Setting up an eSIM Travel SIM
Getting set up with a travel eSIM is mind-blowingly easy. In fact people are ordering eSIMs while on planes, cruise ships or in transit. No more searching for telecom shops and buying a physical SIM! In this how-to, we’re going to be setting up the AIS eSIM2Fly travel sim, with the Asian data package, but many tips here apply to any travel eSIM.
Getting started
Before starting, look at this checklist to make sure you can take advantage of the digital delivery of an eSIM. or if you might be stuck with a physical sim for the time being.
Can I use an eSIM:
- You must have a newer Dual eSim phone. Check our list of supported devices. GSMArena’s list of eSIM devices.
- USA users — Your iPhone must be unlocked. Apple has a page on dealing with a locked iPhone.
- China Dual eSIM iPhones — Sadly these lack eSIM support
Step 1 — Acquire an eSIM
Getting an eSIM is quite easy, and there are now many vendors of eSIMs. Take a look at esimdb.com for a list of eSIM vendors. For our case we are using the eSIM2Fly from esim2fly.com with a cost of $19 for the multi-country Asian plan. After payment, a QR code is delivered to your email. This QR code contains the information necessary to load up your eSIM profile — what your phone sees as just another line.
Step 2 — Preparing to add the eSIM to your phone
Get ready to add the SIM profile to your phone. The process is similar for Android. There are a few points to keep in mind before adding the sim with QR code.
Before Adding the eSIM
- You must be online. The phone needs to download your SIM profile and needs an internet connection to do it.
- Only have 1 device? Scanning the code is needed, so you might need the QR code on a second device. Be friendly and ask for help from strangers!
- QR code is single use*. Don’t remove the eSIM profile. The QR code is like a one time use password, and once used, it won’t work again.
- Data plans start on first usage. If you’re in a supported country, but don’t want to start using the data plan yet, don’t start the data connection.
*Starting in iOS 13.1 support for eSIM transfer is coming. Some carriers are supporting a transfer of eSIM thru Quick Start. Learn more.
Step 3 — Adding the eSIM
The process for adding an eSIM to iOS is shown here below. Note that you can have a lot of different eSIM profiles, so giving them good names and dates might be useful in the future.
Once added, you have the option to use the eSIM for data only, or call and SMS. In the case of a travel SIM, you likely just want to leave it as data only. In the case of the eSIM2Fly, you do have a phone number and it is possible to use it for calls and SMS if desired. Charges do apply and you will have to add credit to your balance in order to start with calling and SMS.
Step 4 — Use and repeat
Travel data plans have limits on the amount of data you can use and also the length of time they are valid for. For many eSIM offerings, they are one time use, and when finished, you simply purchase a new one.
For a travel eSIM like the eSIM2Fly, it can either be replaced when finished, or it can be kept and loaded with additional packages as needed. How you choose to use it is up to your expected travel needs.
Considerations
Keeping the eSIM — If you wish to keep the eSIM, you’ll need to keep it active and you’ll likely add a credit balance. Once you’ve got enough credit balance on the eSIM2Fly, you then have access to the add on data plans, which end up being cheaper than the original plan. For example, a 4GB plan for 15 days in 80 countries is just 799 Baht (26 USD). That is $6.5 per GB, quite a bit less than Google Fi at over $10 per GB.
New eSIM each trip — If you just want to buy and load a new eSIM each time works too. There is no hassle for recharging the SIM and no concerns keeping the SIM valid. This option is likely best for anyone doing less than 1 trip per year.
More about eSIM
- Transfer your eSIM with iOS 13.1
- Using Dual SIM with an eSIM iOS
- Manage eSIM on Google Pixel
- Manage eSIM with Samsung
More about eSIM2Fly
Some links for the the eSIM2Fly eSIM
