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One of the most common questions we get is “should I turn on my eSIM now or wait?” The short answer: install it at home, but don’t activate it until you arrive. Getting the timing right means you’ll get the full value out of your plan. Here’s how it works.

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Install early, activate later

There’s an important difference between installing and activating your eSIM:
  • Install your eSIM at home before you travel, while you’re on Wi-Fi. This downloads the eSIM profile to your phone so it’s ready to go.
  • Activate (turn on) your eSIM only when you arrive at your destination.

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Why wait to activate?

Most Roamly plans start their validity countdown when you first connect to a mobile network at your destination. If you activate too early, you could burn through 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 get there.

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How to keep it off until you arrive

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iPhone

Go to Settings > Mobile Data and make sure your Roamly eSIM is toggled off. Turn it on when you land.

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Android

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and keep the Roamly SIM disabled. Enable it when you arrive at your destination.

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What about your regular SIM?

Keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts while you’re travelling. Just make sure data roaming is turned off on your regular SIM to avoid carrier charges. Use the Roamly eSIM for mobile data only.

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Quick reference

Action When Buy your plan Before your trip Install the eSIM Before your trip (on Wi-Fi) Activate the eSIM When you arrive at your destination