How to Download and Set Up eSIM on Google Pixel 8a

The Google Pixel 8a offers built-in eSIM functionality that allows you to add a cellular plan without a physical SIM. While many online articles focus on esim setup iphone steps, Android users can benefit from a similar streamlined workflow. This guide is tailored for the Pixel 8a, explaining how to perform an esim download, manage digital SIM profiles on a modern Android interface, and compare processes to those for esim android samsung devices. Whether you’ve never used an eSIM before or you’re switching from another phone, this article breaks down every step clearly and concisely.

What You’ll Need

  • Stable internet connection (Wi‑Fi or cellular data)
  • Carrier‑provided QR code or manual activation code
  • Google account credentials for system verification
  • Access to your primary phone number for verification calls or SMS

Step‑by‑Step Installation

On your Google Pixel 8a running Android 14 with the stock Google UI, follow these exact menu paths. Some variants may label submenus as “SIM manager” or “SIM cards.”

  • Open Settings from the app drawer or by swiping down and tapping the gear icon.
  • Tap Network & internet in the main settings list.
  • Select SIMs (may appear as SIM cards or SIM manager on custom UIs).
  • Tap Add SIM and choose Download a SIM from the popup menu.
  • Select Scan QR code and point your camera at the code sent by your carrier.
  • If scanning fails, tap Enter code manually and input the activation details exactly as provided.
  • Assign a label for the new profile (for example, “Work” or “Travel”) and tap Done.
  • Return to Network & internet > SIMs to confirm the eSIM is active and set as default for data or calls if needed.
  • If you use dual‑SIM mode, ensure you assign carrier roles correctly under SIM preferences.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

  • If “Download a SIM” is missing, update Android to the latest stable release and restart your Pixel 8a.
  • If QR code scans keep failing, inspect and clean the camera lens or switch to manual code entry.
  • If activation errors occur, verify that your mobile plan supports eSIM profiles and is fully provisioned.
  • Disable Data Saver under Settings > Network & internet > Data usage if the eSIM download stalls.
  • For Error 184 (“eSIM activation failed”), toggle Airplane mode on and off, then retry the installation process.
  • If you see “SIM pending activation,” power cycle the device or reinstall the profile via the SIMs menu.

Installing via TapSim

When you choose to purchase an eSIM through TapSim, you will receive a confirmation email immediately after purchase. This email contains all activation instructions, including your personalized QR code and any manual installation details. Simply scan or manually enter these credentials using the Step‑by‑Step Installation process above to finalize activation.

Conclusion

Activating an eSIM on your Google Pixel 8a is a fast and flexible way to manage multiple mobile plans without swapping physical cards. By following the concise menu paths and applying the troubleshooting tips provided here, you can complete the esim download process confidently. Digital eSIM management allows quick switching between plans without handling tiny cards, making it ideal for frequent travelers or those juggling work and personal lines.

Find Your Perfect eSIM Plan

Similar posts

Stay Connected Wherever You Go

Subscribe to TapSim for eSIM deals, travel tips, and new destination alerts - adventure awaits.
TapSim is a modern eSIM provider built for travelers, truckers, tourist agencies, and digital nomads. We make it easy to stay connected anywhere in the world—just tap, activate, and connect. Our mission is to simplify mobile data access with affordable, reliable, and instant eSIM solutions for people on the move.

© 2025 TapSim. All Rights Reserved.

TapSim
Tap, Activate, Connect

TapSim is a modern eSIM provider built for travelers, truckers, tourist agencies, and digital nomads. We make it easy to stay connected anywhere in the world—just tap, activate, and connect. Our mission is to simplify mobile data access with affordable, reliable, and instant eSIM solutions for people on the move.
Navigation
Top Locations

Check if your device is compatible

  • iPhone XR*

  • iPhone XS**

  • iPhone XS Max*

  • iPhone 11*

  • iPhone 11 Pro*

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max*

  • iPhone SE

  • iPhone 12*

  • iPhone 12 Mini**

  • iPhone 12 Pro*

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max*

  • iPhone 13*

  • iPhone 13 Mini**

  • iPhone 13 Pro*

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max*

  • iPhone 14*

  • iPhone 14 Plus*

  • iPhone 14 Pro*

  • iPhone 14 Pro Max*

  • iPhone 15*

  • iPhone 15 Plus*

  • iPhone 15 Pro*

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max*

  • iPad (A2198, 2019 and newer)**

  • iPad Mini (A2124, 2019 and newer)**

  • iPad Air (A2123, 2019 and newer)**

  • iPad Pro 11″ (A2068, 2020 and newer)**

  • iPad Pro 12.9″ (A2069, 2020 and newer)**

  • iPhone 16*

  • iPhone 16 Plus*

  • iPhone 16 Pro*

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max*

  • iPhone 16e

*excluding devices purchased in Mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macao
**excluding devices purchased in Mainland China

  • Samsung Note 20

  • Samsung Note 20+

  • Samsung Note 20 Ultra***

  • Samsung Galaxy Fold

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2***

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

  • Samsung Galaxy Fold6

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip**

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

  • Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

  • Samsung Galaxy S20**

  • Samsung Galaxy S20+**

  • Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 5G*

  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G*

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G*

  • Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

  • Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G

  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

  • Samsung Galaxy S23

  • Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy 24+

  • Samsung Galaxy S24

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

  • Samsung Galaxy S25

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

  • Samsung Galaxy S25+

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy A36

  • Samsung Galaxy A56

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition

*U.S. models may support eSIM if the One UI 4 update has been installed
** except U.S. models
*** except U.S. and Hong Kong models

  • Google Pixel 3

  • Google Pixel 3a

  • Google Pixel 4

  • Google Pixel 4a

  • Google Pixel 4 XL

  • Google Pixel 4a 5G

  • Google Pixel 5

  • Google Pixel 6

  • Google Pixel 6a

  • Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Google Pixel 7

  • Google Pixel 7a

  • Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Google Pixel 8

  • Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Google Pixel Fold

  • Google Pixel 8a

  • Google Pixel 9

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

  • Google Pixel 8a

NOTE: Google Pixel 3 phones purchase with service from a U.S. or Canadian carrier will not support eSIM, with the exception of Google Pixel 3 phones purchased with Sprint or Google Fi. Google Pixel 3 phones purchased in Australia, Taiwan, and Japan also do not support eSIM. Google Pixel 3a phones purchased with Verizon service or purchased in Japan do not support eSIM.

  • Xiaomi 13T Pro

  • Xiaomi 13 Pro

  • Xiaomi 13 Lite

  • Xiaomi 13

  • Xiaomi 12T Pro

  • Xiaomi 15

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

  • Xiaomi Poco X7

  • Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G

  • Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G

  • Xiaomi 14

  • Xiaomi 14 Pro

  • Xiaomi 14T

  • Xiaomi 14T Pro

  • Xiaomi 13T

  • Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G

  • Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G

NOTE: eSIM availability may vary depending on country/region and carrier. For more details, please visit the official website: https://www.mi.com/global/support/esim?lang=en

  • Motorola Razr 2019

  • Motorola Razr 5G

  • Motorola Razr 40

  • Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

  • Motorola Razr+

  • Motorola Edge+

  • Motorola Edge 40

  • Motorola Edge 40 Pro

  • Motorola Edge 40 Neo

  • Motorola G52J 5G

  • Motorola G52J 5G Ⅱ

  • Motorola G53J 5G

  • Motorola G54

  • Motorola Razr 50

  • Motorola Razr 50 Ultra

  • Moto G Power (2025)

  • Moto G (2025)

  • Moto G35 5G

  • ThinkPhone 25

  • Moto G75 5G

  • Moto G34

  • Moto G53

  • Moto G54 Power

  • Moto G55

  • Moto G75 5G

  • Moto G85

  • Moto G (2024)

  • Moto G Power (2024)

  • Moto G Stylus 5G

  • Edge Fusion

  • Edge 50

  • Edge 50 Fusion

  • Edge 50 Pro

  • Edge 50 Neo

  • Edge 50 Ultra

  • Edge (2024)

  • Edge (2023)

  • Razr 2024

  • Razr 2022

  • Sharp AQUOS Sense 4 Lite

  • Sharp AQUOS Sense 6S

  • Sharp AQUOS Sense 7

  • Sharp AQUOS Sense 7 Plus

  • Sharp AQUOS Sense 7 Plus

  • Sharp AQUOS Wish 2 SHG08

  • Sharp AQUOS Wish3

  • Sharp AQUOS Zero 6

  • Sharp Simple Sumaho6

  • Sharp AQUOS R7

  • Sharp AQUOS R8

  • Sharp AQUOS R8 Pro

  • AQUOS sense9

  • AQUOS sense8

  • AQUOS R9 Pro

  • AQUOS R9

  • AQUOS R8s pro

  • Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Sony Xperia 5 IV

  • Sony Xperia 10 IV

  • Xperia 10 VI

  • Xperia 10 V

  • Xperia 1 V

  • Xperia 1 VI

  • Dell Latitude 7210

  • Dell Latitude 9410

  • Dell Latitude 7310

  • Dell Latitude 7320

  • Dell Latitude 7410

  • Dell Latitude 9420

  • Dell Latitude 9510

  • Dell Latitude 5410

  • Dell Latitude 5420

  • Dell Latitude 5411

  • Dell Latitude 5511

  • Dell Latitude 7440

  • Dell Latitude 7210 2-in-1

  • HP Elite Dragonfly G2

  • HP Elite Folio 13

  • HP Elitebook G5

  • HP Probook G5

  • HP Zbook G5

  • HP Spectre Folio 13

  • HP Spectre x360

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 2 in 1

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

  • Lenovo Flex 5G

  • Lenovo Yoga C630

  • Lenovo Miix 630

  • Lenovo Yoga 520

  • Lenovo Yoga 720 (2-in-1 models)

  • Microsoft Surface Duo

  • Microsoft Surface Go 2

  • Microsoft Surface Go 3

  • Microsoft Surface Pro X

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 5 LTE Advanced

  • Microsoft New Surface Pro 7+

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 8

  • Microsoft Surface Pro LTE

  • Microsoft Surface Duo 2

  • Acer Swift 3

  • Acer Swift 7

  • Acer TravelMate P2

  • Acer TravelMate P6

  • Acer TravelMate Spin P4

  • ASUS Mini Transformer T103HAF

  • ASUS NovaGo TP370QL

  • ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 TP401NA

  • DOOGEE V30

  • Fairphone 4

  • Fairphone 5

  • Gemini PDA

  • HAMMER Blade 3

  • HAMMER Blade 5G

  • HAMMER Explorer PRO

  • Honor 90

  • Honor Magic 4 Pro

  • Honor Magic 5 Pro

  • Honor X8

  • Huawei Mate 40 Pro

  • Huawei Mate X2

  • Huawei P40

  • Huawei P40 Pro

  • Huawei P50 Pro

  • Huawei P70

  • Huawei P70 Pro

  • Huawei P70 Art

  • myPhone NOW eSIM

  • Nokia G60 5G

  • Nokia X30

  • Nokia XR21

  • Nuu Mobile X5

  • OnePlus 11

  • OnePlus 12

  • OnePlus Open

  • Oppo A55s 5G

  • Oppo Find N2 Flip

  • Oppo Find X3 Pro

  • Oppo Find X5

  • Oppo Find X5 Pro

  • Oppo Reno 5A

  • Oppo Reno 6 Pro 5G

  • Oppo Reno 9A

  • Rakuten Big

  • Rakuten Big S

  • Rakuten Hand

  • Rakuten Hand 5G

  • Rakuten Mini

  • Vivo V29 Lite 5G*

  • Vivo X90 Pro

  • WP30 Pro

  • OnePlus 13

  • myPhone Hammer Construction eSIM

  • Honor Magic V3

  • Honor Magic V2

  • Honor Magic Vs3

  • Honor Magic6 Pro RSR

  • Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Honor Magic7 Lite

  • Honor Magic7 Pro

  • Honor 200 Pro

  • Honor 200

  • OnePlus 13R

  • Oppo Find N5

  • Oppo Find X8

  • Oppo Find X8 Pro

  • Oppo A55s 5G

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

  • Vivo X100 Pro

  • Vivo V40 SE 5G

  • Vivo V40 Lite

  • Vivo X200 Pro

  • Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra

  • OUKITEL WP30 Pro

  • OUKITEL WP33 Pro

  • Nuu X5