What is an eSIM? Everything You Need to Know
If you've travelled abroad in the last few years, you've probably noticed something missing from the airport kiosks: the racks of local SIM cards. The plastic SIM is quietly being replaced by something smaller and a lot more convenient — the eSIM.
Here's what it is, why it matters, and how it can save you a small fortune the next time you land somewhere new.
The short version
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a tiny chip built into your phone, tablet or smartwatch that does the same job as a traditional SIM card — connecting you to a mobile network — but without the plastic. Instead of prying open a SIM tray with a paperclip, you scan a QR code and you're connected, usually within a minute.
Most modern devices support both at once, which means you can keep your home SIM active for calls and WhatsApp while running a local data plan from us alongside it.
How it actually works
Your phone has a small reprogrammable chip — the eSIM — that can store one or more carrier profiles digitally. When you buy a plan from us, three things happen:
- We send you a QR code by email and show it on your account page.
- You scan it with your phone's camera from inside the Settings app. Your device downloads the carrier profile in a few seconds.
- You toggle it on when you arrive. Your phone connects to a partner network in your destination, and you're online.
That's the whole flow. No shop visit, no waiting for a SIM in the post, no fiddling with tiny tools.
Why travellers like them
- You don't lose your number. Your home SIM keeps working alongside the eSIM, so calls, texts and two-factor messages still reach you.
- It's ready before you fly. Buy and install the eSIM at home on your usual Wi-Fi. When you land, switch it on. No queue at the airport, no scramble for an open shop.
- It's a lot cheaper than roaming. A typical UK or US carrier charges £6–10 per day for travel data. Our plans start at a few pounds for the whole trip.
- Nothing physical to lose. A real SIM card is the size of a fingernail and easy to misplace once it's out of your phone. The eSIM lives inside the device.
- Switch destinations without switching SIMs. If your trip covers multiple countries, buy a regional plan, or simply add a new eSIM when you arrive somewhere new — your previous one stays on the device until you delete it.
What does "unlimited" actually mean?
Some of our plans are labelled Daily or Unlimited Data with a daily fair-usage allowance. That means you get a generous amount of full-speed data each day (typically 1–5 GB depending on the plan), and once you hit that, the connection keeps working at a reduced speed until the next day's reset. It's how most carriers handle "unlimited" in practice — useful to know so there are no surprises when you start streaming on day five.
Will my phone work?
Most phones from the last few years support eSIM. As a quick guide:
- iPhone: XS, XR and newer. US iPhones from the 14 onwards are eSIM-only.
- Samsung: Galaxy S20 series and newer, the Z Flip/Fold range, and recent A-series models.
- Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and newer.
- Other Android: many recent Huawei, Oppo, Sony, Motorola and Xiaomi models.
One catch worth knowing: phones bought directly from a network are sometimes "carrier-locked", which prevents an eSIM from another provider from activating. If yours was bought outright or from a manufacturer's website, you're almost certainly fine. If you're not sure, our device compatibility checker will tell you in a few seconds.
How to install one (the quick version)
- Buy a plan and check your email for the QR code.
- On your phone: Settings → Cellular/Mobile → Add eSIM (the wording varies slightly by device).
- Scan the QR code with the on-screen scanner.
- Label the new line something obvious like "Italy data" so it's easy to find later.
- Toggle it on when you land. Most plans only start counting once you actually use them, so you can install ahead of time without losing days.
The whole thing takes about a minute. If anything goes sideways, our support team has done this thousands of times — drop us a line.
Ready to try one?
If you've got a trip coming up, the easiest place to start is our Find My Plan wizard — answer a few questions about where you're going and how much data you'll need, and we'll show you the right options. Or browse plans by country if you already know what you're after.