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International SIM cards for traveling abroad with iPhone in 2025

Get to know the options available to get international SIM cards for iPhone when traveling. Find out what they offer and where to get them.

You don’t want to lose internet connection when you travel abroad. And thankfully, your iPhone allows you to stay connected. All you need to do is buy the best international SIM card for your needs before you travel abroad.

Follow along to learn all you need to know about staying connected abroad with your iPhone.

In this article

Can I get International SIM cards for an iPhone?

Getting a prepaid international SIM card for your cell phone is one of the most popular options for having an internet connection while abroad. Take your time to choose your provider, though. Make sure they offer coverage in the countries you’ll visit and that their pricing is comparable to other options.

If you need the card delivered abroad, check international delivery times with each carrier. Physical cards can take up to a week to deliver, so you can’t buy one online the night before.

Keep in mind that all iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US don’t have a physical SIM card slot and are restricted to eSIM use. Therefore, you should get an eSIM when you travel with the latest iPhone models instead of trying to get a physical card from your carrier.

Does my iPhone need to be unlocked to use an international SIM card?

The short answer is yes. If your iPhone is carrier-locked, you’ll need to visit your carrier and have it unlocked before you travel abroad. Carrier-locked phones only work on a certain provider network and won’t work on local networks abroad.

Even an international SIM card from your carrier may not work abroad, as your carrier may be partnered with another carrier, depending on the country you visit. Don’t take the risk, and ensure that your iPhone is unlocked before you leave the country.

How does an international SIM card work on an iPhone?

International SIM cards work just like traditional SIM cards. When using your phone abroad, simply place your international card in the SIM tray, and you can connect to the internet. In some cases, you’ll also be able to make calls and send messages, but that’s not always included in the plan.

You can buy your card from a carrier before you leave, shop for one online, or get an international SIM card as soon as you land. You’ll be able to find SIM card shops or stands at most international airports.

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

If you have an iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or later models, chances are, you can’t get a physical international SIM card. That’s because all recent models purchased in the US, as well as some sold outside of the US, don’t support traditional SIM cards. To stay connected, you must purchase an eSIM that provides coverage in the country you’re visiting.

Both international SIM cards and eSIMs are usually cheaper than data roaming services usually offered by your domestic operator. Depending on the provider you decide to use, you can access unlimited data and phone calls abroad.

If you decide to go with iPhone eSIM for iPhone, consider getting a Holafly eSIM. All of our plans include unlimited data, which means you’ll never run out of it, no matter how much you use.

How to get an international SIM card for iPhone?

As we mentioned before, there are several options for buying an international SIM card for your iPhone:

Buy before you travel in online stores.
Buy at your destination.
Buy an eSIM instead.

But which one should you choose? Let’s compare:

Advantages of buying before you go

You can use the internet as soon as you land, which is perfect if you need to order a cab from the airport or use Google Maps.
Order online from the comfort of your own home.
Don’t get ripped off — you have the time to check the pricing and plans of different providers to get the one that suits you best.
Buy in your language – buying a SIM card can get tricky when you don’t know the local language. Shopping online eliminates this issue.

Advantages of buying once you arrive

More choices – you might find that at your destination, more data plans are available to find the right fit for your trip.

You can buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card in airports and at official stores from the leading operators in each country.

Advantages of buying an eSIM

Can buy anywhere, at any time, as long as you have an internet connection.
Gets you connected instantly, without having to fiddle around with plastic SIM cards.
Instant delivery, no need to wait for an online order to arrive.
Vast selection, with plenty of online providers to choose from.

A person taking a photo of some train rails. Source: Pexels.

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 well-known within the USA, and they offer different data packages to use while abroad. While not all of the carriers’ plans provide international coverage, their Magenta status and Go plans are great for staying connected on the go.

It’s important to keep in mind that, depending on the data plan you choose, you’ll probably need to pay an extra roaming fee for the data you use while abroad.

AT&T

AT&T Mobile also offers an international SIM card to use 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 you’ll need while traveling abroad.

You can also use phone calls and text messages abroad with the AT&T SIM card.

Verizon

The alternative given by Verizon works differently. In this case, people can pay a fixed fee of US$10 per day to access your local mobile plan.

For Verizon customers, this means they can use their text messages, phone calls, and data allowance while traveling to more than 210 destinations worldwide. In certain destinations, such as Mexico and Canada, the fee is set to $5 per day.

In case you’re traveling to a destination that their Travel Pass doesn’t cover, pay-as-you-go becomes the best option. Here, fees are different, and you’ll be charged for the amount of data you use, the number of calls you make, and the messages you send.

Vodafone international SIM cards

Vodafone offers you several prepaid options for international travel. If you’re a frequent traveler, you can get Xtra Plans, which allow customers to use their UK data plan while abroad. If it’s more of a one-time thing, you can use their pay-as-you-go service instead.

Either way, Vodafone gives people the chance to use their services in more than 150 different destinations worldwide.

Holafly

Holafly is one of the top international eSIM providers in the world, offering unlimited data and 24/7 customer support in 200+ destinations worldwide with all eSIMs for international travel. Since all iPhones starting with XR and later are eSIM-compatible, yours most likely already supports eSIM technology.

All you have to do is buy the eSIM you need, set up the eSIM on your iPhone, and enjoy the most convenient way to stay connected whenever you travel.

Can I use an international eSIM on my iPhone?

Yes, you can use an international eSIM on your iPhone as long as you have an iPhone XR or later and your phone isn’t carrier-locked.

Therefore, people with devices from this generation onwards can use an eSIM while traveling abroad with an iPhone. Nowadays, all iPhone 14 and later models bought in the US are only compatible with eSIM cards and no longer support physical SIMs.

Devices bought outside of the US may still have physical nano SIM card slots depending on where they were purchased and the device itself.

Just like with physical SIMs, your device may still be carrier-locked, even if its an eSIM-only cell phone. So take the time to check if your phone is locked before you travel abroad. And if it is, make sure to unlock it before you use an international eSIM service.

If you’re not sure whether your cell phone has eSIM functionality, check out our list of eSIM supported phones.

How to set up an international eSIM on an iPhone?

When you buy an eSIM, you’ll typically receive an email or get an app notification with a QR code that can be used to activate your plan. Here’s how you can activate your eSIM once you have your QR code:

Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data from another SIM card.
Click “Add new data plan” option from your settings menu.
Scan the QR code.
Install the eSIM and choose it as the option for cellular data.
Turn on data roaming, and start browsing.

It’s as easy as that and only takes 3–4 minutes. And if you already have an eSIM set up on a different device that you don’t use, you can also transfer an eSIM from one iPhone to another.

Automatic activation

Holafly has integrated an automatic activation feature for iPhones to be used with our eSIM cards. It is included in the Apple mobile app and requires you to have iOS 17.4 or later. With this feature, you can activate your Holafly card with a single tap of a button and without a lengthy activation process.

Holafly eSIM installation process. Source: Holafly.

To use this function, log into your account on the Holafly App and take the following steps.

Select the eSIM and the destination you want to install
Select automatic installation
Finally, you have to click on the “install and activate” button
You can go to the cellular network menu to see your installed eSIM

Where can I use my iPhone to connect to the Internet abroad?

With an iPhone, you can get a Holafly eSIM and enjoy many popular destinations abroad, such as:

The United States:
- Fast internet connection with AT&T, perfect for your trip to the US.
- Lower prices, so you don’t have to break the bank to get online.
- The best option for a trip to Miami, New York, or any other part of the USA.
Asia:
- Fast internet in 16 countries with the eSIM for Asia.
- 4G speeds are available on these destinations.
- Affordable prices for the eSIMs are available.
Europe
- 40 destinations with the eSIM for Europe – and all for the price of one!
- Connect to the best internet provider in each destination.
- Options for up to a month, so you’re covered during your whole trip.
- Phone calls to most European destinations.

Discover all 200+ destinations at Holafly’s eSIM for international travel store.

Conclusion: You can get an international SIM, but an eSIM may be the better option

But with many new devices no longer supporting physical cards, and with eSIMs being the cheaper, more convenient option, they’re definitely the smart choice for most users.

eSIM subscriptions are also one thing you should consider when traveling abroad, especially with options like Holafly Connect available.

This subscription can help you with:

Hassle-free connectivity – No SIM swaps, easy installation, and no surprises on your bill.
Transparent pricing – Enjoy a fixed monthly rate with no hidden fees.
Three flexible plans – Choose from unlimited data, 25 GB, or 10 GB to match your needs.
WiFi hotspot feature – Share your connection across all your devices with up to unlimited tethering (available with unlimited and 25 GB plans).
Total flexibility – Change or cancel your plan anytime, depending on your travel needs.
Worldwide connectivity – Connect in over 170 global destinations with up to 5G networks.

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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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