Yes — installing the profile pulls it from Openline's SM-DP+ server, which requires an internet connection. Wi-Fi is preferred, but any working data connection works: another mobile line, tethered hotspot, or a friend's device.

Which Wi-Fi networks to avoid during install

Some Wi-Fi networks actively block the SM-DP+ traffic an eSIM needs to install. If your install fails, this is the most common cause — not your phone, not the code.

Networks that frequently break eSIM installs:

  • Hotel and Airbnb Wi-Fi with captive portals ("log in with your room number")
  • Airport Wi-Fi (captive portals + heavy port filtering)
  • Corporate / office Wi-Fi (enterprise firewalls block provisioning traffic)
  • Public Wi-Fi in coffee shops, libraries, malls — hit or miss
  • Guest Wi-Fi on carrier-owned networks (some incumbent telcos intentionally block competitor eSIMs — this is a growing pattern in 2025–2026)
  • Any Wi-Fi behind an active VPN

Networks that reliably work:

  • Your home broadband (best option)
  • A trusted friend's or family's home Wi-Fi
  • A personal hotspot from an already-working SIM (yours or a friend's)
  • Airbnb Wi-Fi that has no login page

What to do if install fails on hotel/public Wi-Fi

  1. Complete the captive-portal login first (open Safari, hit any HTTP site, log in). Only then retry the install.
  2. Turn off any active VPN.
  3. Try tethering from another phone's mobile data instead.
  4. If the profile got half-installed and shows "Activating…" forever, delete it and reinstall — signed into your account at openline.com, go to My Codes → Reinstall.

Every Openline plan is delivered as a purchase code (format OL-4F7X-9K2Q-A3M8). You can redeem it in three ways: (1) inside the Openline app, (2) signed into your account at openline.com, or (3) anonymously at openline.com/start with just the code — no account needed.

Still stuck?

Reach Openline support 24/7 through any of these channels:

When you write in, include your purchase code (the OL-… code we emailed you) and, if the eSIM is already installed, its ICCID (Settings → Cellular → tap the Openline line). That's enough for us to find your plan and diagnose without back-and-forth.