Stay Connected Abroad Without Physical SIMs Świat

What is an eSIM & how it works under the hood

An eSIM or embedded SIM is a tiny, rewritable microchip built directly into a device’s circuit board. This ensures that there is no need for a physical SIM card. So, you don’t have to physically swap plastic to stay connected.

But how exactly does the eSIM work? Well, you have to first activate it. You can do that by scanning a QR code provided by your mobile carrier or travel data provider. For example, if you want to use the Holafly eSIM for Canada, Holafly will send you a QR code or manual activation details to your email. You can then use those details to activate your eSIM and start enjoying your plan during your stay in Canada.

After activation, the eSIM provides your device with the carrier information you need to access mobile networks in your travel destination. So, basically, an eSIM functions like traditional local SIM cards. It allows you to connect to local networks. The key difference is that you don’t need a plastic SIM to stay connected.

Pros vs cons: eSIMs vs physical SIMs for travellers

As mentioned above, eSIMs and physical SIMs can allow you to have mobile network access. So, how do you choose the best option? Well, you have to first understand the pros and cons of each. Below, we’ll look at that:

Pros of eSIM for travellers

It enables instant digital activation. This ensures no need to visit shops.
It allows users to store multiple profiles. So, you can easily switch between multiple data plans or carriers on one device.
It is hassle-free, as you don’t need to physically swap SIM cards.
It comes with no risk of loss, as an eSIM is embedded directly into devices.
It is eco-friendly, since no plastic cards need to be manufactured or used.
It is cost-effective.
It is secure, and if your device gets lost, you can disable it remotely to prevent unauthorised people from accessing it.

Cons of eSIM for travellers

Not all devices are eSIM compatible.
Some carriers in certain countries may not yet offer eSIM plans.
It requires single device use, as you cannot transfer it from one device to another, as you would a physical SIM. However, you can hotspot it for network access.

Pros of physical SIM for travellers

It is universally compatible, as almost all mobile phones support the traditional physical SIM card.
It is easy to swap between devices.
It allows access to local networks.

Cons of physical SIM for travellers

It is inconvenient to get, as you have to search for local kiosks abroad that sell the physical SIMs.
It is easy to misplace or break the small plastic SIM card.
It provides only one plan per SIM, unlike an eSIM, where you can have multiple plans.
It is not environmentally friendly.
If your device is lost, someone can remove your SIM and use it in another device.

As you can observe from above, the eSIM provides the best option for travelers. That is mainly in terms of security and convenience.

How to pick the right eSIM plan (data, coverage, speed)

When traveling, you need to choose the right eSIM plan for your needs. This can ensure your travel is smooth and that you avoid connectivity headaches. So, how do you pick the right eSIM plan? You can do that by considering the following:

Your data needs

Different people have different data needs. For instance, if you only want data for maps and messaging apps, you are a light user, and the best eSIM plan for you is one that offers small data packages of about 1 to 3 GB for short trips. On the other hand, if you want data for mobile gaming, video calls, or working remotely, you need larger data plans.

All in all, you need to consider the length of your trip and your data needs before you pick a suitable eSIM plan.

Coverage

Before you buy an eSIM plan, check its coverage to prevent dropped connections. Some plans offer single-country coverage while others provide regional or global coverage. Therefore, make sure that the eSIM plan you choose provides stable coverage over each country or region in your itinerary.

Speed

The speed of your connection can make or break your experience abroad. So, when you choose an eSIM plan, ensure you pick one that offers 4G LTE or 5G. These speeds can ensure that fast uploads and downloads take place.

How to manage roaming charges & mobile data abroad

Roaming charges can easily add up if you are not careful. This can lead to high data expenses, which were unplanned for. And to avoid this, you need to manage your mobile data well when abroad. You can do that by doing either of the following:

Using an eSIM instead of default roaming.
Turning off mobile data completely when abroad. This prevents your phone from connecting to foreign carriers that charge high fees for data.
Disabling background data for apps that don’t need constant refreshing.
Enabling data saver mode on your device
Using your mobile carrier’s app or website to monitor roaming usage and costs.

Setup tips: enabling, switching profiles, and backups

An eSIM is very easy to set up. As mentioned, to enable eSIM, you need to activate it by scanning a QR code or manually entering activation details sent by your eSIM provider to your email. After activation, an eSIM profile will be added to your device.

The best part about an eSIM-enabled phone is that it allows you to store multiple profiles. And you can easily switch between these profiles by toggling profiles in your phone’s settings menu.

When it comes to eSIM backup, you need to save your original QR code or activation details in cloud storage or email. This can help with a quick reinstallation if you lose or reset your phone.