Are you tired of the hassle of physical SIM cards when traveling abroad? Meet eSIM, the digital SIM card built right into your phone. No more tiny plastic pieces to swap in and out. Everything happens online.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll dive into what eSIMs are, how they work, and provide a step-by-step walkthrough on purchasing and setting up an Airalo eSIM on your iPhone. Say goodbye to navigating busy foreign streets trying to decipher signs in search of a physical SIM card. With a bit of prep, you can have your phone ready to go with an Airalo eSIM before even leaving home.
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What is an eSIM?
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is essentially a digital SIM card that comes built into many newer smartphones. It allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM card.
eSIM technology is supported by the GSMA, the association that represents mobile operators worldwide. Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung and other manufacturers are now making eSIM-capable devices.
Think of an eSIM as a small chip inside your phone that operates as a “virtual” SIM card. It’s rewritable, meaning you can change your operator with a simple phone call or online. No more ordering and waiting for a physical SIM, no fussing with SIM trays or risk of losing that tiny card. It’s all digital.
What phones support eSIM?
Unfortunately, not all phones have eSIM functionality yet. But most new smartphones do, especially on the higher end. If you’ve got a recent iPhone, you’re likely good to go:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone SE (2nd gen)
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 14 series
For Android fans, many flagship models from the last few years have eSIM:
- Google Pixel 3 series and newer
- Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series and newer
- Samsung Galaxy Fold and Z Flip series
Is your phone locked or unlocked?
One key thing to remember – your phone needs to be unlocked to use an eSIM from a different carrier than your primary provider.
To check if your iPhone is locked or unlocked, visit your Settings, click General > About, then scroll down to Network Provider Lock. If it says “No SIM restrictions,” your iPhone is unlocked. If it notes your carrier, then the phone is locked.
If that’s the case, you may need to contact your current carrier to see if they can unlock your device. Some carriers will unlock your phone once your contract is finished. Others may require you to pay off the device first. Each has its own policy, so you’ll want to check.
Introducing Airalo: Your eSIM travel buddy
Now that you know if your phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked, let’s talk Airalo. Airalo is your one-stop shop for travel eSIMs. They offer a wide variety of plans, including:
- Local eSIMs for use in a single country
- Regional eSIMs that cover multiple countries
- Global eSIMs for worldwide connectivity
Local eSIMs are perfect for trips focused on just one destination. They connect you to local networks for the best speeds and prices in that country. Planning to criss-cross a continent, road trip style? A regional eSIM keeps you online across borders within a specified zone, like Europe or Southeast Asia.
And for the true globetrotters bouncing across continents, Airalo’s global plans have you covered. The “Discover” global eSIM provides data connectivity, while “Discover+” also enables calls and texts in the supported countries. You’ll never have to think twice about staying connected on your next round-the-world adventure.
Getting started with Airalo
Ready to try out your first eSIM for your upcoming trip? Let’s walk through the process step-by-step.
Step 1: Download the Airalo app
First, you’ll need the Airalo app on your phone. You can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store – just search for “Airalo.” Click to download and install.
Alternatively, you can use this tutorial’s affiliate link to download the app. It’s no extra cost to you and supports our team to create more helpful travel content.
Step 2: Create your Airalo account
Open up the freshly installed Airalo app. Click “Log in” then “Create an account.”
The signup process is straightforward – just follow the prompts to input your information. Double check that everything is correct, agree to the terms and conditions, and click to create your account. Welcome to Airalo!
Step 3: Verify your new account
After signing up, you may need to verify your new Airalo account. You should receive an email with a verification link. If not, check your spam folder. Click the link in the email to confirm your account. You should now be able to log into the app.
Step 4: Customize your profile
Now that you’re logged in, take a second to review your profile. Click your profile icon to access your account settings.
Here you can update your personal information, manage your payment methods, and adjust your notification preferences. The app should default to your device’s system language, but you can change it in the “Language” section if needed.
Step 5: Choose your eSIM
Time for the fun part – picking your eSIM! Think about your upcoming trip and connectivity needs:
- Where are you traveling? One country, a specific region, or all over?
- How long will you be there? A week, a month, longer?
- How much data do you realistically need? Just for basic navigation/email or for streaming too?
Let’s consider data needs for a moment. If you just plan to use data for things like Google Maps navigation, email, and some social media, you can get by with 1-3GB for a couple weeks. But if you want to stream videos, upload lots of Stories, or tether your laptop, you’ll want a higher data package.
According to Samsung, 1GB of data could last a month with light use – think 20-30 min per day of email, social, and web browsing. But an hour per day of social media, or streaming 4 hours of YouTube videos, would use that up quickly. Gauge your usage based on your normal habits to avoid running out mid-trip.
With that in mind, let’s choose an eSIM. On the main Store tab, select Local, Regional, or Global eSIMs depending on your plans. Type in the country name(s) if doing Local/Regional.
You’ll see a list of the available eSIM packages for that destination, with details on the data amount, how long it’s valid after activation, and the price. Most plans are data-only, but you can look for “Discover+” global plans for data + calls and texts.
Pick the plan that matches your trip length and data needs, and click “Buy now.” A page will display any available top-up packages in case you may need to add data later. If you’re happy with your selection, click “Buy” to proceed.
Step 6: Check out and pay
Time to pay for that eSIM! Airalo accepts most major credit cards as well as PayPal. Their checkout operates in US dollars, so be aware of any foreign transaction fees or currency conversion costs depending on your payment method.
I like to use my Revolut card topped up with USD to avoid extra fees. If you travel often, consider getting a card with no FX fees to save on these purchases. Confirm your payment info and complete the checkout process.
Step 7: Install the eSIM
Congrats, you’ve got your first Airalo eSIM! You can either install and activate it right away or save it for later. I recommend installing at home before your trip for an easier process. You can activate once you arrive at your destination.
To begin installation, go to “My eSIMs” in the app and tap “View Info” on your new plan. Click “Install eSIM” to get started.
Airalo offers several ways to install your eSIM depending on your technical comfort level:
- Instant/Direct (recommended): Automatically installs with minimal input. Easiest method.
- QR Code: Displays a QR code to scan with your phone camera to install. Pretty simple.
- Manual: Requires manually inputting information like SM-DP+ address. Most complex, only if other methods fail.
Let’s use the simplest Instant/Direct method. Click “Install” to begin. The app will display some info about the installation process. Click “Next” then “Install eSIM.”
A popup will request to download your eSIM. Click “Continue” then wait patiently. This can take a couple minutes, so avoid using your phone until it finishes. When done, click “Continue” again.
Step 8: Configure your eSIM settings
After installing the eSIM, you need to configure a few settings to ensure it works properly.
First, choose your default line for voice calls. I recommend leaving your primary home SIM as the default to avoid accidentally making international calls. You can still make calls over data using services like WhatsApp and FaceTime audio.
For iMessage and FaceTime, you can select the eSIM line while keeping your primary number for actual calls and SMS. This ensures you can use data from the eSIM for these services.
Make sure to keep “Allow Cellular Data Switching” turned OFF. This prevents your iPhone from switching to your home data if the eSIM signal is weak, to avoid surprise charges.
Click “Continue” when you’ve adjusted the settings. You should see a confirmation that your eSIM was successfully downloaded. It may show as “ON” but won’t actually connect until you’re in the covered country.
Step 9: Rename and activate your eSIM
To easily identify your Airalo eSIM in your phone settings later, give it a relevant name. Go into your Mobile settings, tap your eSIM plan, and click “rename.” You could name it something like “Airalo Spain” or “Airalo Europe Trip.”
When you arrive at your destination and are ready to get connected, go back into your Mobile settings to activate the Airalo eSIM:
- Toggle “Turn On This Line” for your eSIM
- Leave “Network Selection” set to Automatic to connect to the best partner network
- Check that the APN field under “Cellular/Mobile Data Network” is filled in. If not, copy it from the “APN” section in the Airalo app installation guide
- Turn on “Data Roaming” – this won’t incur extra charges on the Airalo eSIM itself
- For your home carrier’s line, turn OFF data roaming to avoid accidental use
Your eSIM should now connect to a local network in your destination! Enjoy having data immediately without the usual new SIM hassle.
Track your eSIM data usage
To keep tabs on your eSIM data usage while traveling, use these methods:
- Check your plan usage in the Airalo app under “My eSIMs”
- Add an Airalo widget to your phone’s home screen for at-a-glance tracking
There are also ways to reduce data drain, especially when using data-heavy apps like Google Maps. Before heading out for the day, download offline maps of your destinations while on WiFi.
In Google Maps, search for your desired area, tap the name/address, click the three dots icon, and select “Download offline map.” Choose the map area and click “Download.” Now you can navigate without using data!
Troubleshooting & support
If you encounter any issues installing or using your Airalo eSIM, first check their comprehensive FAQ and Help Center. There are guides and tutorials for most common problems.
If you can’t find a solution, contact Airalo support. In the app, go to Profile > Help Center > Contact Us. Complete the form describing your issue with your account email.
You can also click the message bubble icon to open the in-app live chat. After initial chatbot screening, you’ll connect with a real support agent. Live support is available 24/7, though there may be a brief wait for an agent depending on demand.
Conclusion
eSIM is a game-changer for staying connected abroad. Gone are the days of hunting down local SIM cards. With an eSIM from Airalo, you can prepay for data ahead of your trip and instantly connect wherever your travels take you.
In this guide, we’ve covered what eSIMs are, which devices support them, and how to get set up with Airalo. The process may seem complex compared to a physical SIM, but the flexibility and convenience are unmatched.
We hope this post helps you understand Airalo eSIMs so you can roam with confidence on your next trip. If you have any other questions, let us know in the comments. Happy travels!
