Using Your eSIM
Coverage, speeds, hotspot, data and plan validity while you travel.
Which network will my eSIM use?Your eSIM automatically connects to a trusted local partner network in each country — the same towers locals use — so you get stro…Does the plan include calls and SMS, or only data?Most Airlivo plans are data-only, which covers WhatsApp, iMessage, maps, browsing and video calls. Some destinations also offer pl…Can I share my data via hotspot?Yes. Hotspot / tethering works on almost all our plans, so you can share your connection with a laptop or a travel companion’s pho…What happens when my data runs out? Can I top up?When your data is used up the connection simply stops — there are no surprise overage charges. You can buy a new plan or top up th…Do I need to set up an APN manually?Usually not — the APN configures itself automatically. If you don't get data after activating, we provide the exact APN setting fo…What internet speed can I expect?You'll get full local 4G/LTE or 5G speeds wherever the partner network supports it — the same speed a local customer gets. There's…Do eSIM plans expire, and when does validity start?Yes, each plan has a validity period (for example 7, 15 or 30 days). The countdown usually starts when the eSIM first connects to…How can I check how much data I have left?You can see your remaining data in your Airlivo account under your orders. Your phone's built-in mobile-data usage counter (in cel…Can I make normal phone calls and send text messages?Most Airlivo eSIMs are data-only, so they don't carry a phone number for regular calls or SMS. You can still call and message free…Will WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime work on my eSIM?Yes. These apps run over data, so they work normally on your eSIM. Your WhatsApp stays linked to your original number even while t…Can I use a VPN with my eSIM?Yes. An eSIM is just an internet connection, so any VPN app works over it exactly as it would on Wi-Fi or your home SIM.Does using an eSIM drain my battery faster?No more than a normal SIM. If your phone is constantly searching for signal in a low-coverage area it can use more battery, but un…Can I switch between my home SIM and my eSIM?Yes. In your cellular settings you can turn each line on or off and choose which one handles data. A common setup is: home SIM for…Can I reuse my eSIM on my next trip after it expires?Once a plan's data or validity is used up, that plan is finished. For a future trip you buy a new plan; you can often top up the s…How do I stop my home SIM from running up roaming charges?Turn off Data Roaming on your home SIM line (not the eSIM) in your cellular settings, and set the Airlivo eSIM as your data line.…Does the eSIM plan start the moment it's installed?Usually no. For most Airlivo plans, validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in your destination — not when you i…Does the eSIM activate before I arrive in the country?You can install it (download the profile) anywhere, but the plan usually activates when it first connects to a local network in yo…How long does activation take?Installing the eSIM (scanning the QR and downloading the profile) usually takes a few minutes. When you arrive, turning the eSIM o…How do I check whether my plan is active?Two ways: on your phone, if that eSIM line shows signal bars and the internet works, it's active. You can also see your plan statu…Is eSIM validity counted in days or hours?Airlivo plans count validity in days (e.g. 7, 15, 30 days). Validity usually starts when the eSIM first connects to a network, and…My plan started before my travel date — what should I do?This usually happens when the eSIM connects to a network before you arrive (for example, testing it in your home country). You can…If I activate the eSIM late, does my plan expire?No. A plan's validity doesn't start until the eSIM first connects to a network, so installing it and waiting doesn't burn your tim…Should I turn off my home line?You don't need to turn it off completely. If you want to keep receiving calls and texts, leave your home line on — but turn off it…Will I be charged for roaming if my home SIM stays on?Simply leaving it on doesn't cost anything. Charges mainly come from your home line using the internet abroad while its data roami…How do I use only the Airlivo eSIM abroad?Set the internet to the Airlivo eSIM and turn off data roaming on your home line; you can keep your home line on for calls if you…Should 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' be on?This iPhone option (Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > Allow Cellular Data Switching) lets the phone use the other line for dat…Which should be the default voice line on iPhone?The default voice line decides which number makes calls. If you want to call and be reached on your own number, set the voice line…Can I keep receiving texts on my home line?Yes. As long as your home line (physical SIM) stays on in the phone, texts to your own number keep arriving — including bank verif…Will bank verification texts still arrive?Yes — as long as your home line (your own number) stays on in the phone, bank OTP/verification texts keep arriving. Don't turn the…Will incoming calls to my home line be charged?While abroad, calls to your own line may be subject to your carrier's roaming rates — this is independent of data and varies by ca…Which settings should I turn off to avoid a roaming bill?Most important: turn off data roaming on your home line (your own SIM). On iPhone, also turn off 'Allow Cellular Data Switching'.…Can I make WhatsApp calls over the eSIM?Yes. Calls like WhatsApp and FaceTime work over the internet, and since the Airlivo eSIM gives you internet, WhatsApp voice and vi…My iMessage number changed — how do I fix it?iMessage/FaceTime can sometimes pick the eSIM line and show the wrong number. To fix it: in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive,…Can I use Instagram, YouTube and TikTok on the eSIM?Yes. The Airlivo eSIM provides a standard internet connection, so Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and all other apps work normally. Vid…Do WhatsApp, Google and Instagram work on a China eSIM?Usually yes. In China local carriers block services like WhatsApp, Google and Instagram; however, travel eSIMs often route your tr…Can I use banking apps on the eSIM?Yes. Banking and payment apps work over the Airlivo eSIM's internet. One thing to watch: some banks send verification codes by SMS…Do navigation apps work on the eSIM's internet?Yes. Apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze work fine on the Airlivo eSIM's internet; your location comes from GPS while map d…Can I extend my plan's duration?You can't extend a plan's validity (days) — once it expires, the plan ends. But if you're staying longer, you can buy a new plan o…Can I buy a new plan for the same eSIM?Yes. As long as the eSIM profile stays on your phone, you can buy a new plan or top-up for the same country/region from Airlivo an…Does unused data roll over to the next plan?No. A plan's remaining data doesn't carry over when it expires or when you buy a new plan — unused data is lost. So choosing a pla…Why is my phone using data so fast?Background activity is usually the culprit: automatic app updates, cloud backup (iCloud/Google Photos), video autoplay, and high-r…How do I turn off background data usage?iPhone: Settings > General > Background App Refresh (turn off); also disable cellular data/auto-downloads for the App Store and iC…How much data does watching video use?Rough figures: SD (480p) ~0.7 GB/hour, HD (720p) ~1.5 GB/hour, Full HD (1080p) ~3 GB/hour, 4K ~7 GB/hour. To save data, lower the…How much data do maps use?Maps use little data — live navigation is usually around 5-10 MB per hour. The most is used when loading maps of new areas. If you…How many days does 1 GB of data last?It depends on your usage. For light use (messaging, maps, email, occasional social media), 1 GB can last about 2-4 days. If you st…Is 5 GB of data enough for a trip?For moderate use it's usually enough: for daily maps, social media, messaging and occasional video on a 1-2 week trip, 5 GB is eno…What is a fair use policy?A fair use policy applies to 'unlimited' plans: the data never runs out, but after a daily high-speed allowance the speed is reduc…How do I turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone?On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot (or Settings > Personal Hotspot) > turn on 'Allow Others to Join'. If you have m…How do I turn on mobile hotspot on Android?On Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > turn on Mobile Hotspot. You can see and change the network nam…The hotspot option is missing — what should I do?First make sure mobile data is on and the Airlivo eSIM is your data line; hotspot only works with the active data line. Try restar…Does using a hotspot use up my plan faster?The hotspot itself doesn't add a charge, but the devices you connect (laptop, tablet) usually use more data than a phone — auto-up…Is there a hotspot limit on unlimited eSIM plans?You can usually use a hotspot on unlimited plans, but the same fair-use rule applies: once the daily high-speed allowance is reach…Can I use the eSIM's internet on a laptop?Yes — turn on your phone's hotspot (Personal Hotspot) and connect your laptop to the phone's Wi-Fi to use the Airlivo eSIM's inter…Does the eSIM work on a cruise ship?Not while you're out at sea. Ships far from land connect through expensive satellite systems, so your eSIM only works when the shi…Does the eSIM work on a plane or during the flight?No — your phone stays in airplane mode during the flight, so no eSIM works in the air. If the plane has in-flight Wi-Fi you can us…Will my eSIM work during a layover in another country?Only if that country is included in your plan. A single-country plan works just for its own country, while a regional or global pl…Does the eSIM work on the metro, underground or on trains?Yes, wherever there is mobile coverage. On above-ground trains it works normally; in deep underground tunnels the signal can drop…How much data does a video call use?A video call on WhatsApp, FaceTime or Zoom uses roughly 200–400 MB per hour depending on quality. Switching the camera off (voice…How much data does music streaming use?Streaming music on Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music uses about 40–150 MB per hour depending on the quality setting. Downloadi…How can I make my data last longer?Download maps, music and shows over Wi-Fi before you go, turn off background app refresh and auto-playing videos, and set streamin…Does turning on airplane mode switch off my eSIM too?Yes — airplane mode turns off all mobile connections, including your eSIM. To keep the eSIM active while stopping your home line f…Can I test that my eSIM works before I fly?You can install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi and confirm it appears in your cellular settings, but it usually won't fully connect u…Is public Wi-Fi safe, or should I use my eSIM instead?Open public Wi-Fi in airports, cafés and hotels can be risky for logging into banking or email. Your eSIM gives you a private mobi…Can two people share one eSIM plan?One eSIM installs on a single phone, but that phone can share its connection with others via Personal Hotspot. So one person insta…Does the validity count reset at local midnight?Plan duration is counted in full days from when the eSIM first connects, not by the calendar date. A 7-day plan, for example, runs…What is the difference between EID, IMEI and ICCID?They identify three different things. The EID is the ID of the eSIM chip built into your phone; the IMEI is the unique ID of the p…What is an ICCID number on an eSIM?The ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier) is the unique serial number of your SIM profile — usually 19–20 digits. Each eSIM p…How do I find my eSIM ICCID number?On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and scroll to your eSIM/plan to see its ICCID. On Samsung and most Android phones, ope…Why does my Samsung phone have no eSIM option?Not every Samsung supports eSIM: some regional variants (for example certain models sold in parts of Asia), dual-physical-SIM vers…Why does my phone support eSIM but I can't add one?The most common reasons are that the phone is carrier-locked (it refuses third-party eSIMs), you've hit the limit of stored eSIMs,…Can I use Wi-Fi Calling with a travel eSIM?Wi-Fi Calling belongs to a phone number from a voice carrier, and Airlivo travel eSIMs are data-only with no number — so the eSIM…Can I receive OTP codes while using a travel eSIM?SMS one-time codes are sent to your phone number, which lives on your home SIM — not on the data-only travel eSIM. Keep your home…Why does my eSIM show a different country or IP address?This is normal for many travel eSIMs. Your data is often routed through a partner network in another country, so websites may see…Can I buy an eSIM after I arrive abroad?Yes. You can buy and install an Airlivo eSIM once you're already in the country — you just need an internet connection to download…Can I use a US eSIM-only iPhone while traveling internationally?Yes. US iPhones from the iPhone 14 onward are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray), but they fully support installing travel eSIMs and…Can I use Wi-Fi Calling over my travel eSIM's mobile data?Generally no. Wi-Fi Calling needs an actual Wi-Fi network — on most phones it won't run over another line's mobile data, including…Does Wi-Fi Calling abroad avoid roaming charges?Usually, yes. When your home number's calls and texts go over Wi-Fi Calling on a Wi-Fi network, most carriers bill them at your no…Can I send SMS over Wi-Fi Calling while abroad?Yes, if Wi-Fi Calling is enabled on your home SIM and you're on Wi-Fi, texts to and from your home number can go over the internet…Will I miss text messages if I turn off my primary SIM abroad?Yes. If you switch off or remove your primary SIM, its number is no longer registered on any network, so incoming SMS — including…Can voicemail cause roaming charges while I'm abroad?Yes. Abroad, a call that diverts to your voicemail is forwarded internationally, and your carrier may bill it as a roaming call. T…Can rejecting an incoming call abroad trigger roaming charges through voicemail?Yes. If you reject a call and it diverts to voicemail, that forward can be billed as a roaming call. If you want to avoid any char…How do I disable voicemail to avoid roaming charges while traveling?The simplest way is to turn off your primary line's call forwarding before you travel; your carrier has a code or an app option fo…Can receiving a phone call trigger a roaming day pass even if I use an eSIM for data?Yes. Some carriers (for example Verizon TravelPass or AT&T International Day Pass) charge a daily fee the moment your home line is…Does Android RCS work with a travel eSIM?Yes, as long as your primary number stays registered and you have a data connection. RCS is tied to your usual line, not the data…Does WhatsApp Business work with a travel eSIM?Yes. WhatsApp Business works just like regular WhatsApp: it's linked to your number and runs over the internet, so with the Airliv…Can I register WhatsApp with a data-only eSIM?Airlivo travel eSIMs are data-only and don't come with a new number, so you can't register a WhatsApp account with one. The normal…How do I keep my regular phone number on iMessage while using a travel eSIM?Under Settings → Messages → Send & Receive, keep your own number (and Apple ID) ticked as the iMessage identity, and do the same u…Can I use Google Voice with a data-only travel eSIM?Yes. Google Voice makes calls and texts over the internet, so it works fine on the Airlivo eSIM's data — handy for keeping a US nu…Can I use my regular number for calls while the travel eSIM handles data?Yes — that's the usual setup. Keep your home SIM on as your voice line for calls and texts, and set the Airlivo eSIM as the data l…Can Low Power Mode or Battery Saver affect my eSIM connection?It can, indirectly. Low Power Mode / Battery Saver cuts background activity and sometimes network scanning, which can make notific…Does Low Data Mode affect a travel eSIM?Yes, and it's often useful on a limited plan. Low Data Mode (Settings → Cellular → the line → Cellular Data Options → Data Mode) c…Does using an eSIM change my GPS location?No. GPS is a satellite system independent of the SIM or eSIM, so your real location in maps stays correct. What can change is your…Does using a travel eSIM change my App Store or Google Play country?No. Your App Store or Google Play country is tied to your account (Apple ID or Google account) and payment method, not the SIM or…Why does Netflix, Disney+, YouTube or Prime Video show a different country with my eSIM?Because the catalog depends on the IP you connect from, and a travel eSIM's data may exit through another country. It's normal and…Why does Google think I am in another country when I use a travel eSIM?Google localizes results, language and services to your IP's country, and a travel eSIM often routes data through a partner networ…Why do websites show the wrong currency when I use a travel eSIM?Shopping sites usually guess your currency and region from your IP address, and a travel eSIM's IP may appear in another country.…Can a foreign eSIM IP address trigger extra verification from my bank?Yes, it can. Because a travel eSIM's data may exit through an IP in another country, your bank might ask for extra verification or…Can I call 911, 112 or other emergency numbers with a data-only eSIM?Yes. Emergency calls (112 in Europe, 911 in the US, and others) go through any available mobile network, even if your eSIM is data…What happens if I need to make an emergency call while my primary SIM is turned off?You'll still be able to call. Phones allow emergency calls over any available network, even if your primary SIM is off or you only…Can my phone connect to a cruise ship or maritime network and cause roaming charges while I use an eSIM?Yes, and it's a common surprise charge. On ships and ferries away from the coast, your phone can latch onto the vessel's satellite…How do I avoid expensive maritime roaming charges on cruises and ferries?The key is to avoid the ship's maritime networks, which are very costly. Turn off your primary SIM's data roaming and, if you're n…Why is my gaming ping or latency high when using a travel eSIM?Two reasons. Mobile networks generally have higher latency than home fiber, and a travel eSIM's data may route through a partner o…