If you are a digital nomad, you probably aren’t new to the eSIM technology that guarantees access to internet connection in different parts of the world, without needing a physical SIM card whenever you get to a new country.
Over the years, I have used several eSIMs, and one of them that has impressed me a lot is the Airalo eSIM.
In this review, I will be giving you an in-depth look at all its features that impressed it and the areas that I feel it falls short in.
What Is Airalo eSIM and How Does It Work?
Airalo eSIM is an embedded SIM card from the Airalo brand that is renowned among international travelers all over the world for its efficiency in ensuring good internet access in different countries.
It is a digital sim that you can’t see or touch but can perfectly play the role of traditional local sim cards in terms of providing a strong data connection in various parts of the world.
It doesn’t act as a replacement for a physical SIM card but instead complements it. That is why, if you are using a phone with a Dual-SIM feature, you can use an Airalo eSIM in the same device that has your physical SIM card and you won’t have to do away with either of them.
Through this Dual SIM setup, you can be able to continue using your local SIM card to receive calls and text messages from your loved ones and still access data and surf the internet seamlessly, wherever you travel to.
With over 10 million users worldwide, this eSIM provider guarantees a stable internet connection in over 200 countries and offers several data plans which you can choose from.
The mobile data plans offered by Airalo for this eSIM include local plans, regional plans, and global plans.
The local plans focus on a specific country and allow you to just connect to the internet network in that country. For example, if you are traveling to just Hong Kong, you can go for the Hong Kong eSIM which will give you seamless access to the internet while you are there.
Meanwhile, regional plans enable you to connect to networks in different countries in the same region.
For example, suppose you are traveling to different countries in Europe. In that case, you can install the European regional eSIM which will enable you to remain connected to the internet even when you travel between different European nations.
However, the global eSIM plan allows you to connect to different networks in different countries of the world, whether they are in the same region or not. So, if you are one of the frequent travelers who move to different parts, this is the Airalo plan for you.
The process of installing and activating this eSIM is also very stress-free and you can do it without breaking a sweat.
All you need is a smartphone, access to the Airalo website or the Airalo app, and a good Wi-Fi connection with which you can install a data plan with the eSIM and become a mobile subscriber.
By installing this eSIM, you will be enabling your mobile device to be connected to any of the local networks of the local carriers in the specific country or region that you selected during the purchase and installation process.
Let’s look at how you can install and activate this eSIM then we will look at the features that I am most impressed with and areas I feel they need to improve in.
How To Install An Airalo eSIM
Photo credits: airalo.com
Step 1
The first thing you need to do in the process of installing an Airalo eSIM is to ensure that your mobile device is compatible with the embedded SIM.
Most of the new phones manufactured from 2018 onward are compatible with eSIM, however, mobile devices made before then have a probability of not being compatible with the eSIM, so ensure you go through the list and confirm your phone’s compatibility.
At the time of writing, here is the list of mobile devices that are compatible with the Airalo eSIM.
Check the list and confirm that your device is on the list before going ahead with the eSIM purchase, as well as the installation and activation process.
Step 2
If you have checked the list and seen your mobile device on the list then congratulations, you can continue with the installation process.
There are three major ways you can install an eSIM: through the mobile app, QR code, or manually through your device’s settings.
• Mobile App Method: The first method is a direct method that involves downloading the Airalo app through your device’s app store, signing up, logging in, and following the prompts to purchase and set up the new eSIM.
The app’s version for Android devices can be downloaded on the Google Play Store while the version for Apple devices can be gotten on the IOS store.
• QR Code Method: This method involves the addition of Cellular Plan in your device’s settings and then scanning the QR code provided to start the installation process.
• Manual Method: In this method, you will need to manually enter the information of the eSIM in your device’s settings to set it up.
During the process of setting it up, make sure you choose your travel destination, preferred plan, duration, and amount of data.
After you are done with the installation process, make sure you name the eSIM for easy identification and differentiation, in case you install other eSIMs in the long run.
Also, make sure you set the new eSIM as your secondary line that will be used for only cellular data, while setting your physical SIM card as the line you will use to make and receive calls and text messages, to avoid fees you didn’t bargain for.
Step 3
Next up is activation.
Airalo eSIM has an activation policy that tells you when the validity period of the digital SIM will start. These policies are in two forms:
• Activation Upon Installation
Airalo eSIMs with this policy allow you to activate them immediately after you install them. That means you can activate them when you are still at home and haven’t traveled to your specified location.
If you figure out that this is the activation policy that is assigned to your eSIM, I would advise that you delay the installation until right before you travel. This way, you can ensure that the data you have bought is unused and you can use it to the fullest on your next trip.
• Activation Upon Connection
Certain Airalo eSIMs only activate when you connect to a supported network when you get to your destination.
You can find out the activation policy assigned to your eSIM by logging into the Airalo app, going through the eSIM purchase process, and checking the “additional information” section.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to necessarily buy the eSIM at the time of going through the purchase process to find out the activation policy. You can check the policy, leave the app, and come back and buy the eSIM whenever you deem fit.
Step 4
After figuring out your eSIM’s activation policy, the last step is to connect to a local network out of the many mobile network operators in your destination.
To do this, when you get to your destination, go to your device’s settings, go to the “Cellular” or “Mobile and Network” section, turn the eSIM on, and select a supported network out of the numerous networks made available on the list.
Advantages Of Using An Airalo eSIM
Global Coverage
Airalo eSIM offers internet coverage in over 200 countries and several continents so as a digital nomad, you can opt for its global plan and be rest assured that whatever country you travel to, you are covered when it comes to internet access.
With this eSIM, you won’t have to worry about having to go through the stress and extra cost of getting a physical SIM card when you get to a new nation or continent.
This way, you also won’t have to deal with the language barrier involved in talking to the attendants in a foreign country when trying to purchase a physical SIM card.
Multiple Carrier Options
To ensure you have a positive experience and enjoy great data connection in whatever country you travel to, the Airalo eSIM offers a list of different network carriers in every country you travel to, so that you can switch between them when the network on the one you using is bad.
This is an improvement to the physical SIM cards which offer you network on just one carrier and if that carrier has bad network coverage, you have to wait till it is restored before you can surf the internet.
Plus, there are no roaming fees when you surf the internet with your eSIM.
Dual SIM Setup
If you are already using a physical SIM card and you want to install an eSIM, you won’t have to do away with the former first.
You can use them together and use the latter mainly for getting access to the internet and the former for receiving calls and text messages.
One of the benefits that come with using both of these SIMs is that you will still be able to receive one-time passwords (OTPs) when you want to do transactions or log in to your accounts. And since some banks and platforms require compulsory insertion of OTPs, you won’t have issues logging into any of your accounts while you are away, and still enjoy seamless data coverage.
Flexible Data Plans
Another thing I love about these eSIMs is how flexible their plans are.
I can choose single-country, regional, or global plans depending on the number of countries I am traveling to.
I can also choose the validity period of the data plan depending on how long I am staying in a specific country or region.
So, if I am going on an international travel adventure to stay for a long time, I can buy the plan that fits my proposed timeframe in that country. The plans range from 7 days down to 3 months, so you can choose the one that fits your travel period.
Also, if you are not a heavy data user, you won’t need to purchase a plan that is much more than your data needs. You can go for the best eSIM plan that fits your data usage, and avoid purchasing too much data than you can actually consume.
For example, if you are someone who uses approximately 1 GB of data per day and you are traveling for 3 days, you can purchase a 3 GB plan.
Pricing
Airalo offers very fair prices for its eSIMs and their plans.
Although purchasing them might cost more than purchasing a physical SIM card, they are very cost-effective when compared to other eSIMs and when you take into consideration the excellent service they offer.
Their plans are also affordable. One of the most affordable I have ever used since I started using eSIMs. Plus, there are no hidden fees charged for these plans.
Loyalty Program
Another thing that has impressed me a lot about this eSIM is its “Airmoney” feature. Every time I make an eSIM purchase, I earn loyalty points which are added up over time and can be added to the subsequent eSIM purchases that I make.
This program comes in very handy and helps me to save a few bucks.
Easy Purchase and Activation
The purchase and installation is an effortless process. The eSIM’s app and website are built in such a user-friendly way that makes it easy to navigate and go around.
Numerous payment pathways are provided for the eSIM purchase and different installation methods are made available for you to choose which works best for you.
Its activation is even simpler. Once you are done installing it, you just have to turn it on and connect it to any of the supported networks in that country and you are good to go. This activation takes barely seconds and you will be connected to the Internet in no time.
Excellent Customer Service and Support Team
Airalo has an amazing customer care service that is open 24/7 — 365 to answer your questions, take your feedback, and give you clarity whenever you need it, no matter the time zone you are in.
I can clearly recall quite a couple of times when I experienced glitches and issues with the eSIM, but the exceptional customer service and support team came to my aid in no time, after I contacted them.
Disadvantages Of Using An Airalo eSIM
Some of the cons I experienced when using Airalo eSIMs include:
No Local Calling Number
One flaw I noticed while using the airalo eSIMs is that they do not provide a local phone number which you can use to make phone calls and send text messages when you travel.
Hence, you will have to stick to chatting on social media, WhatsApp calls, and FaceTiming to see and communicate with your loved ones and others while you are in another country.
In my most recent trip, I moved from the United States to the Middle East for the first time and I was scheduled to stay at an Airbnb. So, imagine a situation where I get to the Airbnb and the door is locked and I can’t find my host and he wasn’t online. How would I have been able to call him since I don’t have a local phone number?
There are certain Airalo eSIMs that contain an international number that can be used for calling and texting but then they are global eSIMs, and hence if what you need are regional eSIMs or local eSIMs, you won’t be able to enjoy that feature.
However, this flaw isn’t peculiar to this eSIM, so although it is a con, I don’t hold it against the eSIM provider too much. Several other eSIMs that I have used over the years also have this issue.
Also, it makes up for this partially with its Dual SIM setup that allows you to keep your physical SIM card. Although calling or sending text messages with it might incur significant costs, you can still receive calls and text messages with it and receive OTPs.
Nevertheless, if Airalo can start providing a local phone number for calls and messages on all of its plans, it will go further up in my pecking order of eSIM cards.
Lack Of Compatibility with Certain Devices
Not all mobile devices can use this eSIM. So, although you love the services and features offered by the eSIM provider, if you don’t have a mobile device that is on the list of devices compatible with it, you can’t use it.
Hence, make sure you check the link and confirm that your device is on it before proceeding to purchase and install it.
If you check the list and you can’t find your device on it, you can check the compatibility list of other eSIMs or stick to using Internet Roaming in the meantime, if you must travel at all costs during the period you haven’t found an eSIM that your device matches with.
Random Network Disruptions
I noticed that in certain remote areas, I travel to, the network service is very unreliable. The network speed becomes very slow in these areas, and little to no improvements are made even when I switch between different local network carriers in that area.
In some cases, I notice that my mobile device randomly loses data connectivity when I get to certain places and this can be very frustrating.
I have noticed this in a few remote areas and I feel that Airalo can do better in this area.
FAQs about Airlo eSIM
Can I Install Multiple Airalo eSIMs On One Mobile Device?
Yes, you can install multiple Airalo eSIMs on your mobile device, if you wish to.
However, the number of eSIMs you can install depends on the mobile device you are using and how many it allows.
If you are using an iOS device, you can install five or more eSIMs and you can be able to use one or two at the same time depending on your location and carrier.
For Android devices, most devices allow you to install between five to seven eSIMs at once but to use just one at a time.
What’s the Internet Speed Of an Airalo eSIM?
Airalo eSIMs offer a 3G/4G/LTE/5G network connection. The network speed is largely dependent on your location and the network carriers available.
Hence, it will be unlikely to get a 5G network connection at all times in all locations. Some might offer 4G LTE but rest assured that you will enjoy fast internet speeds.
How Much Does Airalo eSIM Plans Cost?
The cost of Airalo plans varies depending on your preference of data plan, eSIM type, the location you are traveling to, and the validity period.
For example, an Airalo eSIM for the United States ranges from $4 to $49 depending on your choices on the above-mentioned factors while an eSIM covering the European region ranges between $5 to $185 depending on your preferences on the aforementioned factors.
On the other hand, the global eSIM plans cost between $9 to $89.
What If I Use Up My eSIM Data?
If you use up all the data in your Airalo eSIM, you can top it up through the Airalo app.
Just log into your Airalo account, navigate to My ESIMs, choose the eSIM you want to top up, and then top it up by purchasing a top-up package of your choice.
However, bear in mind that certain eSIMs can’t be topped up online so once you have used it up, you will need to purchase a new eSIM package to be able to connect to the Internet.
To know when you are running low on data, you can go to your device’s settings and turn on the notifications on the Airalo App so that you can be notified when your data is running low and you need to top it up.
Can I Turn Off An Airalo eSIM When Not In Use?
Of course, you can. The Airalo eSIM works as a secondary line on your device so you can turn it on and off whenever you deem fit in your device’s settings.
Conclusion
In this Airalo review, I have highlighted all the positive features of this eSIM, as well as its flaws, so that you can know all about it and if you can opt for it on your next international travel.
All the times I have used this eSIM, I haven’t been disappointed so I can recommend it as a good option that all digital nomads should consider for their internet connectivity needs.
Seeing that Airport Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable, you need a source of data connection immediately after you get to a new location so that you can navigate your way with Google Maps, and this eSIM can provide you with that.
So, go through their local, regional, and international data plans, choose the one that best suits you and your data needs, and purchase and install it. Believe me, you won’t regret it.
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