Getting started
What an eSIM is, whether it fits your trip, and what to prepare.
This section is written for anyone who has never used an eSIM before and is trying to work out whether it suits their own trip. It starts by explaining what an eSIM actually is in technical terms, how it differs from the physical SIM cards most people are used to, and the rough sequence from buying through to actually using one on a device, so the whole picture is clear before moving on to the detail held in the other categories.
If you have used an eSIM before and are looking for a specific installation step or a fix for a specific problem, the installation category and the troubleshooting category answer that more directly. This page suits a first read before deciding to buy.
What an eSIM actually is
An eSIM is a network profile downloaded onto an embedded SIM chip that is already built into the device, rather than a physical card you pull out and swap. That chip is present from the factory in devices that support it. What you buy from us is a profile that gets installed onto that chip, not a physical object that needs posting to you.
Installing a profile needs an internet connection for a short while, whether that is Wi-Fi or an existing mobile connection, because the device has to download the profile data from that network provider's server. The QR code you receive is simply the carrier of that installation data.
How it differs from a physical SIM
| Aspect | How you obtain it | Changing device | Voice number use | How many installs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical SIM | Received as a physical card by post or in person | Removed and inserted into a new device immediately | Depends on the operator it was bought from | Usable indefinitely until damaged or cancelled |
| eSIM | Received as a QR code or link by email after payment | A new profile must be bought for a new device, since a profile cannot move across devices | Most travel plans are data-only and give no local voice number | Generally installable only once per profile |
eSIM compared with a physical SIM
The most important limitation that newcomers usually do not know beforehand concerns the one-time install: a profile is tied to the device it was first installed on. Deleting it to move it to another device is normally not possible and cannot be undone, so it should only be installed on the device you will actually carry on the trip.
Who a travel eSIM suits
A travel eSIM suits anyone whose device already supports it and who wants data working the moment they land, without hunting for a local SIM or queuing at the airport. It suits both short and long trips, provided the plan chosen matches the expected duration and data volume.
Conversely, if your device does not support eSIM, or you need a local voice number for work calls or to receive calls from people on the ground, a local physical SIM may suit you better. Always check device compatibility before deciding.
The steps from buying to actually using it
- 1Check your device firstConfirm the device supports eSIM and is unlocked from any previous carrier (if bought on a contract or instalment plan) before deciding to buy.
- 2Choose a planPick a plan based on the country or region you are visiting, how long you will be there, and the data volume you expect to use.
- 3Pay for the orderEnter an email address you can actually access at checkout, since the installation details are sent there.
- 4Install the profileScan the QR code or use the install link while connected to the internet, ideally done before travel day somewhere with Wi-Fi.
- 5Activate on arrivalTurn on data roaming for that profile once you land in the destination, or whenever the plan's own terms say usage begins.
Checking device compatibility before buying
Devices that support eSIM are mostly newer smartphones from around 2018 onwards, but not every model in the same price bracket supports it, and a device bought on contract with certain carriers in certain countries may be locked against using another provider's eSIM until it is unlocked.
The most reliable way is to check the device's own network settings menu for an option to add an eSIM, or to use our device-checker tool to see a list of models confirmed to support it.
Limitations worth knowing before deciding
Almost all travel eSIM plans are data-only, with no local voice number provided. If you need to make calls or receive an SMS verification code from within the destination country, you would usually need to use an internet-based calling service (VoIP) instead, or consider adding a local SIM.
Another point worth knowing is that speed and signal quality depend on the local network the profile connects to and the actual conditions on the ground, not something that can be fixed in advance. This is covered in more depth in the data and speed category.
Where first-timers commonly get it wrong
- Buying a plan without first checking whether the device genuinely supports eSIM
- Forgetting a profile installs only once, then deleting it to try installing again
- Waiting to install only after arriving at a destination airport with no Wi-Fi available
- Assuming a local voice number comes included when the plan is data-only
- Not turning on data roaming for the new profile even after installation is complete
How to get started
If you are ready, the next step is to check device compatibility, choose a plan based on the country or region you are visiting, then read the installation category to prepare before your actual travel day. Preparing a few days in advance greatly reduces the stress of a last-minute rush before boarding.
FAQ
Can an eSIM fully replace my main SIM?+
It can, if the device supports running an eSIM alongside a physical SIM at the same time, but most travel plans are data-only, so it tends to be used alongside your main SIM rather than replacing it entirely.
How far in advance can I buy one?+
Yes, buying well in advance is fine, since what you receive is a profile that has not yet been installed. Validity for most plans starts when it is actually activated, not at the moment of purchase — check the terms on that specific plan's page to be sure.
Do I need several plans for a multi-country trip?+
It depends on whether the plan covers a single region or several countries. Some plans cover a whole region in one purchase — always check the list of covered countries stated on the plan page before buying.
Do I need an existing SIM in the device to install one?+
No, installation can be done over Wi-Fi alone; there is no need for a physical SIM to be present in the device during the installation step.
What if I change my mind and no longer travel?+
Refund terms depend on whether the profile has already been activated or not. Full detail and the process are covered specifically in the refunds category.
Do I have to sign up for an account before buying?+
No, you can buy using only an email address. Having an account simply makes it easier to reopen a past order later — see the account category for detail.
Common questions in this section
What is an eSIM?+
An eSIM is a SIM built into the phone. Instead of inserting a plastic card you download an operator profile onto the phone's eUICC chip. On a supported phone you can add a destination data plan before you leave home, without removing your main SIM.
How does an eSIM work?+
After payment you receive a profile as a QR code or an activation string. Scanning it makes the phone download the profile from the operator's SM-DP+ server and store it as a second line. At your destination, enabling that line lets the phone attach to a partner network the same way a roaming SIM does.
Can I install my eSIM before I travel?+
Yes, and it is the recommended way. Install at home on stable Wi-Fi and leave the line switched off. Most of our plans start counting validity at the first connection at the destination, not at install time — but always check the Activation section on the plan page, because some plans start at purchase.
What does data-only mean?+
The plan provides internet only: no local number, no voice calls or SMS on that line. App calling — LINE, WhatsApp, FaceTime — works normally, and you can still receive SMS on your home number if that line stays enabled.
Which plans include calls and SMS?+
Check the Voice/SMS line on the plan page — most travel plans are data-only. If you need SMS from your bank or services tied to your number, keep receiving those on your home number and use the eSIM for data.
Is an eSIM safer than a physical SIM?+
Physically yes — there is no card to lose or swap, and you never remove your home SIM. Data security itself depends on the connection and apps you use and is no different between eSIM and physical SIM.
Can I just use public Wi-Fi instead?+
Sometimes, but public Wi-Fi often needs registration, only works in spots, and is absent on the street or in transit — exactly when you need maps most. Most travellers use an eSIM as the base and hotel Wi-Fi for heavy downloads.
How does an eSIM differ from a pocket Wi-Fi device?+
An eSIM sits inside your phone: nothing extra to carry, charge or return. A pocket Wi-Fi device is separate hardware that several devices can share, but it must be carried, charged and usually collected and returned at set points. For one or two travellers an eSIM is usually simpler; for a large group that stays together, separate hardware can suit better.
Do I need ID or a passport to buy?+
Buying a travel plan on our site does not require identity documents. Some countries do have their own telecom registration rules, which can apply to certain plans; where that is the case the plan page says so. For a country's exact requirements, check its own regulator rather than a third-party summary.
Can I use a travel plan in my own country?+
Travel plans are built for use in the destinations they list, not as a replacement for your home SIM. If your own country is not in the plan's country list, it will not work there. Check the list on the plan page before buying.
What do I need before buying an eSIM?+
An eSIM-capable device that is not carrier-locked, your destination and travel dates, and Wi-Fi at installation time. That is all.
How is a travel eSIM different from my operator's roaming pack?+
A roaming pack uses your existing number and bills through your operator. A travel eSIM is a separate prepaid data package, while your usual number stays on the phone.
Do I have to register my identity like a local SIM?+
It depends on the destination's rules. Some countries require telecom subscriber registration. Check that country's regulator before travelling.
Read each answer in full
- What is an eSIM?
- How does an eSIM work?
- Can I install my eSIM before I travel?
- What does data-only mean?
- Which plans include calls and SMS?
- Is an eSIM safer than a physical SIM?
- Can I just use public Wi-Fi instead?
- How does an eSIM differ from a pocket Wi-Fi device?
- Do I need ID or a passport to buy?
- Can I use a travel plan in my own country?
- What do I need before buying an eSIM?
- How is a travel eSIM different from my operator's roaming pack?
- Do I have to register my identity like a local SIM?