What is eSIM?
An eSIM is a SIM card that is embedded in a mobile device and can connect you to any operator offering eSIM services.
It works thanks to a microchip that is installed on your device and that allows you to use several eSIM profiles – providing you with phone numbers, data plans, and voice calls just like the equivalent of a physical sim card.
What an eSIM can do?
Since they’re embedded in devices and are programmable remotely, it can open a whole new world of flexibility when it comes to managing your phone and data plans. You can add a new number, new plans, and even connect to a different carrier in just few clicks.
Thanks to eSIM technology, we can get a data plan anywhere you travel, and use it immediately in just few minutes, without going to a store to buy or waiting for a plastic card to be delivered.
Which phones use eSIM?
All the major mobile device manufacturers have eSIM phones, but not all models are eSIM compatible since this is a newer technology. You can see all eSIM-enabled phones in the list below:
- Iphone
- Samsung
- Google Pixel
- Others
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Which phones do not support eSIM?
Some Apple devices DO NOT have eSIM capability: iPhone from mainland China. iPhone devices from Hong Kong and Macao (except for iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE 2020, and iPhone XS). Only iPad devices with Wi-Fi + Cellular features are supported.
All Samsung S20 FE/S21 FE models – US versions of Samsung S20/S21 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G – USA and Hong Kong versions of Samsung Note 20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 – Most Samsung devices purchased in South Korea do not support eSIMs.
Pixel 3: Australia, Taiwan, and Japan; and those bought with service from any of the US or Canadian carriers other than Sprint and Google Fi. – Pixel 3a bought in South East Asia and with Verizon service.
Which Window devices support eSIM?
ACER: Acer Swift 3, Acer Swift 7
SURFACE: Surface Go 3, Surface Pro X, Surface Duo 2, Surface Duo
DELL: Dell Latitude 9510, Dell Latitude 7410, Dell Latitude 7310, Dell Latitude 9410, Dell Latitude 210 2-in-1
ASUS: ASUS Mini Transformer T103HAF, ASUS NovaGo TP370QL, ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 P401NA
HP: HP Elitebook G5, HP Probook G5, HP Zbook G5, HP Spectre Folio 13
LENOVO: Lenovo Yoga C630, Lenovo Yoga 520, Lenovo Yoga 720 convertible laptops, Lenovo Miix 630
How eSIM works
 Buy and receive your eSIM |  Scan QR code |
 Turn on data roaming |  Select eSIM for mobile data |
For any eSIM compatible device, you need to follow these 4 basic steps. However, details will vary between brands and phone versions – see full description below
Before you proceed to scan the QR code number, please make sure your phone is connected to the internet via Wifi or 4G from another sim card
eSIM on iPhones
Add an eSIM
Settings > Cellular/Mobile data> Add eSIM/ Add Data plan.
Install the eSIM via QR code
Scan the QR code that you receive in your email.
Name your eSIM
Once the eSIM has been added, you can choose
a name to help you identify it (we recommend:
eSIM – #Destination, for instance: eSIM-USA).
Set the eSIM for Cellular Data/ Mobile data/
Settings > Celllar > Cellular data, select your eSIM
you’ve installed.
Turn on Data Roaming of the eSIM
Settings > Cellular > Select the eSIM > turn on Data roaming.
Check if you need to change your APN Settings
Changing your APN allows you to access mobile data. Some phones don’t start auto-set up of the APN, so you need to make it manually. The APN details are given to you along with the eSIM QR code on your email.
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Step 1: Connect to Wifi or 4G
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Step 2: Go Settings and select Cellular
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Step 3: Select Add eSIM
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Step 4: Scan the QR code & label it as eSIM1 (or any other name)
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Step 5: Turn on Data roaming of eSIM1
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Step 6: Go to Cellular data & select eSIM1
eSIM on Samsung
Add an eSIM
Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add Mobile plan.
Install the eSIM via QR code
Scan the QR code that you receive in your email.
Name your eSIM
Once the eSIM has been added, you can choose
a name to help you identify it (we recommend:
eSIM – #Destination, for instance: eSIM-USA).
Set the eSIM for Mobile data
Settings > Connections > SIM Manager
> Mobile Data > Select eSIM
Turn on Data Roaming of the eSIM
Settings > Connections > Mobile networks
> Turn on Data roaming.
Check if you need to change your APN Settings
Changing your APN allows you to access mobile data. Some phones don’t start auto-set up of the APN,
so you need to make it manually. The APN details are given to you along with the eSIM QR code on your email.
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Step 1: Go to Settings > Connections
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Step 2: Select Sim Manager
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Step 3: Select Add eSIM
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Step 4: Scan the QR code and label it as eSIM1 (or any other name)
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Step 5: Click on Mobile data > Select eSIM1
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Step 6: Back to Connections > Mobile Networks > Turn on Data roaming
eSIM on Google Pixel
Add an eSIM
Settings > Network & Internet > Add new SIM >
Download a SIM instead
Install the eSIM via QR code
Scan the QR code that you receive in your email.
Name your eSIM
Once the eSIM has been downloaded, it’s automatically
named as SIM2.
Turn on the eSIM
Settings > Network & Internet > Downloaded SIM
> Use SIM
Set the eSIM for Mobile data
Select the eSIM (usually labeled SIM2) for data,
or go to SIM2 and turn on Mobile data
Turn on Data Roaming of the eSIM
Select the eSIM (usually labeled SIM2) > turn on Data roaming
Check if you need to change your APN Settings
Changing your APN allows you to access mobile data. Some phones don’t start auto-set up of the APN,
so you need to make it manually. The APN details are given to you along with the eSIM QR code on your email.
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Step 1: Go to Settings > Network & Internet
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Step 2: Click on the + button to add new SIM
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Step 3: Select Download a Sim instead
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Step 4: Scan the QR code and it’s automatically labeled SIM 2
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Step 5: Select Downloaded SIM
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Step 6: Slide to Use SIM
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Step 7: Select SIM2 for Data
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Step 8: Turn on Roaming
More questions about eSIM
You will receive it immediately to your email address once you finish the purchase process on our website. You then just need to scan the QR code to activate the SIM.
Your plan starts the moment you activate your eSIM by scanning the QR code on your smartphone.
Most of the devices produced from 2020 are compatible with the Travel eSIM, including, but not limited to: Apple iPhone SE (2020), XR, XS, XS Max, iPhone 11 series, 12 series, 13 series, 14 series, Samsung S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Samsung S21 models, Samsung S22 models, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z fold, Note 20 models, Fold LTE, , Huawei P40, P40 Pro, Google Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 5, 6, 7 and Motorola Razr 2019. Some iPad models are also compatible (Pro 11 and 12,9 inches 3rd generation, iPad Air 3rd generation, 7th generation, and Mini 5th generation), and the Apple Watch Series 4. Make sure your smartphone is unlocked (i.e. not tied to a specified mobile provider).
You need get your phone connected to wifi during installation of the eSIM because the phone has to download the eSIM’s profile by scanning the QR code.
Some eSIM only allow you to use mobile data, some provide you both mobile dataI and phone calls and text messages. Check carefully the description of each eSIM’s package.
You don’t need to do anything to keep your WhatsApp number. You’ll automatically keep your number, contacts and conversations.
Our Travel eSIM offers maximum speed coverage (4G/ LTE). But bear in mind that in some areas of limited coverage there may be a lower speed connection. Most of our eSIM plans offer unlimited low speed at 128kbps, 256kbps, or 384kbps, so you can enjoy unlimited internet accesss even when you finish the maximum speed data.
Yes, you must turn on data roaming of your Travel eSIM on your mobile settings.
No, you must not delete the eSIM once it’s been installed successfully. eSIMs can only be installed successfully one time. You should check your phone settings and make sure it’s done correctly following our instructions. You can also contact our 24/7 customer support team at help@travel-esim.net or our online chat function.
You need WiFi to set up your eSIM so we recommend that you install and activate your eSIM just before your departure. You can also wait until you arrive in the country to activate the eSIM, but remember that you need WiFi connection for the set-up process.
After your purchase, we will send a QR code to your email. Either print the QR code to a paper or open it on your computer or another device. On your cell phone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (on iOS) or Settings > Connections > SIM Card manager > Add mobile plan (on Androids) and scan the QR code. Your phone will allow you to assign a specific name to this data plan. The travel data plan will only be operational once you arrive at your destination. Once you land, on your phone settings, turn on data roaming of the Travel eSIM. Also, on Cellular Data (iOS) or Mobile Data (Androids), you must select the Travel eSIM so that it will be used for data.
Yes, you can use your SIM card and your Travel eSim at the same time. Choose the Sim card for phone calls and SMS, and Travel eSIM for data from your device. Please remember that if you leave your Sim card activated, your network provider may apply data roaming charges to receive or make phone calls as well as SMS.
At the moment, you cannot renew the data on your Travel eSIM. However, you can purchase another eSIM if you need more data.
Not all eSIM allow you to share data with other. Please refer to the detailed description of each eSIM to know if it has this function or not.
You can check how much data you have by going to your device’s data settings. Another way is to install an App to track your data usage. Some examples are: Data Usage, DataMan, My Data Manager VPN Security, etc.
Your eSIM can only be activated on one device. If you delete the eSIM from your device, you will not be able to reuse it. You cannot scan the QR code either on two devices or two times on one device.
Because eSIMs are digital product, they are certain to work properly if you correctly follow the instructions and have the right set up on your phone. But in case of any technical issue occurs to our eSIM, we can offer you a refund. To get the refund, you must send us the ICCID/ series number of the eSIM and some screenshots to show the problem on your phone. For more information, please see our eSIM Refund Policy.
The eSIM will connect to the best available network in your destination. So, depending on which area you are in, you might see a certain network. This network may be switched when you move to another area. You can see the list of available networks of each eSIM in its description.