Your travel eSIM requires two steps to get connected:
Installing the eSIM — adding the eSIM to your phone
Activating mobile data — selecting the eSIM as your mobile data line and turning on data roaming, so it can connect to a supported network
Installation adds the eSIM to your phone. Instead of inserting a physical SIM card into a tray, you enter eSIM details in your phone settings.
Your plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a supported network - not simply from adding it to your phone.
Keep in mind: after installation, the eSIM may switch on automatically (this is common on iPhone). If you install it while you're already in a country your plan covers, it can connect right away - and that connection starts your plan's validity. For plans that cover your home country as well, install only after you arrive at your destination, or keep the eSIM switched off until then.
eSIM installation requires a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
Here, you can find installation guides for iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung.
Activation means selecting your eSIM as the mobile data line and turning on data roaming, so it can connect to a supported network.
Starts your plan's validity period, when the eSIM first connects to a supported network
For most plans, this should be done when you reach your destination
Requires selecting the eSIM as your mobile data line and enabling data roaming
Here, you can find activation guides for iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung.
Depending on your plan and situation, you can:
Buy and install eSIM before your trip (install now, activate later) - works for most data plans
Buy and install eSIM when you are already abroad (install now, activate now)
If you buy before your trip, we'll guide you to only install the eSIM, then activate later. If you're already at your destination, we'll guide you to install and activate right away, so you can connect to mobile data immediately.
Note: if your plan covers the country you're currently in (including your home country for some plans), installing the eSIM there can start your plan right away - after installation, the eSIM may turn on by default and connect to the supported network. If you don't want to start your plan yet, keep the eSIM switched off until you're ready.
For most plans, activate your eSIM when you reach your destination, since activation starts your plan's validity period. Some eSIMs can also connect - and start - on networks in your home country. For those, keep the eSIM turned off until you arrive.
