Frequently asked questions about eSIM

After payment, your eSIM appears under "My eSIM" in your account. Scan the QR code with another device's camera or use the "Quick install" button — activation takes 1–2 minutes. If the profile doesn't activate automatically, turn on mobile data for the new line in your phone settings.

If you can't scan the QR code, install it manually: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Enter details manually, using the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your account. You may also need to set the APN for your plan — the correct APN is shown on your eSIM page in your account.

Make sure the QR code is open on a different device (not the phone you're installing the eSIM on) and the screen isn't glaring. If the error repeats, try manual installation with the activation code, or manual APN entry. If nothing works, contact support and we'll reissue the eSIM.

On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → select your Funsim plan → "Remove eSIM". On Android the path is usually Settings → Network & internet → SIM cards. A removed profile can't be restored on the same device — if your trip isn't over yet, disable the line instead of deleting it.

A QR code can typically only be activated once, on one device, and a profile can't be reinstalled after deletion. If this happened by mistake, contact support with your order number and we'll check whether the eSIM can be reissued.

An eSIM is tied to a specific device and doesn't transfer automatically when you switch phones. If you haven't activated it yet, just install it on the new phone. If it's already active, contact support to have it reissued for the new device.

This is usually because data roaming isn't enabled for the eSIM line. Check: Settings → Cellular → select the eSIM line → enable "Data Roaming". Also make sure the eSIM, not your physical SIM, is set as the data line.

It can take 1–5 minutes after landing for your phone to register with the local network — try toggling Airplane Mode off and on. If it's still not working, check that date and time are set automatically and that data roaming is enabled for the eSIM.

Check your remaining data balance in your account — the connection stops once the plan's data or validity period runs out. If you still have data left, try manually selecting the network operator instead of automatic selection, then restart your phone.

This usually means the phone can't connect to any partner network in that country — for example, the device may be carrier-locked, or the eSIM isn't fully activated yet. Restart the phone and check the eSIM status in settings; contact support if it persists.

This is usually about your home SIM's roaming, not the Funsim eSIM — turn off data roaming for your physical home SIM and leave only the eSIM line enabled, to avoid accidental roaming charges from your home carrier.

On iPhone: Settings → General → About — if you see "Digital SIM information", eSIM is supported. On Android: Settings → About phone — look for an EID number. Funsim's website also has a dedicated eSIM compatibility checker by phone model.

Make sure the phone was purchased unlocked — carrier-locked devices often can't add a third-party eSIM. Check that you're on the latest OS version, and try manual code entry instead of scanning the QR code.

eSIM is supported on iPhone XS, XR and newer (except certain dual-physical-SIM regional models). If the QR code won't scan, use manual setup: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM Manually, and enter the activation code from your account.

eSIM is supported on flagship Samsung Galaxy (S20 and newer), Google Pixel (3 and newer), and some international-version Xiaomi models — the phone must be the international variant, not a single-market regional build. Setup path: Settings → Connections / Network & internet → SIM manager → Add eSIM.

Yes, modern smartphones store multiple eSIM profiles, though usually 1–2 lines are active simultaneously depending on the model. You can keep your home SIM and Funsim eSIM active together — calls stay on your home number while data runs through the eSIM.

An eSIM is a built-in digital SIM module: instead of a plastic card, you get a QR code and activate the carrier profile directly on your device. It's faster (no waiting for delivery or hunting for a SIM shop abroad) and more convenient for travel — you can keep several profiles and switch between them.

Pick your destination, choose a plan by data amount and validity, and pay by card — the eSIM QR code arrives in your account right after payment. You can activate it ahead of your flight, but only enable data roaming once you land, so you don't burn the plan's validity early.

Price depends on the destination, data amount (GB) and validity period — current prices for each country are shown on that country's page. There are local plans (one country), regional plans (several neighboring countries) and global plans.

No, buying a Funsim tourist eSIM doesn't require a passport — unlike physical SIM cards in some countries, which require foreigner registration. A phone number for your account and a card payment are enough.

For a single-country trip, a local plan is the better value. If your route covers several neighboring countries (a Europe tour, for example), a regional plan is usually cheaper than buying several local ones. Base your choice on trip length and expected data use: 1–3 GB for 7 days usually covers social media and maps, 5–10 GB or more suits work and streaming.

Yes, unlimited plans are available for some destinations — marked separately on the country page. Unlimited plans typically have a fair-use speed cap after a certain amount of daily data; the exact terms are listed on that plan.

Once activated with data roaming turned on, your phone works as usual — use the internet, messaging apps and maps within your purchased data allowance. Most plans don't include voice calls or SMS — use WhatsApp, Telegram or FaceTime over the eSIM's data instead.

Turn off data roaming for your home SIM and keep only the Funsim eSIM enabled — that way your data runs through the plan you bought instead of your home carrier's expensive international roaming.

Yes — a Funsim eSIM is a mobile data plan, so every internet service works normally: WhatsApp, Telegram, voice and video calls through them, maps, social media. Plans don't include traditional carrier voice calls or SMS.

An eSIM can't connect to ground networks in flight — in-air internet requires the airline's own Wi-Fi (where available), and the eSIM reconnects automatically once you land and register on the local network.

iPhone: Settings → Cellular → select the Funsim eSIM line → enable "Data Roaming". Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIM cards → select the Funsim eSIM → enable data roaming. Without this step, your data plan won't work abroad even after successful activation.

Turn off app auto-updates and cloud backups while roaming, limit video autoplay in social apps, and use hotel or café Wi-Fi for heavy downloads where possible, saving your eSIM data for navigation and messaging.

Yes, most Funsim plans support hotspot/tethering — you can share your phone's connection with a laptop or another device within your purchased data allowance. Any plan-specific hotspot limits are noted on that plan's description.

The data plan's validity period doesn't start when you buy it — it starts the first time your phone connects to a network abroad with data roaming turned on. That means you can install and even activate the eSIM profile in advance, and the day count only begins once you actually start using data on your trip.

Yes, you can buy and install an eSIM at any point, including at the arrival airport, but installing the profile requires a Wi-Fi connection — you can't use the eSIM's own mobile data to download itself. It's usually more convenient to buy and install the eSIM at home in advance and just switch on data roaming after landing.

Installing means adding the eSIM profile to your phone via the QR code, after which it shows up as a SIM line — you can do this days or weeks before your trip. Activating means turning on data for that line so it actually connects to a network, which is the moment the plan's validity period begins.

An eSIM profile you've already installed can be turned back on for a later trip to the same country or region, as long as the plan still has unused data and hasn't expired. Once the data is used up or the validity period has ended, you'll need to buy a new plan for your next trip — the same QR code won't work again.

Installing the profile alone doesn't start the plan's validity clock, but a purchased eSIM usually has a limited window during which it must be activated at least once — this is shown on the plan page. If it's never activated within that window, it can become invalid.

The eSIM's internet simply stops working for the rest of the trip — there's no automatic overage charge. To keep using data, you'll need to buy an extra data package or a new plan in your account.

Speed depends on the partner network in that specific country and on whether your phone itself supports 5G — Funsim doesn't promise a specific speed or network generation. Most destinations offer at least stable 4G, and in some countries and cities you may connect over 5G if both your device and the local network support it.

Yes, a VPN connection over the eSIM works like any other internet connection and uses data from your purchased plan. If the destination restricts access to certain services, you may need a VPN just as you would with any other SIM or Wi-Fi.

No, a tourist eSIM for a specific country or region only works on partner networks abroad and isn't meant for use inside Kazakhstan. For data inside Kazakhstan, use your regular local SIM card or home plan instead.

Partner networks don't reach open sea or the air, so the eSIM won't connect there — ships usually offer their own paid satellite Wi-Fi, and planes their own airline Wi-Fi. Once the ship docks in port or the plane lands within range of a ground network, the eSIM reconnects automatically.

Yes, if your physical SIM stays in the phone alongside the eSIM, calls and texts to your home number keep coming through as usual — the eSIM only handles data. It's worth checking your home carrier's voice/SMS roaming charges in advance if you don't plan on using them abroad, so incoming calls don't cost extra.

Yes, as long as the tablet supports eSIM and has its own cellular module (Wi-Fi + Cellular models) — plain Wi-Fi-only tablets can't install an eSIM at all. Installation works the same way as on a phone: scan the QR code or enter the details manually in cellular settings.

Funsim plans are built for phones and tablets with full internet access, while cellular smartwatches usually rely on a separate number-sharing technology tied to a home carrier line (Apple Watch Family Setup and similar), not a standalone tourist eSIM. Check with your watch's manufacturer beforehand about installing third-party data profiles.

In your cellular settings, set the Funsim eSIM as the default line for mobile data, and turn off data roaming for your home SIM, leaving only calls and texts on it. That way your data runs through the plan you bought, and your home carrier won't bill you for data roaming.

It will, as long as the phone is unlocked and officially supports eSIM — the country of purchase doesn't matter. If the phone was bought under a carrier contract and is locked to that carrier, you won't be able to add a third-party eSIM until it's unlocked.

Funsim plans are primarily designed for phones and tablets; whether they work on a cellular-enabled laptop depends on that specific model and manufacturer. It's simpler and more reliable to share your phone's connection with the laptop via hotspot, if your plan supports it.

An eSIM is a digital product, so delivery is instant — right after successful payment, the QR code appears under "My eSIM" in your account. There's no courier or office visit to wait for; you can buy and install it even late at night before your flight.

Yes, checkout doesn't require the traveler's passport — just pay for the plan and forward the QR code you receive to the person going on the trip. All they need to do is scan it on their own phone and install the profile.

The available payment methods are shown on the checkout page when you select a plan — typically bank cards. Check the checkout step itself for the current list, since it can vary by amount and region.

Refund terms and the process are set out in the public offer on the Funsim website, which covers the current rules for different situations. If something went wrong with your purchase, the fastest route is to contact support with your order number to find out your options.

A regional plan covers several countries in one region, such as a set of European or Southeast Asian countries, and suits a trip within that zone. A global plan works across a much wider list of countries worldwide — handy when your route spans different parts of the world or isn't fully fixed yet.

If the profile hasn't been activated yet (no connection with data roaming turned on), contact support with your order number to ask about exchanging it for the right destination under the public offer's terms. Once the plan has been activated and used, the country or region can no longer be changed.

In your account, next to your active plan there's usually an option to buy an additional data package or a new plan for the same destination without removing the eSIM profile you already installed. The extra data is added to the same eSIM, so there's no need to reinstall anything.

Your remaining data and the plan's validity are shown in your Funsim account on that eSIM's page — you can check it over the eSIM's own data connection or over Wi-Fi. Some phones also show an approximate usage estimate for the line in cellular settings, but the account is the accurate source.

If your home SIM stays in the phone alongside the eSIM and SMS roaming isn't disabled on it, verification codes from your bank usually arrive as normal. If they don't come through, many banking apps offer a push notification or an authenticator-app code instead of SMS, which works independently of the eSIM.

Yes, if the child's phone supports eSIM, the plan installs and works exactly the same as on an adult's device — no passport or separate registration is needed. It's worth limiting auto-updates and background downloads in settings beforehand, so the data package mainly goes toward staying in touch, maps, and the apps you actually need.