When should I buy and install my eSIM?

Buying, installing and starting a plan are three different things. Buying creates your order. Installing adds the eSIM to your phone. The plan's days start at the moment its plan page shows under Starts: when you pay, when you install, or when the eSIM first connects at your destination.

When to buy

If your plan does not start at purchase, buy a few days before you travel. That leaves time to install at home and to contact us if anything is not right. Your eSIM details usually arrive within minutes of your payment being confirmed.

Before you pay, check on the plan page:

• Starts: what starts the plan's days.
• Install within: if the plan shows this, install it within that time after purchase, or it may expire.
• That your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to a carrier.

When to install

Installing needs Wi-Fi or another internet connection, so it is easiest at home.

• Starts on first connection: install before you leave. Then keep the eSIM line turned off until you arrive.
• Starts when installed: the days start as soon as it is installed, so install it only when you are ready to use it.
• Starts immediately after purchase: the days are already counting, so buy it only when you are ready, and install it straight away.
• Start not shown: if the plan page or your order does not say when it starts, contact support before installing and we will confirm.

When you arrive

1. Turn on the eSIM line.
2. Choose it for mobile data.
3. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi for a moment and open a web page to check it works.

If it does not connect, give it a few minutes, switch airplane mode on and off, and restart the phone. Do not delete the eSIM to fix a problem unless support asks you to.

Step-by-step help is in our installation guide.