Airalo eSIM install

Data-only eSIM for travel - a game changer

use "Skype to Phone" (Skype Out) to call landlines/mobile while traveling

2024-12-04

Prerequisite

Check primary (home network) Data is "Roaming Off"
Settings...Cellular....
    Cellular Data Options Roaming Off
        if you have 2 SIM profiles:
        Primary....Data Roaming... Off (slider switch is grey out)

Say goodbye to roaming charges

Airalo eSIM setup (iPhone)

Make sure your cell phone is capable of using eSIM before purchase. Dial *#06#, eSIM capable phone will show a 32-digit long EID number.
Download and install Airalo app
Typically 2 weeks before travel, purchase a destination eSIM (e.g. United States, 3GB, 30 Days)
Open airalo app, tap "My eSIMS", select the eSIM you purchased,
tap "View Instructions", detailed instructions are shown on screen.

About Validity Policy:
The information page at the eSIM purchase section tells you what validity policy is used.
For most eSIM, validity period starts (i.e. clock starts ticking) when you are connected to a destination cellular network, let's call this "good eSIM".
But for some eSIM, validity period starts (i.e. clock starts ticking) at the time of install, for the purpose of install/activation, let's call this "nasty eSIM".
A "Global" eSIM probably includes your home country as a "destination". It is not nasty at all, but for the purpose of install/activation, treat it as a "nasty eSIM".

Step 1
For "good eSIM", about 1 week before travel.
For "nasty eSIM", delay doing Step 1 until "day of travel" (to conserve validity period).
At home with WiFi or cellular Internet access, or find a WiFi cafe.
Open Airalo app, select the eSIM you purchased
tap "Install eSIM"
Activate New eSIM ? tap "Allow"
tap "Continue"
A few minutes later (be patient, don't interrupt the process), tap "Done"
create a custom label that is more meaningful than "Secondary", e.g. Vacation
Default Line ? tap primary
iMessage ? tap primary
Cellular Data ? If you are not traveling immediately, tap Primary.

Step 2 (day of travel)
For "nasty eSIM", do Step 1 install/activation (see above).
At departing airport, connect to airport WiFi.
At cruise terminal, connect to terminal WiFi.
For land travel, a few km inside destination country. If you are not sure whether you will be charged "automatic roaming" by your home carrier, switch to Secondary data a few km before entering destination country. See below.

Settings...Cellular...Cellular Data....
change from Primary to Secondary.
Now cellular data should come from Secondary (eSIM), but no data yet, because the following conditions are not met.
(1) you need Secondary line's Data Roaming to be turned ON, and
(2) you need to connect to a destination cellular network.

Open Airalo app, tap myeSIM, tap Details, tap View Instruction, see if the eSIM needs Data Roaming ON, most likely 99% it needs to be ON.

Settings...Cellular
tap Secondary line
toggle Data Roaming to ON

Step 3 (at destination)
If everything goes well, you can just walk off the Jetway/gangway fully connected:
you can use WhatsApp, WeChat, Skype, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Facetime, Uber, emails, Google Chat, Google Maps, etc.

If you have no access to Internet at the destination:

Settings...Cellular
    tap the Secondary line:
        Check:
        -Network Selection - T-Mobile or Verizon
            (consult Airalo app to see which network(s) applies to your eSIM)
            (e.g. Telcel for Mexico; Movistar for Spain; T-Mobile or Verison for USA)
            (e.g. China Unicom or China Mobile for China, CSL for Hong Kong)

-tap Cellular Data Network - APN should be set automatically. No action is needed, but it should not be blank.

Turn ON Airplane mode then turn OFF Airplane mode
(this forces the phone to reconnect to the new wireless environment)

I leave my primary line in the "ON" position because:
- I want to receive inbound SMS while abroad (inbound SMS is free for Canadian carriers).
- If someone calls my primary line, I can see who calls but not answer, otherwise roaming charges kick in.
- I can return calls or check voice mails using Skype to Phone for a small fee (3 ¢/min).