Three steps

Buy, scan, land — that's the whole thing

If you've installed a banking app you already know how to install our eSIM. We email a QR; your phone does the rest.

01

Pick destination & data

Choose from 200+ countries. Set how many gigabytes and how many days. Pay with card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. No account required for guest checkout.

Plans start at $3.50 · Stripe-secured checkout

02

Scan the QR code

We email the QR within 30 seconds of checkout. Open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM (iPhone) or Network → SIMs → Add eSIM (Android), point your camera, done.

Works offline · Doesn't replace your home SIM

03

Land and connect

The eSIM activates the moment your phone sees a local network. Your home number stays active for two-factor codes and family calls.

Auto-roams on multi-country plans · No data caps mid-trip

What is an eSIM?

A SIM card, but software

An eSIM is a small chip already built into your phone. Instead of swapping a piece of plastic, you "install" a profile by scanning a QR code. The chip stores it, your phone uses it as if it were a real SIM.

Your home SIM keeps working in the other slot. You can switch between them with a tap — keep your home number reachable while your eSIM handles data abroad. No carrier-locking. No 5-year contract.

Roaming

Local SIM

Telekonek

✓ Cheaper

Setup

30 seconds

~25 minutes

Home number

Stays active

Goes offline

Apple Pay / Wallet

Keeps working

Resets

Multi-country trip

Re-purchase per country

Buy new SIM each border

Step-by-step install

Open Settings. Scan. Done.

Pick your phone. Most setups take under a minute, and yes — you can do it on your home WiFi before you fly.

Make sure you're on WiFi and your iPhone is updated to iOS 15 or later. (Settings → General → Software Update.)
Open the email we sent. The QR is the big black-and-white square — don't crop, don't screenshot, just have it on a second screen (laptop, tablet, partner's phone).
On your iPhone go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code. Point the camera at the QR.
iPhone confirms "Activate eSIM?" — tap Continue.
Label it (e.g. "Telekonek Japan") so it's easy to find later. Tap Continue.
Choose your default line: keep your home number primary for iMessage and calls. Pick the Telekonek eSIM for Cellular Data.
Settings → Cellular → tap the Telekonek line → toggle Data Roaming ON. (Without this, your data won't activate when you land.)

If your phone is carrier-locked (typical for US carrier-financed iPhones), eSIM installation will fail. Contact your home carrier to request unlock — usually takes 2–3 business days.

On WiFi, open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (or Mobile network → SIMs on older Pixels).
Tap + Add eSIM or Download a SIM instead?
Choose Use QR code. Point camera at the QR from our email.
Confirm "Download data plan" → wait ~30 seconds.
Name the SIM (e.g. "Telekonek Italy") for easy switching.
In SIMs & networks, set the Telekonek line for Mobile data, keep your home line for Calls and SMS.
Toggle Roaming ON for the Telekonek line (Settings → SIMs → Telekonek → Roaming).

Path varies slightly by manufacturer. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM. On OnePlus / OPPO: Settings → Mobile network → SIM card & mobile data → Add eSIM.

iPad must be a cellular model (iPad WiFi-only doesn't support eSIM). Check Settings → General → About → Model — should not end in just "AP".
iPadOS 15 or later required.
Go to Settings → Cellular Data → Add Cellular Plan.
Choose Use QR Code or Enter Details Manually. Scan the QR from our email.
Label the plan and confirm.
Settings → Cellular Data → toggle Data Roaming ON.

iPad's cellular plan is data-only by design — there's no SMS or voice, which is exactly what you want for travel.

Will it work?

Most phones built after 2018 support eSIM

Quick check — find your model below. Older phones may still work if they were sold in markets that ship eSIM.

iPhone XS & later

XS · XR · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 series, plus SE 2020 and SE 2022.

Google Pixel 3 & later

Pixel 3 onwards. Pixel 7+ supports dual-eSIM (two eSIMs at once).

Samsung Galaxy S20 & later

S20 · S21 · S22 · S23 · S24 · Z Fold 2+ · Z Flip 2+. Some S20 sold in HK do not support eSIM.

iPad (cellular)

iPad Pro 2018+, iPad Air 3+, iPad mini 5+, iPad 7+ — cellular variants only.

OnePlus / OPPO / Xiaomi

OnePlus 11+, OPPO Find X3+, Xiaomi 13+. Coverage varies — check OS settings for "Add eSIM".

Apple Watch & Surface Pro

Apple Watch (Series 3+ cellular), Microsoft Surface Pro X / 9, Samsung Watch (LTE).

Not sure? Open Settings → General → About on iPhone, or Settings → About on Android, and look for EID. If there's an EID number, you have eSIM support.

Common gotchas

When something doesn't connect

Five things to check before opening a support ticket. Most "broken" eSIMs are one toggle away from working.

1. Data Roaming is off

Most common cause. Settings → Cellular → tap the Telekonek line → Data Roaming ON. iOS hides this by default to prevent surprise bills on home carriers.

2. Wrong line set for Cellular Data

Your phone is still trying to use your home SIM for data. Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select Telekonek.

3. Phone is carrier-locked

Common for US carrier-financed iPhones. The Telekonek profile installs but won't activate. Contact your home carrier to request unlock — typically 2–3 business days.

4. APN not set automatically

Rare on iPhone, sometimes happens on Android. Settings → SIMs → Telekonek → Access Point Names → check there's an entry. If empty, our support email lists the manual APN.

5. Activated too early

Some plans start counting from first network attach, not purchase. Wait until you've landed to toggle the eSIM line on, or buy a "starts on date X" plan if you want a buffer.

6. QR already used

An eSIM QR can only be installed once. If your phone failed mid-install and won't re-scan, email support — we'll re-issue the profile from the same plan.

FAQ

Quick answers

Will my home number keep working while I'm using a Telekonek eSIM?

Yes. Your home SIM stays in its slot (or its eSIM profile stays installed); the Telekonek eSIM is a separate line. You keep receiving SMS and 2FA codes on your home number. Most travellers keep calls/SMS on home and data on Telekonek.

Can I use Telekonek on my laptop or tablet only?

Yes if it's a cellular-capable device with eSIM support — iPad cellular, Surface Pro X/9, recent ThinkPads. The eSIM profile only needs an eSIM-capable device, not a phone.

Does Telekonek throttle or cap data speeds?

Metered plans deliver the full speed of the local network you're connected to (5G where available, LTE otherwise) for your whole data allowance. Unlimited plans throttle to a fair-use speed after a daily cap; the exact cap is shown per region in the plan picker.

What if I run out of data mid-trip?

Open your Telekonek dashboard, tap "Top up", pick a plan — it activates on the same eSIM profile within a minute. No QR rescan, no new line, no settings to change.

Does it work for tethering / hotspot?

Yes. Personal hotspot and USB tethering are unrestricted on all Telekonek plans. Useful for laptops and travel mates.

Can I refund an unused eSIM?

Yes, within 14 days of purchase if the eSIM has never been activated (zero data used). Email support with your order number.

Can I install one Telekonek eSIM on two phones?

No — eSIM profiles bind to one device on activation. If you need data on two devices, buy two plans or buy one and tether from the other.

Can I install the eSIM before I leave home?

Yes, and we recommend it. Install on home WiFi, leave the line off until you land, then toggle on. Saves hunting for WiFi at the airport.

From buy to bytes in 30 seconds