First trip with an eSIM: a beginner's checklist
Never used an eSIM before? Everything to do before you buy, before you fly, when you land, and if something doesn't connect.
2 min read
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a small profile, and your phone can then connect to a mobile network with it. For travel, that means you can get data for your destination without visiting a shop or removing your usual SIM.
If it's your first time, this checklist takes you from "does my phone even support this?" to browsing on arrival.
Before you buy
- Check that your phone supports eSIM. Most phones from recent years do, but not every model or regional version. A quick test on many phones: dial *#06#. If an EID number appears, your phone has eSIM hardware.
- Check that your phone is carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier may refuse other SIMs. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for "Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions". On Android, ask your carrier or check your network settings.
- Know what you're buying. Travel eSIMs like ours are data only: no phone number, no regular calls or SMS. You keep your usual SIM for those.
Our compatible devices page has more detail on both checks.
Before you fly
- Buy your plan for your destination. Your eSIM appears on the order page straight away and arrives by email.
- Install it at home, on Wi-Fi. Scan the QR code from another screen, tap the one-tap install link on a recent iPhone or Android, or enter the details manually.
- Label it. Your phone will ask you to name the new line. "Travel" is easier to spot later than "Secondary".
- Don't delete it. An eSIM profile usually can't be reinstalled once it's removed, so leave it on your phone until your trip is over.
Installing early is safe: your plan's 30 days only start when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination.
When you land
- Make sure the travel eSIM line is switched on.
- Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM. Travel eSIMs connect to partner networks abroad, so roaming must be on for that line.
- Choose the travel eSIM as your mobile data line.
- On your home SIM, turn data roaming off so it doesn't use expensive roaming data. You can keep the line on to receive calls and texts.
- Give it a minute. If there's no signal, turn airplane mode on and off, or restart your phone.
If it doesn't connect
- Double-check that data roaming is on for the eSIM line, not just in general.
- Check that the eSIM is selected for mobile data.
- Toggle airplane mode, then restart your phone.
- Try choosing a network manually in your mobile network settings.
- Make sure you're in a country your plan covers.
Still stuck? Our help centre has step-by-step fixes, and you can contact us with your order number and phone model.
During and after your trip
Keep an eye on your remaining data on the My eSIMs page. If you're running low, top up the same eSIM: no new QR code, no reinstall. When your trip is over and you no longer need the eSIM, you can remove it from your phone's settings, but remember that removing it is permanent.
