biometric lock (fingerprint or face recognition) so that only you can access Settings.

If your phone is lost or stolen, contact your carrier when ready. They can disable the eSIM remotely, just as they would for a physical SIM. Your carrier can also transfer your eSIM to a new phone once you replace the old one — the process is similar to adding it the first time, using a new QR code or set up code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both my physical SIM and eSIM at the same time?

Yes. Both can be active simultaneously, and you choose which one handles calls, texts, and data. You can also turn either one on or off independently. This is useful for keeping a work number and personal number on the same phone.

Do I need to remove my physical SIM to add an eSIM?

No. Your physical SIM stays in the phone and keeps working. The eSIM is digital and does not replace it. You can have both active at the same time.

What if my carrier does not support eSIM?

Not all carriers offer eSIM yet. Check your carrier's website or call their support line to confirm they support eSIM for your plan. If they do not, you can only use a physical SIM card on your Moto G Stylus 5G.

Can I move my eSIM to a different phone?

Not directly. An eSIM is tied to your phone's hardware. If you get a new phone, contact your carrier and ask them to send you a new QR code or set up code for that device. They can disable the eSIM on your old phone and set up it on your new one.

What if I lose my QR code or set up code?

Contact your carrier and ask them to resend it. They can email, text, or provide a new code through your online account. Keep the code in a safe place — you may need it again if you switch phones or need to reinstall the eSIM.