The basics
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of a plastic chip, you download a mobile-data profile over the internet — so you can get local data abroad without ever swapping a SIM.
Find your eSIMeSIM vs physical SIM
A traditional SIM is a small plastic card you slot into your phone. An eSIM ("embedded SIM") does the same job, but the chip is already inside your device — you just download a carrier profile onto it. Most recent phones can store several eSIM profiles at once and switch between them in Settings, which is what makes them perfect for travel.
How a travel eSIM works
You buy a data plan online for the country or region you're visiting. We email you a QR code; you scan it to add the eSIM profile to your phone, usually at home on Wi-Fi before you fly. When you arrive, you enable data roaming for that eSIM line and your phone connects to a trusted local network. Your data runs over the eSIM while your normal SIM stays free for calls and texts.
Why travelers choose eSIMs
No airport SIM queues, no plastic to lose, and no surprise roaming bill. You pay a fixed price up front for a set amount of data, keep your usual number and apps working, and can hold multiple trip profiles on one phone. When you're done, you switch data back to your home SIM — or keep the profile and top it up next trip.
Is it secure?
Yes. eSIM is an industry standard backed by the GSMA and used by major carriers worldwide. Profiles are encrypted and tied to your device, and because there's no physical card, there's nothing to steal or clone from the outside.
FAQ
Common eSIM questions
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. Instead of a plastic card, you download a mobile-data profile over the internet, so you can get local data abroad without swapping SIMs.
After checkout we email you a QR code. On iPhone go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM → Use QR Code; on Android go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM, then scan the code. It takes about two minutes on Wi-Fi.
Install it at home before you fly, but most plans only start counting when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination — so you arrive online without wasting data.
Most iPhone XR/XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and Samsung Galaxy S20/Z and newer support eSIM, and your phone must be carrier-unlocked. Use our compatibility checker to confirm your model.
Yes. Your regular SIM stays active for calls and texts on your usual number, while the eSIM handles data — so WhatsApp, iMessage and two-factor codes keep working as normal.
Most of our plans support tethering, so you can share your data with a laptop or a travel companion. The plan page tells you if hotspot is included before you buy.
Next stop
Ready to try an eSIM?
Pick a destination and connect on arrival.