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 normal hotspot or personal hotspot setting, just as a physical SIM does, as long as the phone maker has enabled hotspot on that device. 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 Card, and How Does It Replace a Physical SIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. You install a HelloRoam eSIM over Wi-Fi in minutes and connect to local networks in 185+ countries. There is no plastic card to carry, no shop visit or SIM swap before your trip, and no roaming fees once you land.

Last updated: 25 September 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

Jio's 1-day international roaming pack costs ₹589, and Airtel's prepaid 1-day pack costs ₹698. With a travel eSIM, you can skip those packs. An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone that gives you instant cellular data abroad without swapping a physical card. 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 at IGI Airport before your flight. What is cellular? Cellular is the mobile network technology (4G LTE or 5G) that carries your calls and internet data. Jio, Airtel and Vi are the main cellular carriers in India.

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 now have this chip built in, but not every model does, so check your phone's settings. Compatible models include iPhone XS and newer, most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, Google Pixel 4 and newer, and the OnePlus 11, 12, 13, 13R and Open (global and regional versions only, not Chinese models or the Nord series). HelloRoam, built by Future Syncs Limited (UK Companies House 15950168), helps travellers skip data roaming charges, avoid the physical SIM card swap at the airport, and get online the moment they land.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a built-in digital SIM that lets you activate a mobile plan without a physical SIM card.

How to get an eSIM

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

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

An eSIM works by using built-in software to download and store a cellular carrier profile on your phone. Once active, it connects you to mobile networks, lets you make calls, send texts, and use cellular data (mobile internet for browsing, streaming, and apps) the same way a physical SIM card does. What is data roaming? Data roaming means your phone uses a foreign carrier's network outside India, and Jio, Airtel, or Vi charge you extra for each day. An eSIM from HelloRoam connects you to local networks directly, and you pay one prepaid HelloRoam price, with no roaming fees from your home carrier. You can check our compatibility list if you are unsure about your specific model.

Getting started takes about 5 minutes: buy a prepaid eSIM 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, with the eSIM handling mobile data and your Jio or Airtel SIM keeping your home number active for calls and WhatsApp. On iPhone, go to Settings, Mobile Service, Add eSIM, and scan the QR code. On Android, go to Settings, Network, SIM manager, and tap Add. You can store multiple eSIM profiles and switch between them at any time. This is a value-for-money way to stay connected abroad.

How Do You Set Up an eSIM?

Follow these steps to get your eSIM ready on your iPhone or Android before travelling abroad.

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 HelloRoam 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 eSIM 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 on arrival
No extra charges
No need to visit local stores or kiosks
Switch between countries instantly

Traditional SIM cards struggle to keep up with these expectations. eSIM solves the problem by making connectivity digital-first.

On top of that, smartphone makers are removing physical SIM trays from newer models altogether, a sign of a long-term industry shift toward eSIM-only devices.

Save on international data with one prepaid eSIM price instead of carrier roaming

Save on
data costs

HelloRoam plans start at ₹98.03. No contracts, no hidden charges, and a refund on unactivated eSIMs 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 by region and carrier restrictions. Always check your specific model before buying a plan.

Check Compatibility

eSIM benefits for international travel

Avoid roaming fees
Skip the scramble for a local SIM at IGI Airport or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International. With an eSIM, you connect to local carriers and get data at local network speeds the moment you land, with no extra roaming recharge from Jio, Airtel, or Vi.
Activates in seconds
Buy a plan from India before you fly, scan a QR code, and you are connected within minutes of landing in Dubai or Singapore. No airport SIM counter queue, no physical card to fiddle with.
Keep primary number active
Your phone can hold multiple eSIM profiles at once. Switch between carriers for Dubai, Singapore, or the US without pulling out a tiny physical card.
Multi-country coverage
HelloRoam connects you to 212+ mobile networks across 185+ countries, with 4G LTE or 5G data in most of them.
Quick switching
No annual contracts. Pick a plan that fits your trip length and data needs. No strings attached, no hidden charges.
Backup connectivity
Lost your bag at Dubai Airport or pickpocketed in Bangkok? Your eSIM stays safely inside your phone. It cannot be removed or stolen the way a physical SIM card can.

Common Use Cases for eSIM

Travel
The most popular use case: affordable, instant mobile data abroad.
Business
Professionals can keep multiple numbers or plans running without juggling devices.
Remote Work
Mobile data in different countries without depending on Wi-Fi.

eSIM Disadvantages to Know Before You Buy

eSIM offers many advantages, but it also has a few limitations worth knowing:

Requires a compatible deviceOlder phones and many budget models still need a physical SIM. Check the HelloRoam compatibility list before you purchase a plan. Many popular mid-range Android phones in India support eSIM from 2021 onward.
Some older networks may not fully support itSome smaller regional carriers have not yet added eSIM support. Check coverage for your destination before purchasing.
Initial setup may feel unfamiliar to first-time usersYou need Wi-Fi or mobile data to download and install the eSIM profile. Plan ahead if you are arriving somewhere with limited connectivity.
Moving an eSIM to a new device can take 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 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 more people adopt eSIM, but they're still worth keeping in mind.

eSIM security and future technology

eSIM technology is built for both convenience and long-term mobile innovation. From stronger security protections to growing adoption worldwide, 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: The Better Choice for International Travel

SIM Card

eSIM

An eSIM generally beats a physical SIM card for international travel. It activates instantly, costs less than roaming, and lets you switch networks without changing hardware. Travellers get faster setup, more 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 on WhatsApp sees these issues often. Here are quick fixes for the most common problems Indian travellers face after scanning the QR code.

1
1. 1Clean your phone 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.
Does your phone say the code is no longer valid? Your eSIM may already be installed on your phone. Check your list of mobile lines before you scan the code again.
2
1. 1Restart your phone first.
2. 2Then go to Settings and confirm the HelloRoam eSIM line is set for cellular data and that Data Roaming is turned on.
3. 3If you bought an automatic-activation plan, the eSIM will not 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, under Mobile Data in Mobile Service. Recorded in UK English.
3
1. 1Open Settings and check your list of mobile lines first.
2. 2The HelloRoam line may appear there under a different name, such as Secondary.
3. 3If you find it switched off, tap it and turn the line back on.
4. 4If the line does not appear in the list at all, the install did not finish, so read the error message shown on your screen.
5. 5Also confirm that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to a carrier.
6. 6Do not delete an eSIM to try to fix this: email help@helloroam.com with your order number and the exact 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.
4. 4Turn it off first, then delete it.
5
1. 1Most phones let you store several eSIM profiles but only use one for data at a time.
2. 2Go to Settings, then Cellular, and choose which line handles mobile data.
3. 3Turn off any profile you are not actively using.
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. 3If the code still fails, email help@helloroam.com with your order number.
4. 4Before 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

HelloRoam activation on Android takes about 5 minutes. Open your confirmation email and scan the QR code with your camera app. Go to Settings, then Network and internet, then SIM manager, and tap Add eSIM. Most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, Google Pixel 4 and newer, select recent OnePlus models, and some Xiaomi and Realme flagship models support this feature. Connect to Wi-Fi before you start. Your Jio or Airtel SIM stays active for calls while the HelloRoam plan handles data.

Most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models support eSIM, but the Galaxy S20 FE and S21 FE do not. Many Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models support it too, but support depends on the exact model, so check your phone's settings. To activate a HelloRoam plan on a Samsung device, go to Settings, then Connections, then SIM manager, and tap Add. Scan the QR code from your confirmation email. Your device must be carrier-unlocked and not blocked by your Indian carrier to install a travel data plan.

HelloRoam eSIM plans cost far less than Jio or Airtel international packs for most trips. Jio, Airtel, and Vi price their international roaming packs by the day or for a fixed number of days, so the cost grows with your trip. HelloRoam connects you via local mobile network operators in each country, so you pay one prepaid price instead. Buy the plan before your trip, scan a QR code, and it activates when you land. No hidden charges, no daily roaming bills sent to your family back home.

Most modern phones with embedded SIM support dual SIM mode, letting you run both a digital profile and a physical SIM at the same time. Keep your Jio or Airtel SIM active for calls, SMS, and WhatsApp back to family in India while your HelloRoam plan handles cellular data abroad. Dual SIM mode is supported on iPhone XS and newer, most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, Google Pixel 4 and newer, and select recent OnePlus models. This is the standard setup for most trips abroad.

A HelloRoam eSIM is worth it if you travel from India to Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, London or New York more than once a year. You pay one prepaid price for your trip data instead of Jio or Airtel international roaming charges. Buy a plan in minutes from your phone, scan a QR code, and you are connected when you land. No airport SIM counter queue, no hidden charges. If you live abroad and visit India, an eSIM also means no physical SIM swap when you arrive at Mumbai or Delhi.

HelloRoam travel eSIMs provide data only and do not assign a new phone number. Your existing Jio, Airtel, or Vi number stays active on your physical SIM card for calls and texts. The travel eSIM handles mobile data on a local network for one prepaid HelloRoam price, so you pay no data roaming charges to your Indian carrier. For voice calls over data, use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom from your HelloRoam eSIM connection.

Some recent OnePlus phones support eSIM, but support depends on the model and the country where the phone was sold, so check before you buy a plan. To activate a plan on a OnePlus device that supports eSIM, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi and network, then SIM and network, and tap Add. Scan the QR code from your HelloRoam confirmation email. Make sure your OnePlus device is carrier-unlocked before purchasing a plan. Most OnePlus phones sold directly, not through a locked carrier plan, are unlocked by default.

What is data roaming? Data roaming is when your phone connects to a foreign carrier's network outside India and Jio, Airtel, or Vi charges you extra, by the day, by the pack, or per MB used. With a HelloRoam eSIM, you use local partner networks abroad and pay one prepaid HelloRoam price, with no roaming fees from your Indian carrier. You pay that single fixed amount before your trip instead of building up per-day roaming bills.

Budget Android phones from Realme and Vivo generally do not support eSIM. A few flagship models support it in some markets, but support depends on the model and where it was sold. Entry-level and mid-range Realme or Vivo devices typically rely on a physical SIM only. To confirm your specific model, go to Settings, then Network and internet, then SIM manager. If you see an Add eSIM option, your phone supports it. Visit the HelloRoam device compatibility checker before purchasing a plan. HelloRoam plans start from ₹98.03.