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Setting up a travel eSIM takes about ten minutes, and most of it happens before you leave home. Follow these steps so you land with working data and no surprise roaming charges.
Key takeaways
- Before you go: check compatibility, buy the plan, install it on Wi-Fi, and label it "Travel."
- When you land: turn on the travel line, set it for cellular data, and enable roaming on that line only if the provider says so.
- Keep data roaming off on your home line.
- Troubleshooting: restart, check the APN, and contact the provider's support.
Before you buy
- Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. See does my phone support eSIM?
- Check the plan covers your destination, and how long it's valid.
- Estimate how much data you need. See how much mobile data do I need?
- Read the refund policy and whether the eSIM can be reinstalled if deleted.
Before you go: install the eSIM
Buy the plan, install on Wi-Fi, and label it "Travel."
iPhone
- After buying, you'll receive a QR code, an installation link or instructions in the provider's app.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings, then Cellular, then Add eSIM (or Add Cellular Plan).
- Choose "Use QR Code" and scan it, or follow the link or app prompt. You can also enter the details manually if provided.
- When asked, label the new line "Travel" and keep your home line as "Primary" or "Home."
- Set your default voice line to Home, and choose which line to use for iMessage and FaceTime.
- For now, keep cellular data on your home line until you travel, unless the provider says otherwise.
Android
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings, then Network & internet (or Connections), then SIMs or SIM manager.
- Tap Add eSIM or "Download a SIM instead" and scan the QR code.
- Rename the eSIM "Travel."
- Keep it switched off or not set for data until you arrive, if the provider recommends that.
Some plans start their validity when installed, others when they first connect abroad. Check before installing too early.
When you land
Turn on the travel line, set it for cellular data, and enable roaming on that line only if the provider says so.
- Turn off airplane mode.
- Go to Settings, Cellular (iPhone) or SIMs (Android).
- Turn on the Travel line.
- Set Cellular Data or Mobile data to the Travel line.
- On iPhone, turn off "Allow Cellular Data Switching."
- Turn on Data Roaming for the Travel line if required.
- Make sure Data Roaming is off on your Home line.
- Wait a minute for the phone to connect to a partner network.
Quick settings reference
| Setting | Home line | Travel eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Line turned on | Yes, for calls and texts (optional) | Yes |
| Cellular data | No | Yes |
| Data roaming | Off | On, if provider requires |
| Default for calls and texts | Yes | No (most travel eSIMs are data-only) |
Troubleshooting
Restart the phone, check the APN settings, and contact the provider's support. Our eSIM troubleshooting guide covers each fix in detail, including manual network selection and checking plan validity.
After your trip
- Switch Cellular Data back to your home line.
- Turn off the travel line.
- Keep the eSIM installed if the provider allows top-ups for future trips, or delete it if it's single-use and expired.
Tips for a smooth trip
- Take a screenshot of the QR code and plan details, but don't scan the QR code on another phone. Many codes work only once.
- Download the provider's app and log in before you leave.
- Download offline maps in case you need them on arrival.
- Keep WhatsApp and iMessage on your usual number. See can I keep my number and WhatsApp?
- Turn off automatic app updates and photo backup on cellular.
Frequently asked questions
When should I install my travel eSIM?
Usually a day or two before you leave, on a reliable Wi-Fi connection. Check whether the plan's validity starts on installation or on first connection abroad.
Do I need to turn on data roaming for a travel eSIM?
Many travel eSIMs require data roaming on for the eSIM line. Keep data roaming off on your home line to avoid charges.
Can I use the same eSIM QR code twice?
Often not. Many eSIM QR codes can only be used once, so don't delete the eSIM or scan the code on another device.
How do I switch back to my normal SIM after the trip?
Set Cellular Data back to your home line, turn off the travel eSIM line, and delete it if it's expired and can't be topped up.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 15, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
See the main guide and the optional bonus
eSIM providers worth comparing
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. These are sponsored links. We haven't tested every network in every country, so check coverage and current prices for your destination before you buy.
- Jetpac: travel eSIM data packs for 200+ destinations, bought on its website or app. You install the eSIM once and top it up for later trips, and a pack starts when you connect to a network abroad. Hotspot sharing is allowed, and its free SmartDelay perk gives a lounge pass if a registered flight is delayed an hour or more (register at least 24 hours before departure). Data only, no regular SMS.
- eSimania: prepaid, data-only eSIM plans for single countries, regions (such as a 41-country Europe plan) and a global plan, with different data amounts and validity periods. You install by QR code or with the activation details from your order. Note: eSimania isn't available to readers in Australia through our link.
See Jetpac's eSIM plansSee eSimania's eSIM plans
Both are data-only. eSimania isn't available to readers in Australia through our link. Check your phone supports eSIM and the coverage for your destination first.
Before buying any eSIM: make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, compare GB, validity days and price per GB, and read the provider's refund policy.