All You Need to Know About eSIM

An eSIM is a SIM that's built into your phone. Instead of putting in a plastic card, you download your plan by scanning a QR code. It works like a normal SIM: you get mobile data and, on some plans, calls and SMS.

Your home SIM can stay in your phone at the same time, so you keep your usual number while you travel.

An eSIM profile is the plan you download onto your phone: the network, your data and, if your plan has one, your phone number. When you scan our QR code, you install a profile.

On your phone it shows up as an extra line in your mobile settings. You can rename it, for example to "Travel".

Most phones can store several eSIMs, so you can keep old ones installed. Most phones can also use two lines at the same time, for example your home SIM for calls and your SimOptions eSIM for data.

You choose which line is used for mobile data in your phone's settings.

You install the eSIM once, and it switches on by itself when you arrive.

1. After paying, you get your QR code by email. It's also in My account.
2. Install it on the phone you'll travel with. Fastest: open your eSIM in My account on that phone and tap the one-tap install button for iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later) or Android. No QR code to scan. Or scan the QR code:
   iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data (or Cellular) > Add eSIM > Use QR Code.
   Android: Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Scan QR code. Menu names vary a little by brand.
3. When you land, check that the eSIM is on and selected for mobile data, and turn on data roaming for it.

Best time to install: at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly. Installing doesn't start your plan.

Step-by-step guides with pictures: iPhone and Android.

Installing takes a minute or two. Your plan doesn't start then, though: it starts counting when your phone first connects to a network in a country your plan covers, and usually works within a few minutes of landing.

So you can install at home before your trip without losing any days. Each plan page shows how long you have to start using it (usually 1 year).

Good to know: activation can work a little differently depending on the network provider. Check the "Activation" section on your plan page for the details of your eSIM.

Not connected a few minutes after you land? Check that data roaming is on for the eSIM, then switch airplane mode on and off.

Straight away. Your QR code arrives by email a few minutes after you pay. It's also in My account: sign in with the email you ordered with.

No email? Check your spam or promotions folder. Still nothing? Contact us with the email address you used.

Sign in to My account and open your eSIM: it shows the QR code and, for manual installation, the SM-DP+ address and activation code. They're also in the PDF attached to your confirmation email.

Use one-tap install instead: open your eSIM in My account on the phone you'll travel with and tap the install button for iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later) or Android.

Or enter the eSIM by hand. Copy the details from My account or the PDF in your confirmation email.

• iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Use QR Code > Enter Details Manually, then paste the SM-DP+ address and the activation code into their fields.
• Android: Settings > SIM manager > Add eSIM, then choose to enter the activation code. Samsung asks for the SM-DP+ address and the code separately.

Guides with pictures: iPhone and Android.

When your phone first connects to a network in a country your plan covers, not when you buy or install it. A 7-day plan installed at home on Monday and first used when you land on Friday gives you 7 days from Friday.

If you never use it, the eSIM expires after the time shown on the plan page (usually 1 year).

Yes, most of our eSIMs can be topped up. You keep the same eSIM, so there's no new QR code to install.

1. Sign in to My account with the email you ordered with, or open the SimOptions app.
2. Pick your eSIM and choose to top up.
3. Choose a plan and pay. The data is added to the same eSIM.

Each plan page shows whether top-ups are possible. Bouygues Telecom eSIMs can't be topped up, so buy a new one instead. Keep the eSIM on your phone if you want to top it up later.

It depends on the plan. Most of our eSIMs are data-only: there's no phone number, but you can call and text over WhatsApp, FaceTime or Telegram.

Need a real number? Our Bouygues Telecom eSIMs for Europe include a French (+33) number with unlimited calls and SMS within Europe. Every plan shows "Calls & SMS" and "Phone number" in its details.

You can also keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS, like bank codes, while the eSIM handles your data. Your home operator's roaming rates apply to those.

Most phones from the last few years are, including iPhone XR, XS and every newer iPhone, iPhone SE (2020 and 2022), Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer. Search your exact model in our device checker.

Quick check: dial *#06#. If your phone shows an EID number, it supports eSIM. It also needs to be unlocked, meaning not tied to one carrier.

Watch out: iPhones sold in mainland China, and most sold in Hong Kong and Macao, don't have eSIM. Some versions of other phones don't either, for example the Galaxy S20 FE and S21 FE and many budget Galaxy A models. Not sure? Dial *#06# or contact us before you buy.

Your eSIM is tied to the phone it's installed on. Most eSIMs can't be moved to another phone or installed again, so a lost phone usually means buying a new eSIM.

Contact us with your order number and we'll check what we can do for your eSIM.

Usually not. Most eSIMs can only be installed once, so don't delete it while you still need it or want to top it up later.

Between trips you can simply switch the line off in your settings and turn it back on when you travel again. Deleted it by mistake? Contact us with your order number.

Send us a message through our contact form or email contact@simoptions.com.

To get help faster, include your order number, the email you ordered with and, if something isn't working, a screenshot.

Yes. Card payments are handled by Stripe, so we never see or store your card number. PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay payments are handled by those services.

You can pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB), PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Apple Pay shows on Apple devices and Google Pay in Chrome and on Android.

Prices and checkout can be shown in your own currency: pick it at the top of the page.

Your eSIM is sent by email as soon as you pay, and once it's sent we can't stop it being used. So we can't cancel or refund an order after the eSIM has been delivered, except in the case below.

You get a refund or a replacement if the eSIM can't be activated because of a technical problem on our side or our network partner's.

We can't give a refund if:

• you entered the wrong email address. We can send the eSIM to the right address, but we can't guarantee the first address didn't use it.
• your phone isn't eSIM-compatible. Check your phone in our device checker before you buy.
• you changed your mind or no longer need the eSIM.
• any other case not listed here.

Full details are in our terms and conditions.

Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB. If your card is declined, try PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or check with your bank that online payments abroad are allowed.

Sign in to My account with the email you ordered with, open your orders and download the invoice.

Need a company name, address or VAT number on it? Email contact@simoptions.com with your order number and the details.

Not on your SimOptions eSIM: the price you pay covers your plan, with no roaming charges on top.

To avoid charges from your home operator, set the eSIM as your line for mobile data and turn off data roaming on your home SIM. Calls and texts on your home SIM are still billed by your home operator.

No. You only need an email address. No ID, passport or registration is needed to buy your eSIM.