Short answer
Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you travel. Use the provider’s app, or scan the QR code they email you. Leave the new line off until you land. When you arrive, turn it on, make it your cellular data line, and turn on data roaming for the eSIM only. The whole setup takes about five minutes.
Before you start
- Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked. Two quick checks: is my phone eSIM compatible?
- You need Wi-Fi to install. The eSIM downloads over the internet.
- Check when your plan starts counting days. Some start on installation, not arrival. Our comparison table shows this where the provider states it.
- Don’t delete the eSIM after installing. Most can only be installed once.
Install on iPhone
- Open the provider’s app and tap install, or open the email with the QR code on another screen.
- Without the app: go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM (called Mobile Data outside the US), choose Use QR Code, and scan it.
- Give the line a label, such as “Travel”. Keep your home line as the default for calls and iMessage.
- When asked which line to use for cellular data, choose your home line for now. You’ll switch it on arrival.
- Tap the new line and turn off Turn On This Line until you travel.
When you land: Settings → Cellular → tap “Travel” → turn on the line and Data Roaming. Then Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → choose “Travel”. Turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching, and turn off Data Roaming on your home line.
Install on Android (Pixel)
- Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM (or +), then Download a SIM instead?
- Scan the QR code and follow the steps.
- Leave the new SIM turned off until you travel.
When you land: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → select the travel eSIM, turn it on, set it as your mobile data SIM and turn on Roaming. Turn off roaming on your home SIM.
Install on Samsung Galaxy
- Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM.
- Choose Scan QR code from service provider and scan it.
- In SIM manager, turn the new eSIM off until you travel.
When you land: SIM manager → turn on the eSIM → set it as your mobile data SIM. Then Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → turn on Data roaming while the eSIM is your data SIM.
Keeping your home number working
Your home SIM stays in the phone. With data roaming off on it, WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime keep working with your number over the eSIM’s data. Ordinary calls and texts to your home number go through your home carrier and can trigger its roaming charges, so switch the home line off if you don’t need it. What US carriers charge in Bermuda.
If it doesn’t connect
- Check the eSIM line is on and selected for cellular data.
- Check data roaming is on for the eSIM line. Travel eSIMs always roam, even in the country they’re sold for.
- Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds and off again.
- Check the provider’s app for an APN setting; a few eSIMs need one entered by hand.
- Contact the provider’s support chat over Wi-Fi.