Travel connected to the Internet through an international eSIM, find out the details: countries incl...
Whether you're switching carriers or planning a trip abroad, this guide will walk you through the simple steps to choose, purchase, and activate an eSIM, giving you instant connectivity without the need for a physical SIM card.
There are many ways to get an eSIM online in 2025. You can go directly to a local provider site, find an online provider, or head to an online eSIM marketplace for a range of plans.
Whichever path you choose, getting an eSIM online boils down to three simple steps:
We’ll flesh out these three steps for you in this article.
The activation instructions usually involve scanning a QR code to install a data plan on your phone. This gives you instant connectivity to a mobile network. You don’t even need to put in a new SIM card or swap out your old one.
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An eSIM is a digital SIM card inside your device. Your phone or other gadget may have an embedded digital SIM, or eSIM. "Embedded" is what the "e" in eSIM stands for. You can now get a plan without a physical SIM card in your phone, thanks to digital SIM technology.
Before asking, ' How do I get an eSIM?’, perhaps you want to ask why? There are several benefits to using an eSIM over a physical SIM.
Not all phones and devices are eSIM-compatible. Whether your device is eSIM-compatible will depend on two things:
As a general rule, newer models from major phone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung support eSIM technology.
For example, all iPhones in the US since the iPhone XS have eSIM capability, and the trend is for new models to include this capability, including the upcoming iPhone 16.
Yet others have been slower in adopting eSIM. Many Chinese manufacturers, such as Huawei, have fewer models currently on sale that are compatible with eSIM.
To confirm eSIM compatibility, check your device's specifications or consider calling your phone manufacturer’s helpline.
Check out our eSIM compatibility guide for a full rundown of common models from various manufacturers.
Yes, you can use eSIM physical SIM cards together. If your phone supports dual SIM and eSIM functionality, you can use both an eSIM and a physical SIM card together on the same device.
Some popular models that offer this capability include:
Most devices will also allow you to store multiple eSIM plans. Your phone stores these as eSIM "profiles" that you can switch between as needed. This makes it easy to connect to new networks when you travel and switch between plans in seconds.
If you're unsure which to choose, we recommend Holafly for its excellent eSIM plans, especially for travelers. You can find a Holafly discount here.
Getting an eSIM is fairly straightforward and involves only a few steps:
Holafly offers different plans separated by region and country. Here’s a selection:
Even if eSIMs have many advantages, you should think about the following options based on your needs:
Each option has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your specific requirements.
While not all phones made after 2018 support eSIM technology, the majority do. See our list of eSIM-compatible phones to see if your phone is eSIM compatible. It’s worth mentioning your phone needs to be unlocked to use an eSIM from a provider other than your carrier. Check Settings > General > About to see if your phone is unlocked. If it shows "No SIM restrictions," your device is unlocked.
When you begin a mobile plan with some carriers, your device is assigned an eSIM automatically. Activation is now as easy as turning on your phone and following the guidelines. Some, such as Holafly, include a QR code for you to scan instead.
If you're in the middle of a contract and need to switch to an eSIM, you might be able to convert your physical SIM to an eSIM, depending on your carrier. Here's how to do it on an iPhone:
1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
2. Tap Convert to eSIM (if this option isn't available, your carrier doesn't support conversion).
3. Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
4. Tap Convert to eSIM.
5. Wait for the eSIM to activate.
6. Remove your physical SIM once the eSIM is active.
7. Restart your iPhone.
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The best global eSIM provider
From $2.3/week
A reliable eSIM provider for budget travelers
From $2.4/week
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