How to Set Up and Activate an Airalo eSIM for International Travel

The greatest advantage of using an embedded SIM (eSIM) for your international vacation or short-term business trip is the ability to secure your digital connectivity before you ever leave your house. However, many first-time users worry about the technical setup—fearful they might accidentally trigger a roaming charge from their home carrier or land in a foreign country without internet.

Setting up an Airalo travel eSIM is highly intuitive. By completing the installation while you are still connected to your home Wi-Fi, you guarantee that your phone will connect to the local network the moment your plane lands.

Here is the step-by-step guide to installing and activating your digital data pack on both iOS and Android devices.

Step 1: Verify Device Compatibility

Before purchasing a data pack, you must ensure your smartphone is capable of utilizing an eSIM. Because the technology relies on a microchip built into the phone’s motherboard, older models do not support it.

Generally, your device is compatible if it is:

• Apple: iPhone XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series (and newer iPad Pro/Air models).

• Samsung: Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 series, and Galaxy Z Fold/Flip models.

• Google: Pixel 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 series.

Crucial Note: Your phone must also be "Carrier Unlocked." If you purchased your phone directly through a carrier contract (like AT&T or Vodafone) and are still paying it off, they may have locked the device to their network, preventing you from installing third-party eSIMs. You can usually check this in your phone’s settings under "General > About > Carrier Lock" (iOS).

Step 2: Purchase Before You Fly

Do not wait until you are at the airport to buy your digital profile.

1. Download the Airalo app while connected to your reliable home Wi-Fi.

2. Search for your destination country or region.

3. Select a short-term data package (e.g., 3GB for 30 days) and complete the checkout process.

Step 3: Install the Digital Profile

Airalo offers three methods for installation: Direct, QR Code, and Manual. The Direct Method is by far the easiest and is highly recommended for short-term travelers.

1. Open the Airalo app and go to "My eSIMs."

2. Tap on your newly purchased eSIM and select "Install eSIM / Access Data."

3. Choose the Direct option. The app will seamlessly guide you through adding the cellular plan to your phone’s internal settings.

4. When prompted to label the new plan, name it something clear, such as "Airalo Travel" or the name of your destination country.

5. When prompted for your "Default Line" for Voice/SMS, select your Primary (Home) SIM so you can continue receiving standard text messages and 2FA banking codes.

Step 4: Activating on Arrival

You have successfully installed the profile, but it will not activate or start counting down its validity days until it pings the local cell tower at your destination.

When your flight lands and you turn off Airplane Mode, follow these steps to get online:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).

2. Select your new Airalo Travel eSIM line and toggle "Turn On This Line" to the ON position.

3. Under the Airalo line settings, ensure "Data Roaming" is toggled ON. (The Airalo profile requires roaming to be ON so it can connect to its local partner networks).

4. Go to the main Cellular menu and select "Cellular Data." Switch the checkmark from your Primary home line to your Airalo line.

5. Important: Ensure "Allow Cellular Data Switching" is turned OFF so your phone does not accidentally revert to your expensive home network.

Within a few moments, your phone will connect to the local 4G or 5G network, providing high-speed internet before you even reach passport control.

Claim Your Visas Abroad Travel Discount

Remove the stress of technical setups and airport telecom kiosks. Visas Abroad has partnered with Airalo to provide our clients with an exclusive discount on all digital data packages for short-term travel and permanent relocations.

Purchase your data pack securely and claim your exclusive promotional discount at visasabroad.co.za/global-esim.