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How to buy and activate an eSIM from Three UK
Three eSIM is a popular service in the UK, offering prepaid eSIM plans for visitors in the UK and monthly plans for locals.
Three is one of the leading mobile carriers to offer eSIMs in the UK. It provides locals and tourists alike with a simple and convenient way to use their mobile services. However, is the Three eSIM the best available option? Follow along for everything you need to know about Three’s eSIM service, as well as some alternatives you might want to consider.
Unlimited data eSIM for the UK
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Data plans and rates
All Three UK plans are available as eSIM or regular SIM plans. This means that going with the eSIM doesn’t limit your choices at all. Rates vary depending on the amount of data, minutes, and text messages included in the plan. The selection is split into two parts: pay-as-you-go (prepaid) for tourists, and postpaid, used mainly by residents.
Pay-as-you-go
There are five different prepaid, or pay-as-you-go, Three plans to choose from, each offering unlimited texts and minutes with different amounts of mobile data.
- 10 GB of data for 1 month for £10 (~$12.50 USD)
- 75 GB of data for 1 month for £15 (~$18.80)
- 150 GB of data for 1 month for £20 (~$25)
- Unlimited data for 1 month for £35 (~$43.90)
- Unlimited data for 3 months for £90 (~$112.90)
As you can see, all of these plans are for a period of a month or more, so if you’re in the UK for a shorter trip, you’ll end up paying a bit extra for any days you don’t need.
Pay monthly
Pay monthly, or postpaid, plans are long-term plans with monthly payments that you commit to for a fixed period of time. Just as with the prepaid plans, all monthly plans include unlimited calls and messages, with the data limit being the only difference. All of these require a 24-month commitment, so they’re only fit for full-time residents.
- 12 GB of data for £12/month
- 25 GB of data for £14/month
- 120 GB of data for £16/month
There are constant deals with different data limits being offered as well, but the options above seem to be constantly available.
How to request an eSIM from Three
To apply for a Three UK eSIM, follow these steps:
- Visit the Three UK website and select the mobile plan that suits your needs.
- Enter your contact information and create an account.
- Select the Get an eSIM option and make the payment.
- Wait for the email with the eSIM QR code and activation instructions.
Alternatively, you can order your eSIM at any of the Three physical stores in the UK.
How to install the eSIM on your device
The steps to install an eSIM vary depending on the type of device. To help you through the installation process, we have separated our guide according to the operating system chosen.
iOS
Important! Before you start, you must be connected to a WiFi network or have mobile internet on a dual SIM phone.
Setting up an eSIM on an iPhone is a quick and painless process as long as you have your QR code ready.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Cellular/Mobile Service.
- Tap Add eSIM.
- Scan carrier QR code and follow the instructions to finish the setup.
Android
The procedure is essentially the same as for iPhone, but the installation varies depending on the device used, even if it is the same operating system. That said, it generally should look something like this:
- Go to the Settings menu, then Connections.
- Locate and go to the SIM Manager settings.
- Locate and tap on the Add eSIM/Add Mobile Plan option.
- Scan the QR activation code and follow the instructions to finish the setup.
Check out our dedicated setup guides for Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Motorola, Huawei, and Oppo to set up a new eSIM profile on your device.
Three UK eSIM-compatible devices
It’s worth noting that not all devices support eSIM technology, so take some time to ensure your device is eSIM-compatible before ditching your physical SIM card. Most new phones work with eSIM, but older models may not.
If you purchased your phone from a different carrier, you should also make sure that it’s unlocked and can connect to other networks.
Other companies offering eSIMs in the UK
Three is far from the only company offering eSIM plans in the UK. There are other options both from international and local providers that offer solid alternatives to Three.
Holafly
Holafly is one of the top international eSIM providers worldwide, offering unlimited data eSIM plans for as little as $6.90 that reach as low as $1.55/day. You’re free to select any number of days in the range of 1 to 90, so you don’t end up paying for any unnecessary time.
On top of offering some of the best eSIM plans for the UK, Holafly also has an eSIM Europe plan that offers coverage almost everywhere on the continent, making it perfect for Euro trips.
Simply buy the eSIM that you want on the Holafly website or app and you’ll get a QR code delivered to your email instantly. The whole process, from purchase to activation, takes only a few minutes and doesn’t require any long-term commitments.
Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the most popular cell service providers in Europe, and the UK is no exception. Just like Three, Vodafone offers both prepaid and monthly plans with the choice of eSIM or traditional SIM card.
The prepaid plan prices start at £10 (~$12.50 USD) and go up to £40 (~$50 USD) for a month, with data limits ranging from 8 GB to unlimited. It’s worth noting that all of the plans have the auto-renewal option turned on, and you’ll have to manually cancel the plan to avoid being charged every month.
O2
O2 is yet another popular local provider with solid eSIM options for the UK. Just as with other local providers above, you can either get a monthly plan with a long-term commitment, or a prepaid eSIM that offers coverage for a month. If you don’t have an eSIM-compatible device, you can get the same plans with a physical card.
The prices start at £10 (~$12.50 USD) for 21 GB of data and go up to £30 (~$37.50 USD) for 250 GB, with each plan also including unlimited local calls and messages, as well as a fixed number of international minutes.
Which one should I choose?
Local carriers are great if you want to use an eSIM as your regular card while living in the UK. However, their services aren’t really tailored for travelers. So if you’re only visiting, using an international eSIM, such as Holafly, is the best option.
Unlike local providers, Holafly offers 24/7 customer support and flexible plan durations, all while maintaining the same quality of coverage.
Enjoy using an eSIM fit for travelers
Use the discount code MYESIMNOW5 for a 5% discount.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
