Use eSIM while travelling internationally with your iPhone

Find out more about the options and benefits of using eSIM with your iPhone while travelling abroad.

Find out more about the benefits of travelling with eSIM

• eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM because it can’t be removed if your iPhone is lost or stolen.

• With eSIM, you don’t need to obtain, carry and swap physical SIM cards, which can also be lost, or wait for them to arrive in the post before you leave.

• You can have two active eSIMs on supported iPhone models at the same time. This could, for example, include one eSIM for your home location and another eSIM for the place you’re visiting.

• You can swap which of your stored eSIMs are active by changing the selection in Settings. This may be helpful if you regularly travel to the same places.

What you need

• An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later

• A network provider or worldwide service provider that supports eSIM

• Your iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network*

• If your iPhone has a SIM tray, you can use both a physical SIM and an eSIM while travelling internationally

Find out more about eSIM on iPhone

eSIM on iPhone isn’t offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models feature eSIM. Find out more about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. For people visiting China mainland who want to use an eSIM for prepaid data plans, these are offered by many worldwide network providers.

Roam internationally with your existing network provider

• Network providers may include international roaming on selected data plans without additional fees.

• Alternatively, your network provider may offer affordable travel passes or plans that you can purchase ahead of time to use when you arrive at your destination.

• International roaming with an eSIM works just like roaming with a physical SIM.

• Your network provider may offer the ability to digitally manage your eSIM plan and add more data as needed.

• To find out more, contact your network provider.

Find out more about mobile data roaming options when you're travelling internationally

Purchase an eSIM from a local network provider in the country or region you’re visiting

• Find network providers around the world that support eSIM on iPhone.

• If your iPhone is locked to a network provider, it can only be used with that network provider. You can add multiple eSIMs and plans through that network provider. To check if your iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About. If your iPhone is unlocked, "No SIM restrictions" will appear next to Network Provider Lock (or Carrier Lock). Find out how to unlock your iPhone for use with a different network provider.

• Many network providers offer prepaid plan options that you can purchase from network providers’ websites or apps before you arrive. Or, you can purchase them in person after arriving at your destination from a network provider kiosk at the airport, a network provider shop or another location.

• In addition to purchasing a prepaid eSIM plan, you may want to get a post-paid account if you’re planning to be in another place for an extended period of time. 

• On your iPhone, you can store eight or more eSIMs, which can be used as needed. On supported iPhone models, you can use two eSIMs at the same time. Network provider fees may apply. Contact your network provider for more information.

Purchase a pre-paid data eSIM from a worldwide service provider

• Many worldwide service providers offer pre-paid data plans. These plans allow you to stay connected in over 190 countries and regions when you’re travelling. Network providers offer plans that differ by the amount of data and duration. You can also purchase a plan before you travel.

• Apps that offer data-only eSIM plans are available on the App Store on your iPhone.

• When you’re abroad, you can use a data-only eSIM as your secondary line and have two active eSIM plans on supported iPhone models.

• The capabilities on your primary line will continue to work when you add a data-only eSIM for mobile data. For example, you may keep your primary line for your home and set up a data-only eSIM plan as your secondary line while travelling.

• To choose your data line, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data. You can continue to use FaceTime, iMessage and other apps to make VoIP calls or send messages while you’re travelling.

• You can also turn data roaming on and off on your home line in Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data. Network provider fees may apply.

If you purchased an iPhone 14 model or later in the United States but will use it while living in a different country or region

• You can activate an unlocked iPhone 14 model or later that you purchased in the United States with over 400 network providers in 100 markets worldwide that support eSIM on iPhone. Contact your network provider to confirm they support eSIM on your mobile plan. Also, check iPhone mobile data band support

• Many worldwide service providers also offer prepaid eSIM data plans for long-term use in countries and regions across the world.