Keeping data cheap abroad with eSIMs
In an era where technology is rapidly evolving, eSIMs are emerging as the next big thing in mobile connectivity. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs offer a more flexible and convenient way to manage your mobile network connections. Whether you're a frequent traveller, tech enthusiast, or simply someone looking to simplify their mobile experience, eSIMs provide numerous advantages.
As someone who likes to plan my own trips without a travel agent or tour guide, I’m normally the person in the hotel desperate to connect to the wifi, or trying to get a local sim card at the airport or border crossing. This was always a hassle for me and took up 15-20mins at least trying to configure the sim card in my phone (with some countries requiring passports, local currency, or even needing to scratch off hundreds of cards to add credit and data).
eSIMs have been a complete game changer for me when travelling, and I recommend them to everyone!
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card embedded directly into a device's hardware. Unlike traditional SIM cards, which are physical cards that you insert into your phone, eSIMs are built into the device itself. This technology allows users to activate a cellular plan without needing to insert a physical SIM card.
The cheapest eSIM plans tend to be data only, but just like a regular sim card, you can get ones that include calls and texts too, to suit all needs.
How Does an eSIM Work?
eSIM technology uses a small chip inside the device that can store multiple carrier profiles and can be reprogrammed remotely. This means you can switch between carriers and plans without having to swap out physical SIM cards. The entire process is managed through software, providing a seamless and hassle-free experience.
One of the most significant advantages of eSIMs is their convenience. With an eSIM, you can activate a new cellular plan without needing to visit a store or wait for a SIM card to be delivered. This is particularly useful for travelers who can easily switch to a local carrier's plan when they arrive in a new country.
eSIMs can store multiple profiles, allowing you to have more than one phone number or carrier plan on a single device. This means you can keep your personal and work numbers separate and have different plans for different countries.
An added bonus is that they eliminate the need for physical SIM cards, reducing plastic waste and the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and shipping traditional SIM cards. Being virtual, eSIMs also offer enhanced security features, as they are harder to remove and tamper with compared to physical SIM cards. This added layer of security helps protect your personal data and makes your device less vulnerable to theft.
How to Use an eSIM
Downloading and activating an eSIM is relatively quick, and can be done in 5-10mins. You will need a good connection (normally a decent wifi) to do this, so it may require a little preparation.
1. Check Compatibility
First, you should ensure that your device is compatible with eSIM technology. Most newer smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches support eSIMs. Popular models include the iPhone 11 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later. You should nonetheless always check.
To do this on an iPhone:
go to Settings > General > About
Scroll down to the “Carrier Lock” or “Network Provider Lock” - if your device is unlocked, it will show "No SIM restrictions"
Scroll down to IMEI - If your phone supports eSIMs, it will show a 15-digit IMEI number
2. Choose a Carrier
Select a carrier that supports eSIMs. Many major carriers around the world now offer eSIM plans. You can typically find information about eSIM availability on the carrier's website.
Several companies specialise in providing eSIM plans for international travel and they are often much cheaper than purchasing a travel package with your regular phone provider.
I personally use Airalo - they offers eSIM plans for over 190 countries, and they have always worked well for me, with great connection and signal in multiple countries. Prices vary by region, but typically start from $4.50 for 1GB for 7 days.
Use Referral code EMMA5831 to get $3 USD off your first purchase.
Other providers include GigSky and Truphone, but feel free to shop around to see where has the best deals for your needs.
Generally packages are priced taking into account:
Country (or countries visited)
Data package required (how many GB you need)
Length of stay (some packages are suited for weekends, others for longer times, some even extend for months)
Top Tip: Worldwide packages are excellent if you are doing a big multi-country trip, as you have data from the second you cross the border or land on the plane. However it is normally cheaper to get a package that only covers one country. If you are doing a multi-country trip, I would suggest to get a small amount of data on a worldwide package, and then buy a local package to switch to in countries where you are staying a bit longer.
3. Activate Your eSIM
The activation process varies slightly depending on the carrier and device, but generally involves either of the following steps:
Scan a QR Code: Your carrier will provide a QR code that you scan with your device to download the eSIM profile.
Manual Entry: Alternatively, you may need to enter a confirmation code or activation code manually.
You normally need WiFi to activate the eSIM, so take this into consideration and make sure you prepare in advance.
4. Configure Your eSIM
Once activated, you can configure your eSIM settings through your device's settings menu. This includes selecting your primary and secondary numbers (if you have multiple profiles) and managing your carrier plans.
One of the most common problems people have with activating the eSIM is not turning data roaming on in the mobile data options, so make sure you do this.
I would also recommend to go through your mobile data settings to be selective in what apps you are allowing to use mobile data. Some apps like whatsapp don’t use much data at all, whilst others can drain the data really quickly. For example, I realised my marriott bonvoy app took 300mb with a short usage… now I know better, I will use it on WiFi only.
If you run out of data, you can top up your eSIM by purchasing more data. This saves you the hassle of having to reactivate the eSIM.
5. Switching Profiles
Switching between different carrier profiles is straightforward. Simply go to your device's settings and select the profile you want to use. This allows you to switch plans without changing physical SIM cards.