It is a second SIM your phone downloads, instead of one you put in a slot. Here is the whole thing, start to finish.
Pick your destination and how much data you need. We email a QR code straight away — there is nothing to collect and no SIM to post.
On your phone: Settings → Mobile Service (Android: Mobile network) → Add eSIM, then scan the code. If you're reading the email on the same phone, use the activation code to enter it manually instead — you can't scan your own screen.
Your travel eSIM sits alongside your normal SIM. Turn it on for data at your destination and leave your usual number on for calls and texts — that is also the number any security or verification code will be sent to, since a travel eSIM cannot receive texts.
When the data or the days run out, it stops — an unlimited bundle instead slows down after its fair-use point and keeps working until its days end. There is no overage, no bill afterwards, and nothing renews. Buy another if you need more.
On first use at the destination, not when you buy or install it. That is the whole reason we tell you to set it up at home — an eSIM installed a week early costs you no days, though once it is installed it can no longer be refunded.
No. A travel eSIM is data only. Your normal number stays on your usual SIM and keeps working for calls and texts, and apps like WhatsApp keep working over the travel data.
Yes. WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal and the rest run over the travel data with your usual account and number, and there is nothing to set up. One thing to avoid: don't reinstall WhatsApp or sign out of it while you're away. Verifying it again sends a code by SMS to your normal number, and a travel eSIM is data only — it cannot receive texts. Do that at home, or keep your usual SIM able to receive one. Separately, a few countries block WhatsApp calling on every network — that is a local restriction rather than anything about the eSIM.
On a bundle with a fixed amount of data, it stops. On an unlimited bundle nothing runs out: you get full speed up to the fair-use point shown on the bundle, then reduced speed until its days end — it is never cut off. Either way nothing extra is charged and no bill arrives later. You can buy another bundle at any point — if you have an account with us, that is one tap.
In Europe, yes — our monthly plan includes roaming in 41 European destinations at no extra cost, so a European trip needs nothing extra. Everywhere else your line is barred rather than billed: no data, no calls either way and no texts out, though it can still receive texts and reach 112. So nothing runs up a bill behind your back — but you also have no data, and that is what the travel eSIM is for.
Yes. Tethering works, and it comes out of the same allowance — worth remembering if you are sharing it with a laptop.
Yes — that's how it's meant to work. Keep the eSIM installed when you get home (you can switch it off in your phone's settings), and next time choose "Top up your eSIM" on any destination and use the same email. The new data goes onto the eSIM you already have, for any country, with nothing to install. Deleted it? Reinstall it from the QR code in your original eSIM email, then top up as usual. Buying for a different phone or another person? Choose "Buy a new eSIM" instead.
Best to keep it on your phone — between trips as well as during them. Switching it off is fine. If you do delete it, you can install it again from the QR code in your original eSIM email, and your data is still on it. Can't find the email? Contact us and we'll send it again.
Most phones sold since about 2019 do, and some are locked in a way that blocks eSIMs even when the hardware supports them. There's a check on our compatibility page.