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Sunday, 13 July 2025
Software & Apps

The traveler guide to esims

The traveler guide to esims

The reasons you want to be connected while traveling are very clear: until you are planning In the forest Close the grid experience, you probably want to be able to use your data, find your way, buy tickets, upload photos on social media, fire that local dating app, or whatever you like to do abroad.

But, international data And calling rates can put a heavy burden on the budget of your journey, not to mention roaming fees that vary with every limit of the cross. Therefore, buying a physical SIM card has been a choice of choice for many passengers so far.

Today, we are eventually entered at the age of electronic SIM card, which is better known as ESIMS, which stores your phone data into clouds and can be almost installed and switched. Originally an ESIM is an SIM card that is directly embedded in your device and can connect to any operator offering ESIM services. For travelers, this is good news because it means that you can also buy prepaid cards for any country or region that you plan to travel online before your visit. And now many options are available like Holafli esim,

We have compiled this easy guide with everything to learn about ESIMS in 2023:

ESIMS vs. Physical SIM Card Professionals

1. Facility

First and foremost, the biggest advantage for ESIMS is that you do not need to go to a physical store to buy your data or even in the country. Instead, you can do online shopping, choose a provider, and install it directly on your phone (later more on it). This means that the moment you collide with the ground, you will be connected, making it easier to order Uber, find your way through a complex tube system, or simply find the nearest bar with a happy hour.

Then, once you come back home, you can just switch back to your local ESIM in a few clicks (don’t worry, we will share suggestions on it too).

2. You can use many esims

It is also a convenient option if you often travel among countries. Iphones supporting ESIM allow you to do multiple cards and even use dual sim, meaning that you can be two active at the same time.

For example, if you are crossing the backward boundaries regularly, the dual sims will allow you to use automatically by being active, without changing your settings. You can also buy an ESIM for an entire region, for example, buying an ESIM for Europe will cover many different countries.

Holafli app

3. A future without sim tray?

The iPhone 14 is planning to kill its SIM tray in America, which means that it will no longer be able to carry iPhones and physical sims in the future.

However, of course, Apple is not the only brand for devices, it will not be surprising if other people follow the suit and reduce the future smart fone Model even more. Therefore, cutting the sim tray can become a broad market tendency.

4. Don’t lose your data

With an ESIM, there is no physical SIM card that can be lost or damaged. So if your phone is stolen, lost or broken during holiday, you can still reach your data via cloud and transfer it to your new phone.

5. Stability

Finally, if you want to cut as much as possible on plastic, why are you upset with the physical SIM card?

And yes, SIM cards are super tiny, but it is like leaving the use of plastic straws: every bit matters.

Opposition of Physical SIM Card vs ESIMS

Of course it is not all sunlight and daisy in ESIM land. There are some drawbacks to consider before going for this option:

1. Compatibility

Although ESIMS is a growing trend, but not all equipment or cellular carriers are yet to move. While most carriers have adopted ESIM, some still do not support all equipment or not.

For example, if you are going towards Spain, keep in mind that Yoigo does not support ESIM for Apple Watch. However, as mentioned earlier, it seems that the general trend is moving towards ESIMS, so we will see the more carrier plans to adopt this technique in the near future.

2. Location tracking

As ESIMS is actually installed on your phone, you cannot remove them from your device like a physical sim. This means that you cannot even avoid the possibility of mobile carriers/governments being tracked. If you are traveling in the country, it is a matter of concern for you, then you can want to avoid this option.

How to check your phone compatibility with ESIM

Before making any decision, you first need to check if your phone is compatible with ESIM. follow these steps:

  • Check the phone’s specifications or manual to see if it supports ESIM.
  • Check if your phone has an ESIM tray or if it has embedded ESIM chip.
  • Check if your phone’s operating system supports ESIM technology. For example, iOS 12.1 or later iPhones supporting ESIM.
  • Confirm with your carrier whether they provide ESIM service and if your phone is compatible.

Or just see it ESIM supported phone list Which is regularly updated with all ESIM compatible phones and equipment.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that, along with the physical SIM card, your phone will also have to unlock to use ESIM. If you have purchased your device directly from the manufacturer, it is likely that it will be unlocked. But, if you bought it from a carrier, it may not happen.

If you have an iOS 14 or later, here is how you can check whether it is unlocked:

1. Going to settings

2. Click “General”

3. Go to “about” section

4. Scroll on “Career Lock” or “Network Provider Lock”. If you see “no sim ban”, your iPhone is unlocked. If not, it is most likely that your phone is connected to a specific carrier.

If you do not have an iPhone, try to enter a SIM card and see what it works. It will tell you if your phone is off. Last but at least, give your provider a ring and they can tell you if your phone is off.

Driving in a car with phone navigation

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