eSIM for Dummies: How to Understand, Install and Use eSIMs

I travel a LOT and until recently have avoided using an eSIM simply because I am a bit technically challenged and any new technology scares me a little bit. Yes, I know eSIMs are not new, but for travellers of my vintage, they kind of are. I never even used the old physical travel SIM cards! This eSIM for dummies guide will simplify the whole process and you’ll soon be kicking yourself that you didn’t try them sooner!

On my most recent trip to Hong Kong, I took up the challenge of using an eSIM instead of using data roaming from my usual Telco. I was sceptical…. not that it would work, but that I would be able to install it and get it working by myself. Well, what do you know…. it worked! I was so surprised how easy eSIMPal was to use, that my friend I was travelling with got one too! You can use this link eSIMPal and my special discount code, POSTCARDS15, to get an introductory 15% off your first order.

Now, if we can do it, you can too!

Benefits of Using an eSIM

Why even bother using an eSIM, I hear you ask? Here are some of the benefits of using an eSIM:

1. Budget friendly – While the price of data roaming from your usual telco is dropping and is quite affordable for short trips, it does get quite expensive on longer holidays. My Telco charges $5 a day for data roaming and I’ll be away for a month on my upcoming trip…. that will add up to $150 on top of my normal phone bill! You can purchase an eSIM package for as little as $5 for a month!
2. Easy to Use – There are just 4 easy steps to install the eSIM all of which you can do before you travel and then you are good to go! I will detail the steps below.
3. Flexibility and Convenience – If you are travelling to multiple locations and will have to switch between different carriers or network providers, an eSIM is so easy and seamless, it just involves a couple of clicks in your phone settings, and you are switched over to the new carrier. No more trying to buy a travel SIM card and the hassle of storing your normal SIM card and inserting the new one. Plus, if you underestimate how much data you will need, you can simply top it up on the go.
4. Eco-friendly – no more physical SIM card means less environmental waste

Now that I have convinced you that you will be so much better off getting an eSIM for your next trip, let me explain how easy they are to install on your phone.

A Few Things to Understand When Using an eSIM

Firstly, the ‘e’ in eSIM stands for embedded, there is no physical card. The SIM is embedded in your phone’s hardware alongside your normal SIM that you use at home. Once installed, it can stay there as long as you want, and you just top it up before heading off on another adventure!

Most phones these days, released after 2020, are compatible with eSIMs but if you own an older phone, just check its compatibility first. An easy way to do this is to check in your phone settings:

• Go to settings
• Tap general
• tap about
• Scroll down to find Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock and if it says No SIM restrictions, you are good to go! (see screenshots below)
• You can also go to the Mobile tab in settings and scroll down to see an ‘Add eSIM’ option (see screenshots below)

Phone Compatibility Check Option 1

Phone Compatibility Option 2

Does your phone number change when using an eSIM? eSIMPal only offers data packages, so your number doesn’t change. I use WhatsApp while I am away to communicate with loved ones and tour operators etc, and my number stays the same within that App while using an eSIM.

If you do a bit of business while you are overseas, or use a laptop while away, eSIMPal offers something other eSIMs don’t. They offer uncapped laptop hotspot plus eSIM transfer between devices mid-trip. I am not going to even try explaining how to do that…it’s not something I need, but I know a lot of people do.

Installing an eSIM for Dummies

Don’t be offended that I keep calling you a Dummy, it is just an affectionate nod to the ‘For Dummies’ series of ‘how-to’ books from the ’90’s. They offer simplified explanations on how to understand a concept or follow a process, for people that don’t want to be confused with technical jargon. Me!!! This eSIM for dummies guide then, is just explaining the process in very simply terms.

For me, the scariest, most confusing part of the eSIM process, was how to you install it? I mentioned earlier 4 easy steps…. here they are.

Step 1

Decide which service provider you want. This can seem a little overwhelming when you are just learning about it all, but my advice is to go with a company that offers good customer service, where you actually get to talk to someone that will explain things in plain language and easy-to-understand steps – perfect for an eSIM for dummies user! Denis from eSIMPal was always on hand to answer my questions….and I had a lot of questions! He was patient and reliable and always replied to my emails in a timely manner.

Step 2

Choose your package or plan. This will depend on where you are going and how long you are going for. eSIMPal is supported in over 190 countries and has over 500 network partners. With plans typically covering 30days.

Start by thinking about how much data you will need. Will you be doing business while you away? Will you use it mainly for social media? Will you use maps and Google a lot? If you are not sure, start low and you can always top up on the go if you run out of data. Packages start from just 1GB with eSIMPal and go up to 50GB.

Next, choose your destination countries. For my upcoming trip, I will be heading to France, Germany, Austria and Finland, so I will buy a 5GB package for each country at around $8 each. When you are searching for your destinations, each one displays the different networks and carriers that are supported by that eSIM (if you want to know those details!).

Step 3

Install your eSIM – You will have created a dashboard, in the account you created, when you purchased your eSIM. While in Wi-Fi, go to your dashboard using the phone that you will be taking on your holiday. You will see your available packages that you just purchased.

Tap activate on the country that you are visiting first.

Your phone will offer to install the eSIM, either in one tap or by scanning a QR code shown on the screen. Follow the prompts to install, it takes about 2 minutes. You can install all of the packages for all of the countries you are going to before you leave. That way they are there on your device ready to go without having to worry about being in wifi.

Step 4

Activate your eSIM – when you land in your destination country while still in airplane mode.

1. Go to your phone settings – tap mobile – tap the travel SIM (Travel – Plus) and toggle it on.
2. While in the travel SIM screen, scroll down and toggle data roaming on.
3. Tap your primary SIM and toggle it off.
4. Take your phone off airplane mode and voila!

There you have it! Doesn’t sound too hard, does it?

Switching Between Carriers

Repeat step 4 above for each new country you are entering. Ideally, you should do this the day before that leg of the trip starts. Each package starts from the day you activate it not from purchase date. So, if you are only going away for a few weeks, you can install and activate them all before you go, and simply switch between each one in your settings, as you need.

I think that is what I will do before I take off for my next trip as I won’t be away for over 30 days.

Switching off your eSIM

To turn off your eSIM when you return home is as easy as going back into your settings, then mobile, then travel-plus SIM and toggle it off. You will know if you have 2 eSIMs turned on if your data bars on your phone are split into 2 like the screen shot below. This is also a handy way to check when you switch over to a new carrier, whether you have remembered to turn off the previous carrier.

If in Doubt, Start Small and Trial it

That is exactly what I did on my most recent trip to Hong Kong. I was only going to be away for a week, so I was willing to risk the $8 it cost me to give it a go. If it didn’t work, I would simply go back to using my usual data roaming. If it did work, I would be confident in using them for my upcoming big trip to Europe in December.

The installation went well, but at first, I had a little trouble in activating the eSIM. I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t working. Then I re-read the instructions given to me by Denis and realised that I hadn’t toggled the data roaming on for the travel SIM… did that, and it was great!

I am an eSIM convert now! I will have to update my post on my Top Travel products I love to include eSIMs from eSIMPal now.

Remember to switch the data roaming on for each new carrier or eSIM as you change from one to the other. Otherwise, you will find that the carrier will show on your phone that you are connected but you are not getting the data.

Did I Explain eSIM for Dummies Simply Enough?

I hope that my explanation was simple enough and the screenshots helped – I am certainly a visual learner, so seeing what I am supposed to do, helps me greatly. If you have any questions, I will happily try to answer them, or better still, give Denis from eSIMPal a message, and he will certainly be able to help you.

Be brave, give it a go, and don’t forget to use my special discount code, POSTCARDS15, for 15% off.

Happy travelling and stay connected!