What is a travel eSIM in simple terms?

Think of it as a prepaid data line that lives inside your phone—no plastic SIM, no store visit, no contract. Your device already has a reprogrammable chip (the “eSIM”). A travel eSIM adds a second cellular profile dedicated to mobile data in your destination country or region. You keep your regular number on your primary SIM and switch data to the travel line when you land. Why travelers choose eSIM over roaming: Buy and install before you fly—activation takes minutes on Wi‑Fi Pay a fixed prepaid price instead of unpredictable per-MB roaming Connect to local partner networks for faster, more reliable data No need to remove or swap your home SIM card Good to know: Most travel eSIM plans are data-only. Your existing number can still receive calls and texts on your primary line while the travel eSIM handles mobile data.

How do I install and activate my travel eSIM?

Installation adds the profile to your phone; activation happens when the eSIM connects to a supported network—usually when you arrive. iPhone (iOS 17+ menus may vary slightly): Connect to stable Wi‑Fi and open the QR from your email Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code Scan the code, name the plan (e.g. “Europe Trip”), and finish setup Set the travel line as your Cellular Data line; keep voice/SMS on your home SIM if desired Enable Data Roaming for the travel eSIM profile only Android (Samsung, Pixel, and similar): Open Settings → Connections or Network & Internet → SIM manager Choose Add eSIM / Add mobile plan and scan the QR code Assign a label, confirm download, and set it as the preferred data SIM Turn on mobile data and data roaming for the new profile Pro tip: Screenshot your QR code and keep the install email offline. If your camera struggles to scan, many orders also include a manual activation code you can enter by hand.

When should I install my eSIM—before I fly or after I land?

Install early, activate on arrival—this is the workflow that avoids airport stress and surprise charges. Recommended timeline: 1–2 days before departure: install on home Wi‑Fi and verify the profile appears in Settings At the airport: leave the travel line off or deprioritized to avoid accidental home-network use After landing: enable the travel eSIM for mobile data and confirm you see a local network name First 10 minutes abroad: run a quick speed test or load a webpage to confirm connectivity Some plans start their validity clock on first network connection, not at purchase. That means installing early does not “waste” days while you are still at home—as long as the line stays inactive until you travel. Dual-SIM settings: On iPhone, use Cellular Data → Allow Cellular Data Switching carefully. For travel, many users disable switching so maps and messaging apps cannot pull data from the wrong line.

Is a travel eSIM data-only, or can I make regular phone calls?

Travel eSIMs are built for mobile data. Voice and SMS over the legacy cellular network are usually not included. Your primary SIM can remain active for incoming calls and texts from your home number (standard carrier rates may apply for roaming voice/SMS). For outbound calls abroad, internet-based apps over your eSIM data are the most cost-effective option. Popular ways to stay in touch: WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal for messages and voice notes FaceTime Audio/Video or iMessage (between Apple devices) Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom for longer calls Hotel or café Wi‑Fi for heavy video calls to save mobile data Download messaging apps and sign in before you leave home. Some services send a one-time SMS verification that is easier to complete on your home network.

Can I use a hotspot or tethering with my travel eSIM?

Turn your phone into a travel router and share one eSIM plan across multiple devices. How to enable hotspot: Confirm the travel eSIM line is selected for mobile data Open Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Hotspot & tethering (Android) Set a strong password and connect your laptop or tablet via Wi‑Fi Track consumption—laptops often use 3–5× more data than phones for the same tasks Battery & speed: Hotspot mode drains battery quickly. Plug in when possible, and expect slightly slower speeds when several devices share one connection.

Can I use my regular SIM and a travel eSIM at the same time?

Dual SIM is the main reason travelers love eSIM—you keep your number without giving up affordable local data. Suggested configuration abroad: Primary (physical) SIM: voice + SMS, data turned off or roaming disabled Travel eSIM: mobile data on, data roaming enabled for that profile only Messaging apps: use eSIM data; incoming SMS to your home number still works on many carriers Before returning home: switch default data back to your primary carrier If both lines have data roaming enabled, your phone may route background traffic through your expensive home carrier. Review cellular settings after every border crossing.

What should I do if my eSIM does not connect after landing?

Most connection issues are settings-related and fixable in a few minutes—no need to panic at the baggage claim. Quick troubleshooting checklist: Toggle airplane mode off, wait 30 seconds, and retry Verify the travel eSIM—not your home SIM—is set as the default data line Enable Data Roaming specifically for the travel eSIM profile Open carrier/network settings and manually pick a listed partner network Restart the device to refresh radio registration Check remaining data and plan expiry in your order confirmation email Still stuck?: Message support with your device model, destination country, and a screenshot of your cellular settings. We can confirm profile status and walk you through carrier-specific steps.

What is your refund policy if the plan does not suit my trip?

We want you connected abroad—not stuck with a plan that never worked. Policy details balance digital delivery with fair technical remedies. Generally non-refundable once: The QR code or activation details have been sent to your email The profile has been installed on a compatible device The plan has connected to a network and started consuming data The trip was cancelled for personal reasons after purchase We will help or refund when: Our provisioning fails and no working profile can be delivered A verified compatibility issue was not disclosed and support cannot fix activation Duplicate charges or billing errors occur on our checkout Contact support before disputing with your bank—we resolve most cases within one business day and can reissue profiles when appropriate.

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Affordable prepaid data for your next trip — pick a country below or browse the full directory and coverage map.

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Local eSIMs — one country, one eSIM

Fast, affordable prepaid data for a single destination. Compare popular plans below and activate before you land.

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Prepaid data on local carrier networks — one eSIM per destination.

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Multi-country

Global eSIMs — built for international travel

Stay connected across borders without installing another profile. One eSIM covers Europe, Asia, the Americas, and more.

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Regional & worldwide

One profile for multi-stop trips — no SIM swaps between borders.

Full catalog

Europe(30+ areas) 300MB/Day

0.3 GB

1 Days

$1.00USD

Africa 1GB 7Days

Global (120+ areas) 1GB 365Days

1 GB

365 Days

$15.40USD

Middle East & North Africa 1GB 7Days

Global (120+ areas) 2GB/Day

2 GB

1 Days

$16.54USD

Singapore & Malaysia & Thailand 10GB 30Days

USA & Canada 5GB 30Days

North America 500MB/Day

0.5 GB

1 Days

$2.49USD

Asia (20 areas) 5GB 30Days

5 GB

30 Days

$29.92USD

Asia (12 areas) 10GB 30Days

North America 20GB 30Days

20 GB

30 Days

$55.50USD

Europe (35 areas) 5GB 30Days

5 GB

30 Days

$6.01USD

Asia (7 areas) 2GB/Day

2 GB

1 Days

$6.60USD

Europe (40+ areas) & Morocco 1GB/Day

North America 50GB 180Days

50 GB

180 Days

$88.00USD

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2026 FIFA World Cup: Host Cities & Staying Connected Across North America

The first 48-team World Cup spans the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Plan your route across 16 host cities—and get reliable data with a travel eSIM before kickoff.

Help center

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers on travel eSIMs—from first purchase to landing abroad. Pick a topic, then tap any question for the full guide.

Think of it as a prepaid data line that lives inside your phone—no plastic SIM, no store visit, no contract.

Your device already has a reprogrammable chip (the “eSIM”). A travel eSIM adds a second cellular profile dedicated to mobile data in your destination country or region. You keep your regular number on your primary SIM and switch data to the travel line when you land.

Why travelers choose eSIM over roaming

Buy and install before you fly—activation takes minutes on Wi‑Fi
Pay a fixed prepaid price instead of unpredictable per-MB roaming
Connect to local partner networks for faster, more reliable data
No need to remove or swap your home SIM card

Good to know

Most travel eSIM plans are data-only. Your existing number can still receive calls and texts on your primary line while the travel eSIM handles mobile data.

What is eSIM?Browse destinations

Compatibility comes down to two checks: eSIM hardware support and an unlocked cellular modem.

Devices that typically support travel eSIMs

iPhone XR, XS, and all newer iPhone models (including SE 2nd gen+)
Google Pixel 3 and newer Pixel phones
Samsung Galaxy S20 series and most recent Galaxy flagships
Many recent iPads with cellular, and select Windows/Android tablets

On iPhone, open Settings → General → About and look for “Digital SIM” or an available eSIM slot. On Android, paths vary by manufacturer—search Settings for “SIM”, “eSIM”, or “Add mobile plan”.

Carrier lock matters

Phones financed or locked to a single carrier often reject third-party eSIM profiles until unlocked. If you bought through a carrier installment plan, confirm unlock status before checkout.

Mainland China–market iPhones and some regional variants ship without eSIM support. When in doubt, use our compatibility checker or contact support with your exact model number.

Device compatibility Explore plans

Installation adds the profile to your phone; activation happens when the eSIM connects to a supported network—usually when you arrive.

iPhone (iOS 17+ menus may vary slightly)

Connect to stable Wi‑Fi and open the QR from your email
Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code
Scan the code, name the plan (e.g. “Europe Trip”), and finish setup
Set the travel line as your Cellular Data line; keep voice/SMS on your home SIM if desired
Enable Data Roaming for the travel eSIM profile only

Android (Samsung, Pixel, and similar)

Open Settings → Connections or Network & Internet → SIM manager
Choose Add eSIM / Add mobile plan and scan the QR code
Assign a label, confirm download, and set it as the preferred data SIM
Turn on mobile data and data roaming for the new profile

Pro tip

Screenshot your QR code and keep the install email offline. If your camera struggles to scan, many orders also include a manual activation code you can enter by hand.

Setup guide iPhone setup

Install early, activate on arrival—this is the workflow that avoids airport stress and surprise charges.

Recommended timeline

1–2 days before departure: install on home Wi‑Fi and verify the profile appears in Settings
At the airport: leave the travel line off or deprioritized to avoid accidental home-network use
After landing: enable the travel eSIM for mobile data and confirm you see a local network name
First 10 minutes abroad: run a quick speed test or load a webpage to confirm connectivity

Some plans start their validity clock on first network connection, not at purchase. That means installing early does not “waste” days while you are still at home—as long as the line stays inactive until you travel.

Dual-SIM settings

On iPhone, use Cellular Data → Allow Cellular Data Switching carefully. For travel, many users disable switching so maps and messaging apps cannot pull data from the wrong line.

Browse plans Setup guide

Travel eSIMs are built for mobile data. Voice and SMS over the legacy cellular network are usually not included.

Your primary SIM can remain active for incoming calls and texts from your home number (standard carrier rates may apply for roaming voice/SMS). For outbound calls abroad, internet-based apps over your eSIM data are the most cost-effective option.

Popular ways to stay in touch

WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal for messages and voice notes
FaceTime Audio/Video or iMessage (between Apple devices)
Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom for longer calls
Hotel or café Wi‑Fi for heavy video calls to save mobile data

Download messaging apps and sign in before you leave home. Some services send a one-time SMS verification that is easier to complete on your home network.

Browse destinations eSIM use cases

Turn your phone into a travel router and share one eSIM plan across multiple devices.

How to enable hotspot

Confirm the travel eSIM line is selected for mobile data
Open Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Hotspot & tethering (Android)
Set a strong password and connect your laptop or tablet via Wi‑Fi
Track consumption—laptops often use 3–5× more data than phones for the same tasks

Battery & speed

Hotspot mode drains battery quickly. Plug in when possible, and expect slightly slower speeds when several devices share one connection.

Explore plans Browse destinations

Dual SIM is the main reason travelers love eSIM—you keep your number without giving up affordable local data.

Suggested configuration abroad

Primary (physical) SIM: voice + SMS, data turned off or roaming disabled
Travel eSIM: mobile data on, data roaming enabled for that profile only
Messaging apps: use eSIM data; incoming SMS to your home number still works on many carriers
Before returning home: switch default data back to your primary carrier

If both lines have data roaming enabled, your phone may route background traffic through your expensive home carrier. Review cellular settings after every border crossing.

Setup guide Device compatibility

Most connection issues are settings-related and fixable in a few minutes—no need to panic at the baggage claim.

Quick troubleshooting checklist

Toggle airplane mode off, wait 30 seconds, and retry
Verify the travel eSIM—not your home SIM—is set as the default data line
Enable Data Roaming specifically for the travel eSIM profile
Open carrier/network settings and manually pick a listed partner network
Restart the device to refresh radio registration
Check remaining data and plan expiry in your order confirmation email

Still stuck?

Message support with your device model, destination country, and a screenshot of your cellular settings. We can confirm profile status and walk you through carrier-specific steps.

Contact support Setup guide

We want you connected abroad—not stuck with a plan that never worked. Policy details balance digital delivery with fair technical remedies.

Generally non-refundable once

The QR code or activation details have been sent to your email
The profile has been installed on a compatible device
The plan has connected to a network and started consuming data
The trip was cancelled for personal reasons after purchase

We will help or refund when

Our provisioning fails and no working profile can be delivered
A verified compatibility issue was not disclosed and support cannot fix activation
Duplicate charges or billing errors occur on our checkout

Contact support before disputing with your bank—we resolve most cases within one business day and can reissue profiles when appropriate.

Refund policy Contact support

Still need a hand?

Our team usually replies within an hour on business days.

Setup guide Contact support

FIFA World Cup 2026

One eSIM for all three host nations

Following the tournament across the USA, Canada and Mexico? Stay connected from kickoff to final — no roaming fees, just instant QR activation.

Explore host plans 3 countries · 16 host cities · 1 plan

Travel the World Stay Connected

Germany 500MB/Day

France 500MB/Day

Finland 500MB/Day

Italy 500MB/Day

Spain 500MB/Day

United Kingdom 500MB/Day

Singapore 100MB 7Days

India 100MB 7Days

Indonesia 100MB 7Days

Canada 100MB 7Days

China 100MB 7Days

Turkey 1GB/Day

United States 20GB 90Days

Saudi Arabia 20GB 30Days

Canada 10GB 30Days Premium

Europe(30+ areas) 300MB/Day

Africa 1GB 7Days

Global (120+ areas) 1GB 365Days

Middle East & North Africa 1GB 7Days

Global (120+ areas) 2GB/Day

Singapore & Malaysia & Thailand 10GB 30Days

USA & Canada 5GB 30Days

North America 500MB/Day

Asia (20 areas) 5GB 30Days

Asia (12 areas) 10GB 30Days

North America 20GB 30Days

Europe (35 areas) 5GB 30Days

Asia (7 areas) 2GB/Day

Europe (40+ areas) & Morocco 1GB/Day

North America 50GB 180Days

2026 FIFA World Cup: Host Cities & Staying Connected Across North America

Best USA eSIM for Travel | Unlimited & Cheap Data Plans 2026

eSIM for Travelers, Remote Work and Daily Life

How to Set Up an eSIM on Android

How to Set Up an eSIM on iPhone

What is a travel eSIM in simple terms?

Can I use a travel eSIM on my phone?

How do I install and activate my travel eSIM?

When should I install my eSIM—before I fly or after I land?

Is a travel eSIM data-only, or can I make regular phone calls?

Can I use a hotspot or tethering with my travel eSIM?

Can I use my regular SIM and a travel eSIM at the same time?

What should I do if my eSIM does not connect after landing?

What is your refund policy if the plan does not suit my trip?

One eSIM for all three host nations