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Will my mobile phone work in India?
Wondering if your mobile phone will work in India? Read our guide to discover the different options available for using your mobile phone in India.
Yes, your mobile phone will work in India, but you need to double-check some things before traveling, such as frequency bands and best roaming plans.
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about using your mobile phone in India, from essential tips to how a travel eSIM can help you avoid roaming charges.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in India. Use local networks at local rates.
Can I use my phone in India?
You can use your phone in India, but do a quick, three-step check before you start:
- Check frequency bands: India uses GSM network frequencies, which should allow most phones to work, but you can use apps like Netmonster or Network Cell Info Lite before traveling to double-check.
- Unlock your phone: UK and Canadian travelers shouldn’t worry, as their phones are mostly unlocked by law. If you’re traveling from the US or Australia, you have to double-check your phone is unlocked before traveling. You can do this by calling your carrier or performing a manual test with a different SIM or eSIM from a different provider.
- Review your connectivity options: Before traveling, think about which services you can use in India. That way, you can pick one that suits your budget and needs.
Based on this option, your best call is to get a travel eSIM. If you can’t, there are other alternatives to use your phone while in India.
Holafly eSIM for India: Unlimited data
With the Holafly eSIM for India, you can get a reliable mobile connection with plans starting at $9.90 daily, and costing as little as $3.41 daily on long-term trips.
Plus, you get access to high-speed unlimited data with Indian 5G bands, up to 500 MB of daily hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, and an easy activation process.
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone that’s carrier unlocked, this is your best call to stay connected in India.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
How to use your phone in India
Besides an eSIM, you have different ways to get mobile internet in India, but this depends on whether your phone is locked or unlocked.
Let’s explore the different options to use your phone in India and how they work.
Roaming in India
International roaming is the go-to option for travelers with carrier-locked phones, but this can easily add up to a hefty fee for a 7-day trip.
For UK travelers, roaming can cost up to £7.56 daily to use a travel pass in India, which unlocks your local data allowance, including unlimited texts and phone calls. With pay-as-you-go, a single MB can cost up to £7.20, making it an expensive option.
US travelers face similar charges to use roaming in India, with daily plans costing up to $12 USD with unlimited data roaming, calls, and texts. Pay-as-you-go plans are also available, but a single MB can cost over $2 USD.
AU travelers’ travel passes range from $5 to $10 AUD daily to stay connected in India, including limited data plans with unlimited calls and texts. Pay-as-you-go is also available, with a single MB costing up to $2 AUD.
Physical India SIM card
If you have a SIM-only phone, you can choose to use an India SIM card, but getting one is a bit annoying as you have to visit a valid store, take a picture if needed, provide a local reference, and go through an activation process that can last up to 48 hours
Either way, you can get a local SIM card from Jio, Vodafone Idea, or Airtel. They offer tourist-tailored plans for up to 28 days, which will do fine for a trip.
An alternative to local SIM cards is getting an international SIM card. You can get from a provider like WorldSIM with plans ranging from £15 to £125, and delivery is available for £7 to £14.
Pocket WiFi for India
Renting a pocket WiFi might seem like a good alternative to roaming charges, or if you’re traveling in a group.
However, a pocket WiFi for India can cost almost $400 for a single week with a limited data plan, making it the most expensive way to use your cell phone in India.
But you have an alternative to renting a pocket WiFi: using your phone with an eSIM with Holafly Plans.
For $64.90 monthly, you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, 5G data speeds, coverage in over 170 destinations, and no contracts attached.
Will my mobile phone work in India? The verdict
Your phone will definitely work in India, but there’s a different question to consider: what’s the best way to use your mobile phone there?
Roaming and pocket WiFi offer reliable plans to use abroad, but these are far from being the cheapest to use.
A local SIM card is good, but that’s if you have a SIM-only phone. Beware that the process can be tedious, as you need to visit physical stores, take a picture, and you may need to wait up to 48 hours for the SIM to start working.
Instead, using the eSIM for India or Holafly Plans will simplify things in terms of purchasing and pricing. These include international data, hotspot data, great coverage in major cities, 5G data speeds, and you can secure all these before traveling.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Traveling somewhere else and wondering if your phone works there? Find it out with our guides:
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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.
