Can I use eSIM as a hotspot to share data?

Yes, where your phone allows it. A HelloRoam eSIM data plan works through your phone's hotspot or personal-hotspot setting, the same as a physical SIM, when the phone maker has turned that feature on. Turn on the hotspot in your phone settings, connect your laptop or a second device over Wi-Fi, and it draws from the same data plan. Sharing a fixed data plan across devices uses it up faster. Check your remaining balance in the HelloRoam app if you plan to hotspot for more than a quick task.

Can I still use my phone's physical SIM slot after I add an eSIM?

Yes. Adding an eSIM does not disable your physical SIM slot. Most eSIM phones with a SIM tray, including every iPhone from the XS (2018) onward that has one, run both at once in dual SIM mode. Your physical SIM can keep handling calls and texts on your home number. Your HelloRoam eSIM handles data on the local network at your destination.

How long has eSIM technology been around?

Consumer eSIM technology dates to 2016, when the GSMA published SGP.22, the remote provisioning standard phones still use. Apple brought eSIM to the iPhone with the XS in 2018, and Samsung and Google flagships also support it. Most flagship phones now ship with an eUICC chip built in, though some budget models still skip it. HelloRoam uses that same SGP.22 standard to deliver travel plans.

What Is an eSIM and How Do You Activate One?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. You install a HelloRoam eSIM over Wi-Fi in minutes, and it connects you to local networks in 185+ countries. No plastic card, no SIM swap, no roaming fees.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

HelloRoam Editorial TeamHelloRoam Team

An eSIM digital SIM built into a smartphone, ready to activate without a physical card

What Is an eSIM Card? eSIM Explained

Rogers Roam Like Home costs CA$16 a day in the US and CA$18 a day elsewhere, plus taxes, and Telus Easy Roam charges the same. Bell Roam Better costs CA$13 a day in the US and CA$16 a day in other countries. An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone that gives you instant cellular data abroad without swapping a physical card or paying those daily carrier fees. Unlike a removable SIM, the embedded chip is soldered into your phone's motherboard and stores carrier profiles in software. It connects you to cellular networks for calls, SMS texts, and mobile data with no card to insert, lose, or swap. Rogers, Bell, and Telus all support eSIM on compatible devices. You can even convert your existing Canadian number to eSIM by contacting your carrier. What is cellular? Cellular is the mobile network technology (4G LTE or 5G) that carries your calls and internet data, the same technology a physical SIM card uses.

The GSMA, the industry body that manages the SGP.22 eSIM standard, defines how phones store and switch carrier profiles wirelessly. This technology is also called a virtual SIM or digital SIM card because the entire profile lives in software. Many phones have this chip built in. Compatible models include iPhone XS and newer, most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, and Google Pixel 4 and newer. If you're not sure, check your phone's settings. Under the CRTC Wireless Code, Canadian carriers must unlock your phone on request, at no charge, and phones sold since 1 December 2017 come unlocked. If your phone from Rogers, Bell, or Telus is still locked, ask for an unlock before adding a travel eSIM. HelloRoam, built by Future Syncs Limited (UK Companies House 15950168), helps travellers skip data roaming charges and get data as soon as they land abroad, whether they fly out of Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver International (YVR), or Montreal-Trudeau (YUL).

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. It lets you add a mobile plan with no plastic card to insert.

How to get an eSIM

Check device compatibility
Choose an eSIM plan
Purchase online
Scan QR code or install manually
Activate in settings

How Does an eSIM Work? (iPhone and Android Setup)

An eSIM is a chip built into your phone that downloads and stores a cellular carrier profile. Once active, you connect to mobile networks, make calls, send texts, and use cellular data (mobile internet used by your phone for browsing, streaming, and apps), the same as a physical SIM card. What is data roaming? Data roaming is when your phone uses a foreign carrier's network while you travel, and your Canadian carrier (Rogers, Bell, or Telus) charges you extra for that usage. Their standard daily roaming fees run from CA$13 to CA$18 a day, depending on the carrier and destination. A HelloRoam eSIM replaces that with one prepaid data plan on a local network, at a fraction of the cost. How does an eSIM work on iPhone? On compatible models (XS and newer), go to Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM. How does it work on Android? The steps are nearly the same: Settings, Network, SIM manager. Not every phone has eSIM. Supported models include iPhone XS and newer, most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, and Google Pixel 4 and newer. You can check our compatibility list if you aren't sure about your model.

Getting started takes about 5 minutes: buy a plan, open your confirmation email, and scan the QR code. Your physical SIM card stays in place the whole time. Run both at once in dual SIM mode: your Rogers, Bell, or Telus number stays active for calls and texts home, while the eSIM handles your data abroad on a local network, for one prepaid HelloRoam price instead of your carrier's data roaming fees. This means no missed calls from family while you're in Florida or Mexico. On iPhone, go to Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, and scan the QR code. Plans are priced in CAD so you know your costs upfront before you fly. On the US iPhone 14 and later, Apple removed the physical SIM tray entirely, making those phones eSIM-only. That's ideal if you cross the border often.

How Do You Set Up an eSIM?

Follow these steps to get started with an eSIM for travel on your iPhone or Android phone.

Set up an eSIM on your iPhone with the HelloRoam app

Pick your plan and check out

Choose a data plan for your destination and complete checkout online or in the app.

Scan the QR code

Open your confirmation email and scan the QR code with your phone camera to install the eSIM.

Land and go

Your plan installs right away. It activates when you arrive at your destination country.

Explore eSIM plans

Why eSIM Matters in 2026

Mobile connectivity has changed fast, and eSIM sits at the centre of that shift. The reasons are practical, not just technical.

Travellers today expect:

Instant connectivity upon arrival
No extra charges abroad
No dependency on local stores or kiosks
Switch between countries instantly

Traditional SIM cards struggle to meet these expectations. eSIM solves these problems by making connectivity digital-first.

Additionally, smartphone manufacturers are increasingly removing physical SIM trays entirely in newer models, signalling a long-term industry shift toward eSIM-only devices.

Save on international eSIM data costs compared to carrier roaming

Save on
data costs

HelloRoam plans start at CA$1.44. No contracts, no hidden fees, and unactivated eSIMs can be refunded within 180 days.(Source: HelloRoam pricing analysis, 2026)

Browse Plans

Not sure if your device supports eSIM?

Not all phones support eSIM, but most modern smartphones do.

However, compatibility can vary based on region and carrier restrictions. Always check your specific model before purchasing a plan.

Why this matters:

eSIM is a hardware feature. If your device doesn't support it, no provider can give you one.

Check Compatibility

eSIM benefits for international travel

Avoid roaming fees
Skip the hunt for a local SIM at the airport. An eSIM connects you to local carriers and gives you instant data on local networks, with no extra charges from your home carrier, Rogers, Bell, or Telus.
Instant activation
Buy a plan online, scan a QR code, and you're connected in minutes. No post office, no physical SIM card slot to deal with, ready before your flight leaves Pearson or YVR.
Keep primary number active
Your phone can hold multiple eSIM profiles at once. Switch between carriers or numbers without pulling out a tiny card or travelling to a store.
Multi-country coverage
HelloRoam connects you to 212+ mobile networks across 185+ countries, with 4G LTE or 5G cellular data in most of them.
Quick switching
No annual contracts. Pick a plan that fits your trip length and data needs, with no strings attached.
Backup connectivity
Lose your bag at YVR or get your phone stolen in Mexico? Your eSIM stays inside your phone. Nobody can remove or steal it.

Common Use Cases for eSIM

Travel
The top reason to get one: cheap data the moment you land abroad.
Business
Keep a work line and a personal line on one phone, no second device needed.
Remote Work
Stay online from country to country without chasing hotel or cafe Wi-Fi.

eSIM Disadvantages to Know Before You Buy

While eSIM offers many advantages, it's important to understand its limitations:

Requires a compatible deviceOlder phones and many budget models still need a physical SIM. If you bought a budget device on a Rogers, Bell, or Telus plan, check the HelloRoam compatibility list before you buy a plan.
Some older networks may not fully support itSome smaller regional carriers haven't added eSIM support yet. While Rogers, Bell, and Telus all support it domestically, coverage in remote destinations abroad can vary. Check the HelloRoam coverage map before you buy.
Initial setup may feel unfamiliar to first-time usersYou need Wi-Fi or mobile data to download the profile. Install your plan at home before you leave. Most airports like Pearson or YVR have public Wi-Fi, but it's faster to set up on your own network in advance.
Transferring eSIM between devices can require extra stepsMoving a carrier eSIM to a new phone takes more steps than swapping a physical SIM card. An installed HelloRoam eSIM cannot move, so if you're upgrading through Bell, Rogers, or Telus, contact HelloRoam support before you switch phones.

These limitations are shrinking as adoption grows, but they are

still worth considering.

These limitations are shrinking as adoption grows, but they are still worth considering.

eSIM security and future technology

eSIM technology is designed for both convenience and long-term mobile innovation. From stronger security protections to growing worldwide adoption, eSIM is shaping how travellers and connected devices stay online.

More secure than physical SIM cards

Encrypted digital activation

Remote profile management

Growing global adoption

Future-ready travel connectivity

Beyond smartphones

Supported by leading brands including Apple, Samsung, and Google.

eSIM vs SIM Card: Which Is better for international travel?

SIM Card

eSIM

An eSIM is generally better than a physical SIM card for international travel because it activates instantly, costs less than roaming, and lets you switch networks without changing hardware. Travellers benefit from faster setup, greater flexibility, and lower overall costs.

Common eSIM Problems and Fixes

Running into a problem with your eSIM installation or cellular data? Our 24/7 support team sees these issues often, and here are quick fixes for the most common problems travellers face after scanning the QR code.

1
1. 1Clean your phone's camera lens and make sure the QR code is well-lit.
2. 2Hold your phone 6 to 12 inches from the code and tilt the screen slightly.
3. 3If it still fails, tap 'Enter Details Manually' and type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your HelloRoam email.
4. 4This is not a Rogers, Bell, or Telus issue: contact HelloRoam support directly on WhatsApp for help.
Does your phone say the code's no longer valid? The eSIM may already be on your phone, so check your list of mobile lines before you scan it again.
2
1. 1Restart your phone first.
2. 2Then go to Settings and confirm the HelloRoam line is set for cellular data and that Data Roaming is turned on.
3. 3Make sure you've turned off Data Roaming on your Rogers, Bell, or Telus line separately, otherwise your Canadian carrier may try to connect and charge you instead.
4. 4If you bought an automatic-activation plan, it won't go live until you arrive at your destination country.
Fix 2 of 6 · Recorded on iPhone · 0:10
Set the HelloRoam line for mobile data. Recorded in UK English, where Cellular is Mobile Service and Cellular Data is Mobile Data.
3
1. 1Open Settings and check your list of mobile lines first.
2. 2The HelloRoam line might show up under another name, like Secondary.
3. 3If it's switched off, tap it and turn the line on.
4. 4If you don't see it there, the install didn't finish, so read the error message on your screen.
5. 5Confirm your phone supports eSIM and isn't locked to a carrier, like Rogers, Bell, or Telus.
6. 6Don't delete an eSIM to try to fix this: email help@helloroam.com with your order number and the error message.
4
1. 1Go to Settings, then Cellular or Mobile Data, and tap the profile you want to delete.
2. 2Choose 'Remove Cellular Plan' or 'Delete eSIM'.
3. 3If the option is greyed out, the plan is still active, so turn it off first, then delete it.
4. 4Note: this only removes the HelloRoam travel plan, not your Rogers, Bell, or Telus home plan.
5
1. 1Most phones let you store several profiles but only use one for data at a time.
2. 2Go to Settings, then Cellular, and set the HelloRoam eSIM as your data line while abroad.
3. 3Keep your Rogers, Bell, or Telus line active for calls and texts home.
4. 4Turn off Data Roaming on your Canadian carrier line to avoid surprise charges while the eSIM handles your data.
6
1. 1Check that you typed the code exactly as shown in your email, including any dashes or special characters.
2. 2Connect to stable Wi-Fi and try again.
3. 3The airport Wi-Fi at Pearson or YVR works fine for this.
4. 4If the code still fails, email help@helloroam.com with your order number.
5. 5Before your eSIM connects in your destination, we can issue a new one.

Still stuck? Our team is here 24/7 on email, WhatsApp, live chat and in the app.

Email help@helloroam.com WhatsApp Live chat

“eSIM technology is the biggest shift in mobile connectivity since the smartphone. Travelers no longer need to choose between staying connected and overpaying.”

Aqib Hassan, Co-Founder & CTO, HelloRoam

Frequently Asked eSIM Questions

A HelloRoam eSIM locks to the phone it is installed on and cannot move to a new phone. Do not delete it from the old phone. If it has not connected in your destination yet, email help@helloroam.com with your order number and we can issue a new eSIM for the new phone. After it connects, we do not issue a new one, and the remaining data does not move to another phone. If you plan to trade in your phone at a Rogers, Bell, or Telus store, do it after your trip.

Data roaming means your phone connects to a foreign carrier's network when you travel abroad, and your Canadian carrier (Rogers, Bell, or Telus) charges you for that usage. What is data roaming on iPhone? It's the same thing: your iPhone connects to a local network at your destination and your home carrier bills you per MB or per day. Those daily charges add up fast on a trip to the US or Mexico. A HelloRoam plan puts you on a local network without those charges.

A SIM card is a small removable chip that connects your phone to a mobile carrier's network for calls, texts, and mobile data. The SIM stores your subscriber identity and links your phone number to your account. Without a SIM, your phone cannot access cellular networks. Physical SIM cards come in three sizes: standard, micro, and nano. Most modern phones use a nano SIM or have dropped the physical card slot entirely in favour of an embedded digital SIM.

eSIM does not drain your battery faster than a physical SIM. Both use the same radio hardware to connect to cellular networks. Battery drain depends on signal strength, screen brightness, and app usage, not on whether you have an embedded or physical card installed. Running two active lines at once (dual SIM mode) can use slightly more power because your phone maintains two network connections, but the difference is small in daily use.

Canadian snowbirds can install a HelloRoam eSIM plan before leaving home and arrive connected in Florida or Arizona without a roaming bill from Rogers or Bell. Buy the plan online, scan the QR code, and your phone activates on a local US network the moment you land. Your Canadian number stays active on your physical SIM for calls home all winter. Plans start at CA$1.44 with no monthly fees, no contract, and coverage in 185+ countries.

Yes, your phone needs to be carrier-unlocked before you can install a travel eSIM from any provider, including HelloRoam. Some phones bought from Rogers, Bell, or Telus may still be locked to that carrier. Call or chat with your carrier to request an unlock; they must unlock it for free. Phones purchased outright from Apple, Samsung, or Best Buy Canada are usually unlocked already. On iPhone, check by going to Settings, General, About, and looking for a Carrier Lock entry.

Setting up an eSIM works the same in French and English on iPhone and Android. If your iPhone is set to French in Quebec, the eSIM setup screens appear in French, just follow the same steps under Réglages, Données cellulaires, Ajouter un forfait eSIM. Scan the QR code from your HelloRoam confirmation email and the profile installs in under two minutes regardless of your device language. Your eSIM plan works across 185+ countries no matter which language your phone is set to.

For a two-week trip with moderate use (maps, messaging, social media, and occasional streaming), a 5GB to 10GB plan covers most travellers comfortably. Light users who mainly browse and use WhatsApp can manage on 3GB for two weeks. If you plan to stream video daily, use a hotspot, or work remotely, choose 20GB or more, or an unlimited daily plan. HelloRoam fixed plan sizes vary by destination, and unlimited daily options are available if you prefer not to track usage.

Canadian snowbird travellers heading to Florida, Arizona, or Mexico for the winter can install a HelloRoam plan before leaving home. Buy your plan online, scan the QR code, and your phone activates on a local US or Mexican network the moment you land. No SIM swap, no store visit, no roaming bill from Rogers or Bell. You keep your Canadian number active on your physical SIM for calls home, while the eSIM handles data on a local network for one prepaid HelloRoam price. HelloRoam plans start at CA$1.44 worldwide and cover 185+ countries.