Are 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.
Do this now
- Keep a passcode on your phone so nobody else can get in.
- Keep your QR code private, and don't post it online.
- Use mobile data for banking and logins, not open public Wi-Fi.
- On a Pixel, check Confirm SIM deletion is switched on.
- Erase your eSIM after your trip if you no longer need it.
Is an eSIM safer than a physical SIM?
Yes. For travel, an eSIM is the safer choice. Every eSIM from eSIMology is built into your phone, so nobody can slip it out and put it in another phone, as they can with a plastic SIM card.
How is the eSIM download protected?
Your plan downloads over an encrypted connection, using the industry standard set by the GSMA, the mobile industry's body. For a simple overview of how it all fits together, read what an eSIM is.
Is mobile data safer than public Wi-Fi?
For banking and logins, yes. Mobile data on your eSIM is your own connection. Open public Wi-Fi in airports, cafés and hotels is shared by many people, so use your mobile data for anything sensitive.
Check the mobile data line on your phone:
- iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data → choose the line for mobile data.
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → preferred SIM for Mobile data.
- Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Mobile data, under primary SIMs.
How do I keep my QR code safe?
Treat your QR code like a key. Keep it to yourself and don't post it online. Each code installs once. If the scan fails, read QR code not working for quick fixes.
What else protects my phone?
Keep a passcode on your phone. It's your first line of defence. On a Pixel, check Confirm SIM deletion is switched on under Settings → Security → Advanced. It asks for your password before an eSIM can be erased.
No app to install means no extra app permissions. Your eSIM page is on the web. If you use a VPN, see using a VPN with your eSIM.
Next steps
Keep your passcode on, check your mobile data line, then install your plan. If anything looks wrong with your order, contact us with your order number and phone model.
Can someone copy my eSIM and use it in their phone?
Not easily. An eSIM is built into your phone, so it can't be slipped out and used in another phone. Keep your QR code private, because anyone holding it could install it once.
Can I safely check my bank while using my eSIM?
Yes. Mobile data on your eSIM is your own connection, a safer choice for banking and logins than open public Wi-Fi. Keep your phone passcode on, too.
Should I delete my eSIM after my trip?
It's a tidy step once your trip is over. On a Pixel, go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, tap the eSIM and choose Erase eSIM.
