eSIM guides

What an eSIM is and how it works, which phones support eSIM, how much data a trip needs, and what eSIM terms mean.

What this page is for

Trippa eSIM has four guide pages for travellers: What is an eSIM? (how an eSIM works, how it differs from a SIM card, how to install and top one up, and how to choose a plan), eSIM compatible phones (which phones support eSIM and how to check yours in ten seconds), the data calculator (how much mobile data your trip needs and the plan size to look for) and the eSIM glossary (eSIM and mobile data terms explained, A to Z).

How to check that your phone supports eSIM

1. Open the phone app and dial *#06#.
2. If the screen shows an EID (a long number, separate from the IMEI), your phone supports eSIM.
3. Make sure the phone is not locked to one carrier. Phones bought on contract sometimes are; your carrier can unlock it.

How to work out how much data you need

1. Open the data calculator and pick the preset closest to how you use your phone: light, typical or heavy.
2. Set the length of your trip in days.
3. Move the sliders to match a normal day: maps, browsing, messages, video calls, social media, music, video and photo uploads. Choose SD or HD for video, and switch on the hotspot if a laptop will share your phone's connection.
4. Read your estimate. The calculator adds a 15% safety margin and rounds up to a common plan size.
5. Press See plans that fit for plans that last the whole trip and hold at least that much data. Choose a destination first to see only its plans.

The figures are typical rates, deliberately round. Video quality makes the biggest difference: an hour of HD video uses about 3 GB.

How to use the glossary

Terms are listed A to Z. Tap a letter to jump to it, or tap a linked word in a definition to go to that term. Each term has its own address (for example /glossary#eid), so you can share a link to one term.

How to use the guides

Each guide has a list of its sections at the top; tap one to jump to it. The questions at the end answer what travellers ask most. When you are ready, Find a plan for your destination opens the plans.

FAQs

A guide page is not there. The store can switch each guide off (store owners: Settings, SEO, analytics and cookies). The help and contact page answers the same questions.

My phone is not on the list. Do the *#06# check. If you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM.

The calculator does not move. It needs JavaScript. Without it the page still shows the typical trips and what each kind of use needs.

Is the estimate exact? No. Real use depends on the apps, the network and how much runs in the background, which is why a margin is added. If you are unsure, pick a plan that can be topped up.

Related pages

• The plans guide, the help and contact guide and the help index below.