Short answer: in most cases, Code Invalid, Invalid activation code, or This code is no longer valid means the eSIM has already been installed before or the activation code was already used. Most eSIM profiles can only be installed once.
Check whether the eSIM is already installed
- Open your phone's SIM/eSIM settings.
- Look for the label you chose during installation, a travel/secondary/business label, or a line showing No Number.
- If you find it, do not scan the QR code again. Select that line as your mobile data line instead.
- If you cannot find it, restart the phone and check the SIM/eSIM list again.
Your phone may not show the name 4S eSIM unless you chose that label during installation. If you did not choose a clear label, the installed eSIM may appear as No Number or as a generic travel, secondary, personal, or business line.
Confirm the installed eSIM by ICCID
The most reliable way to identify your 4S eSIM is to compare the ICCID. The ICCID is usually a 20-digit number that starts with 89.
- Open your 4S eSIM installation page or 4S service page and find the ICCID shown for your purchased eSIM.
- On your phone, find the installed eSIM ICCID.
- Compare the ICCID on your phone with the ICCID on your 4S page. You can compare the full number or the last 6 digits.
iPhone
Go to Settings > General > About, then scroll down to the eSIM / SIM section and look for ICCID. If the ICCID matches the ICCID on your 4S page, that eSIM is already installed on your iPhone.
Samsung
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager, select the eSIM line, then open More information if available. Look for ICCID.
Google Pixel and other Android phones
Try Settings > Network & internet > SIMs to find the eSIM line. Then check Settings > About phone > SIM status or SIM status (SIM slot 1 / SIM slot 2) and look for ICCID.
Android menu names vary by brand and Android version. If you cannot find the ICCID, send support a screenshot of your SIM/eSIM list and your 4S eSIM installation page. Do not post your full ICCID publicly.
If there are multiple No Number profiles
On iPhone, default labels such as Travel, Business, and Secondary can all show No Number. If you installed more than one eSIM profile, or if support replaced your eSIM, try the newest profile first. A newer or replacement eSIM profile may invalidate the previous one.
If you can see ICCIDs, use the ICCID to choose the line that matches your 4S page.
Do not delete older profiles until the correct working line is confirmed.
Why this happens
- The eSIM was already installed on this phone.
- The same QR code or activation code was scanned again after installation.
- The eSIM was installed before, deleted, and then scanned again. Deleted eSIMs usually cannot be reinstalled with the same code.
- A replacement or newer eSIM profile was issued, and the previous profile no longer works.
- The phone is not eSIM compatible or is carrier-locked.
What to do next
- If the ICCID on your phone matches the ICCID on your 4S page, the eSIM is already installed. Use that line for mobile data and do not scan the QR code again.
- If several lines look similar, try the most recently added likely 4S eSIM line first, or compare ICCIDs if visible.
- If the eSIM is not visible anywhere and the code still fails, contact 4S support. We may need to check the eSIM status or replace the eSIM.
- Include your order email, ICCID if available, the exact error screenshot, and a screenshot of your SIM/eSIM settings page.
Need to confirm which eSIM is yours? See How to identify your 4S eSIM by ICCID.
Need help?
Contact 4S support through support@4s.net, a Zendesk support ticket, or Zendesk live chat. Do not reply to hi@4s.net; it is an automatic order and installation email sender.