Anyone know about e-sims?

[Sleepo]

Such as https://www.easysim.global/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpJWoBhA8EiwAHZFzfqNjOwBgJsWkTX-zgAzvTIm2NcXRsg3-soPKBYHhf-li-ANqVoB4_RoCPrwQAvD_BwE

I'm going to South Africa soon and trying to work out the cheapest way to use data. This looks good but is it as easy as it appears? Anyone have any experience?

We used the Airalo app when we went to the US last year, only took a few mins to set up whilst waiting to board.

the Dibb forum has lots of advice on esims.

Yep. I use them now. So much better to be able to use my phone as soon as I land to get the information I need for the next bit of the journey (bus times/uber/contact friends or accommodation. Never had a problem.

I use Airalo.

I’ve used Airalo esims twice in recent months - generally they were easy to use. The app gives good information about how much data you’ve used so you can keep track.

The first time I actually activated he esim while in the UK which meant that the timer started immediately. However as it was valid for 24 hours more than I needed it wasn’t a problem. The second time I opted to wait until I arrived abroad to activate but I appeared to need Wi-Fi access to do that so I regretted not having done the activation in the UK!

I presume your phone is compatible - my husband’s old iPhone was too ancient to use them.

One word of caution - my first esim was nearly exhausted within 24 hours as I had pretty much all apps set to use mobile data, including photos, music etc. I quickly switched everything off from mobile data and just switched back on selective apps as needed.

good tip about turning mobile data off, im going to be using a Airlo sim in the next few weeks and only got 1gb, now i will only be using it for a day but id likely not think to turn mobile data off and run it out quickly

As mentioned, you need to activate it just before you board the plan so you’re not eating into the time limit but can still get it set up on U.K. WiFi. That was one of the tips from The Dibb.

Airolo is definitely good

Double check if Three go roam works in the destination you are going to. I find it much cheaper to activate a PAYG SIM before I leave than using an esim

I used airaolo on a trip to US.

I bought 10gb for 14 days and used 5.

It talks you through how to install it

I set mine up in the UK and it activated when i connected to the US provider.

Turn off mobile data on all apps except the essential maps, banks etc and turn off auto updates too.

Its great! Have fun and enjoy your trip.