Quick answer: To get a Lyca Mobile UK eSIM, choose a qualifying plan, select eSIM at Lyca’s checkout, then install the QR code from your confirmation email on a compatible phone. Have Wi-Fi ready for the setup, particularly on iPhone. Already have a Lyca number? Request a SIM swap, not a new number. Moving from another UK operator? Activate the new Lyca eSIM, then use a PAC to transfer your existing number.
This guide is about a Lyca UK mobile plan delivered as an eSIM. Lyca also markets separate travel eSIM products; buying one of those is not the same as ordering a regular UK SIM-only plan and number. We separate new orders, existing-customer replacements and number transfers so you can choose the right route without accidentally buying a second line.
Before you buy: which Lyca eSIM route do you need?
| Your situation | The right route | What to avoid |
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| You want a new UK number | Choose a qualifying Lyca plan and select eSIM at checkout | Ordering a physical SIM by accident |
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| You want to bring a number from another UK network | Order and activate a new Lyca eSIM, then follow Lyca's PAC transfer process | Cancelling your old service before the transfer |
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| You already use Lyca on a physical SIM | Ask Lyca for a physical-to-eSIM SIM swap on your existing line | Buying a new plan and expecting your old Lyca number to move automatically |
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| You have a Lyca eSIM and are changing phones | Check Lyca's current eSIM replacement and transfer process | Deleting the existing profile before the replacement is ready |
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| You only need data for a trip abroad | Check whether a dedicated travel eSIM or UK roaming plan suits the trip | Assuming a UK Lyca eSIM and a travel eSIM have identical benefits |
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Already a Lyca customer and only need a replacement? Use the official Lyca support page, not a new-plan affiliate offer. Travelling instead of taking out a UK number? Lyca separately markets travel eSIM products with their own rules, including activation conditions. Lyca says a UK SIM must be activated in the UK before roaming abroad unless the chosen product’s terms say otherwise; check this before travelling or ordering from overseas. See Lyca’s roaming instructions.
Compare Lyca eSIM deals before ordering
The QR code may arrive digitally, but the plan behind it has ordinary costs and restrictions. Before you click through, check the current price and the price after any promotion, the data allowance, whether the plan renews every 30 days or carries a longer commitment, and whether your usual calls and roaming destinations are covered.
Lyca uses EE’s UK network through BT Wholesale. If EE reception is reliable at home and work, that may suit you. Sharing the network does not guarantee identical speeds, features or support. Check indoor and outdoor predictions at your postcode with Ofcom’s mobile coverage checker before transferring a number you depend on.
Use the offers above to compare selected Lyca plans, then confirm that eSIM is selectable on the operator’s actual checkout before paying. If the linked route does not let you order an eSIM, do not buy a physical SIM expecting an automatic digital conversion; choose a confirmed eSIM route instead. A catalogue eSIM label is not a reserved digital SIM. For more choices, see all Lyca SIM-only deals, or compare eSIM deals across UK networks. The offers are for new purchases; the steps below also help existing customers set up their line.
Check your phone before paying
An eSIM logo on a tariff is not enough. Check these four things in order:
- eSIM hardware. On an iPhone, open Settings → General → About and look for an EID. On Android, check the manufacturer's specifications and the phone's SIM settings, since models and regional variants differ. An EID check from the dialler helps on some phones but does not guarantee network compatibility.
- Network lock. An unlocked phone is the safest choice. On iPhone, Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock should show No SIM restrictions. If it does not, speak to your current network before you buy.
- Practical setup. Arrange stable Wi-Fi for activation, especially for iPhone as advised by Lyca, and have the order-confirmation email ready. A second screen can display the QR code, but it is not always essential: on a supported iPhone, you may be able to add an eSIM directly from a QR code in the email. See the iPhone steps below.
- Your chosen service. Confirm that the exact checkout offers an eSIM option. An eSIM-capable phone and an eSIM-supporting provider do not make every sales journey the same.
On a dual-SIM phone, decide which line handles data, calls and texts after activation. Keeping another line enabled can mean separate data or roaming charges. For a general explanation, see What is an eSIM?.
How to order a new Lyca Mobile eSIM
For a new connection, follow these five steps:
- Choose an eligible Lyca bundle after comparing the current and later payments in the live offers above. Check its data, UK calls, international minutes, roaming and renewal terms.
- Use View Deal to reach the operator's ordering page and select eSIM as the SIM type if the plan and checkout route offer it. Do not assume eSIM is preselected.
- Complete the order and find the Lyca order-confirmation email. Lyca says the activation QR code is sent with eSIM orders. Check your junk folder if it is missing, and keep the QR code private.
- Connect to Wi-Fi for the most reliable Lyca setup and add the plan using the handset steps below. Device-level support for mobile-data activation does not guarantee that every Lyca activation flow works without Wi-Fi.
- Confirm the Lyca line is active before you rely on it for calls, data or travel. If you are keeping a number from another network, complete the PAC transfer separately after activation.
The QR code is an activation credential, not proof that a particular calling or roaming allowance is included. Confirm those features against the exact product at checkout. Lyca documents the order, QR and PAC steps in its official switching guide.
How to activate Lyca eSIM on iPhone or Android
Before you start: connect to Wi-Fi if possible (Lyca’s iPhone guide specifically instructs it), have the genuine Lyca QR code ready, and keep your existing line active until the new service works. Phone menus vary by model and software version.
On iPhone
- Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM (some versions say Cellular instead of Mobile Data).
- Choose Use QR Code and scan the code in your Lyca confirmation email. Your iPhone may also offer a QR-code activation prompt.
- Follow the installation prompts and label the line, for example Lyca UK.
- Set the preferred line for Mobile Data and, if needed, Default Voice Line. Make a test call and check data.
If the QR code is in an email or browser on the same iPhone, Apple says that on iOS 17.4 or later you can touch and hold the QR code, then choose Add eSIM when that option appears. Otherwise use a second screen, or manually enter activation details only if Lyca supplied them. This is a phone feature, not a guarantee that every Lyca QR code can be reused. Never use someone else's code. See Lyca's iPhone instructions and Apple's current eSIM setup guide.
On Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings → Connections → SIM manager.
- Select Add eSIM or the equivalent option for adding a mobile plan.
- Choose the carrier QR-code route and scan your Lyca QR code.
- Follow the prompts, choose the default line and test the connection.
Samsung menu names and eligible models vary. If the option is missing, check your exact model and region, because not every Galaxy phone supports eSIM.
On Google Pixel and other Android phones
On a Pixel, go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM, then follow the carrier setup and QR prompts. Other Android makers use different labels. Google's Pixel eSIM setup guide confirms this route. After setup, select your preferred line for mobile data and calls in SIM settings.
How long does activation take? Installation is often quick, but a new line appearing on the phone does not guarantee a working connection. Lyca's published instructions warn that some activations take longer. If the line stays inactive, use official help and do not repeatedly delete and reinstall the profile.
Keeping your number: PAC transfer or SIM swap?
These are two different tasks. Mixing them up can create an unwanted second number or interrupt your existing service.
Moving from another UK operator to Lyca
Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to keep, while it is still active with your old provider. Under Ofcom’s switching rules, a PAC is valid for 30 days and an accepted switch should normally complete within one working day; check Lyca's confirmation for the actual transfer date. Order and activate the new Lyca eSIM, then follow Lyca's number-transfer process with your PAC, your new Lyca number and the SIM identifiers it asks for. Lyca's instructions show where to find your ICCID, which is not the same as the handset's EID.
Do not cancel the old service before the port is complete. Service can drop briefly during the transfer. Check any outstanding contract charges with your old provider first. For the wider rules, see Ofcom's mobile switching guidance.
Replacing an existing Lyca physical SIM with an eSIM
Do not request a PAC from Lyca just to change SIM format while staying with Lyca. This is an account SIM-swap request and not a switch between networks.
Start with your official My Lyca account through Lyca’s SIM-swap support route. Lyca directs physical-to-eSIM replacements to its account service. If it offers SIM Management → SIM swap for your line, follow the on-screen identity checks. Do not assume this menu is available to every customer; when it is missing or unclear, use Lyca’s official support. Before authorising a swap, find out whether a fresh QR code is required, whether there is a charge, and when your existing physical SIM will stop working.
If you are moving a Lyca eSIM to another phone, ask Lyca which replacement or transfer method your account supports. Do not assume the old QR code or a phone-to-phone transfer feature will work without provider support.
Lyca eSIM not working? Diagnose it before buying again
| Problem | First check | When to contact Lyca |
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| No Add eSIM option | Confirm the handset model, regional variant, software and carrier-lock status | Your phone should support it, but the network's activation option is still missing |
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| QR code won't scan | Use a clear code on another screen with steady Wi-Fi, and try the phone's QR path | The code is missing, damaged, already used, rejected or expired |
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| QR code email missing | Check the order confirmation and spam folder, and confirm the order succeeded | No genuine activation details arrived |
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| eSIM installed but no service | Check the line is enabled and selected for data, then restart or toggle Airplane Mode once | The line stays inactive or you see activation errors |
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| Calls work but data does not | Check which dual-SIM line is set for mobile data and the network settings | The Lyca line is active but mobile data still fails |
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| Old number hasn't arrived | Confirm the eSIM works on its initial number and that the PAC went through Lyca's port-in route | The transfer status or submitted details are unclear |
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Do not delete a working eSIM just to retry. You may need a replacement profile or a fresh QR code, which can interrupt service. Never post your QR code, ICCID, account details or activation codes in public forums. For account-specific help, use Lyca's official contact page. DealPriceCheck is not Lyca customer support.
Is Lyca eSIM the right choice, or should you compare other networks?
Choose a Lyca UK eSIM when EE-based reception suits your postcode, the full renewal cost works for you, your device is compatible and you want ordinary UK mobile service without a plastic card. Included international minutes are useful only for eligible destinations and number types. This is a different buying decision from a destination-specific travel eSIM.
Compare alternatives if another network works better in your postcode, your handset cannot use Lyca's eSIM setup, you need a specific calling or roaming feature, or the renewal price cancels out the opening discount. See UK eSIM deals or UK networks that support eSIM for a wider choice. For our assessment of the provider beyond SIM format, read our Lyca Mobile review.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Lyca eSIM online in the UK?
Yes. Lyca sells eligible UK plans with an eSIM option. Choose eSIM at checkout, receive the genuine activation details and install the profile on a compatible, unlocked phone. Check the exact plan and checkout option before you pay.
Does Lyca eSIM come with a new number?
A new connection normally starts with a new Lyca number, and you can then bring an existing number from another UK operator with a PAC. If you already use Lyca and want the same Lyca number on an eSIM, request a SIM swap and do not create a second line.
Do I need Wi-Fi to install a Lyca eSIM?
Plan to use Wi-Fi. Lyca’s iPhone activation guide specifically instructs Wi-Fi for installation. Apple's generic instructions also describe eSIM setup over an existing cellular connection on supported phones, and Lyca describes mobile-data setup on some Android devices, but those device capabilities do not guarantee that your particular Lyca activation will work without Wi-Fi. Do not depend on the new, unactivated Lyca line for internet access.
Can I use Lyca eSIM alongside my existing physical SIM?
Yes, if your handset supports that dual-SIM set-up. Choose the default data and calling lines carefully, especially when travelling. The eSIM does not cancel your other network's plan.
Can I reuse the same Lyca QR code on another phone?
Do not assume so. Ask Lyca about replacing or moving the profile, because QR codes can be single-use and an old installation may need deactivating. Keep your current working line until the operator confirms the next step.
Is 5G available with a Lyca eSIM?
Lyca advertises 5G on eligible services, but usable 5G depends on your handset, plan, local coverage and network settings. An eSIM alone does not guarantee 5G or Wi-Fi Calling.
Can I use a Lyca UK eSIM abroad?
Yes, where the specific UK plan permits roaming, subject to the destination, usage limits, eligible voice/SMS services and any activation or fair-use conditions. The eSIM format itself does not add roaming benefits. Lyca also sells separate travel eSIM products; check which type you are buying.
How DealPriceCheck researched this guide
We reviewed Lyca Mobile's published UK eSIM, activation, SIM-swap and number-transfer instructions, handset setup guidance from Apple and Google, and Ofcom's coverage and switching resources. The steps describe documented routes and are not hands-on tests of every phone, Lyca account type or QR-code issue. Lyca can change its self-service menus and eSIM reissue rules, so follow its current instructions if your account differs.
DealPriceCheck is an independent comparison site covering selected UK SIM-only offers, not every Lyca product or every provider. The cards use recorded catalogue data and individual offer-check dates; the article’s review date is not a fresh price-verification date. The catalogue does not verify handset compatibility, QR-code reissue, account swap eligibility or whether the final checkout will offer eSIM for every visitor. Confirm eligibility, renewal terms and eSIM selection on the provider’s actual checkout. Our editorial recommendations are based on fit and documented conditions, not on the availability of commission.