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How to buy an eSIM online: A step-by-step guide
Learn how to buy an eSIM online: check if your phone supports eSIM, confirm it's unlocked, choose a plan, purchase online, and install the eSIM.
To buy an eSIM online, you need to check if your phone supports eSIM technology, pick an eSIM plan for your desired destination, and make your purchase through a website or an app.
In this article, we’ll show you how to buy an eSIM and get connected in a matter of minutes. But first, what is eSIM technology and why should you get one?
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What is an eSIM and why should you buy one?
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital version of the physical SIM card you’ve been using forever. eSIM is built into your device, so you don’t have to swap physical SIM cards when you want to add another plan to your device or switch carriers.
Here are just some of the advantages that eSIM technology has over physical SIM cards:
- No risk of damage: Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIM is entirely digital, so there’s nothing to damage.
- Easy switching between carriers: You can buy eSIM online and switch between carriers in minutes.
- International travel necessity: You can buy an eSIM data card conveniently ahead of your trip and activate it once you arrive.
- Multiple profiles: You can have multiple eSIM profiles, usually managed from your eSIM provider’s app.
- Proven security: eSIMs are just as safe as SIM cards. Additionally, nobody can steal a digital SIM card.
How to buy an eSIM card
Let’s guide you through buying an eSIM online, picking the right one, and installing it on your phone. Here’s all you need to know.
Step 1: Check if your phone supports eSIM technology
Before spending money on your new eSIM, you must have an eSIM-friendly device. The latest smartphones are eSIM-compatible, and some are even made to be used exclusively with eSIMs.
With certain exceptions and model varieties for different markets, you can expect your phone to be eSIM compatible if it is:
- iPhone XR and newer.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer.
- Google Pixel 2 and newer.
- Huawei P40 and newer.
- Oppo Find X3 and newer.
- Xiaomi 12T Pro and newer.
These are just some of the most popular phone brands. If you want to use an eSIM-friendly device, check with a manufacturer or retailer to see if the model you are looking into supports eSIM.
Step 2: See if your phone is unlocked
If your phone is locked, you can only use it with one carrier or physical SIM card. This means you can’t use a new eSIM on it without unlocking it first.
The fastest way to check if your phone is locked is to try it with a SIM card from a different provider. If it works, your phone is unlocked. If it is locked, it will display an error message.
In many cases, the safest and fastest way to unlock your phone is to contact your carrier and find out if it is eligible for unlocking. If it is, they will do it for you.
Step 3: Choose your eSIM
Let’s use Holafly as an example, but all international eSIM retailers work in a similar fashion. Here are the things that you need to know once you are ready to buy eSIM:
- Go to your chosen eSIM provider’s website and find the menu of all the places where they offer their eSIM plans.
- Choose the country or region you are interested in. For example, you can look for an eSIM for Italy, but if you plan on traveling to multiple countries, you’re better off buying an eSIM for Europe.
- Select the number of days you want to use your eSIM.
- Add it to your cart.
Step 4: Buy eSIM online
Once you choose your destination and the number of days you’ll be using your eSIM, simply add the product to your shopping cart via the purchase button to buy your eSIM online just like you would with any other online store.
Proceed to the checkout page and choose your preferred payment method. Once you complete the purchase, your eSIM provider will most likely send you an email with a QR code that you need to scan to install your eSIM.
Step 5: Install your new eSIM
Once you receive your QR code via email, you can scan it with the phone you want to use your eSIM with, and it automatically installs.
You can use your new eSIM as soon as you install it, or you can wait until you reach your travel destination and activate it then. Once you do, quickly check if your eSIM is activated and you’re ready to go.
Why choose a Holafly eSIM?
There are many eSIMs and eSIM providers today. However, not all of them are the right choice for you. Here are some ways Holafly makes the best choice for many:
- Extensive coverage: Holafly offers an eSIM for over 200 destinations. You can easily choose the country or region where you want to use your phone.
- Unlimited data: Holafly offers unlimited data. If you don’t want to think twice about how much data you’re using and are generally a heavy data user, choosing an unlimited eSIM data package is best.
- Fair prices: Many eSIM providers offer limited data packages and lock you into a pre-set number of days. With Holafly, you get unlimited data for the precise number of days you need.
- Great customer support: You can reach Holafly’s support 24/7 in many different languages. You can chat with them via the Holafly app or WhatsApp.
- Stellar online reviews: Simply check the Trustpilot rating and the number of reviews. Holafly has a 4.6/5 rating and over 44,000 reviewers, significantly more than any other eSIM provider.
FAQ about buying a new eSIM online
Yes, you can just buy eSIM online. With international eSIM providers, you don’t need contracts, proof of ID, or anything like that. Just choose an eSIM and buy it online.
Here’s how to get an eSIM card: Go to esim.holafly.com, choose your country or region, choose the number of days you need it for, buy an eSIM online, and that’s it. You’ll receive an email with a QR code to scan, and you can start using your new eSIM data package immediately.
This depends on the eSIM plan, data allowance, and plan duration. With Holafly, most eSIM plans start at $5.90 for one day and reach up to $138.90 for 90 days. They all include unlimited data.
Yes. You can buy an eSIM data package for the US. Browse Holafly for the US eSIM, pick the number of days and eSIMs you need, and proceed to the checkout.
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With a background in English literature and a focus on storytelling, I’ve turned my interests in travel and technology into a career helping others stay connected abroad. Originally from Serbia, I work remotely with my husband, experiencing local cultures firsthand and bringing that perspective to my writing for Holafly. Fun fact: before focusing on content creation, I was a professional volleyball player.
