Set up an eSIM or SIM for mobile data

When you use an eSIM or SIM profile on your Chromebook, you can connect to the internet without a Wi-Fi connection over mobile data.

What you need

Your Chromebook needs to have eSIM capabilities or a physical slot for a SIM card. To set up an eSIM, your Chromebook must run on version 92 or later. Check that your Chromebook’s software is up to date.

Use an eSIM for mobile data

1. At the bottom right, select the time Settings .
2. Under “Network,” confirm that Mobile data is turned on.
3. Select Mobile data.
4. Under “eSIM,” select the network you want to connect to.

Tip: If you don’t find any mobile profiles under “Mobile data,” you’ll need to set up a new profile.

Use a SIM card for mobile data

1. Insert your SIM card into the card reader.
2. At the bottom right, select the time Settings .
3. Under “Network,” confirm that Mobile data is turned on.
4. Select Mobile data.
5. Under “SIM,” select the network you want to connect to.
6. If your SIM card isn’t activated yet, select Activate and follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip: If your SIM card carrier isn’t supported or your SIM card isn’t connected to a data plan, you’ll need to contact your carrier to complete setup.

Manage eSIM & SIM profiles

Set up a new eSIM profile

Automatically discover profiles

1. At the bottom right, select the time Settings .
2. Under “Network,” confirm that “Mobile data” is turned on. 
3. Select Mobile data Add cellular .
   • To add a cellular network, you must be connected to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
4. To automatically discover available eSIM profiles, select Scan.
5. Choose an eSIM profile.
   • If no profiles were found, you'll be prompted to scan a QR code or enter the eSIM profile details manually.
6. Select Next.
   • It may take a few minutes for the eSIM profile to be installed.
7. If prompted, enter the confirmation code for the eSIM profile being installed. 
   • If you don’t have the confirmation code, reach out to your carrier for assistance.
8. Select Confirm.
9. When the “Network added” dialog box appears, select Done.

Tip: You can add up to 5 eSIM profiles

Manually enter profiles

1. At the bottom right, select the time Settings .
2. Under “Network,” confirm that "Mobile data" is turned on.
3. Select Mobile data Add cellular .
   • To add a cellular network, you must be connected to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
4. When prompted to “Automatically scan for available eSIM profile,” to manually enter your eSIM profile, from the description, select Manually.
5. When a QR code scanning screen appears:
   • Select Use the camera to scan QR code.
   • Enter the activation code manually and skip to step 8.
6. To scan, hold the QR code provided by your carrier up to your Chromebook’s camera.
   • If you received a QR code by email, on your phone, open the email. To scan, hold your phone up to your Chromebook’s camera.
7. The activation code will automatically load.
   • If the activation code doesn’t automatically load, type it in manually.
8. Select Next.
   • It may take a few minutes for the eSIM profile to be installed.
9. When you get the message “Profile has been added successfully,” select Done.

Tip: You can add up to 5 eSIM profiles.

Rename a SIM profile

Important: You can only rename a profile when you’re signed in to your Chromebook. SIM profile names must be no more than 20 characters and can’t contain emojis.

1. At the bottom right, select the time Settings Mobile data.
2. Select the profile you want to rename.
3. At the top right, select Menu .
4. To rename the profile, select Rename Profile.
5. Type in the new name and select Done.

Remove a SIM profile

Important: Some eSIM profiles can only be installed on one device. If you remove the eSIM profile from its current device, you may not be able to use it again and may need to contact your provider for assistance.

1. At the bottom right, select the time Settings Mobile data.
2. Select the profile you want to remove.
3. At the top right, select Menu .
4. To remove the profile, select Remove Profile Remove.

Switch between mobile networks

1. At the bottom right, select the time Settings Mobile data.
2. Select the profile you want to switch to.

Allow or block text messages

1. On your Chromebook, select the time Settings .
2. Under “Network,” turn on Mobile network.
3. Select a SIM profile.
4. Under “Advanced,” turn on or off Show text messages.
   • When an admin blocks the feature, the toggle is disabled with a standard managed messaging.
   • When you turn off this feature, your Chromebook won’t show a notification and delete the message.

Fix problems with mobile network setup

• Check your connection: Before you set up an eSIM profile, make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
• “Error detecting code”: If this error appears, try these options:
  • Make sure your camera is clean and there isn’t anything covering it.
  • Try to enter the activation code manually.
  • If none of these options work, contact your carrier for technical support.
• “Couldn’t install eSIM profile”: If this error appears, this may indicate that the user profile you tried to set up was set up previously and can’t be reinstalled. Contact your carrier for technical support.
• Issues other than the above: Try to turn your Chromebook off and on.

Related resources

• Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi
• Fix connection problems