eSIM basics
When should I install my travel eSIM? Before you fly, and here is why
Install it at home, before you travel. That's the short answer, and it saves you a stressful half hour at the airport looking for Wi-Fi.
People wait because they worry the plan will start counting days straight away. It won't.
When does the plan start?
The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in a country it covers. Installing it doesn't start anything. You can install it a week before, or a month before, and the days and data stay untouched until you land.
With Blue eSIM you have up to 175 days after buying to install it. Buy it when you book your flight, install it whenever suits you, and forget about it until you arrive.
Why install at home?
- You need an internet connection to install, ideally Wi-Fi. Airport Wi-Fi is often slow or asks for a login.
- If something goes wrong, you have time to contact us before your trip.
- On a recent iPhone, the Blue eSIM app installs it with one tap. On other phones you scan the QR code, which is much easier with the code on a second screen at home.
What to do on the day you fly
Leave the eSIM switched on, but you don't need to touch anything else until you land. When you arrive:
- Turn off flight mode.
- Choose the travel eSIM for mobile data.
- Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM.
- Keep data roaming off on your home SIM.
Most phones connect within a minute. If yours doesn't, our 8 fixes for an eSIM that won't connect solve almost every case.
Mistakes to avoid
Don't delete the eSIM. It installs once, so if you delete it you need a new one. Keep it until the trip is over.
Install each eSIM on the phone that will use it. This is easy to get wrong when you buy for the whole family.
And don't wait until the plane lands. Without data you can't download the eSIM, and that's exactly the moment you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install the eSIM months before my trip?
Yes, up to 175 days after buying. The plan only starts when you connect at your destination.
Will the eSIM use data at home if I install it early?
No. It only connects in the countries its plan covers. At home your phone keeps using your normal SIM.
Do I need the QR code after installing?
No, but the Blue eSIM app keeps it, and the manual codes, in case you need them. They even work offline.