This note is based on BankNav’s Giffgaff eSIM QR tutorial. The original body was checked: it uses Postman API calls to swap a physical SIM to eSIM, obtain an LPA:1$... string, and generate a QR code. Source:

Bottom line: Giffgaff’s official recommendation is to switch from physical SIM to eSIM inside the giffgaff app. Official help says Giffgaff does not provide an eSIM QR code, SM-DP+ address, or manual activation code. The BankNav method is an unofficial API workflow.

Use the official app whenever possible. Only consider the unofficial route if you truly need a QR/LPA string, for example for 5ber, 9eSIM, or a device that cannot run the Giffgaff app.

Official Method

Official flow:

  1. Confirm the phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked.
  2. Install the latest giffgaff app.
  3. Log in to the account.
  4. Go to Account -> SIM -> Replace my SIM.
  5. Choose Switch to a new eSIM.
  6. Follow verification and installation prompts.

Giffgaff says switching from physical SIM or old eSIM to a new eSIM is available from 4:30am to 9:30pm UK time. Activation usually takes less than 1 hour, but can take up to 24 hours. After a successful swap, the old physical SIM is disabled.

The official method does not provide a QR code.

Unofficial Postman QR Method

The BankNav tutorial’s flow is roughly:

  1. Install and log in to Postman.
  2. Import the Giffgaff physical-SIM-to-eSIM Postman collection.
  3. Authenticate with the Giffgaff account.
  4. Complete email or SMS second-factor verification.
  5. Fetch account/member/SIM information.
  6. Reserve a new eSIM.
  7. Run SIM swap from physical SIM to eSIM.
  8. Fetch eSIM profile download information.
  9. Get an LPA:1$server$MatchingID style string.
  10. Generate a QR code.
  11. Scan it on an eSIM phone or eSIM adapter.

This simulates backend app behavior. The benefit is getting a QR/LPA string; the downside is that endpoints, auth, and response fields can change at any time.

Key requirements:

  • existing Giffgaff physical SIM;
  • working Giffgaff account login;
  • access to email or SMS verification;
  • SIM swap must be performed inside Giffgaff’s allowed time window;
  • the old physical SIM becomes invalid after success;
  • keep the generated QR/LPA private.

Pre-Check

Before doing anything:

  • current physical SIM can receive SMS;
  • account password works;
  • email verification works;
  • target phone or 5ber / 9eSIM is ready;
  • the Postman collection source is trusted;
  • you know how to recover if the swap fails.

If the physical SIM has no signal or account MFA depends on SMS you cannot receive, do not proceed.

Installation and Test

After getting the QR/LPA:

  • native eSIM phone: add eSIM in system settings and scan the QR;
  • 5ber / 9eSIM: import LPA or scan the QR inside the card app;
  • other devices: follow the device’s eSIM instructions.

Test:

  • reboot or toggle airplane mode;
  • check carrier name and signal;
  • test incoming SMS;
  • test data;
  • log in to Giffgaff and check SIM status.

If eSIM installs but has no signal, wait, reboot, or toggle airplane mode. Official switching can take up to 24 hours during busy periods.

Risks

The main risk is account and number state, not the QR code itself.

Do not:

  • share account tokens, verification codes, QR codes, or LPA strings;
  • paste Giffgaff credentials into untrusted scripts or websites;
  • run swap repeatedly;
  • assume SMS MFA will work immediately after the old SIM is disabled;
  • delete the eSIM profile casually.

If the eSIM fails but the account can still log in, you may be able to run official Replace my SIM again to switch to a new physical SIM or eSIM. Switching back to a physical SIM requires an unactivated Giffgaff SIM.

References