Travel eSIM: questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask most before buying a travel eSIM: what it is, how to pay, how to install it and what to do if something goes wrong.
eSIM and eSIM SOS
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone: instead of a plastic card you get a profile that installs from a QR code in the phone settings. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data abroad without roaming, while your regular SIM stays in the phone. How eSIM works
What is eSIM SOS?
eSIM SOS is an online store for travel eSIMs at esimsos.net: mobile data packages for trips to 198+ countries and regions. It is not the SOS feature of your phone and not a mobile carrier, but a service that sells eSIMs for travel. About eSIM SOS
Which countries does eSIM SOS cover?
198+ countries and regions. Prices, the local network and every plan are on each country's page. All countries
eSIM or roaming: which is cheaper?
For mobile data a travel eSIM is usually much cheaper than your home carrier's roaming passes, but check your carrier's roaming page: prices differ by carrier and country. eSIM vs roaming
Buying and payment
How do I buy an eSIM?
On esimsos.net pick a country, data amount and validity, enter your email and pay with crypto (USDT or TON) from any country; bank cards issued in Russia (Mir, Visa, Mastercard) and SBP are also accepted. The QR code appears on the order page and arrives by email about 2 minutes after payment. No account needed.
Can I pay for an eSIM with crypto?
Yes, with USDT or TON, from any country. In the eSIM SOS Telegram mini app you can also pay with Telegram Stars.
Which bank cards are accepted?
Bank cards issued in Russia (Mir, Visa, Mastercard) and SBP, charged in rubles at the Central Bank of Russia rate on the day of payment. Cards issued outside Russia are not accepted at the moment, so pay with crypto from other countries.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Your order is tied to the email you enter at checkout. You can find it again by email and order number on the Find order page. Find order
How fast do I get the eSIM after payment?
The QR code appears on the order page and arrives by email about 2 minutes after payment.
Phone and installation
How do I check if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06#: if the list shows an EID line, the phone supports eSIM. It also has to be carrier-unlocked: a phone locked to one carrier won't accept another eSIM. eSIM compatible phones
Which phones support eSIM?
Almost every mid-range and premium phone released since 2018–2019: every iPhone from the XS and XR, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel from the third generation. The regional version matters too: iPhones sold in China and Hong Kong have no eSIM chip. The full list of models is in our guide. eSIM compatible phones
When should I install the eSIM: before the trip or on arrival?
At home over Wi-Fi, before departure: the plan starts on your first connection to a local network, not at purchase or installation, so installing early costs nothing.
How do I install an eSIM on iPhone?
On iOS 17.4 or newer, tap the one-tap install button on the order page. Otherwise go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM and scan the QR code from another screen, or choose Enter Details Manually and type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code.
How do I install an eSIM on Android?
Settings → Connections (or Network & internet) → SIM cards → Add eSIM, then scan the QR code or enter the activation code manually. No app needed.
Can I install one eSIM on two phones?
No: the profile is tied to one device and the QR code can be installed only once. A second phone needs its own eSIM; for a laptop or tablet, share data from your phone.
During the trip
What do I turn on after landing?
Select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on Data Roaming for it. Keep your home SIM for calls and SMS. If there is no internet, the cause is almost always which line is selected for mobile data. How to activate an eSIM abroad
When does the plan start?
The plan starts on your first connection to a local network, not at purchase or installation.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
No phone number, data only; keep your home SIM in the phone for calls and SMS. Bank SMS codes still arrive on your home number.
Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot?
Allowed: tethering works, and shared data comes out of the same package, so leave some headroom.
How fast is the eSIM data?
Speed depends on the local carrier's network and coverage where you are. The network and generation (4G or 5G) are listed on each country's page.
How much data do I need for a week?
Maps, taxis, messaging and voice calls use about 1.3 GB a week — a 3 GB plan leaves headroom. With video calls and music it is about 3.5 GB (take 5 GB); with an hour of video a day about 8.4 GB (take 10 GB).
What if I run out of data?
Ran out of data? Add a package to the same eSIM in the eSIM SOS Telegram mini app, no new QR code, while the plan is still valid and the eSIM is installed.
If something goes wrong
What if the eSIM doesn't work?
Check that Data Roaming is on for the eSIM and that it is selected for mobile data. Still no luck? Contact support: support@esimsos.ru and Telegram @esimsos_bot; we reply within an hour during the day.
Can I get a refund?
Yes: we refund or replace the eSIM if it isn't compatible with your phone (including a carrier-locked one) or doesn't work. We also refund you if the QR code wasn't issued because of an error on our side. Contact support and include your order number. Refund policy
How do I contact support?
Support@esimsos.ru and Telegram @esimsos_bot; we reply within an hour during the day.
Didn't find your answer? Pick a country in the catalog: its page lists prices, the network and country-specific answers.