Prepare before you travel
Provider-neutral guidance for the setup, activation, data planning and roaming decisions that happen before and after comparing prices.
Installation guide
Install the eSIM while you still have reliable internet, but follow the provider’s activation rule before turning it on. The exact menu labels vary by phone model and operating-system version.
Read the guideActivation timing
“Install” and “activate” do not always mean the same thing. Some plans begin when installed, some at the first supported network connection and others on a selected date.
Read the guideData planning
Maps and messages use relatively little data, while video, cloud backups and hotspot sharing can change the total quickly. Start with a daily estimate and multiply it by the days without reliable Wi-Fi.
Read the guideBuying decision
International roaming can be convenient because it keeps the existing SIM active, while a prepaid travel eSIM can make data cost easier to control. Compare the full trip cost and setup requirements rather than choosing by one headline price.
Read the guide