How to activate an iPhone or iPad eSIM
Preparing for vacation? We’ll walk you through adjusting your device settings so it’s ready to use your travel eSIM for mobile data in a new country.
How to activate your eSIM data plan
Prepare your phone for travel, and automatically connect to fast local internet when you arrive at your destination.
How to your use eSIM
An easy, interactive guide from 
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How to activate a Google Pixel eSIM
Travelling soon? We’ll walk you through adjusting your Google Pixel settings so it connects automatically to local networks once you arrive on vacation.
How to activate a Samsung eSIM
Getting ready for international travel? Great! Let’s walk through adjusting your Samsung settings so it can instantly start provide local mobile data once you reach your destination.
What's the eSIM activation process?
If this is your first time using an eSIM (digital SIM card), it can be confusing to know the different between shopping for an eSIM data package, installing an eSIM on your device, and activating your data package so you can use it …
step 1
Check if your device can use eSIM
The first step is making sure your device is eSIM-compatible. Most newer phones and tablets are built to accept eSIMs (digital SIM cards), but you can check your device with our free eSIM device checker.
step 2
Shop for a prepaid eSIM data package
Shop for prepaid eSIM data packages in the free aloSIM app (available on the App Store and Google Play) or on alosim.com. Choose the location where you need data, and decide how much prepaid data you’d like.
step 3
Install your eSIM on your device
Once you buy an eSIM, it needs to be added to your phone or tablet. It only takes a couple of minutes to install your eSIM on any compatible device, and we’ll show you several eSIM installation options inside your aloSIM account.
step 4
Activate your eSIM data package
If you’re looking for information on activating eSIM data packages, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you how to activate your eSIM data package and make sure your device relies on your eSIM for mobile data.
What does eSIM activation mean?
When we talk about activating an eSIM, we’re actually talking about activating or ‘starting’ prepaid mobile data packages.
It’s not as simple as buying an eSIM data plan, installing the eSIM on your phone, and showing up on vacation expecting it to work.
eSIM activation is the process of telling your phone “Hey, we’re going to start using this eSIM for mobile data, okay?”
When do I activate my eSIM?
Your eSIM data plan won’t start working until you’ve actually arrived on vacation because it can’t connect to a supported network.
So if you live in New York, but you’re visiting Paris, your France eSIM won’t start working until you’re actually in France.
It’s a good idea to review the eSIM activation steps before leaving on vacation, so you can make sure your phone is ready for international travel … and you can avoid those expensive roaming charges!
What is eSIM?
You might be familiar with traditional physical SIM cards: those little pieces of plastic that can be inserted in phones and tablets to give them mobile data.
Well, an eSIM is a digital SIM card, so think of it as the downloadable version that lives invisibly inside your phone (similar to an app), allowing you to connect to networks in countries all over the world.
If you’re going to be travelling internationally, an eSIM is a great way to connect to local networks in a new country for an affordable price. With prepaid data packages, you’re in control of how much data you buy.
How much do eSIM data packages cost?
Here at aloSIM, our eSIM data packages start as low as $4.50 for a week’s worth of data depending on the location. You can check all prices in the free aloSIM app or by shopping our eSIM store online.
When you buy an eSIM data package, you get to choose the length of time you can stay connected to data networks (anywhere from 7-30 days, typically) and how much data you want to use (1GB to 20GB for most locations).
When do I activate eSIM data packages?
Before activation, make sure you’ve already installed your eSIM so it’s available on your device.
The eSIM activation process means you’re “starting the clock” on your prepaid data package, so if you’ve purchased a 30-day package, your 30-day countdown begins the moment you activate it.
If you’re using your eSIM data for international travel, we’ll explain how to prep your device so it’s ready to activate your eSIM data package as soon as you arrive in the new country/region.
Can I activate an eSIM once I’m partway through a trip?
Yes! If you’re using an Android device, like a Google Pixel or Samsung, you can install an eSIM anytime and your data package won’t activate until you complete the activation steps.
If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, your Apple eSIM data package will automatically activate during installation if you’re already in the correct country for it to work.
Do I need data or Wi-Fi to complete an eSIM activation?
When you’re activating eSIM data packages, you do not require Wi-Fi or data.
As long as the eSIM has been properly installed on your device (using our instructions for iPhone or iPad, Google Pixel, Samsung, or other supported devices), you won’t need data or Wi-Fi for anything.
The eSIM data package activation process is really just “telling” your device to start using your eSIM for data and letting it connect to aloSIM’s supported networks. (We’ll show you exactly what to do.)
What does eSIM activation actually involve?
The eSIM activation steps are a little different on each device, but we explain each step clearly, whether you’re using an iPhone or iPad, Google Pixel, Samsung, or other supported device.
For eSIM data package activation on an iPhone or iPad, Google Pixel, or Samsung device, you’ll toggle your eSIM on, let it roam, and make sure your device stops letting your primary SIM use data or roam new networks so you don’t pay carrier roaming charges.
Need to buy an eSIM?
aloSIM has prepaid eSIM packages for 200+ countries
Questions about activating eSIM data packages?
Our awesome customer support team is available 24/7 to help over live chat.