Travel eSIM guide
What is an eSIM, and which phones support it?
An eSIM is a digital version of the SIM in your phone. Instead of removing a plastic card and inserting another one, you add the line in the phone’s settings. A travel eSIM can be installed from the QR code sent after purchase, then selected as the data line on a compatible device.
That does not mean the physical SIM slot disappears. On many compatible phones, your usual SIM can remain in place while an eSIM is added as a second line. If the phone supports using two lines at once, the travel eSIM can carry data while your own number stays available for calls, SMS and bank codes.
Does my phone support eSIM?
The most reliable answer is in the phone itself, before any model list. Look in Settings for one of these options:
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular and then Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan.
- Android: Settings > Network and internet, Connections or SIM manager, then Add eSIM, Add mobile plan or similar wording.
If you can see that option, the phone supports adding an eSIM. If it is missing, check the exact model and the region where it was sold in the manufacturer’s official specifications. Versions in the same phone family can differ by region or operator.
As a durable rule of thumb, iPhone XS and newer iPhones include eSIM support. Many recent Android flagship phones do too. Neither rule replaces checking your own settings, though. Older devices, some regional versions and some carrier-locked models can be different.
How do you install an eSIM?
The labels vary a little by phone maker, but the basic sequence is the same:
- Open the QR code sent to you by email after purchase.
- Open the phone’s add eSIM area.
- Scan the code and follow the on-screen steps.
- Give the new line a useful label, such as Travel or United States.
- Select the new eSIM for mobile data.
- Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM. It reaches the network through roaming, so this setting is needed.
If the QR code is displayed on the phone you are setting up, it can be easier to open it on another device and scan it there. Some phones also allow a code from a file or manual activation details. The installation message you receive explains the available route.
When should I install it?
Install it at home, before the flight, while you have Wi-Fi. You can then check that the line appears in the phone and finish the settings without airport pressure.
Plan days do not begin at purchase or when you add the eSIM to the phone. They begin when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination. That makes early installation safe and recommended. After you land, turn off airplane mode, select the eSIM for data and give the line a moment to find a network.
Can you use an eSIM with a physical SIM?
Yes, if your phone supports the required two-line setup. Your physical SIM can stay in the phone for calls and SMS while the eSIM carries mobile data. It is a useful arrangement when you expect bank verification texts or want to keep using your usual number.
Before you travel, review which line is selected for mobile data, calls and SMS. Consider turning off data roaming on your home SIM if you do not want it to use data abroad. Confirm the supported line combination for your exact phone in the manufacturer’s documentation.
A short checklist before installation
- Find the add eSIM option in your phone’s settings.
- Make sure the phone is unlocked or can use the line you choose.
- Keep the QR code and installation email accessible.
- Add the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi.
- At your destination, make it the data line and turn on data roaming.
Keep reading
Find the plans for your trip
Every destination we sell data for is on one page, at today’s prices in US dollars. The QR code arrives by email, and the service days start counting only when the eSIM first connects at your destination.