Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information about any information on any advertiser product, please visit their website. We receive compensation from some financial institutions listed on this site. Although we are compensated for each approved financial product through our website’s affiliate links, our research and content are based on an objective analysis. †Terms and conditions apply.
As you’re planning your next trip abroad and thinking about the logistics of staying connected, you’ve probably heard the term eSIM being mentioned.
A convenient way to access the internet from your mobile device, the eSIM option has grown in popularity over the years, with many people now choosing it instead of incurring roaming charges, signing up for travel plans through their home providers, or getting a physical SIM card at their destination.
But what is an eSIM? And how does an eSIM work?
In this article, we answer these questions and more to give you all the information you need to choose the best connectivity option for your next trip.
An eSIM (which stands for embedded subscriber identity module) is a digital SIM card that’s built into most modern phones. It works like a physical SIM card, but without having to insert anything into your device. eSIMs offer tons of benefits, such as helping you avoid roaming fees and making it easy to switch between providers.
eSIMs (and physical SIM cards) let you access data networks so that you can connect to the internet in destinations around the world, letting your check your email, your banking information, your travel details, your favourite apps, and more.
eSIMs are available for compatible smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, and you can conveniently purchase them wherever you are and whenever you want since they’re sold online by reputable vendors like Saily, Airalo, and Holafly.
Some newer phones have actually stopped supporting physical SIM cards and are now exclusively using eSIMs.
Now, you may be wondering: what’s the difference between an eSIM vs a physical SIM card?
An eSIM and a physical SIM card offer essentially the same features, but an eSIM is entirely digital and a physical SIM is a tangible item that you need to purchase from a local shop or service provider.
A physical SIM card is a small microchip embedded in a plastic case that is physically inserted into your connected device (i.e., your cell phone and tablet).
Comparatively, an eSIM is entirely digital and is installed onto your eSIM-compatible device similarly to how you would add a new app. An eSIM can be easily purchased online and then installed within minutes.
When considering which connectivity option to choose for your trip, you’ll likely want to know: how does an eSIM work?
Since eSIMs are entirely digital, you first purchase your eSIM online from a reputable vendor like Saily (which we reviewed here), Airalo, and Holafly.
With each of these vendors, you can choose plans for the country/region you’ll be visiting, length of time you’ll stay, and the amount of data you want.
Once you’ve completed your purchase, you will then follow the instructions to install and set-up your eSIM, similarly to how you would install and set-up a new program or app on your computer or device.
The instructions will vary slightly depending on the vendor, but generally you can expect to do the following:
Once you’ve switched to the new eSIM, it should automatically find the best local network, giving you instant connectivity.
There are many reasons to choose an eSIM on your next trip:
An eSIM is an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to stay connected as you travel around the world.
Whether you’re looking for the best eSIM for Europe, or looking up the best local restaurants, ordering a taxi or Uber, or messaging with people back home, having reliable data access is invaluable.
As you sketch out your upcoming adventures, you may also want to make plans to keep your data secure and enjoy your favourite TV shows abroad by using a VPN.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you connect to data networks in the same way a physical SIM card does but without having to physically switch in a new card.
eSIMs use your eSIM-compatible devices preinstalled software to give you the same functionality as a physical SIM card.
An eSIM works the same way a physical SIM card does, except that instead of being a tangible “card,” it is entirely digital, using preinstalled software from your eSIM-compatible device to access mobile networks in your selected destination(s).
To use an eSIM, you simply need to purchase one from a reputable vendor, install it on your device, and activate it when you begin your trip.
You can check to see if your device is eSIM compatible by looking for eSIM settings within your devices settings menu or by looking up the manufacturer’s information online.
Alternatively, most eSIM vendors have a list of compatible devices on their website, so you can confirm compatibility there as well.
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
You can change your preferences or opt out at any time by clicking on one of the hyperlinks available at the bottom of each newsletter.
If you are already a subscriber and would like to unsubscribe, you can click on the link at the bottom of any of our e-mails.
