Still buying SIM cards at the airport? Still looking for a SIM pin to open the tray? You don’t have to anymore. A travel eSIM lets you get mobile data overseas with no physical card, no store visit, and no contract.
This guide covers: what an eSIM is, how to check if your phone supports it, how to buy one, when to activate it, how to scan the QR code and install it, hotspot/tethering rules, and which eSIM plans work best for international travel.
1. What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into your phone’s hardware. Instead of inserting a physical SIM card, you download a mobile data plan to your phone by scanning a QR code. That means:
- No physical card: you don’t swap SIM trays or risk losing your home SIM.
- Instant setup: you can install the plan before you fly, at home on Wi-Fi.
- Keep your main number: iMessage, WhatsApp, LINE, etc. stay on your usual number.
- Multi-country coverage: some eSIM plans cover Europe, Asia, or North America in one profile.
- Less plastic waste: fully digital, no disposable SIM packaging.
2. How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Most recent iPhones, Pixels, and Galaxy phones support eSIM. You can confirm in under 10 seconds:
- Open the dialer and type *#06#.
- Look for a long number labeled EID.
- If you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM.
You can also check the full compatibility list here: eSIM-compatible devices .
Tip: If your phone is carrier-locked (common on some US carrier plans), unlock it or use an “international roaming allowed” device profile before travel.
3. Buying a travel eSIM (step-by-step)
With eSIM Kit Store, the process is designed for travelers:
| Step | What you do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pick a plan | Go to Best Seller eSIMs and choose your destination (Japan, Korea, EU, USA, etc.), data amount and days. | Make sure it covers every country on your trip (e.g. “Asia 9 countries” or “Europe 33 countries”). |
| 2. Checkout | Purchase online and enter a valid email address. | Your QR code and install instructions are delivered by email — no shipping. |
| 3. Registration | Some plans ask you to confirm: name (in English), device model, OS version, and your intended start date. | This lets us pre-configure the profile, so you don’t waste time on arrival. |
| 4. Receive QR code | You’ll get an email with a unique QR code and setup steps. | Usually within minutes to a few hours (24h max for some destinations). |
When should I buy?
You don’t need to wait until the airport. You can buy days or even weeks in advance. Most plans stay valid as long as you activate within ~60 days after purchase.
That means you can lock in promo pricing (for example Black Friday or seasonal discounts) even if your trip is next month.
4. When should I activate the eSIM?
Best practice: install it at home at least 1 day before departure while you’re on reliable Wi-Fi. You can download the eSIM profile to your phone early, but you don’t have to turn on data yet.
Then, when you land:
- Enable that eSIM line for Cellular Data / Mobile Data.
- Turn on Data Roaming for that line.
- Wait for signal attach (a few seconds to a few minutes; in rare cases up to ~30 min).
If you prefer, you can also activate after landing using airport Wi-Fi — it just takes a bit longer.
5. How do I install and scan the QR code?
On iPhone (similar flow on recent Android devices):
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings → Cellular / Mobile Data → Add eSIM.
- Select “Use QR Code”.
- Scan the QR code from your eSIM email.
- Set this new eSIM line as the data line for mobile data.
Prefer video? We provide step-by-step activation videos in English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese. You can watch them on our activation page: How to activate your eSIM.
6. Can I use hotspot / tethering?
In most destinations, yes — you can turn on Personal Hotspot and share data with a laptop or a second phone. Some local carriers restrict hotspot on the cheapest plans, so always check the plan description.
If hotspot doesn’t work immediately:
- Check if APN settings were filled automatically.
- If not, enter the APN shown on the product page for that destination.
- Toggle airplane mode off/on, or reboot once.
7. Which eSIM plan should I choose?
Different trips need different coverage. Here are common use cases:
- Japan-only eSIM: connects to major Japanese networks like NTT Docomo / SoftBank / KDDI. Good for short stays in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Okinawa.
- Asia multi-country eSIM (e.g. Japan + Korea + Thailand + Singapore): ideal for Asia hopping without buying a new SIM in each country.
- Europe 33 countries eSIM: covers EU/Schengen favorites like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, plus Switzerland, UK-adjacent microstates, etc.
- USA / Canada / Mexico eSIM: 5G data in North America, popular for business trips and longer stays.
Browse the most popular travel data plans here: Best Seller eSIM plans