Using an eSIM

Yes, absolutely. One of the advantages of eSIMs is that you can have several plans on your phone at any time and switch between them instantly depending on where you are and the plan you wish to use.

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Please note: Some devices will limit the number of eSIMs you can store on your phone at any one time and you may need to remove an old eSIM to use a new one.

Yes, your eSIM is associated with your phone rather than your operator plan or phone number.

Your order number is available on your receipt. If you bought an eSIM, we have sent a receipt to the email address provided during the sale. Search for an email from noreply@simlocal.com with the subject Order Confirmation. Please make sure to check your Spam folder too.

Unfortunately not, once you have activated your plan, it will last for the amount of days described on your plan details.

If you purchased a physical SIM card but would like to get a eSIM instead, you can go ahead and buy an eSIM online on our website or download our app.

You can then contact our customer support team using this form to query the return of your physical SIM.

Orange FR

To check your balance of your Orange FR eSIM or SIM card, you may dial #123# followed by the call button. You will then see a message appear on screen with the remaining available bundle allowances.

Please note, you should also receive an SMS notification when you are at 80% out of data usage.

EE

You can check the balance of your EE eSIM or SIM card using the following options:

• To check Credit balance, text AL to the number 150 and you will receive an SMS back confirming the available Credit allowances
• To check Bundle balance, text BA to the number 150 and you will receive an SMS back confirming the available Bundle allowances & expiry dates
• Call 150 from your EE sim follow automated prompts to check Credit/Bundle allowance
• Call 150 follow automated prompts to connect with a EE Customer Service Agent
• Log onto the EE App or the EE website using ee.co.uk to register an account to manage your account online. You can then view both available Credit & Bundle allowances 

To check your mobile number, follow these steps:

• iPhone: Open Settings > Scroll down and select phone > The number should show on display as 'My Number'
• Android: Open Settings > Select about phone > The number show on display

If you bought a physical SIM card, the mobile number usually is printed on the packaging itself.

Please note:

• If you buy a regional EU plan from Orange FR, you will be assigned a French phone number starting with +33.
• It is not possible to choose a specific phone number.

Yes! Dual SIM technology makes this possible. You can purchase an eSIM plan from Sim Local and use this alongside your regular SIM when you travel.

This enables you to run two lines – one for work and one for home or one for travel and one for family.

You can also select one line for calls and another for data or however you choose to configure your options.

Dual SIM technology allows you to use multiple eSIMs or a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time, allowing you to select which functionality you want from each.

To use both an eSIM and a physical SIM card simultaneously, follow these simple steps:

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1. Ensure you label your plans and give each a name that help you easily identify which is which

On iOS:

- Go to phone settings.

- Tap Cellular or Mobile data.

- Tap your eSIM plan and enter the name and save.

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On Android:

- Go to phone settings.

- Select Network & Internet or Connections.

- Select SIM Card.

- Select eSIM plan and enter the name & save.

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2. When you land in your eSIM destination, activate it to use the local network

On iOS:

- Go to settings.

- Select Cellular or mobile.

- Select your eSIM line.

- Select ‘turn on this line’ and turn on data roaming.

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On Android:

- Go to settings.

- Select Network & Internet or Connections.

- Choose mobile network.

- Turn on your eSIM.

- Turn on mobile data and data roaming.

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3. Set up your Voice Line

This will be used for calls and texts. If your eSIM is data only you will want to use your physical SIM but please note you will be subject to data roaming charges.

On iOS:

- Go to settings.

- Select Cellular or mobile data.

- Select default Voice line and select your SIM or eSIM.

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On Android:

- Go to settings.

- Select Network & Internet or Connections.

- Select SIM card.

- Select calls and your SIM or eSIM line.

- Select texts and select your SIM or eSIM line.

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4. Choose your data line (Note: Only one of your lines can use data).

On iOS:

- Go to settings.

- Select Cellular or mobile data.

- Select default Voice line and select your SIM or eSIM line.

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On Android:

- Go to settings.

- Select Network & Internet or Connections.

- Select SIM card.

- Choose Data Service Network.

- Select your SIM or eSIM line.

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When you return home or wish to switch back you can go to your settings at any time and switch back to the plan you would like to use.

Yes, you can use iMessage with your data-only eSIM however, you need to ensure it is configured properly in your settings.

iMessage uses data rather than traditional SMS, so having a data connection is essential.

When you download your new eSIM, your phone will prompt you to set this up in settings to ensure it remains active.

On your iPhone:

• Go to Settings
• Go to Messages
• Turn iMessage off
• Turn iMessage back on
• Select Send & Receive
• Uncheck your phone number and select your email address (this ensures you use your data).
• You can reverse these steps and select your phone number when you return home to stop using your eSIM.

It can take between 1-10 minutes for the eSIM to activate.

Yes, but you will need to purchase a new eSIM from the new network operator.

No, the eSIM cannot be accidentally removed unless the eSIM is deleted in error.

Each unique QR code is one time use only. Therefore, once the QR code has been successfully scanned, it cannot be rescanned.

Unfortunately, we are unable to help with this. Please contact your network operator directly to discuss next steps.

Smartroam

Our Smartroam plans allow for top ups.

If you have purchased a Smartroam plan, you will be able to purchase an add-on through your account via My eSIM.

EE

To top up your EE eSIM/SIM card you may use the following options:

• By Card (Make a one off card payment at ee.co.uk/fastpay)
• Online (log in to the EE app, then go to Menu > Top Up or visit ee.co.uk/myaccount)
• By phone (call 150 from your EE phone, choose Top Up and follow the instructions)

Orange FR

To top up your eSIM, you can go to the Orange Travel website: https://travel.orange.com/en/top-up, select the relevant offer, inputs your mobile number, the amount you wish to top-up and proceed to make a payment.

When a plan offers ‘call minutes’, there is usually a difference between local and international minutes.

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Local minutes refer to minutes for calls made within the country you are using the plan in.

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International minutes refer to minutes for calls made from different countries.

Some terms and conditions may apply, depending on your operator. If you're unsure, you can refer to Network Terms and Conditions for more information.

To connect with 5G services, please ensure you are in an area that has 5G coverage.

To check if the data setting is set to 5G go to Settings > go to 'Mobile/Cellular Service' > select the SIM profile you wish to activate 5G for > select 'Voice & Data' and ensure that the 5G option is selected.

Yes, if the Network provider supports 5G and if you are in an area where 5G coverage is supported.

You can receive phone calls on your original primary number provided your network operator allows roaming for your plan.

Yes, if you purchase an eSIM that includes Calling & SMS feature.

Yes, eSIM supports the same features as SIM cards, this includes the ability to set up a mobile hotspot.

Unfortunately, eSIMs are one-time scan only and can only be activated on one device. 

All unused data will simply expire after the bundle validity period has passed.

Sim Local app

Go to the My eSIM tab and you can track how much data has been used on the eSIM you have purchased. Tracker is only available on Smartroam plans. 

iOS:
Go to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Service > Cellular or Mobile Data.

Android:
1. Go to the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Tap SIMs.
4. Choose the active eSIM. Here, you can view your data usage details.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Cellular or Mobile.
3. Go to Cellular Data to see the plan used for data.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Cellular .

On the Cellular screen, look for a link near the bottom of the page that says Manage eSIM profiles. If that link appears, your PC has an eSIM.

Yes, Whatsapp is an app that runs using your data allowance. Provided your eSIM has a data connection, you should be able to use Whatsapp as normal.