What Is an eSIM? The Traveler's Guide to Choosing and Installing One
An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone as a chip: instead of a plastic card, you download a digital profile from a carrier or travel provider. For travel, that means you can buy a data plan online and have it working when you land. Not every phone has one, so check yours below. A 10-day trip usually needs 3 to 6 GB.
Methodology checked September 29, 2026 · How we check
On this page
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a SIM card that's built into your phone as a chip. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a profile from a carrier or a travel eSIM provider, usually by scanning a QR code or tapping a button in their app. The profile tells your phone which network to use and how to bill you.
For travelers, that changes the routine. You can buy a data plan for your destination before you leave, install it at home on Wi-Fi, and switch data to it after landing. Your US SIM stays in the phone, so you still get texts like bank codes, and you avoid your carrier's roaming charges by turning data off on that line.
Most travel eSIMs are data-only: no local number, you call over WhatsApp or FaceTime. Phones can store several eSIM profiles, but how many run at the same time depends on the model. The catch: not every phone has eSIM, and a carrier-locked phone won't take another provider's profile.
| eSIM | Physical SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | a profile stored on a chip in the phone | a plastic card in a tray |
| How you get it | online: QR code, link or app | at a store, kiosk or airport |
| Needs a SIM tray | no | yes |
| Multiple lines | several profiles on one phone; how many are active depends on the model | one card per tray slot |
| Lost phone | the provider reissues the profile, policies vary | your carrier issues a new card |
Does my phone support eSIM?
The fastest way is to check the phone itself rather than hunt for your model in a list.
One-minute check
- Dial
*#06#like a regular number. If the screen shows anEIDline (a 32-digit number), your phone supports eSIM. Airalo · September 29, 2026 - No EID line? Check in Settings using the steps for your phone below.
iPhone
- Go to Settings → General → About and scroll down. Apple Support · September 29, 2026
- If you see
EID, your iPhone supports eSIM. - You add an eSIM under Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM (newer iOS versions may label it Mobile Service). Apple Support · September 29, 2026
Android
- Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs (on Samsung: Connections → SIM manager; menus vary by brand). Google Help · September 29, 2026
- If you see Add eSIM or Download a SIM instead, eSIM is supported.
- No such option means this model, or the version sold in your region, doesn't support eSIM.
Your phone must be carrier-unlocked: on iPhone, Settings > General > About should show No SIM Restrictions next to Carrier Lock. Apple Support · September 29, 2026
Most iPhones sold in mainland China lack eSIM: per Apple, only iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM there. Some Hong Kong and Macao models use dual nano-SIM instead. Apple Support · September 29, 2026
Settings paths checked September 29, 2026. We don't publish a model list: support varies within the same product line and by the country where the phone was sold.
How to install an eSIM
- Buy a plan. Pick a provider and a data size that fits your trip (use the calculator below), and make sure your destination is covered by the plan.
- Get the QR code. After payment the provider emails a QR code or link, or shows an install button in its app.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi. Scan the code: iPhone, Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM; Android, Settings → SIMs → Add eSIM. Do this before you fly: installing needs a connection, and roaming data is expensive or unavailable. You often can install a profile only once, so don't delete it.
- Turn on the eSIM data line. When you land, set the eSIM as your cellular data line and turn on Data Roaming for it. Keep your home line for calls and texts, and turn off data on it to avoid roaming charges.
- Check the APN. No connection? Compare the APN (access point) with the provider's instructions and enter it manually if needed.
Not working after you land? Check this
- Data Roaming is on for the eSIM line.
- The eSIM, not your home SIM, is selected for cellular data.
- The APN matches what the provider lists.
- Toggle airplane mode or restart the phone.
- The plan is active: with some providers the validity starts at the first connection in a covered country.
How much data do I need for a trip?
Tick how you use your phone when traveling and the calculator gives a range in gigabytes. Your settings are saved in the link, so you can share it.
Example
10 days: maps and rides, messaging, social media at a medium level, 15% buffer.
≈ 3–6 GB
Turn on JavaScript to size a plan for your own trip.
You need about 10 days≈ 3–6 GB
The per-day figures are our editorial estimate, not measurements of specific apps. See How we check for the formula.
eSIM vs. Local SIM Card vs. Roaming
| Travel eSIM | Local SIM card | Your carrier's roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | a digital profile from a provider | a plastic SIM from a local carrier | your US number on a partner network |
| Where to buy | online, before you fly | airport, carrier store, convenience store | add a plan with your carrier |
| Passport needed | usually not, depends on the provider | usually yes, to register the number | no |
| When it works | on arrival, installed in advance | after you buy and register it there | right away, if roaming is on |
| Your US number | stays on the phone | has to come out on a single-SIM phone | same number |
| Local number | usually not, data only | yes | no |
What “international eSIM” actually means
An international or travel eSIM is a data plan from a provider that resells access to local networks, sold for one country, a region, or dozens of countries at once. Regional plans are handy for multi-country trips; single-country plans are usually cheaper per gigabyte. Check which local network the plan uses and whether it includes hotspot.
For a short trip, a travel eSIM is usually the least hassle. If your phone lacks eSIM or you need a local number, buy a local SIM at the airport. Your carrier's international plan is the fallback; compare dated prices on your destination's page below.
Paying from the US
US-issued Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards generally work for online eSIM purchases, but each provider sets its own accepted methods. Some banks flag foreign online payments, so expect a 3-D Secure prompt in your banking app, and check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee when the price is in another currency. Below is what each provider itself states, with the date we checked.
| Provider | Takes US cards | Other methods (per provider) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | yes | — | Airalo · September 29, 2026 |
| Holafly | yes | — | Holafly · September 29, 2026 |
| Saily | yes | — | Saily · September 29, 2026 |
| Ubigi | yes | — | Ubigi · September 29, 2026 |
| Yesim | yes | — | ye-sim.app · September 29, 2026 |
eSIM by destination
eSIM FAQ
What is an eSIM in simple terms?
It's a SIM card built into your phone. Instead of inserting plastic, you download a profile by QR code or from the provider's app. For travel, you buy a data plan online and turn it on when you land.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Dial *#06#: if you see an EID line, it does. On iPhone you can also find EID under Settings → General → About. On Android look for Add eSIM in your SIM settings. Support varies by model and the country where the phone was sold.
How do I install an eSIM for travel?
Buy a plan, get the QR code, and install it at home on Wi-Fi (iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM). After landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on Data Roaming for it.
eSIM vs. physical SIM card: which is cheaper?
It depends on the country and how much data you need. Local SIMs can be cheap but require a store visit and often a passport. We compare dated prices per gigabyte on each destination page.
Can I use eSIM and my regular number at the same time?
Yes, on phones with dual SIM support: keep your US line for calls and texts and use the travel eSIM for data. Turn off data on your US line to avoid roaming charges.
How much data do I need for a trip?
For 10 days of maps, rides, messaging and social media, about 3 to 6 GB. Video and video calls add a lot more. Use the calculator above to size your own trip.
How we check
- Data calculator. For each use you tick: days × daily use. The sum is the base, then we add your buffer (0 to 30%). The low end is base × 0.8, the high end is (base + buffer) × 1.15, rounded to whole gigabytes. Daily GB for light / medium / heavy: maps and rides: 0.03 / 0.06 / 0.12; messaging: 0.02 / 0.06 / 0.2; social and photos: 0.1 / 0.3 / 0.7; video: 0.3 / 0.7 / 1.5; work: 0.1 / 0.4 / 1.0. These are editorial estimates, not measurements of specific apps.
- Plans and coverage. Taken from the provider's official country page, with the link, date and a quote saved. Providers often vary prices by the buyer's country and promos, so checkout may differ.
- Card payment. We say yes or no only when the provider states it in its help center or on its payment page. Otherwise: no confirmed data.
- Rechecks. Prices and card payment every 30 days, coverage every 90 days. If data is older than 45 days, the page shows a warning.
- No ratings, no paid placements. Providers don't pay for position in these tables and there are no affiliate links right now: links go to the official sites.
A guide, not a guarantee that a given number will work on a given network.
