SIM Card Guides

International SIM cards for traveling with an iPhone

Learn all about international SIM cards for iPhone, from how they work and whether you can use one, to their pricing and the best available options.

An international SIM card is any SIM card, whether physical or digital, that you can use in multiple destinations. It allows you to stay connected on your iPhone during international travel without having to get a new SIM card every time you cross borders.

Let’s take a closer look at how international SIM cards for iPhone work, the benefits of using one, and some of the top options to choose from. We’ll also introduce you to Holafly, an international eSIM offering unlimited data and 24/7 customer support in 200+ destinations.

In this article

How does an international SIM card for iPhone work?

International SIM cards automatically connect to local cellular networks whenever you travel, whether on an iPhone or any other device for that matter. This is possible because international SIM providers partner with local networks worldwide, instead of having their own network. So, while the service is international, the coverage is always local.

This is also the key difference between international and local SIM cards or eSIMs. Local cards are typically sold by local providers and are only compatible with their own network. As a result, you often won’t be able to use a local card abroad.

How to use an international SIM card on the latest iPhone models?

You won’t be able to use your iPhone abroad with a physical international SIM card. This is because the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and later models sold in the US, as well as some sold outside of the US, don’t support traditional SIM cards.

That shouldn’t be an issue, though, since you can get an international eSIM for iPhone instead and enjoy all the same benefits. On top of that, all iPhones starting with iPhone XR are eSIM-compatible, so if you’ve got an iPhone released after late 2018, you can use an eSIM, even if it also has a SIM tray.

Benefits of getting an international SIM for your iPhone

Unsure if you should get an international SIM card for your travels? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits such cards offer:

Convenient: Get seamless connectivity across borders, and use your iPhone abroad without ever losing connection.
Time-saving: Instead of queueing up at the tourist SIM card stand at the airport, enjoy your holiday from the moment you land.
Cost-effective: In many cases, using an international SIM card for iPhone is cheaper than other connectivity options.
Local coverage: International SIM cards connect you to local networks wherever you go, so you get the same coverage quality without having to buy a local card.

Can I get an international SIM card for my iPhone?

You can get an international SIM card for most iPhones, but there are several things you need to be aware of first:

SIM or eSIM? All iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US, as well as some iPhones sold elsewhere, don’t support physical SIM cards. This means you’ll have to get an international eSIM to use your phone abroad.
Is your iPhone unlocked? If you bought your phone from your cell service provider, it might be carrier-locked to its network and, therefore, won’t work with international SIMs. Make sure your iPhone is unlocked, and if it’s not, contact your cell service provider to unlock your iPhone before getting an international SIM card.
Are your destinations covered? While international SIM cards give you mobile data in multiple countries, some offer more coverage than others. Make sure the SIM or eSIM you’re buying will work in every destination you plan to visit to avoid unexpected issues.

How to get an international SIM card for iPhone

There are several options for getting an international SIM or eSIM for your iPhone. Each offers seamless international coverage, but pricing and convenience may differ.

International plan with your home carrier: Your regular cell service provider may offer international roaming, either through roaming-inclusive plans or roaming passes. Just make sure you get the plan before you activate data roaming abroad. Otherwise, you’ll be subject to pay-as-you-go roaming charges, which tend to be very expensive.
International eSIM: Getting an international eSIM, such as Holafly, offers a quick, affordable, and contract-free way to get worldwide coverage. Simply buy your eSIM online, activate in minutes, and stay connected wherever you are.
Prepaid international SIM card: You can get a prepaid SIM card that works much like a travel eSIM, only with a physical SIM card. They offer reliable coverage, but aren’t as convenient, since it may take a few days, or even weeks, for the card to be delivered to your home, while eSIM delivery is instant.

Best international SIM cards for iPhone

Not sure which international SIM card to get? Let’s take a look at some of the top options on the market today.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is one of the top cell service providers in the USA, and they offer different data packages to use while abroad. While not all T-Mobile plans provide international coverage, their Magenta status and Go plans are great for frequent travelers to stay connected on the go.

You can also get a roaming pass at a fixed fee, with prices ranging from $5 for 1 day to $50 for 30 days.

AT&T

AT&T Mobile also offers international plans that allow you to use your SIM or eSIM while traveling abroad. Currently, their service works in more than 225 countries worldwide, and you can choose your plan depending on the amount of data, texts, and calls you’ll need while traveling abroad.

If you don’t want to get the more expensive monthly plan, you can get a roaming pass while traveling for $12/day.

Verizon

Verizon doesn’t offer roaming-inclusive monthly plans. However, you can still use your Verizon SIM card abroad with one of their international add-ons.

You can get a TravelPass for $12/day or an International Roaming Plan, which costs $100/month. Both offer unlimited data and coverage in 210+ destinations, with the monthly plan being the more cost-effective option for international trips lasting nine days or more.

Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK offers you several options for international travel. If you’re a frequent traveler, you can get Xtra Plans, which allow you to use your regular allowance of calls, texts, and data while abroad.

For one-time trips, you can get a roaming pass, which costs from £2.57 to £7.86 a day, depending on your destination.

Holafly Plans

Holafly Plans is a pay-monthly eSIM subscription that offers coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide with a single eSIM. Simply choose a plan that suits your needs, use it to stay connected anywhere you go, and cancel anytime — no contracts needed.

You can get a Light Plan for $49.90/month, which gets you 25 GB of data with hotspot sharing, or the Unlimited Plan, offering unlimited data and unlimited hotspot sharing for $64.90/month.

If you need a short-term eSIM for a single trip, check out the Holafly eSIM store. Check out single-destination, regional, and global eSIM plans with flexible validity, allowing you to choose any number of days from 1 to 90.

Prices range from $7.90 to $1.55/day, depending on the destination and validity, making it cheaper than international roaming passes offered by most cell service providers.

How to set up an international SIM card on your iPhone

While you can use both a physical SIM and an eSIM for your travels, the setup process for both is quite different.

With a physical SIM, simply insert the card into the SIM tray and turn on your phone. You may be greeted with some prompts. Follow them to complete the setup.

Setting up an eSIM on an iPhone is a fully digital process, which differs slightly depending on your iOS version.

Setting up an eSIM on iOS 26

The launch of iOS 26 came with some extra steps in the eSIM setup process, allowing you to customize your international eSIM usage. Here’s how you do just that:

Go to Settings.
Tap Cellular/Mobile Service.
Select Add eSIM, and pick Use QR code.
Scan the QR code, then tap Continue.
When asked where you’ll be using the eSIM, select Abroad to set it up for international travel.
Select Data Only if you’re using the eSIM only for mobile data, or Voice and Data if your plan also includes calls and texts.
You can choose to keep using your old SIM or eSIM to call and text internationally on your iPhone, and only use the new eSIM for data.
When asked if you want to enable low data mode, select No if you’ve got a Holafly eSIM. All Holafly eSIMs offer unlimited data, so there’s no need to restrict your usage.

Setting up an eSIM on iOS 25 and older

If you don’t have the latest version of iOS, you won’t be prompted with customization options during setup.

Go to Settings.
Tap Cellular/Mobile Service.
Select Add eSIM, and pick Use QR code.
Scan the QR code, then tap Continue.
Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Once installed, you can manually select the eSIM data plan as your primary option for cellular data in your phone’s settings.

Alternatively, you can use the automatic installation feature through the Holafly app, allowing you to set up your eSIM without needing to scan the QR code.

Enjoy international connectivity without limits with Holafly Plans

Enjoy seamless connectivity at 5G speeds wherever you go with Holafly Plans. Pick a data plan that suits your needs and get instant coverage in 170+ destinations with a single eSIM. No need to swap SIM cards whenever you cross an international border.

You pay for everything upfront, so you won’t have to worry about high roaming fees or unexpected charges at the end of the month. Use the eSIM for as long as you need, and simply cancel the plan when your travels end.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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