Can I change my plan after buying but before installing?
Contact us with the order number as soon as possible. If the profile is not yet installed and validity has not started, we can usually help within the refund policy. Once it is installed the options narrow considerably, so tell us as soon as you realise.
This page sets out what can and cannot happen once you have bought a plan but not yet scanned the QR code or installed it, whether you have changed your mind about the country, the data size, the validity period, or realised you bought the wrong thing from the outset. It covers why the window before installation matters so much, what to do the moment you notice, what we check before telling you how much can be done, and why the outcome differs from one situation to the next.
The short answer is that changes are usually possible while the profile is uninstalled and validity has not started, but 'usually' is not 'always', because it depends on each supplier's own terms and the published refund policy. What is certain is that contacting us sooner always leaves more options, because installation is the clear turning point after which choices narrow sharply.
Why the pre-installation window matters
Most travel eSIM plans work differently from a physical product, because what you have bought is a digital profile not yet bound to any specific device until the QR code is scanned or the activation code entered. Before that step, the supplier still regards the profile as unused, which leaves more room to manoeuvre: cancelling for a refund, switching to a different plan, or adjusting the start date of validity if the system supports it.
After installation, the situation changes markedly, because the profile has been delivered and bound to that device's own identifier. Even if data has not actually been switched on, many suppliers treat the item as fully delivered at that point. That is why we always stress not to install until you are sure, and if you change your mind, to contact us before scanning anything at all.
What to do the moment you notice
- 1Do not install it yetDo not scan the QR code or enter the activation string until you hear back from us, because installation is usually irreversible and narrows the options at once
- 2Gather the order detailsHave ready the order number, the plan actually purchased, and the plan or terms you want instead
- 3Contact us as soon as possibleReach out through the contact page the moment you realise; do not wait until close to travel day, since that leaves less time for us to check
- 4Wait for confirmation before proceedingWe check the profile's state with the supplier and tell you honestly what can change before you take the next step
What we check before telling you what is possible
When you contact us, we check three main things before answering. First, whether the profile has already been issued, since some systems issue it the instant payment succeeds while others take slightly longer. Second, whether it has been installed or activated, which we verify from the supplier's own system status, not just a description. Third, that specific plan's own terms, since suppliers do not all follow the same rules for changes before installation.
| Status | Likelihood of a change | What is usually possible |
|---|---|---|
| Profile not yet issued, payment just made | High | Cancelling or swapping the plan is usually easiest here |
| Profile issued but not yet scanned | Moderate to high | Adjustment or refund is usually possible under policy |
| Scanned but data not yet enabled | Low to moderate | Depends on the supplier's own terms case by case |
| Activated and validity already counting | Low | Options narrow considerably; usually limited to reporting a specific problem |
Common situations and how outcomes differ
Not every 'wrong purchase' is the same, because each carries different reasons and complications. Buying the wrong country is usually straightforward to check, since it is a clear data point in the system. Buying the wrong data size is usually adjustable before installation, since it is simply swapping the plan. Buying a plan whose validity does not cover the actual travel dates is slightly more involved, since it depends whether validity starts at installation or at actual data activation, which varies between plans.
- Buying the wrong country or region, such as a single-country plan when travelling to several countries
- Buying a data allowance that is too small or larger than actually needed
- Buying validity that does not cover the full actual travel dates
- Accidentally buying twice, by confirming twice or having two tabs open at once
The role of the refund policy here
Our refund policy mainly covers cases where the profile has not been installed and validity has not started, with the exact conditions set out on the refund policy page itself. It is worth understanding that the policy is not a promise of an automatic refund in every case; it is the framework the team uses to review each request, alongside the profile's actual status and that particular supplier's own terms, so outcomes can differ even between situations that look similar from the outside.
When it is unclear whether the profile has already been used
Sometimes a buyer is not sure whether they already scanned or entered the activation code, perhaps because it was done in a hurry or by someone else helping with installation. Do not guess in this situation, since guessing wrong can lead to an unnecessary repeat purchase or letting a real issue slide. The most accurate check is to open the phone's cellular settings and see whether that profile is already installed. If you remain unsure even after checking, tell us the order number so the status can be verified from the system side instead.
Checking installation status on the device yourself
| System | Where to check |
|---|---|
| iOS | Settings → Mobile Service / Cellular Data, and check whether a line matching that plan is present; the exact wording may vary by iOS version |
| Android | Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, and check the list of installed profiles; the menu differs by manufacturer and Android version |
Wanting to switch to a regional plan for a multi-country trip
Another common case is buying a single-country plan first, then discovering the actual trip covers several countries, and wanting a regional plan instead. If not yet installed, this is a plan swap like any other: always contact us first rather than simply buying the regional plan on top, which becomes a second order. Tell us the real itinerary and the full list of countries so we can check that an available regional plan genuinely covers what you need before making the change.
FAQ
If I have already installed it but not switched data on, can I still change it?+
It becomes far less likely compared with before installation, since the profile has been delivered and bound to the device. Still contact us to check case by case, since it also depends on that supplier's own terms.
How long does it take to get an answer on whether a change is possible?+
We check the status with the supplier as soon as we hear from you, but the time taken varies with when you contact us and how complete the details are. Attaching the order number and full details from the start speeds up the answer.
If I accidentally confirmed twice and bought two orders, what should I do?+
Contact us straight away with both order numbers and explain it was an accidental duplicate. We check both statuses and tell you the options under the refund policy.
Is there a fee for changing plans before installation?+
It depends on the refund policy and that supplier's own terms. Ask us directly when you contact us for clarity before deciding, since we do not state a fee figure in advance on this page.
If I have changed my mind and am no longer going to that country at all, can I get a refund?+
Yes, if not yet installed and it meets the conditions in the refund policy. Contact us with the order number and the genuine reason; we check the status and tell you the outcome under that policy.
If I installed it on an old phone but switch to a new one before travelling, what should I do?+
The profile is bound to the original device, so it cannot normally be moved to a new one yourself. Contact us with the order number to check whether that supplier can issue a fresh profile; we do not promise in advance that this is always possible.
If I bought the plan many months before travelling, is it easier to change?+
How far ahead of travel you bought it is not the main factor. What matters is the installation status and whether validity has started counting. If it has not been installed and validity has not started, a change is usually possible however long ago you bought it.
Who decides whether a plan change is possible, you or the supplier?+
We coordinate and check the status on your behalf, but the final terms rest on that supplier's own conditions for the plan, combined with our refund policy, so it can vary from one plan to another.
Changing a plan when someone else bought it for you
Sometimes a plan is bought by someone else, such as a travel companion or a family member handling the arrangements. If a change turns out to be needed later, it is best for whoever actually placed the order to contact us, or at least to be aware of and agree to the request first, since the order number and the email tied to payment sit under their name, not necessarily the name of whoever will actually use the plan. Supplying details that do not match the account holder can slow the review, because we need to be sure the change reflects the actual buyer's own wishes.
- State the actual buyer's name and their relationship to the user clearly from the first message
- Where possible, have the actual buyer send the change request themselves
- Have the order number ready regardless of who makes contact
The difference between top-up-capable plans and single-purchase plans
Before deciding whether to change the plan or wait and see, it helps to know whether the one purchased is top-up capable or a single one-off purchase, since this affects what options remain. A top-up-capable plan generally offers more flexibility when the data or duration turns out not to fit, since more can be added later without swapping the whole plan. A single-purchase plan cannot be topped up at all; the only option when it does not fit is switching to a different plan entirely, following the pre-installation steps described above.
| Plan type | If the data or duration turns out wrong |
|---|---|
| Top-up capable | Can be topped up later without swapping the whole plan, if still within the supported conditions |
| Single purchase | Requires swapping to a different plan entirely before installation, or buying a fresh one after installation |