The Benefits of an eSIM Card When Traveling

An eSIM gives you mobile data abroad without hunting for a local SIM card at the airport. You buy a data plan online, install it on your phone in a couple of minutes and switch it on when you land. Your home SIM stays in the phone, so your number keeps working for banking codes and WhatsApp.

You can test it for free before your next trip. Through our partner TravelNet, Travel Dudes readers get 2GB of GigSky data at no cost. Enter your email below, confirm it, and your activation code lands in your inbox.

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How to claim your free 2GB GigSky eSIM

1. Request your code: Enter your email in the form above or tap the button below, then confirm your address.
2. Sign up on your phone: Open the link from the email on your phone and create a GigSky account with Google, Apple or your email.
3. Redeem the data: Choose a plan and enter your activation code at checkout. Your 2GB are free.
4. Install before you fly: Install the eSIM while you are on WiFi. You have 30 days to activate it.

Reading this on your laptop? Scan the QR code with your phone and claim the data there.

Why we work with GigSky

GigSky runs its own network connections instead of reselling another provider’s eSIMs. In practice that means support comes straight from GigSky, and you keep one eSIM on your phone for every trip. Before the next destination you add a new plan to the same eSIM.

• Coverage: Plans for more than 200 countries and regions, plus a World plan for multi-country trips.
• Cruises and flights: Cruise + Land plans work at sea on more than 290 cruise ships, and in-flight plans are available on select flights.
• Hotspot: Unlimited hotspot sharing, so your laptop or tablet can run off your phone’s data.
• Data only: No phone number, calls or texts. WhatsApp, Signal, FaceTime and iMessage work as usual over data.

Melvin used a GigSky eSIM on his trips to TBEX in Québec, Canada, and to Bangkok. It worked so well that it is now the eSIM we recommend to our readers.

Two things to know before you buy a paid plan. Unlimited plans slow down after a daily allowance, which GigSky lists as 3.5GB per day. Refunds are handled case by case and mainly cover an eSIM that never connects, so use the free 2GB to check that your phone works with GigSky first.

Here are the benefits of using an eSIM Card

1. Convenience: An eSIM card eliminates the need for a physical SIM card, making it more convenient to use and manage your mobile service. You don’t need to worry about losing or misplacing your SIM card, or having to physically swap SIM cards when traveling to a different country.
2. Flexibility: With an eSIM card, you can easily switch between different carriers and data plans without having to physically change your SIM card. This gives you more flexibility to choose a carrier or data plan that fits your needs and budget.
3. Global coverage: You can buy data plans for a single country, a whole region or the entire world, which keeps multi-country trips simple.
4. Cost-effective: Since you can easily switch between carriers and data plans with an eSIM card, you can potentially save money by choosing a plan that offers better rates or more data for your usage needs.
5. Environmentally friendly: Using an eSIM card eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, which reduces waste and is more environmentally friendly.
6. Security: eSIM cards are more secure than physical SIM cards as they can be remotely managed and provisioned. Nobody can pull an eSIM out of a stolen phone and use it in another device.

How does an eSIM Card work?

First of all, the “e” stands for “embedded” not electronic.

eSIMs, or digital SIMs, allow your device to connect to a mobile network without a physical SIM card.

They work by using technology built into the device to connect to a network whenever it is in range. This means you can easily switch carriers without having to physically change the SIM card, and it eliminates the hassle of getting a new SIM card every time you upgrade your device.

Not every phone supports eSIMs, but most models released since 2018 do. Check the list of phone models below.

With eSIM technology, you can enjoy the benefits of a traditional SIM card without the hassle of physically replacing it or worrying about losing it.

What’s the difference between an eSIM and a regular SIM card?

The main difference between an eSIM and a traditional SIM card is how they are activated and managed. A traditional SIM card has to be inserted into a physical slot, while an eSIM is activated digitally with a QR code, an activation code or the provider’s app.

The ability to manage your mobile service wirelessly is one of the key benefits of eSIMs. Once activated, you can easily change carriers or data plans through your device settings without having to physically change the SIM card.

eSIM still has limits. Older and some budget phones don’t support it, and a carrier-locked phone can’t use another provider’s eSIM. For international travel, though, it is the simplest way to get mobile data abroad.

Your different options of having an eSIM Card

The ability to access multiple networks without physically swapping SIMs gives you more flexibility in managing your mobile service. With an eSIM, you can easily subscribe to multiple data plans from different carriers, allowing you to use different networks for different purposes.

For example, you could subscribe to a data-only plan from one carrier for business use, while having a personal phone plan from another carrier for calling and texting. But would you really need the texting? And most likely you would use Signal, WhatsApp or FaceTime to call someone, so you only need a data plan.

So it allows you to tailor your mobile service to your specific needs and preferences without compromising on coverage or price.

This level of flexibility can be particularly beneficial for frequent travelers or those who need to switch between mobile services regularly. With an eSIM, you can easily switch between different data plans or carriers without the need to physically swap SIMs or perform any additional setup.

Traveling with an eSIM Card

eSIMs make the biggest difference on international trips. With an eSIM, you no longer have to go through the hassle of obtaining and swapping physical SIM cards when you travel to different countries.

Instead, you can activate an eSIM as a second plan without a physical SIM card or paper contract. This way you save on data roaming charges and stay connected wherever you go, without the complexity of managing multiple SIM cards or contracts.

For frequent travelers this adds up. You keep one eSIM on your phone, add a data plan before each trip and skip the SIM card counter at the airport.

Which phone models can use an eSIM card?

Many of today’s smartphone models support eSIM technology.

Here are some examples of popular phone models that can use an eSIM card:

Apple iPhone XS, XR and later models, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later). iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US have no SIM tray and work with eSIM only.
Google Pixel 4 and later models, plus most Pixel 3 models
Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, the Z Fold and Z Flip series and some newer Galaxy A models (support varies by region)
Motorola Razr and newer Edge models

Phones sold in some markets, for example mainland China, may not support eSIM even when the model does elsewhere. To be sure, check your phone’s settings with the steps below.

How to know if my phone supports eSIM

Determining whether your phone is compatible with eSIM technology may vary by model.

Here are the steps you can follow to check eSIM compatibility based on your phone model:

eSIM on iPhone

To determine if your iPhone supports eSIM, first check to see if it is carrier unlocked.

Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to the Carrier Lock section. If it says “No SIM restrictions,” your iPhone is unlocked.

Next, go to Settings > Mobile Data (Cellular in the US). If you see the option to “Add eSIM” or “Add Data Plan,” your iPhone supports eSIM.

eSIM on Samsung

For Samsung devices, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. If you see “Add eSIM,” your device supports eSIM.

Alternatively, search for “IMEI information” in your settings and look for “IMEI (eSIM)” to confirm eSIM support.

eSIM on Google Pixel

To check eSIM compatibility on a Google Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and tap “Add SIM.”

If you see the option “Download a SIM instead?” or a prompt to scan a QR code, your Google Pixel is eSIM compatible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2GB GigSky eSIM really free?

Yes. You receive an activation code by email and enter it at checkout, so the 2GB cost nothing. You only pay if you buy more data afterward.

Will my regular phone number still work with an eSIM?

Yes. Your home SIM stays active next to the eSIM, so you still receive banking codes and can use WhatsApp or iMessage on your number. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid charges from your home carrier.

When should I install a travel eSIM?

Install it at home while you are on WiFi, since the download needs an internet connection. Switch the eSIM on when you land and it connects to a local network. Add it to your pre-departure checklist so you don’t forget.

Can I use a GigSky eSIM on a cruise?

Yes. GigSky sells Cruise + Land plans that cover more than 290 ships at sea plus the ports on your route. Our guide to internet on cruise ships compares it with the ship’s WiFi packages.

Can I share my eSIM data with my laptop?

Yes. GigSky allows unlimited hotspot sharing, so you can connect a laptop or tablet through your phone. Keep an eye on your data, because laptop updates and cloud backups use a lot of it.