Install early, activate later
- Install your eSIM at home before you travel, while you’re on WiFi. This downloads the eSIM profile to your phone.
- Activate (turn on) your eSIM only when you arrive at your destination.
Why wait to activate?
Most plans start their validity countdown when you first connect to a mobile network at your destination. If you activate too early, you could use up validity days before you even arrive. For example, if you have a 7-day plan and activate it 2 days before your trip, you’ll only have 5 days of data when you actually arrive.How to keep it off until you arrive
iPhone
Go to Settings > Mobile Data and make sure your Roamly eSIM is toggled off. Turn it on when you land.Android
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and keep the Roamly SIM disabled. Enable it when you arrive.What about your regular SIM?
Keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts. Just make sure data roaming is turned off on your regular SIM to avoid carrier charges. Use the Roamly eSIM for data only.Summary
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Buy your plan | Before your trip |
| Install the eSIM | Before your trip (on WiFi) |
| Activate the eSIM | When you arrive at your destination |