How to

T-Mobile eSIM USA: Options for tourists and locals

T-Mobile offers eSIM options for both travelers and locals in the USA, with prepaid plans better suited for visitors and postpaid plans suiting residents.

eSIMs are becoming more and more popular in the USA. And with some modern phones not even having a physical SIM card slot, it seems certain that eSIMs are the future of mobile communication.

It’s no surprise that T-Mobile, one of the biggest cell service providers, has adapted to this change and now offers eSIM options for USA locals and tourists alike. In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about T-Mobile eSIM in the USA, including plans, prices, and how you can get one for yourself.

In this article

T-Mobile eSIM USA plans and pricing

Before we start digging deeper into what the T-Mobile service has to offer, we need to distinguish between the two types of plans it offers.

Prepaid plans are oriented mostly toward tourists. You pay for your plan immediately and get access to the T-Mobile network for a fixed period of time, usually a month. The amount of mobile internet data, calls, minutes, and other perks depends on the plan you choose.

Postpaid plans are your regular cellular plans that require a long-term commitment. As a result, they’re typically used by US residents or anyone staying in the country for a prolonged period of time.

T-Mobile prepaid plans

You can choose between data-only plans and plans that include calls and messages with T-Mobile. All prepaid plans have a duration of 1-month, with no shorter duration plans available.

All plans also include unlimited data and 5G coverage. That said, all plans have a set limit of high-speed data. Once reached, your connection will be slowed down. The high-speed data limit depends on the plan you choose and ranges from 2 to 10 GB/month.

The plans with calls and messages range from $40 to $60 USD/month, while the data-only plans range from $10 to $30/month. Notably, this doesn’t include taxes and any additional fees, so the end price depends on the taxes in the state you’re in and any additional fees that apply to you.

T-Mobile prepaid plans. Source: T-Mobile

T-Mobile postpaid plans

Postpaid plans don’t offer a data-only option, so your choice is limited to 4 plans ranging from $50 to $100/month, with the more expensive plans including T-Mobile international roaming. Once again, all of these plans include unlimited data, calls, and messages, but the amount of high-speed data differs. The limits are noticeably bigger than those with prepaid plans, though, as they range from 50 GB to unlimited high-speed data.

The T-Mobile Go5G plans also include Hulu, Netflix, and Apple TV access in the USA, albeit with ads shown throughout each of the services. There are also special deals offered to the military and ex-military, first responders, and people over the age of 55.

T-Mobile postpaid plans. Source: T-Mobile

How to get a T-Mobile eSIM for the USA

While offering eSIMs is a clear sign that T-Mobile is getting along with the times, their eSIM purchase process hasn’t caught up quite yet. Try buying an eSIM on their website and you’ll quickly find that it’s almost like an escape room, with the end goal hidden behind a myriad of hints and clues.

Thankfully, we went through it all, so you don’t have to. Here’s how you can get yourself an eSIM from T-Mobile:

Buy an eSIM on the prepaid eSIM app

If you’re looking to get a prepaid plan, your best bet is to ditch the T-Mobile website altogether and get their prepaid eSIM app. The process there is quicker and much easier.

Get the app on your phone.
Enter your details, such as your email and the ZIP code of your location.
Choose the prepaid eSIM plan that suits your needs.
Enter your credit card details and approve the payment.
Tap Continue on the Install Cellular Plan screen to download and install your eSIM.
Follow the prompts to complete the activation process.

Buy an eSIM in a physical T-Mobile store

If you’re looking to get a postpaid plan, visiting one of T-Mobile’s physical stores might be the best option. Simply bring your own device (make sure it’s eSIM-compatible) and a form of ID. Simply talk to one of the customer support representatives and they’ll be able to activate T-Mobile service with an eSIM.

Buy an eSIM on the T-Mobile website

If visiting a physical store isn’t an option, you can buy and set up an eSIM with a postpaid plan online, though it’ll take some effort.

Go to the Devices section of the T-Mobile online store.
Locate and open the SIM card option.
Enter your device’s IMEI number on the bottom-right section of the page.
If you want to transfer your current phone number, enter it below the IMEI number to make sure it works with eSIM.
After doing so, you’ll be able to choose the eSIM option under the Choose Sim Type field.
Add the eSIM to your cart.
Choose a cellular plan that suits your needs and add it to the cart.
Go to the checkout and complete your purchase to buy the plan and eSIM.

This is only the process of buying the eSIM with a postpaid plan. Upon buying it, you should receive a QR code and the activation details. You’ll have to work some more to activate your eSIM.

iOS

Go to Settings, then Cellular.
Choose the Add eSIM option.
Choose between adding your details manually or scanning a QR code.
Follow the prompts to complete your setup process.

You can check out our detailed guide on setting up an eSIM on your iPhone for more information.

Android

Go to Settings, then SIM card manager.
Locate and choose the Add eSIM option.
Choose between adding your details manually or scanning a QR code.
Follow the prompts to complete your setup process.

The process for Android devices may differ slightly depending on your device and the version of your operating system. We also have separate guides for Samsung, Google Pixel, and Oppo phones.

Devices compatible with T-Mobile eSIM USA

Unfortunately, not all devices are compatible with the T-Mobile eSIM service. First of all, your phone needs to support eSIM technology. Most modern phones do, but some older or cheaper models may not.

Second, if you purchased your device from a different carrier, it might be tied to their network. Make sure your phone is unlocked for use on any network before getting a plan.

Alternative eSIM options in the USA

While T-Mobile is a viable eSIM option for the USA, it’s far from the only one. For a prepaid eSIM, you might want to consider a service that’s tailored for travelers and enjoy the ease of use it offers. For postpaid plans, there are several other local providers to choose from.

Holafly

Holafly is one of the leading international eSIM providers worldwide, so it’s no surprise that it offers one of the best eSIM for the USA, too. It offers completely flexible plan durations ranging from 1 to 90 days, allowing you to match the duration of your stay with your eSIM and avoid paying for any extra days.

On top of that, Holafly includes unlimited data in all of its plans and offers 24/7 customer support. Something you don’t typically get with local providers. Perhaps most importantly, Holafly eSIMs are easy to set up and use. It only takes a few minutes from the moment of purchase to having high-speed mobile internet on your phone.

The one-day plan starts at $6.90, but the value for money increases with the length of your plan, and you can get your Holafly eSIM as cheap as $1.55/day with the longer plans.

If you’ll be traveling to other countries on the same trip, Holafly offers a North America eSIM that provides coverage in the entire continent. You can also get the Global eSIM with coverage in 113 countries worldwide. The eSIM will connect to the best local service automatically when you cross the border, so you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Holafly also has a subscription option called Holafly Connect, which is great if you need to stay connected for longer. Choose a data limit that suits your needs, pay monthly, and enjoy global coverage and unlimited data sharing. Once you no longer need it, simply cancel the service anytime.

Holafly eSIM for the USA

Verizon eSIM card for the USA

Verizon is another popular local provider that offers both prepaid and postpaid eSIM plans in the USA. The prepaid plans range from $35 to $60/month, while the postpaid plans range from $30 to $65/month.

Just like T-Mobile, it’s mainly oriented toward postpaid plans, so buying and setting up everything online can be a bit of a hassle. Not something you want if you’re only popping into the USA for a short stay.

AT&T eSIM card for the USA

AT&T is another telecommunications giant in the USA that offers options for locals and tourists. Both the pricing and the main features are quite similar to those of AT&T and Verizon. The prices range from $30 to $55/month, with most plans including unlimited data, calls, and messages.

Once again, the process of buying prepaid plans is a touch tedious and takes much longer than doing the same with an international eSIM service such as Holafly. When it comes to postpaid plans, you can visit one of many AT&T centers throughout the USA and get your eSIM there without struggling to set it up on your own through the website.

Plans that may interest you

Leoneska Ruiz

SEO Specialist Jr.

Hi! Leoneska here, your guide to traveling connected. I'm a Venezuelan SEO content specialist with over four years of experience sharing tips and tricks for using mobile internet while traveling and making the most of your adventures. At Holafly, I take care of providing reliable and high-quality information to travelers like you. I hope you enjoy my content and find it useful!

Read full bio