1Step 1
Buy a plan online
Pick your destination and data amount on Guac. You'll receive a QR code by email and in the Guac app within seconds. No waiting for shipping, no store visit.
What Is an eSIM?
A digital SIM card built into your phone. Buy a data plan online, install it in 2 minutes, and land abroad with working internet. No SIM swap, no store visit, no roaming fees.
1 in 5 international travelers used an eSIM in 2025
- Instant Setup
- Keep Your Number
- 190+ Countries
How Does an eSIM Work?
A SIM card tells your phone which mobile network to connect to. Traditionally, that's a tiny plastic card in a tray on the side of your phone. An eSIM does the same thing, but it's a chip already built into your device. Instead of swapping cards, you download a data plan, like downloading an app.
2Step 2
Scan and install
Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code. Your phone downloads the eSIM profile in under 2 minutes. Do this at home before your trip while you're on Wi-Fi.
3Step 3
Land with internet
When your plane touches down, your eSIM connects to a local carrier. Open Google Maps, message your family, order a ride. Everything works in seconds.
Your Phone Number Doesn't Change
This is the part most people get confused about. When you add a travel eSIM, your existing phone number stays exactly where it is. You're not replacing anything. You're adding a second connection.
Your home SIM (stays active)
- Your phone number
- SMS and phone calls
- WhatsApp stays on your number
- Banking verification codes
- iMessage and FaceTime
Your Guac eSIM (added alongside)
- Mobile data abroad
- Google Maps and navigation
- Browsing and social media
- Streaming and email
- App data (Uber, Translate, etc.)
Both run at the same time. You don't switch between them. Your phone handles it automatically. Same WhatsApp number, same apps, just fast local data instead of expensive roaming.
eSIM vs Physical SIM vs Roaming
| Guac eSIM | Physical SIM Abroad | International Roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When you get data | Before you leave home | After landing, finding a shop | Immediately, at a price |
| Setup time | 2 minutes | 15-60 minutes in-store | None, but surprise bills later |
| Keep your home number | Yes, both SIMs run together | Usually no, you swap cards | Yes |
| WhatsApp stays on your number | Yes | Often disrupted by SIM swap | Yes |
| Multi-country trips | One regional plan covers many countries | New SIM card per country | Works but expensive everywhere |
| Price | From $1/GB depending on destination | Varies, can be cheap locally | $5-15/day or $10-20/MB |
| Risk | None, install before you go | SIM tray damage, lost card, language barrier | Bill shock when you get home |
Guac eSIM
- When you get data
- Before you leave home
- Setup time
- 2 minutes
- Keep your home number
- Yes, both SIMs run together
- WhatsApp stays on your number
- Yes
- Multi-country trips
- One regional plan covers many countries
- Price
- From $1/GB depending on destination
- Risk
- None, install before you go
Physical SIM Abroad
- When you get data
- After landing, finding a shop
- Setup time
- 15-60 minutes in-store
- Keep your home number
- Usually no, you swap cards
- WhatsApp stays on your number
- Often disrupted by SIM swap
- Multi-country trips
- New SIM card per country
- Price
- Varies, can be cheap locally
- Risk
- SIM tray damage, lost card, language barrier
International Roaming
- When you get data
- Immediately, at a price
- Setup time
- None, but surprise bills later
- Keep your home number
- Yes
- WhatsApp stays on your number
- Yes
- Multi-country trips
- Works but expensive everywhere
- Price
- $5-15/day or $10-20/MB
- Risk
- Bill shock when you get home
Is an eSIM Right for You?
eSIM is perfect if you:
- Have a phone from 2018 or newer (iPhone XR+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+)
- Want working internet the moment you land
- Don't want to hunt for a SIM shop at the airport
- Want to keep your home number active for WhatsApp and calls
- Are visiting multiple countries and want one plan that covers them all
- Prefer to set everything up before your trip
A physical SIM might be better if:
- Your phone is older than 2018 or is locked to a carrier
- You need a local phone number for voice calls (travel eSIMs are data-only)
- You prefer to pay cash at a shop rather than online
Not sure if your phone supports eSIM? Check below.
How to Get Started
1Step 1
Check your phone
Dial *#06# from your phone. If you see a 32-digit EID number, your phone supports eSIM. Or check the list below.
2Step 2
Pick your destination
Browse 190+ countries on Guac. Choose your data amount and trip length. Plans start at $1/GB.
3Step 3
Install and go
Scan the QR code, add the eSIM to your phone, and you're set. Install before your trip. It activates when you land.
Is My Phone eSIM Compatible?
Most phones from 2018 and newer support eSIM. Here's a quick way to check.
Quick check
Dial *#06# from your phone's dialer. If an EID number appears (32 digits), your phone supports eSIM. No EID? Your phone likely doesn't support it.
Your phone must be unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier). If you bought it directly from Apple, Samsung, or Google, it's almost certainly unlocked. If you bought it through a carrier on a payment plan, check with them.
iPhone
iPhone XR and all newer models. That includes every iPhone from 2018 onward. US iPhone 14+ models are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray at all).
Not supported: iPhones bought in mainland China (except iPhone Air).
Samsung
Galaxy S20 and newer. All Z Flip and Z Fold models. Galaxy A54 5G (varies by region).
Not supported: Most Samsung FE models (except S23 FE). Most Samsung phones bought in South Korea.
Google Pixel
Pixel 3 and newer. Pixel 7+ supports dual eSIM.
Not supported: Pixel 3 models from Australia, Taiwan, and Japan.
Others
Motorola Razr (2019+) and Edge series. OnePlus 11, 12, 13. Xiaomi 13 series and newer. Select Oppo and Honor models.
Not sure? Contact us and we'll check for you.
Frequently Asked
Questions
An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a data plan digitally. It connects you to local mobile networks abroad, just like a physical SIM would, but without the physical part.
No. Your phone number stays on your regular SIM (or your primary eSIM). Adding a Guac travel eSIM gives you a separate data connection. Your WhatsApp number, iMessage, and everything else stay the same.
Yes. Your phone runs both simultaneously. Your home SIM handles calls and texts. Your Guac eSIM handles internet data. You don't need to choose between them.
Nothing. It stays active. You just tell your phone to use the eSIM for mobile data (your phone usually asks during setup). Your physical SIM keeps working for calls and SMS.
Yes, you need an internet connection for the initial setup. Your home Wi-Fi works perfectly. That's why we recommend installing before your trip. Once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you land.
No. Roaming uses your home carrier's agreements with foreign networks and is typically expensive ($5-15/day or more). An eSIM gives you a separate local data plan at much lower rates. You control exactly what you spend.
You'll need a physical SIM card for your trip instead. Most phones from 2018 onward support eSIM, but some older or carrier-locked models don't. Dial *#06# to check. If you see an EID number, you're good.
Most Guac plans support personal hotspot. You can share your data with a laptop, tablet, or a travel companion's phone. Check the plan details for any hotspot-specific limits.
For typical use (maps, messaging, social media, browsing), 1-2 GB per day is comfortable. If you're doing video calls or streaming, plan for 3-5 GB per day. Use our data calculator for a personalized estimate.
You can top up directly from the Guac app. No need to visit a store or buy a new SIM. If you're somewhere with Wi-Fi, you can also top up from there.
Land With Internet That Works
Pick your destination, choose a plan, and install your eSIM before your next trip. Two minutes of setup at home saves you the airport SIM shop, the roaming bill, and the stress.
- Instant Setup
- Keep Your Number
- 24/7 Support