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An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone, so there's no physical card to insert. After you buy, you download the eSIM to your phone through the eSIMX app, a quick install link or a QR code, and use local mobile data once you arrive. The eSIM works alongside your existing SIM, so there's no card to swap and nothing to wait for in the mail.

On most phones, dialing *#06# shows an EID number if the phone supports eSIM. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock; it should say "No SIM restrictions". On Samsung, go to Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Network operators and turn off Select automatically; if you can see several carriers, the phone is usually unlocked. Menu names may differ on other Android brands. If you're not sure, ask the carrier you bought the phone from, because a carrier-locked phone can't use an eSIM from another provider.

Most iPhone models sold in mainland China don't support eSIM, with only a few exceptions, so please check Apple's website. Some models sold in Hong Kong and Macau use two physical SIM cards and don't support eSIM either. Before buying, you can dial *#06# to see whether an EID is shown. Also, an iPhone bought in mainland China can't install an eSIM from a carrier outside mainland China while it's in mainland China. Install it after you leave mainland China, with Location Services turned on.

No. An eSIM can only be installed and used on one device. Install it on the phone you will use during your trip. To get other devices online, you can share data from that phone through a personal hotspot if your plan supports it, or buy a separate eSIM for each additional device.

Yes. Your phone needs a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to download the eSIM, so install it within 24 hours before departure, while you still have a stable internet connection. For most plans, the validity period starts when you arrive and connect to a local network; for a few, it starts at installation. Please check your plan details. Exception: if you're departing from mainland China with an iPhone bought there, install the eSIM after you arrive at your destination instead (see the question about iPhones bought in mainland China).

Yes. We recommend installing it within 24 hours before departure and using it when you arrive. When the validity period starts depends on the plan, so please refer to your plan details. If a regional or global plan also covers the country you're departing from, the validity period may start once the eSIM connects to a network there after installation. If a deadline is shown for your eSIM, install and activate it before that date.

Yes. You can install it as long as your phone has a stable internet connection, such as hotel Wi-Fi. After installing, turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM line and switch cellular data to the eSIM. Installation can fail on unstable public Wi-Fi, such as at airports, so move to a more stable connection if you can.

Your QR code and installation details can be found on the order confirmation page and under My eSIMs on our website and in the eSIMX app. Check your spam or promotions folder and make sure the email address on your account is correct. If you still can't find it, please contact support.

After purchase, your QR code, quick install link and manual installation details are sent to your email, and you can also find them on the order confirmation page and under My eSIMs on our website and in the eSIMX app. The easiest way is to tap the quick install button on the phone you want to install the eSIM on. You can also go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code and scan the QR code (on Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM), or enter the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code manually. Keep a stable internet connection while installing.

Usually not. The QR code and activation code are generally single-use: once the eSIM is installed, scanning again shows an error even though the eSIM is already on your phone. Before trying again, check whether it is already listed under Settings → Cellular (on Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager).

If you only have this phone, take a screenshot of the QR code, then go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code and choose the screenshot from your photos (on Samsung, tap the gallery icon on the scanning screen). You can also open your installation details (the order confirmation page or My eSIMs) on another device or print the code and scan it, or open your installation details on this phone and tap the quick install button. Or install manually by copying the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code exactly as shown in your installation details, without extra spaces; on Samsung, if you choose to enter an activation code, enter the full string starting with LPA:1$, in the form LPA:1$SM-DP+ Address$Activation Code.

Quick install requires iOS 17.4 or later, or Android 10 or later, and must be opened on the phone you want to install the eSIM on. Some Android phones don't support quick install links; in that case, scan the QR code or install manually instead.

Choose Abroad, the option for using the eSIM while traveling, and select Data Only as the plan type. When you arrive and your iPhone asks about turning on your travel eSIM, you can use the travel eSIM only, or use both the travel eSIM and your current number. If you use both, the travel eSIM is used for data, but your current number may still incur roaming charges. Option names may vary slightly between iOS versions.

This usually means the eSIM has already been installed on this phone or another device. It can also happen if your connection was unstable during installation, a VPN was on, or your phone already stores too many eSIMs. In rare cases the code may have expired, but this normally doesn't happen with regular use. Check whether the eSIM is already listed in your phone's SIM settings; if it is, there is no need to install it again. If it isn't listed, turn off your VPN, switch to a stable network, and try once more. If it still fails, please contact support with a screenshot of the error.

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network, end any ongoing call and turn off your VPN, then restart your phone and try again. Also make sure mobile data isn't turned off in Settings and that your phone's software is up to date. This problem often happens on poor connections, such as public Wi-Fi on cruise ships or at airports. Also check whether the eSIM was actually added despite the error. Your phone may have reached the maximum number of eSIMs it can store; removing eSIMs you no longer need frees up space, but a deleted eSIM usually can't be restored.

First check under Settings → Cellular whether the eSIM was actually installed. If it wasn't, switch to a stable Wi-Fi network, restart your phone, update iOS to the latest version, make sure your phone isn't carrier-locked, and turn off your VPN. If it's a work phone, also go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and check for a device management profile, which can interfere with installation. If it still doesn't work, please contact support with a screenshot of the error.

This usually means your phone is carrier-locked and can't use an eSIM from another provider. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock; the phone is unlocked only if it says "No SIM restrictions". If it is locked, ask the carrier you bought the phone from to unlock it. If your phone was recently unlocked, the carrier may temporarily restrict eSIM use, so please check with them as well. If the error persists after you've confirmed the phone is unlocked, please contact support.

"eSIM not ready" usually means the eSIM is already installed but not yet activated, so check your SIM settings first and don't scan the code again. "Can't connect to SIM" usually means the download was interrupted, so switch to a stable Wi-Fi network, turn off your VPN and data saver, and stay on the installation screen until it finishes. "Can't add eSIM" may mean your phone is carrier-locked, the regional version of your phone doesn't support eSIM, or it has reached the maximum number of eSIMs it can store. If scanning with the camera shows a prompt such as "Add watch plan", your phone itself doesn't support eSIM.

Keep your phone on a stable Wi-Fi connection and wait a few minutes without leaving the screen. If nothing changes, restart your phone and check whether the eSIM was added before trying again. Avoid installing it over and over, as repeated attempts may use up the code.

You can check by ICCID. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and scroll down to the ICCID of the eSIM. On Samsung, go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager and select the eSIM. Compare it with the ICCID shown in your installation details (the order confirmation page or My eSIMs); an extra digit at the end is normal. Note that the ICCID is only shown while the line is turned on. We recommend giving the line an easy-to-recognize name, such as "Travel", when you install it.

If you installed it before your trip, this is normal: the eSIM is already installed and usually finishes activating once you arrive and connect to a supported local network. At your destination, make sure the eSIM line is turned on and Data Roaming is enabled for it, then turn Airplane Mode on and off or restart your phone. If it still shows "Activating", move to a place with better signal and try again, as a weak signal in places like airports can slow down activation. If it still doesn't activate, please contact support.

Make sure you are in a country or region covered by your plan, the eSIM line is turned on and selected for mobile data, and Data Roaming is enabled for the eSIM. Then turn Airplane Mode on and off, or restart your phone. If it still doesn't work, manually select a different network in your phone's network settings, as most of our plans support multiple carriers. You can also temporarily turn off your other SIM lines and switch the eSIM line from 5G to 4G/LTE (on iPhone, under Voice & Data), then try again.

Speed depends on how busy the local network is, signal strength and where you are. Try turning Airplane Mode on and off or restarting your phone, move to a different spot, or manually select another carrier network in your phone's network settings. On unlimited plans, you may have used up the day's high-speed data, after which speed is reduced; please check your plan details. If it stays slow, contact support with your ICCID.

On iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data and select the eSIM line. On Samsung, go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager and choose the eSIM for mobile data; on other Android phones, look for a similar option in the SIM or mobile network settings. You can also rename the eSIM line (for example, "Travel") to tell your lines apart. On iPhone, also turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching so your phone doesn't switch back to your regular SIM for data and incur roaming charges.

Usually not, because the APN is configured automatically. If you have signal but no internet and your plan details or our support team provide an APN, enter it in the APN settings of the eSIM line. Enter it exactly as provided (usually all lowercase, with no spaces) and leave other fields, such as username and password, blank.

It usually means the APN settings are incorrect, your data has run out, or your phone is connected to an unsupported network. Check the APN (if one is provided in your plan details), make sure you have data left, and manually select a supported network; if needed, reset your network settings and try again.

iPad doesn't have an option to turn the eSIM line on and off, so turn Cellular Data off and on again instead, waiting a few minutes between attempts, up to 3 times. Also turn off Limit IP Address Tracking in your Wi-Fi settings. If it still doesn't work, please contact support and provide your ICCID.

Resetting network settings usually doesn't delete the eSIM, but it clears saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and cellular settings, so check settings such as Data Roaming and APN again afterwards. When you erase or factory reset your phone, don't choose the option to delete eSIMs if you still want to use this eSIM.

Yes, as long as your phone supports having both lines turned on at the same time. Keep your regular SIM line turned on and select the eSIM for mobile data; on iPhone, also turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching. On iPhone, you can turn off Data Roaming for your regular SIM only; some Android phones apply data roaming to all SIMs and can't turn it off for just one. Whether calls and SMS received abroad are charged, and whether you need to enable roaming, depends on your home carrier.

The simplest way is to turn off your regular SIM line during your trip. If you need to receive calls on your regular number, you can keep that line on, but at least turn off Data Roaming for it (iPhone lets you do this for each line separately). Also select the eSIM for mobile data; on iPhone, also turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching. Some Android phones can't turn off data roaming for just one SIM; in that case, we recommend turning off your regular SIM line. For exact charges, please check with your home carrier.

Most plans support personal hotspot, but some limit it, so please check your plan details. Make sure the eSIM is selected for mobile data before turning on the hotspot. If this eSIM needs a manually set APN, enter the same value in the Personal Hotspot APN field on iPhone as well.

Yes. These apps use mobile data. If iMessage isn't working properly, go to Settings → Messages → Send & Receive and make sure your Apple Account email address is selected, or turn iMessage off and on again. WhatsApp keeps using the account registered with your regular number, so using the eSIM for data doesn't affect it.

Sign in and open My eSIMs on our website or in the eSIMX app, then select the eSIM to see how much data you've used. Some plans don't support usage tracking, and this is noted on the page. Usage figures may be delayed; the cellular data counter in your phone's settings is also a useful reference.

Once the data is used up or the validity period ends, the eSIM can no longer connect to the internet. Add-on data packs aren't supported at the moment, so to keep using mobile data, please buy a new eSIM. On unlimited plans, speed is reduced rather than cut off after the day's high-speed data is used; please check your plan details.

No. Once your plan's validity period has started, it keeps counting down even if you turn off the eSIM line.

It isn't necessary. You can simply turn off the eSIM line in your phone's SIM settings. Note that turning off the line doesn't pause the plan's validity period. When you're back home, turn your regular SIM line back on and switch mobile data back to it. Only delete the eSIM when you are sure you won't use it again, because a deleted eSIM usually can't be reinstalled.

This is normal. On iPhone, tap the entry and choose Update Contacts in the "Line No Longer Available" message, and it will disappear from the list.

We accept credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay and cryptocurrency. When signed in, you can also pay with your XCoins balance, as long as it covers the full order amount. Apple Pay and Google Pay only appear on supported devices. The payment methods available to you are shown at checkout.

Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Alipay payments are processed by the payment provider Stripe, and your card details are handled directly by Stripe. Cryptocurrency payments are completed on a third-party crypto payment platform's page.

Unpaid orders don't need to be cancelled; they close automatically once the payment window expires. After payment, the eSIM is usually issued right away and the order can't be cancelled on your own. If your eSIM hasn't been installed yet, you can get a full refund within 14 days of purchase. Once it's installed, it can only be refunded if it doesn't work because of a problem on our side or with the network that our support team can't fix. See our Refund Policy for details. To request a refund, contact support with your order number.

Please try the troubleshooting steps on this page first. If you still can't install it, contact support with a screenshot of the error and the ICCID, and we'll help you.

Usually not. A deleted eSIM generally can't be reinstalled, so don't delete an eSIM you still plan to use. If you deleted it by mistake, please contact support.

eSIMs generally can't be moved to another phone. Your phone's built-in eSIM transfer feature requires carrier support, which travel eSIMs usually don't have. Install the eSIM on the phone you will use for your trip. If your old phone still works, you can use its personal hotspot to get your new phone online. If you need to change phones, contact support before deleting the eSIM.

Your eSIM is stored on the original phone, so it usually can't be moved to a new phone if that phone is lost or damaged. Please contact support and tell us what happened.

Our support team is available 24/7 and usually replies within 2 hours. Email us at [email protected] or fill in the form on our Contact Us page. Please include your order number or ICCID, and a screenshot of any error message, so we can help you faster.