For summer trips abroad, a smartphone is essential for most people. How else are you going to check Google Maps to find your Airbnb, post an Instagram video from the Eiffel Tower, or contact friends and family on WhatsApp?
Of course, if you use apps that gobble up data while traveling in a foreign country, you still risk racking up high roaming charges from your phone carrier. The solution? An international travel eSIM for your smartphone.
How do you use this technology? Here are a few tips.
What is an eSIM?
If you've ever bought a new cell phone, you're probably familiar with the SIM card. Short for subscriber identity module, the SIM card is a small chip the size of a fingernail that fits into a slot on most phones. Without it, you wouldn't be able to get cellular service because it contains your account information and phone number.
But physical SIM cards are gradually being replaced by eSIMs – the e stands for embedded – built into newer phones. These digital versions do the same thing and can make life easier, although people used to physical SIM cards may find them confusing at first.
Why should I use an eSIM?
They make it easier to change cellular media. And if you bought a new phone recently, you might not even have a choice: Apple got rid of the SIM card tray starting with the iPhone 14 released in September 2022.
They are particularly beneficial for travelers. If you have a compatible mobile phone, you can add an eSIM from a virtual carrier with better data roaming rates than your home network. Many phones will let you add more than one eSIM, making switching easier, or – for phones with this feature – use two at the same time.
Think about convenience: Gone are the days of arriving in a foreign country after a long flight, looking for a local phone company's kiosk at the airport, carefully opening the SIM tray with a pin to swap the new one chip and try not to lose it. the existing one.
Where can I get a roaming eSIM and how much will I pay?
The eSIM market is booming. Kester Mann, director of consumer research at CCS Insight, says there are dozens of providers available online, with names like Nomad, Holafly, Easysim, Airhub and Airalo.
“These guys have a role to play because I think they provide a very affordable and attractive opportunity for international travelers,” Mann said.
The boom means there is a lot of competition which keeps rates low. Prices are usually clearly displayed online, either through a menu of plans on the provider's website or through a calculator based on the amount of data needed and the length of the trip.
According to CCS, around 800 operators support eSIMs, so international coverage is extensive. Many eSIM providers offer plans based on country or region. So you can check which ones offer good rates for the place you will be visiting and register in advance. Are you traveling to Europe and need data for a month covering 30 countries? Airalo, for example, offers 10 gigabytes for $37, while Holafly's plan offers unlimited data for 69 euros ($75).
For an upcoming trip to Prague, I purchased 5GB of data for just $5 from Global Yo. I was slightly put off by some negative reviews reporting problems purchasing, installing, or activating the company's eSIMs, but I haven't had any problems myself.
How do I put an eSIM on my phone?
You will need an unlocked phone for use with different wireless carriers.
If you're not setting up a new phone, the typical activation method is using a QR code or a more conventional string of numbers and letters. If you're planning a trip and purchase one before you go, it's a good idea to print the code if you don't want to activate it right away.
For iPhones, go to your Settings menu, then the Cellular Service or Mobile Service section, then tap Add eSIM. You will be prompted to scan the code or enter it manually. The process is similar for Android users. Samsung has a guide for Galaxy devices, and Google has a help page for Pixel users, while eSIM carriers have step-by-step instructions. Apple has a Youtube videoas well as tip sheets on using eSIMs for international travel and on the simultaneous use of two eSIMs.
If you have a phone that supports two eSIMs, you “can potentially choose the best network based on price and/or coverage” when traveling, Mann said.
Some carriers have their own apps to manage eSIMs and track data usage.
How do I know if my cell phone can use an eSIM?
More than 200 devices support the technology, CCS Insight says. The British telephone company Vodafone has a list compatible devices. Or dial (asterisk) #06# – an EID code indicates it is compatible.
For iPhone users, this includes any model released since the XS, XS Max or XR, as well as recent iPads. They are compatible with all Samsung Galaxy devices released since 2020, and Google Pixel 4 and newer models will work; some Pixel 3 devices also support them.
Does it still make sense to use a travel eSIM?
First check your own carrier's roaming charges for the locations you're visiting. Sometimes it's not worth it.
“Roaming costs today are much lower and less prohibitive than they once were,” Mann said. They have even been abolished for European Union residents crossing the internal borders of the 27-country bloc. But British travelers, who have left the EU, are facing them again when it comes to getting to the continent.
