Travelling abroad used to mean weighing up pricey roaming charges or hunting down a local SIM card the moment you landed, a hassle nobody wants when they’re trying to enjoy their trip. Thankfully, eSIM technology has made staying connected abroad far simpler, letting you sort out your mobile data before you even leave home, with no physical SIM card or fiddly tray to deal with. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what an eSIM is, how it works alongside your existing SIM, and how to get set up with Vodafone’s eSIM options ahead of your next trip so you can spend less time worrying about connectivity and more time enjoying your travels.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM works just like a traditional SIM card, except there’s no need to pop open your SIM tray or handle a physical card at all, everything is installed digitally straight onto your device. It’s best to install your eSIM before you travel, ideally while you’re still connected to reliable WiFi at home. It’s important to understand the difference between installing and activating: installation is simply adding the eSIM profile to your device’s settings, while activation is what switches it on so you can start using data. This means you can get everything set up in advance and only activate it once you land at your destination, so you’re not scrambling to sort out connectivity the moment you arrive.
One of the biggest advantages of using an eSIM while travelling is that it helps you avoid roaming charges on your mobile data. In this setup, your local SIM stays active for calls and texts, while the eSIM takes care of your mobile data abroad. It’s worth remembering, though, that the eSIM is for data only, so if someone calls or texts your home number while you’re away, this could still incur roaming charges. Understanding this distinction beforehand means you can enjoy affordable data access on your trip while keeping your regular number reachable, just with a clear picture of where charges might still apply.
Installing your eSIM
There are two ways to install your new eSIM, through scanning a QR code or through manual installation.
Android
Installation
Scanning the QR Code
- Connect to a stable internet connection.
- Locate your eSIM details in the confirmation email, or your account.
- Use another screen for the QR code (you will need your phone to scan the code).
- Open <Settings> and tap on <Connections>
- From <Connections> tap on <SIM Manager>
- Select <add eSIM>, then select <Scan QR Code>
- Tap <Add>
- Direct your phone towards the QR code on the second screen when prompted to do so.
- Note: It is recommended that you turn up the brightness on the screen displaying the QR, this can prevent the camera from capturing it.
- To finish simply tap <Download>
- Your eSIM is installed!
Adding an eSim Manually
- Connect to a stable internet connection
- Locate your eSIM details in the confirmation email, or your account.
- Follow steps 1-3 of Scanning the QR code.
- Tap on <Need Help?> to access the manual entry page.
- Tap the link that reads <Enter it manually>
- Enter the code you received in your email after purchasing or in your account.
- Tap <Download> to add your eSIM.
- Your eSIM is now Installed!
Activation
- These Steps are to be carried out upon your arrival at your destination.
- This is a necessary part of the process as failure to do so could cause charges on your local sim.
- Before using your eSIM at your destination, make sure data roaming is configured on.
- Open <Settings>, and tap on <Connections>
- Select <SIM Manager>, tap on the eSIM you previously installed; you can give it a unique name to help differentiate.
- Scroll till you see <Mobile Data>, Select it and add your eSIM.
- Your eSIM is now ready to connect to the network.
Apple/iOS
Installation
Scanning the QR Code
- Connect to a stable internet connection
- Locate your eSIM details in the confirmation email, or your account.
- Use another screen for the QR code (you will need your phone to scan the code)
- You can scan the QR code directly by opening <Camera> or by following the directions below.
- Open <Settings> and tap on <Mobile Service>
- From <Mobile Service> tap on <Add eSIM>
- Select <Use QR Code>
- Direct your phone towards the QR code on the second screen when prompted to do so.
- Note: It is recommended that you turn up the brightness on the screen displaying the QR, this can prevent the camera from capturing it.
- To finish simply tap <Continue>, this process will take a few minutes, if you leave the screen you can check your eSIM’s progress by accessing <Settings> – <Mobile Service> – <SIMs>
- Your eSIM is installed!
Adding an eSim Manually
- Connect to a stable internet connection
- Locate your eSIM details in the confirmation email, or your account.
- Follow instructions 1-4 of Scanning the QR code.
- Tap <Enter manually> located on the bottom of the screen.
- Enter the code you received in your email after purchasing or in your account.
- Tap <Continue> to add your eSIM, this process will take a few minutes, if you leave the screen, you can check your eSIM’s progress by accessing <Settings> – <Mobile Service> – <SIMs>
- Your eSIM is now Installed!
Activation
- These Steps are to be carried out upon your arrival at your destination.
- This is a necessary part of the process as failure to do so could cause charges on your local sim.
- Before using your eSIM at your destination, make sure data roaming is configured on.
- Open <Settings>, and tap on <Mobile Service>
- Locate <SIMs> on the screen, tap on the eSIM you previously installed; you can give it a unique name to help differentiate by tapping <Mobile Plan Label>.
- Scroll till you see <Mobile Data Network>, Check that the right APN is in, it should read ‘live.vodafone.com’.
- Scroll further to toggle on <Data Roaming>
- Return to <Mobile Service> and select <Default Voice Line>, select your local SIM to receive calls and texts.
- Return to <Mobile Service> and select <Mobile Data> then choose the eSIM.
- Your eSIM is now ready to connect to the network.