Does Three support eSIM technology?
Three supports eSIM technology across its Three Your Way Pay Monthly range, including SIM Only plans. Existing Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go customers with compatible devices can also switch to or request a replacement eSIM. Three introduced its Three Your Way plans on January 30, 2023, and its current eSIM guidance is still built around these plans for new eSIM customers.
More recently, Three and Vodafone UK merged in 2025 to form VodafoneThree, which now operates the combined “Nation’s Network.” Despite the change, your eSIM remains a Three profile, and network sharing happens automatically, so you don’t need to change your eSIM or phone settings.
Three Business customers can also choose an eSIM with any compatible plan and device.
💡 Good to know: Three eSIMs run on UK plans, so they come with roaming limits abroad — a travel eSIM for Europe may be a better fit for trips. And if you're visiting the UK, a travel eSIM for the UK is often simpler than signing up for a UK plan.
Three eSIM plans and pricing
Three doesn’t have separate eSIM tariffs, and you pay for the mobile plan, not the digital SIM itself. Pay Monthly customers can choose from Three Your Way plans, while Pay As You Go customers can combine an eSIM with a Data Pack.
Three Pay Monthly and Three Your Way eSIM plans
Three Your Way SIM Only plans let you choose the contract length, data allowance, and plan tier. The Lite plan provides the basic plan benefits, the Value tier adds inclusive Go Roam in Europe, and the Complete one includes roaming across all Three Go Roam bands. Some plans also include a Lite+ option with unrestricted network speeds.
As of September, 2026, standard SIM Only prices vary considerably according to the term and tier. Three’s current price guide lists 24-month plans from £13 a month for Lite to £39 a month for an unlimited Complete plan, while 12-month plans range from £15 to £41 per month. Shorter one-month Lite plans currently start at £20 a month.
Look carefully at promotional pricing before signing up. As of September 17, 2026, Three was advertising a 24-month 25 GB Lite plan at £7 a month for the first six months, rising to £14 a month afterwards, while its 120 GB offer started at £8 a month before rising to £16 a month. Further scheduled increases apply during the contract.
The information about eSIM features and pricing in this review was last verified on the eSIM provider’s official website, specifically its English-language site, on September 17, 2026, and is subject to change.
Three Pay As You Go eSIMs (Data Packs)
You can buy a Three Pay As You Go eSIM online and start using it without waiting for a physical SIM to arrive.
Current auto-renew Three Data Packs include:
Data
| Price | Included Go Roam data |
|---|
60 GB
| £10 | Up to 6 GB
|
|---|
120 GB
| £13.50 | Up to 12 GB
|
|---|
240 GB
| £18 | Up to 18 GB
|
|---|
Unlimited
| £31.50 | Up to 30 GB |
|---|
Three says auto-renewing saves 10%. If you don’t want auto-renewal, its one-month packages currently range from 40 GB for £10 to unlimited data for £35. A three-month unlimited Value Data Pack is also available for £90.
| Pay Monthly/SIM only | Three Your Way | Pay As You Go Data Pack |
|---|
Best for
| Long-term UK use | Choosing your term and benefits | Short stays or no contract
|
|---|
Typical cost
| From around £13/month | Varies by data, term, and tier | From £10/pack
|
|---|
Data
| Tiered to unlimited | Tiered to unlimited | Tiered to unlimited |
|---|
Included roaming
| Depends on tier | Value includes Europe, while Complete includes all Go Roam bands | Up to 30 GB, depending on pack |
|---|
Three’s roaming allowances are still designed as part of a UK mobile plan rather than as dedicated travel data. If you expect to use more data abroad, an unlimited data eSIM plan may be more suitable. Saily’s data usage calculator can also help you estimate how much data you’ll need before choosing a plan.
The information about eSIM features and pricing in this review was last verified on the eSIM provider’s official website, specifically its English-language site, on September 17, 2026, and is subject to change.
Which devices work with a Three eSIM
To use a Three eSIM, you need a carrier-unlocked device that supports eSIM technology. Compatible smartphones include iPhone XS and XR models onward, recent Samsung Galaxy S and Z devices, Google Pixel phones, and selected Motorola, Sony, Xiaomi, and OnePlus models. Check your exact model before deciding to use Three.
You can also check Three’s Device Support pages or our list of eSIM-compatible devices before buying a plan.
Selected tablets, including compatible iPad models, and cellular smartwatches also support eSIMs. Three offers smartwatch [airing for compatible Apple Watches, allowing the watch to share the calls, texts, and data included in your phone plan.
You don’t normally need to turn off your primary SIM when using a Three eSIM. On a phone with dual-SIM functionality, both lines can remain active, and you can choose which one handles mobile data, calls, and texts.
How to get a Three eSIM
The way you get a Three eSIM depends on whether you’re joining Three as a new customer or switching an existing Three line.
New customers: Order online or in store
Choose a Three Your Way plan with an eSIM-compatible phone, tablet, smartwatch, or SIM-only option.
Select eSIM as your SIM type when ordering a compatible device or plan.
Complete the checkout and any required identity or credit checks. Pay Monthly customers must be at least 18, pass a credit check, and set up payment using a valid UK bank account.
Follow the activation instructions Three sends you. Most Android users receive a QR code and confirmation code in separate emails, while compatible iPhones and Google Pixel 11 devices can use seamless activation over Wi-Fi.
If you need to scan a QR code, open the email on another device or print it so your phone can scan the code.
Existing customers: Switch your Three SIM to an eSIM
If you already have a Three line and a compatible device, you may be able to convert your physical SIM directly in your phone settings.
On a compatible iPhone:
Open “Settings.”
Tap “Mobile service.”
Select “Convert to eSIM.”
Confirm the conversion and follow the on-screen instructions.
Wait until the eSIM is active before removing your physical SIM.
You can also request an eSIM replacement through My3 or the Three app. If you need help, call (333) from a Three phone or (0333 338 1001) from another phone or visit a Three store.
Keep your physical SIM in place until the new eSIM is active because once the conversion is complete, the old SIM will stop working.
The information about eSIM features and pricing in this review was last verified on the eSIM provider’s official website, specifically its English-language site, on September 17, 2026, and is subject to change.
Getting your QR code (and what to do if it doesn’t arrive)
For devices that use QR-code activation, Three sends the QR code and confirmation code in two separate emails. Both codes can only be used once.
If either email doesn’t arrive, check your spam or junk folder first. If you still can’t find it, contact Three for help rather than trying to reuse an old QR code. Replacement eSIMs can be requested through My3, the Three app, customer support, or a Three store, depending on your plan and device.
How to set up and activate your Three eSIM
Connect your phone to Wi-Fi before starting. The exact steps depend on your device and whether Three has provided seamless activation or a QR code.
iPhone
If Three has enabled seamless activation for your iPhone:
Turn on your iPhone and connect to Wi-Fi.
Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your mobile service.
Continue until the Three eSIM has been added and activated.
If you received a Three QR code instead:
Open “Settings” and tap “Mobile service.”
Tap “Set up mobile service” or “Add eSIM.”
Select “Use QR code.”
Scan the QR code Three emailed you.
Enter the confirmation code from the separate email.
Follow the prompts to activate the eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy
Menu names can vary slightly by model and Android version, but on recent Samsung Galaxy phones:
Open “Settings.”
Tap “Connections,” then “SIM manager.”
Select “Add eSIM.”
Tap “Scan QR code.”
Scan the QR code sent by Three.
Enter the confirmation code from the separate email and confirm the installation.
Google Pixel
Google Pixel 11 devices support Three’s seamless eSIM activation. Simply connect the phone to Wi-Fi and follow the on-screen setup prompts.
On other compatible Pixel phones:
Open “Settings.”
Tap “Network & internet,” then “SIMs.”
Select “Add SIM,” then “Set up an eSIM.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to add your Three plan.
Once the eSIM is installed, label the line and choose which SIM handles mobile data and calls if you use dual-SIM functionality. Make a test call, send a text, and check that mobile data works.
A Three eSIM usually activates immediately, although activation can sometimes take up to seven hours. If it still hasn’t activated after that, contact Three for support.
Three eSIM not activating? How to fix it
Most Three eSIM activation problems involve the QR code, an activation delay, a problem with device settings, or an issue with network connection. If your eSIM isn’t working, try the relevant fix below before requesting a replacement.
If the QR code won’t scan or has already been used, don’t keep retrying it. Three’s QR codes and confirmation codes can only be used once. If you need another eSIM, request a replacement through My3, the Three app, Three customer support, or a Three store.
If your eSIM is stuck on “Activating,” keep your phone connected to Wi-Fi and allow time for the process to finish. If it still hasn’t activated after Three’s stated activation window, contact support.
If the eSIM is installed but you have no service, check that the Three line is enabled in your SIM settings. Restart the phone, briefly switch airplane mode on and off, and check Three’s network status for a local outage. On Android devices, also check that the APN is set correctly — Three currently uses “three.co.uk” as its standard internet APN.
If mobile data stops working abroad, check that data roaming is enabled both on your Three account and in your phone settings. You should also check whether your plan or Data Pack includes Go Roam for your destination and whether you’ve already used the available roaming data.
If your phone came from another carrier, make sure it’s carrier unlocked and supports the Three network. An incompatible or locked device may prevent the eSIM from connecting even when the profile installs successfully.
If none of these steps works, contact Three and have your account details, device information, EID, and eSIM confirmation details ready.
Moving your Three eSIM to a new phone
A Three eSIM isn’t physically moved between phones, but iPhones and Google Pixel 11 devices support eSIM quick transfer. On a new iPhone, keep your old phone nearby with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on and follow the “Quick start” prompts. If it’s already set up, go to “Settings” → “Mobile service” → “Set up mobile service” and select the number you want to transfer.
For Android devices that don’t support quick transfer, or when moving between iPhone and Android, request a replacement eSIM through My3 or the Three app. Complete the transfer before deleting the old eSIM profile.
For more details, see our guides to transferring an eSIM to a new iPhone or moving an eSIM to a new Android phone.
Using a Three eSIM abroad: What Go Roam does and doesn’t cover
A Three eSIM works abroad in the same way as a physical Three SIM. What you can use depends on your plan and destination. Go Roam currently covers more than 160 destinations across Go Roam in Europe, Go Roam Around the World, and Go Roam Around the World Extra.
For Pay Monthly plans started or upgraded on or after June 22, 2025, Value plans include roaming in 49 Go Roam in Europe destinations, while Complete plans include all three Go Roam bands. Lite customers need to buy a Go Roam Pass or pay the applicable daily roaming charge. Older plans work differently, so check My3 or the Three app before traveling.
Go Roam lets Pay Monthly customers use up to 12 GB of their UK data allowance abroad under Three’s fair use policy. If you go beyond that limit, a surcharge may apply. Pay As You Go customers can use part of the allowance from their active Data Pack, with the amount depending on the pack.
Go Roam is part of a UK mobile plan rather than a dedicated travel-data service. Before leaving, check your destination and allowance, and make sure data roaming is enabled. If you use a separate travel eSIM, check which SIM handles mobile data to avoid unintended roaming charges. You can also read more about EU roaming before traveling in Europe.
The information about eSIM features and pricing in this review was last verified on the eSIM provider’s official website, specifically its English-language site, on September 17, 2026, and is subject to change.
A Three eSIM vs. a travel eSIM: Which do you need?
A Three UK eSIM is designed for ongoing UK mobile service, including a UK number, calls, texts, and data. A travel eSIM is intended primarily for mobile data while you’re away and can be useful if you want separate data without changing your main mobile plan.
| Three eSIM
| Saily eSIM |
|---|
What it is
| UK mobile plan | Prepaid travel eSIM
|
|---|
Setup
| Three account and eligible plan required | Buy and manage through the Saily app |
|---|
Phone number
| UK phone number included | Optional eSIM with a phone number |
|---|
Data abroad
| Uses your plan’s Go Roam allowance and limits | Choose a plan for your destination or region |
|---|
Commitment
| PAYG or contract, depending on the plan | Buy for the trip or selected validity period |
|---|
Existing SIM
| Can replace your physical Three SIM or run with another line | Designed to run alongside your existing SIM on compatible devices |
|---|
Support
| Standard carrier support | 24/7 customer support |
|---|
Saily’s standard eSIM plans are primarily for data, although an optional eSIM with a phone number is available for calls and SMS. You can download the Saily app to choose a plan for your destination, with 24/7 support and built-in security features.
The information about eSIM features and pricing in this comparison was last verified on the eSIM provider’s official website, specifically its English-language site, on September 17, 2026, and is subject to change.
If you’re comparing UK operators, you can also look at a Vodafone UK eSIM or a UK prepaid SIM card if you’re visiting the UK.
