Frequently asked questions
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a SIM you download instead of insert. Scan a QR code and your phone gets a second line for data, while your own SIM stays in. No plastic card, no store visit, no waiting for shipping.
Is my phone compatible?
Most phones released since 2018 support eSIM: iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and many other Android models. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked. To be sure, look for an “Add eSIM” option in Settings before you buy. Plans cannot be refunded if the phone turns out to be incompatible or locked.
How and when do I get my eSIM?
Within minutes of payment you receive an email titled “Your eSIM is ready to install” with your QR code, SM-DP+ address and activation code. The same details are shown on the order confirmation page and on the Check order page. If your eSIM is not ready within 1 hour of payment, we refund the order in full automatically, no action needed.
Why do I have to verify my email before paying?
Your eSIM is delivered only by email, so a typo would mean no eSIM. We send a 6-digit code that is valid for 10 minutes. Apple Pay, Google Pay and Link users skip this step. No account is needed.
How do I install it?
iPhone: Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service) → Add eSIM → Use QR Code. Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. Scan the QR code with the phone that will use it. If the email is on that same phone, choose “Enter Details Manually” and type the SM-DP+ address and activation code from the email instead.
When should I install it, and when does the plan start?
Install at home on Wi-Fi before you travel. Most plans only start counting days when the eSIM first connects at your destination, so leave the eSIM line switched off until you land. Some plans activate immediately on installation; the plan page states which rule applies. Also note that most plans must be activated within a set period after purchase (often 60 days), so buy within a month or two of your trip rather than far in advance.
What do I do when I arrive?
Set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. Keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts. If there is no signal after a minute, toggle airplane mode or select the network manually in Settings.
Can I keep my regular number?
Yes. The eSIM sits next to your regular SIM, so calls and texts still reach you on your own number. Only the data goes through the new line.
Is hotspot / tethering supported?
Hotspot rules vary by plan. Check the individual product page rather than assuming every plan allows tethering.
How much data will I actually use?
Less than most people expect. Navigation runs about 3–10MB an hour and a text message about 1KB, so maps and messaging are never the problem. Short video is: Reels and TikTok use roughly 0.9–1.8GB an hour, so an hour a day for a week is 6–12GB on its own.
As a rule of thumb a typical week of travel comes in under 3GB, and a 10GB plan covers a week comfortably for almost everyone. Three kinds of traveler go past it: people who watch video on the move, people who tether a laptop, and people staying somewhere without Wi-Fi. If that is you, start at 20GB. One thing worth doing before you fly — set photo backup to Wi-Fi only, because a single full-resolution photo is 10MB or more.
What happens if I run out of data?
Many plans can be topped up. A top-up is applied to the eSIM already on your phone, so there is nothing new to scan or install. If your plan does not offer top-ups, buy a new plan for the same destination. The plan page says which applies. Either way it is a few dollars, not a ruined trip: on every destination we compare, two of our 10GB plans still cost less than a single 30-day “unlimited” plan from Airalo.
Can I reinstall the eSIM or move it to another phone?
No. The QR code works once, on one device. Deleting the eSIM from your phone removes it permanently, so do not remove it until the plan has ended. When the trip is over, the eSIM simply expires; there is nothing to return.
Do you have a mobile app?
There is no app to download, and you do not need one. This site can be added to your phone’s home screen, where it opens full screen like an app, handy for checking an order or picking up a plan before your next trip.
iPhone and iPad: open easytraveldata.com in Safari, tap the Share button, then choose “Add to Home Screen”. Android: Chrome usually offers to install it on its own; if it does not, open the ⋮ menu and choose “Add to Home screen”.
I paid but no email arrived. What should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder first. Then open our contact page, choose “I have an order and need help” and verify your email: it shows the delivery status of your order and lets you resend the eSIM email instantly. If the order is still Processing 1 hour after payment, it is refunded automatically.
My payment failed. Was I charged?
No. A failed or unfinished payment does not charge you. The order is cancelled automatically if payment is not completed within 60 minutes. You can simply place a new order, or use the Retry payment link if we send you one.
Can I cancel or get a refund?
Delivery is instant, so an order cannot be cancelled once the activation details are sent. Refunds are reviewed case by case through the contact form, only for eSIMs that were never installed, and some carriers do not allow refunds at all. Approved refunds go back to the original payment method within a few business days. See our Refund & Cancellation Policy for full details.