Before eSIMs, staying connected abroad involved a negotiation between bad options: pay your home carrier's roaming rates, queue at an airport kiosk for a local SIM, or accept that your phone would function as an expensive camera for the duration. An eSIM eliminates all three. It is a digital SIM profile installed on your phone via an app or QR code — purchased online, set up at home, active the moment you land. For frequent international travellers, it is one of the genuinely irreversible technology improvements of the last five years.
What an eSIM actually is — and how it differs from a physical SIM
A physical SIM card is a plastic chip that physically slots into your phone and identifies you to a mobile network. An eSIM (embedded SIM) is the same thing, built directly into your phone's hardware during manufacturing, programmable via software rather than a physical swap. Both do the same job — connecting your phone to a carrier's network — but an eSIM can be provisioned remotely, meaning you can download a new mobile data plan from anywhere in the world without visiting a store or touching a card.
The critical practical implication: you can install an eSIM for Japan on Tuesday while sitting in London, have your phone arrive in Tokyo on Thursday already connected to a local Japanese network within 30 seconds of clearing arrivals. Your home SIM remains active in the second SIM slot. You continue receiving calls and texts on your normal number while using the local Japanese data plan for internet. This is the standard use case — dual SIM, primary physical card for your home number, eSIM for destination data.
The carrier unlock requirement: Your phone must be carrier-unlocked to install a third-party eSIM. Most phones purchased outright (not on contract) are unlocked. Phones purchased on a mobile contract in the UK, US, or Europe may be locked to that carrier, particularly in the first 12 months. Check Settings → About → Network Provider Lock on iPhone (if it says "No SIM restrictions," you're unlocked). On Android, look for Add eSIM under SIM settings — if the option appears, you're clear. Contact your carrier to unlock if needed; most do this free of charge once the contract minimum period has passed.
Which phones support eSIM
The current state, as of 2026: virtually every flagship smartphone released since 2019 supports eSIM. The specific thresholds by brand:
- iPhone: iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max (2018) onwards. iPhone 13 and later support two simultaneous active eSIMs. iPhone 14 and 15 in the US have no physical SIM slot — eSIM only. iPhone 17 is eSIM-only in US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Canada, and several other markets.
- Samsung Galaxy: S20 series and later; all Z Flip and Z Fold models; select A-series (A35, A54, A55, A56). Note: Galaxy devices purchased in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan typically do not support eSIM regardless of model.
- Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and later (some regional exceptions for Pixel 3 — check if purchased in Australia, Taiwan, or Japan).
- Huawei: P40 and P40 Pro support eSIM. P40 Pro+ and P50 Pro do not. Most Huawei devices from mainland China do not support eSIM.
- Important exception across all brands: iPhones purchased in mainland China do not support eSIM. Hong Kong and Macao models vary — check your specific model before purchase.
To check your specific device in seconds: open your phone's dialer, type *#06#. If you see an EID number alongside your IMEI, eSIM is supported. Alternatively, on iPhone go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM; on Android go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add SIM.
Local, regional, or global: which plan type to buy
Local plan
Best value per GBOne country only. Connects to one or two local networks. The cheapest option when visiting a single destination. Japan, Thailand, UAE, Italy — all have excellent local plan coverage.
Regional plan
Best for multi-country tripsOne eSIM across multiple countries. Airalo's Eurolink covers 42 European countries; Asia covers 18; MENA covers 15; Africa Safari covers major safari nations. Costs more per GB than local but eliminates SIM-switching.
Global plan
Best for complex itinerariesAiralo's Discover+ covers 137 countries and uniquely includes voice calls and texts — not just data. Most expensive per GB but the only option for multi-continent trips or unpredictable routing.
The decision rule is straightforward: single country, buy local. Two or more countries in the same region, buy regional. Three or more countries across multiple continents, or if you need a voice number, buy global (Discover+). Buying a local plan for each country in a multi-country trip is more work and usually more expensive than a single regional plan.
Airalo: why it is the right starting point
Airalo is the world's largest eSIM marketplace — founded in 2019, now serving over 20 million users across 200+ destinations. It is not always the cheapest option at any individual destination (newer budget-focused competitors sometimes undercut it per GB), but it has four structural advantages that matter for the uncompromised.travel reader:
Coverage breadth: Airalo covers destinations that most competitors do not. The Eurolink regional plan includes 42 European countries — including Iceland, Moldova, the Faroe Islands, and Albania — wider than any equivalent from rival providers. The Africa Safari regional plan covers the specific combination of southern and eastern African countries that most safari itineraries traverse. If your route includes less common destinations, Airalo is typically the provider that has you covered when others don't.
Top-up capability: Airalo eSIMs can be topped up directly in the app without buying a new eSIM. If you underestimate your data usage — a common situation in countries where you're using navigation, translation apps, and hotel research more than expected — you add more data in two taps without switching SIMs or hunting for a new QR code.
Dual eSIM management: The Airalo app manages multiple active eSIMs across different destinations simultaneously, with a clear interface showing remaining data and validity for each. Useful for frequent travellers who move between destinations within short windows.
The Discover+ global plan includes voice: Most eSIM providers are data-only. Airalo's global plan (Discover+) covers 137 countries and includes voice calls and texts — the only mainstream eSIM that does this. For travellers who need a reachable number internationally, this is a meaningful differentiator.
| Plan type | Coverage | Indicative price | Right for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (e.g. Japan) | 1 country | From ~$4.50 (1GB) to ~$11.50 (5GB) | Single-country trips |
| Eurolink (Europe) | 42 countries | ~$26 for 10GB / 30 days | European multi-country trips |
| Asia regional | 18 countries | ~$49 for 20GB | Southeast/East Asia circuits |
| MENA regional | 15 countries | Varies by data tier | Middle East and North Africa trips |
| Africa Safari | 36 African countries | Varies by data tier | Multi-country African itineraries |
| Discover+ (Global) | 137 countries | Higher per GB; includes voice | Multi-continent trips, need voice |
How to set up an Airalo eSIM: the actual process
- Download the Airalo app from the App Store or Google Play, or go to airalo.com. Create an account — takes about 30 seconds.
- Search for your destination: either a country name, a region (Europe, Asia, MENA), or Global. Select the data plan that fits your trip length and expected usage. For a week in Japan with moderate usage (maps, email, some video), 3–5GB is typically sufficient.
- Pay via Apple Pay, credit card, or PayPal. You receive the eSIM QR code immediately.
- Install the eSIM: the Airalo app walks you through the process, opening your iPhone or Android eSIM settings automatically. On iPhone, it takes about 90 seconds. You do not need to be at your destination to install — do it at home before you travel.
- At your destination: in Settings, select the Airalo eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming. Your phone connects to the local network, typically within seconds of landing.
One important note: you need a stable Wi-Fi or existing data connection to download and install the eSIM. Do this before you board your flight, not at the airport kiosk.
Get your Airalo eSIM before you travel
200+ destinations, 1–5 minute setup, active the moment you land. Airalo is the largest eSIM marketplace in the world — and the right starting point for travellers who want reliable international data without the roaming bill.
Browse Airalo eSIM PlansFrequently asked questions
Can I use an eSIM and my normal number at the same time?
Yes — this is the standard configuration. Your home SIM (physical) stays in your phone for calls and texts on your regular number. The Airalo eSIM handles data. In your phone's settings, you designate which line is used for data — select the Airalo eSIM. You can still receive calls and messages on your home number via your physical SIM, though outgoing calls on the home SIM will incur your carrier's international roaming rates. Most travellers use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or similar apps via the Airalo data connection for calls while abroad, avoiding voice roaming charges entirely.
Does an Airalo eSIM include a phone number?
Standard Airalo plans are data-only — they do not include a phone number or SMS capability. The exception is the Discover+ global plan, which includes voice calls and texts and provides a phone number. For most travel data needs (maps, apps, email, messaging via WhatsApp or iMessage), data-only is entirely sufficient. If you need a local number in a destination country — for bank OTPs, local services, or similar — a data-only eSIM does not cover this; you would need a local physical SIM or the Discover+ plan for that functionality.
How much data do I actually need for a week of travel?
A reasonable estimate for a week of normal travel use — navigation, email, messaging, occasional streaming, social media — is 2–4GB. Light users relying heavily on hotel Wi-Fi might manage on 1GB; heavy users streaming video, using data-intensive translation apps, or doing a lot of video calling might need 5–10GB. Airalo's top-up feature means you are not penalised for underestimating — you can add more data from the app. The practical advice is to buy slightly more than you think you need and top up if you hit the limit, rather than the reverse. Running out of data mid-navigation in an unfamiliar city is inconvenient in a way that having unused data at the end of a trip is not.
Does an eSIM work in countries where social media or VPN is restricted?
An Airalo eSIM connects you to local carrier networks in the destination country. This means it is subject to the same content restrictions that apply to local internet access — if social media platforms are blocked in mainland China, an Airalo eSIM connected to a Chinese carrier will also experience those blocks. For countries with internet restrictions (China, UAE for certain services, Turkey during political events), a VPN installed before travel addresses most access issues. Our guide to what stops working in China, UAE, and Turkey covers this in detail.
Can I transfer an eSIM to a new phone?
eSIM profiles are tied to the device they are installed on and typically cannot be transferred directly. If you replace your phone mid-trip, you would need to reinstall the eSIM on the new device, which Airalo supports through their app — contact their 24/7 support team. iPhone-to-iPhone eSIM transfers are supported when setting up a new phone using Quick Start (iOS device-to-device transfer) for your home carrier eSIM, though third-party travel eSIMs typically require reinstallation rather than transfer.
Airalo prices quoted are indicative based on published plans as of early 2026 and are subject to change. Always verify current pricing in the Airalo app or at airalo.com before purchase. This article contains affiliate links — purchases made through our Airalo links earn a commission at no additional cost to you.