What Is an eSIM, and How Do You Set One Up?
Updated: October 2026
An eSIM is the digital version of the plastic SIM card in your phone: the card itself is built into the phone, and the line is loaded onto it by scanning a QR code. No card to insert, no kiosk to find, no pin to open the tray.
For travel it means this: before you leave, you buy a data plan for the country you are visiting and install it on your phone as an eSIM. When the plane lands, the phone connects to that country's network by itself; instead of a roaming bill, you pay a fixed price you knew in advance.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most smartphones from the last six or seven years do:
- iPhone: XS, XR and later (2018 onwards).
- Samsung: Galaxy S20 and later, Note 20 and later, the Z Flip and Z Fold series.
- Google: Pixel 3 and later.
- Others: The recent flagships from Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor and others support it too; if your settings show an "Add eSIM" option, you are ready.
Two more conditions: the phone must be unlocked (not tied to one carrier), and the eSIM menu must appear in its settings.
Not sure? Look for Settings → Cellular (or Connections) → Add eSIM. If the menu is there, your phone supports it.
Setup: three steps
- Buy the plan Choose the plan and pay; the QR code appears on screen and arrives by email.
- Scan the QR code Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM and scan it. On an iPhone the one-tap install link skips the QR code altogether.
- Switch it on when you arrive Make sure "data roaming" is on for the eSIM line, and off for your home line. Data flows through the eSIM; calls and texts keep coming to your own number.
We recommend installing at home, on Wi-Fi. On most plans the clock starts when the eSIM first connects to the destination's network, so installing early costs you no days.
Three common mistakes
- Deleting the QR code: Once the eSIM is installed you no longer need the code, but you may when you change phones. Keep the email.
- Leaving data roaming on for your home line: Even with the eSIM installed, a phone with the home line's data switched on will sometimes pull data through it, and a roaming charge follows. Switch it off before you board.
- Deleting the eSIM: You do not have to remove it as soon as the plan ends; if you are travelling again soon, you can top the same eSIM up. An eSIM left without a plan for a long time is closed on the carrier's side, and a fresh one for the next trip is all you need.
Where to start?
Pick your destination from the list of destinations. Visiting several countries? Our route guides, such as the Balkan Tour, recommend the one plan that covers the whole route.