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Most eSIM problems are one setting away. Start with the fix for no data abroad, or find your question below. Still stuck? A real person answers every email.
Before you buy
Check your phone, pick the right plan and keep your home number.
Which phones support eSIM?
Most phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM: iPhone XS, XR and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone takes eSIMs.
Read the answerIs my phone unlocked for a travel eSIM?
On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and look for Network Provider Lock: "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked. On Android, ask your network or try another network's SIM.
Read the answereSIM vs physical SIM vs pocket Wi-Fi
A travel eSIM is the easiest choice: you buy it online, install it in minutes and land connected. No shop queues, no SIM swaps, no extra gadget to carry, charge or return.
Read the answerInstall your eSIM before you travel
Yes. Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly. Most plans only start when the eSIM first connects at your destination, so you lose no days.
Read the answerKeep your WhatsApp and home number with a travel eSIM
Yes. WhatsApp stays on your usual number, and your home SIM stays in your phone. Use the travel eSIM for data and keep your home line on for texts, with its roaming off.
Read the answerCalls and texts with a data-only travel eSIM
Our travel eSIMs are data only, with no new phone number. Call and message over data with WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, Teams or Zoom, and keep your home line on for normal texts.
Read the answerTravel eSIM for China
On most of our China plans, your data routes through Hong Kong, so apps like Google, WhatsApp, Gmail and Instagram open as they do at home. The plan page shows the route.
Read the answerTravel eSIMs for families and groups
Each phone needs its own eSIM: one eSIM installs on one phone. For a family, buy one plan per phone, or buy one bigger plan and share it from a parent's phone by hotspot.
Read the answerWhat is an eSIM? Here's the plain answer
An eSIM is a tiny chip built into your phone that stores a travel data plan. You buy online, scan a QR code, and use it when you land. No plastic SIM needed.
Read the answerHow does a travel eSIM work? Five steps, home to abroad
A travel eSIM is a digital, data-only SIM. Install it at home, then after landing turn on its Data Roaming. On iPhone that's Settings → Mobile Service. Your home SIM stays in your phone.
Read the answereSIM vs roaming: which costs less on your trip?
A travel eSIM is prepaid: one price up front, no bill afterwards, so it often costs less than home-network roaming, which bills you after the trip. Turn off Data Roaming on your home line.
Read the answerWhat is an EID number? Here is where to find it
An EID is a 32-digit number that identifies the eSIM chip in your phone. Dial *#06# to see it, or go to Settings → General → About on iPhone.
Read the answerCan I use eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes. Most eSIM phones are dual SIM, so keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and set the travel eSIM as the mobile data line in your phone settings.
Read the answerAre eSIMs safe? Here's why, and how to stay secure
Yes, an eSIM is a safe way to get mobile data abroad. It's built into your phone, so nobody can slip it out. Keep a passcode on your phone and your QR code private.
Read the answerInstall your eSIM
Set it up at home in two minutes, ready the moment you land.
Install your eSIM without a second screen
You can't point a phone's camera at its own screen, so use another way: tap Install on this iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later), press and hold the QR code, or type in the manual codes.
Read the answerTurn on data roaming for your travel eSIM
Turn data roaming on for the travel eSIM only. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → your travel line → Data Roaming. Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming. Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → travel SIM → Roaming.
Read the answerSet the APN for your travel eSIM
Most eSIMs set the APN for you. If you have signal but no internet, enter your plan's APN: iPhone, Settings → Mobile Service → travel line → Mobile Data Network; Android, Access Point Names.
Read the answerMove your travel eSIM to a new phone
Not installed yet? Install it on the new phone. Already installed? Keep it on the old phone and contact us with your order number before deleting it, so we can check what your plan allows.
Read the answerCellular plan cannot be added on iPhone? Fix it fast
Connect to strong Wi-Fi, turn airplane mode on and off, then restart your iPhone. If the travel line is listed under Settings → Mobile Service, it has already installed. Don't delete and rescan.
Read the answerSamsung eSIM not working? Fix it step by step
Can't add an eSIM on Android? Restart and join strong Wi-Fi first. Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM. Still stuck? Type the SM-DP+ address and activation code instead.
Read the answereSIM QR code not working? Fix it in a minute
Each eSIM QR code installs once, on one phone, so it can't be reused. If it says already used, the eSIM is probably already on your phone. Check Settings → Mobile Service on iPhone.
Read the answerSIM not supported on your eSIM? Check your phone's lock
“SIM not supported” means your phone is locked to your home network. On iPhone, check Settings → General → About → Network Provider Lock. “No SIM restrictions” means it's unlocked.
Read the answereSIM stuck on activating? Fix it before you fly
Stuck on Activating or No Service before your trip? That's normal on most plans. It connects at your destination. Check it under Settings → Mobile Service (iPhone), SIM manager (Samsung) or SIMs (Pixel).
Read the answerHow to avoid roaming charges with an eSIM
Switch Data Roaming off for your home line and on for your travel eSIM. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → tap a line → Data Roaming.
Read the answerOn your trip
Quick fixes for no signal, slow data, hotspot and more.
eSIM not working abroad? Fix it in 2 minutes
Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM, set it as your mobile data line, then restart your phone. Still nothing? Choose a network by hand and check the APN.
Read the answerWhen does my eSIM plan start?
Most plans start when your eSIM first connects to a supported network at your destination. A few start when you install. The plan's own page tells you which.
Read the answerUse your travel eSIM as a hotspot
Yes, hotspot works where the phone and network allow it. iPhone: Settings → Personal Hotspot. Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering. Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering.
Read the answerSlow eSIM data? Speed it up
On some unlimited and daily plans, speed drops after the daily fast-data allowance, and the plan page shows the speed after it. Otherwise, restart, pick another network and check 5G is on.
Read the answerWhy your eSIM shows another country
Some plans send your data through another country, so websites see that country's IP address. A Japan plan may show Hong Kong, for example. Your speed and connection are unaffected.
Read the answerTravel eSIMs on a cruise
Your travel eSIM works on land networks: in port and near the coast. At sea, the ship runs its own network, which your home SIM may pay a lot for. Use ship Wi-Fi at sea.
Read the answerCheck your eSIM data usage
Open your eSIM page from the link in your email, or your account if you're signed in. It shows your usage meter, data left and expiry date. No app needed.
Read the answereSIM no service or SOS only? Fix it step by step
No Service or SOS only means your phone hasn't joined a network on the travel line yet. Turn that line on, switch on its Data Roaming, then restart. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service.
Read the answeriMessage not working with a travel eSIM? Check this first
Yes. iMessage and FaceTime run over data, so they work on a travel eSIM. Keep your home number selected for both. On iPhone, check Settings → Apps → Messages → Send & Receive.
Read the answerDoes Wi-Fi calling work abroad? Check first
Wi-Fi calling works abroad only if your home network supports it from that country. Check with them first. Then turn it on under Settings → Mobile Service → your home line → Wi-Fi Calling.
Read the answerCan I use a VPN with an eSIM? Yes, here's how
Yes. A VPN works on your travel eSIM's data just like on Wi-Fi. Connect to data first, then turn the VPN on. If pages stop loading, turn it off or try another VPN server.
Read the answerWhy is my eSIM data running out so fast?
Most of the time, apps use your data in the background. On iPhone, go to Settings → Mobile Service, scroll down and switch off heavy apps. Check your eSIM page usage meter.
Read the answerDoes airplane mode turn off your eSIM?
Yes. Airplane mode switches off every mobile line, eSIMs included, but the eSIM stays installed. Turn airplane mode off on landing, then turn on your travel line and its Data Roaming.
Read the answerYour eSIM and order
Find your eSIM, check your data, top up or get your money back.
Find your eSIM and QR code
Your eSIM arrives by email and on your order page seconds after you pay, with the QR code, a one-tap install link for iPhone and the manual codes. Check spam if you can't see it.
Read the answerTop up your travel eSIM
Open your eSIM page from the link in your email, or your account, choose a top-up and pay. The data lands on the eSIM you already have. No new QR code, no reinstall.
Read the answerGet your money back on an unused eSIM
If you never installed your eSIM, cancel it within 30 days of buying and get a full refund, money back to your card. Contact us with your order number to start.
Read the answerDelete or keep your eSIM after your trip
Turn the travel line off when you get home. Delete it only once the plan has expired and you won't top up. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → travel line → Delete eSIM.
Read the answerUse several eSIMs on one phone
Yes. Most eSIM phones store several eSIMs and use two lines at once, for example your home line plus one travel eSIM. Switch on the eSIM for the country you're in.
Read the answerWhat happens when eSIM data runs out?
When eSIM data is used up, data stops on that eSIM. Top up from your eSIM page on plans that allow it. The same eSIM gets the data, nothing new to install.
Read the answerDeleted an eSIM by mistake? Can you reinstall it?
A deleted eSIM usually can't be reinstalled from the same QR code, because each code installs once. Don't keep scanning it. Contact us with your order number and phone model.
Read the answerInstall guides
Step by step for every phone. We reply within a few hours, every day.