Data-only eSIM for travel
use "Skype to Phone" (Skype Out) to call landlines/mobile while travel
2024-12-06Prerequisite
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 turns grey)
Trip.com eSIM (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.Use cases for using Trip.com eSIM.
-1 Day 1GB USA eSIM for a day trip to USA costs $1.76.
-1 Day 1GB Canada/USA eSIM costs $2.06. Ideal for short term data use by PetroCan prepaid subscribers. PetroCan (Good2Go) mobile data is $150/GB.
-China has a 72-hour visa-free transit policy for transiting passengers. A 3 Days 2GB/day China eSIM costs $5.04.
Caution about time zone
with some Trip.com eSIM
For "USA/Canada eSIM", the end of day is based on GMT+8.
For Vancouver in winter, the day ends @ 8 am. For Toronto in
winter, the day ends @ 11am.
For Vancouver in summer, the day ends @ 9am. For Toronto in
summer, the day ends @12 noon.
Easiest way to deal with this madness is to add Hong Kong
time to your iPhone's clock app.
Install/activate (scan the "USA/Canada eSIM" QR Code) after
12:01 am Hong Kong time, to avoid loosing 1 day of usage.
Read the package details
Following your purchase, you will receive an email from trip.com immediately.
The "Updated Voucher" includes a PDF attachment containing a QR code.
(2) Print out the QR code on a piece of paper. You need a printer to do that, very inconvenient.
(or send the QR code to a travel companion's phone that can show the QR code offline).
(or send the QR code to your laptop or tablet)
(3) Before you scan the QR code, you must have WiFi and destination country's cell signal.
(4) At destination with WiFi and destination country's cell signal, scan the QR code and start install/activate.
e.g. for USA eSIM: After crossing Vancouver-Blaine boundary, drive to Starbucks in Blaine and connect to Starbucks WiFi, then scan the QR Code.
Settings..Cellular..Add eSIM...Use QR Code, scan the QR code, tap install, tap continue to Activate, tap Done. This is quite inconvenient, there is a better method, see below.
e.g. for Roam eSIM "Canada/USA eSIM" purchased from trip.com, the "E-ticket" has a hot link (for iPhone) to do the install without printing/scanning QR code. This is extremely useful for cross border day trip because (1) you don't need to print the QR code at home (2) you use your home cellular data network (before crossing the border) to install/activate without hunting for a WiFi cafe (3) you get 5G speed >150 Mbps instead of the slightly cheaper 4G LTE eSIM that max out at ≈40 Mbps speed.
Note: Airports in China have public WiFi but each airport authority use a different method to authenticate users for access.
The typical method is to connect to airport WiFi first, open a web browser to start an authentication dialog.
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) can authenticate using SMS sent to countries other than just China, or you can get a WiFi username/password from a dispensing machine by scanning your passport at the machine.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) can authenticate using SMS sent to countries other than just China.
For other airports in China, consult the website Airports in China.
If you have no success in accessing public WiFi at the airport, delay install/activation the Trip.com eSIM until you find a friendly WiFi cafe or hotel WiFi.
If you want to avoid these complications, try Airalo eSIM, that way, you can install/activate Airalo eSIM at home or WiFi at departing airport, and walk off the Jetway fully connected and access the Internet including WhatsApp, WeChat, Skype, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Facetime, Uber, Google email, Google Chat, Google Maps, etc.
Bad situation:
At a destination airport, train station, cruise ship port without WiFi
Very bad situation:
For some eSIM, if you try to install in a country other than the destination country, Secondary line will get stuck in an "activating" loop. Try to shut down the phone and restart. "activating" loop will continue until a WiFi connection, even than, it may take 10-20 minutes to calm down.
Worst case situation: phone reset may be required.
Settings...General...Reset...Reset All eSIMS (that includes erasing your home eSIM).
The graphics below shows an installed/activated eSIM, cellular data is coming from Secondary line (eSIM).
Check "Package Details" to see if "Data Roaming" needs to be ON or not. Most likely you need data roaming to be ON.
Tap the Secondary line...
Set the Data Roaming switch on, green is ON (see graphics below).
APN is usually set automatically.
If you don't get any data:
Check "Package Details" to find the APN setting.
Settings...Cellular...Secondary line...Cellular Data Network
The APN should be given in the email sent by trip.com after purchase.
Final check:
Settings...Cellular....Cellular Data
Secondary is checked
Do not touch "Allow Cellular Data Switching"
I typically 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 without answering.
- I can return calls and check voice mails using Skype to Phone for a small fee (3 ¢/min).