How Does Airalo Work?

Staying connected when you’re on the go should be easy. Whether you’re taking off on a business trip, exploring the world, or enjoying a well-deserved vacation, your mobile connection (and worries about roaming charges) should be the last thing on your mind.

That’s where we come in! Airalo gives you access to eSIMs for 200+ countries and regions around the world, making it easy and affordable to stay connected when you travel. But how does it all work? Read on to find out.

In this article:

What is Airalo?
What is an eSIM?
Does my phone have an eSIM?
How does Airalo work?
What can you do with an Airalo eSIM?
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Airalo?

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM marketplace. It was founded in 2019 to fix what’s broken in the travel connectivity industry and make it easier and more affordable for travelers (like you!) to stay connected.

Here at Airalo, we’ve experienced travel connectivity struggles first-hand. We’ve waited in line to buy a local SIM card, lost service in places far from home, and racked up expensive roaming charges. We’ve been through it all — and we’re here to fix it!

The Airalo store gives you access to eSIMs (digital SIMs) for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. eSIM technology makes it super simple to stay connected when you travel (more on this in the next section). With an Airalo eSIM, you can download a data plan for your destination and instantly connect to a mobile network when you land.

Sounds good, right? Let’s get into how it works.

What Is an eSIM?

First things first: What is an eSIM? eSIM stands for “embedded SIM card.” It’s a tiny SIM chip that’s built into your phone’s hardware. Like a traditional SIM card, it identifies you as a mobile subscriber and connects you to a carrier’s network. But it does it 100% digitally.

You can think of an eSIM as a digital SIM card. It’s a reprogrammable chip that allows you to download a data plan on the go. With an eSIM, connecting to a mobile network is easy. You can purchase and download an eSIM plan, install it on your device, and activate it when you arrive at your destination.

Most devices will allow you to download more than one eSIM data plan. Your phone stores these as eSIM “profiles” (or lines) that you can turn on and off. This makes it super simple to connect to new networks when you travel or to switch between plans (e.g., for home and work).

SIM vs. eSIM: What’s the Difference?

So, how is an eSIM different from a SIM card? While they serve the same function on your mobile device, there are a few key differences that set them apart:

An eSIM is embedded in your device. It isn’t removable, and you don’t need to swap it out to switch plans.
An eSIM is carrier-independent. It isn’t tied to a specific carrier. If your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, you can download a plan from any carrier you like.
An eSIM can’t be lost or stolen. You can’t remove an eSIM from your device, making it tricky to steal or lose.
An eSIM is difficult to damage. Since you can’t remove an eSIM, it’s hard to physically damage one (unless your entire device is compromised).

Does My Phone Have an eSIM?

Most flagship devices manufactured since 2018 are eSIM-compatible. However, whether your particular device supports eSIM technology will depend on your mobile provider and the region or country where you purchased it.

We like to keep things simple, so we’ve compiled a list of eSIM-compatible devices for your reference. If your device is on the list and has no restrictions, you should be good to go!

Remember that your phone must also be carrier-unlocked to use an Airalo eSIM. An unlocked phone isn’t tied to a carrier contract — you’re free to insert a SIM or activate an eSIM from any carrier you like.

Typically, a device is unlocked if you purchased it outright (and not as part of a mobile plan). The best way to find out is to contact your carrier.