How to get an eSIM online: Step-by-step guide

How do you purchase an eSIM? 

The easiest way to get an eSIM is through a dedicated eSIM app. These apps let you browse plans from different providers, compare prices, pay securely, and activate your eSIM in minutes — no store visits or waiting around. The app then links your device to the best available mobile network in the country you’re visiting. 

A physical SIM card, on the other hand, is usually bought in person at phone shops, convenience stores, or airport kiosks. You pick one up, insert the card into your phone, and wait up to an hour for it to activate. When comparing an eSIM and a physical SIM, the process of purchase and activation is one of the biggest points of difference.

So how long does it take to activate an eSIM? Just a few minutes. Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs aren’t usually sold in stores. They’re designed to be bought and activated online. With just an internet connection, you can be set up and ready to go in a few taps. A fast, easy setup is just one of the benefits of an eSIM, but it’s probably the main selling point for many users.

What do you need to get an eSIM?

Getting an eSIM is simple, but you’ll need a few basics in place before you start. 

• An eSIM-compatible phone. Most smartphones work with eSIM technology, especially if they were manufactured after 2020. Check your phone’s SIM settings or look up the device model online to check for eSIM compatibility.

• An internet connection. Since eSIMs are bought and activated online, you’ll need Wi-Fi or mobile data to complete the process. While you could rely on the free Wi-Fi at the airport, we recommend setting up your eSIM app before you travel.

• A way to pay. Have a card, digital wallet, or another payment method ready to buy your prepaid plan. In almost all cases, payment is required upfront for the initial data package.

• A secondary device. If you want to use an eSIM QR code (something that most eSIM companies include in an email to new customers), you’ll need an extra device in addition to the smartphone you’re installing the eSIM app on. You can open the email on this secondary device (your laptop or tablet, for example) and scan the QR code using your phone.

Once you’ve got these four things covered, you’re ready to choose your eSIM provider, pick a plan, and download the app.

How to get an eSIM

To make sure you know exactly what you’re doing, we’ll now cover every step in the process of getting an eSIM. This guide will be particularly useful for both Android and iPhone users and is essentially the same for both systems. Put simply, you need to do the following:

1. Choose a provider.

2. Visit the provider’s website or download an eSIM app.

3. Choose an eSIM plan.

4. Complete your eSIM purchase.

5. Activate your eSIM.

1. Choose a provider

The eSIM market has never been busier, so picking the right provider for your specific internet needs can be difficult. Big names in the eSIM space at the moment include Airalo, aloSIM, Holafy, Nomad, and Saily. All of these brands provide dependable, trustworthy eSIM apps, but each offers a slightly different selling point. Before picking one, you should decide on three things:

1. The length of your trip

2. Roughly how much internet you plan to use each day

3. Your budget for internet access

You can use our data usage calculator to get a better understanding of how much data you actually need. Based on these criteria, you can then pick a provider and a plan that meets your needs.

2. Visit the provider’s website or download an eSIM app

Your next step is to visit the provider’s website or download its eSIM app. You can download all major eSIM apps from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store, but the process can also be initiated from your chosen provider’s website. For example, when you buy an eSIM plan on the Saily website, the company sends an email  containing a QR code for the app download to you.

3. Choose an eSIM plan

Most eSIM providers offer a range of plans, varying by duration and data allowance. On the website or app, you can search for the destination you’re visiting and view a selection of eSIM packages. Saily, for example, usually offers five or six different options, starting at 1 GB for 7 days and topping out at 20 GB for 30 days. For some destinations, Saily can also provide an unlimited data package, with durations ranging 10 to 30 days. As you choose your plan, remember those three variables from earlier — the length of your trip, how much internet you actually need each day, and your budget. 

Intense internet usage — making video calls, streaming, and uploading or downloading large files — can burn through multiple gigabytes (GB) each day. If that’s your style, you’ll want a deal with a bigger data allowance or perhaps even an unlimited package. But maybe you only plan to use the internet to send emails, check social media, and write the occasional text-based WhatsApp message. In that case, you could go for a smaller and cheaper package. 

4. Complete your eSIM purchase

You’ve picked your provider and found a plan that works for you. Now it’s time to complete your purchase and seal the deal. This step shouldn’t take long, but if you’re a regular eSIM user (or you think you might be in the future) it’s worth taking note of in-app currency options. Many eSIM apps, including Saily, offer some kind of credit or token that you can earn by using the service and then spend on future purchases. 

For example, you can get Saily credits when you refer a friend to the app, and these can be cashed in when you buy your next eSIM plan. Most major eSIM providers now have an equivalent of this system.

5. Activate your eSIM

Once you’ve purchased your plan and downloaded the eSIM app, you can activate your new eSIM. Doing this in advance is usually a smart move because it means the eSIM will start working as soon as you get to the destination it covers. Just follow the in-app instructions to add and activate your eSIM, and then, when your plane touches down for your dream vacation, you’ll be online (once you turn off airplane mode, of course!).

Choosing the best provider for your new eSIM 

Picking the right eSIM provider is important. When making the choice, remember these helpful tips.

• Pick a provider based on your internet needs. This is the most important factor — there’s no point in choosing a provider that specializes in unlimited data deals if you don’t plan to use the internet much on your trip. Likewise, a provider offering affordable plans with very limited data allowances won’t cut it if you want to video call your family each day.

• Read user reviews. Most eSIM providers have a Trustpilot page. There you can find eSIM reviews from the public, as well as an overall rating (out of five stars). A smart move is to look at the reviews and filter for the name of the destination you’re visiting. Other customers might have visited that location and left anecdotal accounts of the eSIM app’s performance there. 

• Look for extra features. While some eSIM apps offer just the basics (internet access and no more), others come with useful extra features. In Saily’s case, users get much more than just an eSIM. The app has built-in eSIM security features, shields you from tracking, and blocks ads. That last one is important — Saily’s ad blocker has been shown to save users almost 30% of their data per page, so each data allowance lasts longer. Frequent travelers can also invest in a Saily Ultra plan, a premium package with great perks like free airport lounge access.

For many travelers, Saily strikes a solid balance between affordability, flexibility, and reliability, while also offering useful bonus functions. With eSIM deals for more than 200 destinations, you’ll likely find a Saily plan that meets your internet requirements. 

How to install a Saily eSIM on different devices 

Installing your Saily eSIM doesn’t take long.  If you do it right, the eSIM will activate automatically when you reach your destination. Let’s go a little deeper on the eSIM installation process for iPhones and Android devices like Samsung, Google Pixel, and Motorola.

Install an eSIM on iPhone 

Want to know how to install an eSIM on your iPhone? It doesn’t take long — just follow these steps.

1. Open the Saily app, and tap “Install eSIM.”

2. Tap “Install eSIM” once more. 

3. When you receive a prompt, tap “Continue.”

4. Follow the on-screen instructions on your iPhone.

5. Return to the Saily app. You’ll get a notification confirming that the eSIM has been installed.

Install an eSIM on Android 

If you’re wondering how to install an eSIM on your Android, wonder no more! It only takes a few minutes to install and activate an eSIM on an Android device.

1. Open the Saily app and tap “Install eSIM.”

2. Tap “Install eSIM” again.

3. When you get a prompt on your device, tap “Allow.” 

4. Tap “Continue” to start the installation. This could take a few minutes. 

5. The eSIM should now be visible as an installed eSIM on the main page of the app.

Install an eSIM on Samsung  

You can install your eSIM on a compatible Samsung device using the same steps as you would for any Android device.

1. Open the Saily app on your Samsung and tap “Install eSIM.”

2. Tap “Install eSIM” again.

3. When you get a prompt on your device, tap “Allow.” 

4. Tap “Continue” to begin the installation. This might take a few minutes. 

5. The eSIM should now be visible in your list of installed eSIMs.

Install an eSIM on Google Pixel   

Google Pixel also runs the Android system (which is actually owned by Google), so setting up your eSIM on this device is very simple.

1. Open the Saily app on your Google Pixel and tap “Install eSIM.”

2. Tap “Install eSIM” again.

3. When you get a prompt on your device, tap “Allow.” 

4. Tap “Continue” to launch the installation. This may take a few minutes. 

5. The eSIM should now be visible in your list of installed eSIMs.

Install an eSIM on Motorola   

If you’re a Motorola user, you can follow the Android eSIM installation instructions, because your own device is also using the Android OS.

1. Open the Saily app on your Motorola and tap “Install eSIM.”

2. Tap “Install eSIM” again.

3. When you get a prompt on your device, tap “Allow.” 

4. Tap “Continue” to trigger the installation. This can take a few minutes. 

5. The eSIM should now be visible in your list of installed eSIMs.

How to get your next eSIM 

An eSIM app like Saily can make staying online abroad easy, safe, and affordable. Following the instructions in this guide, you can choose your plan and activate your eSIM in a few minutes, freeing yourself from the stresses of expensive roaming fees and unreliable local SIM cards. 

Whatever device you’re using and wherever you’re headed, Saily will be on hand to get you connected.