United Arab Emirates Travel eSIM

Top local carriers: Etisalat, du and more. 4G/5G high-speed coverage. See the Network Coverage section above for bands and detail.

It depends on the plan: daily-data plans have a stated daily high-speed allowance (e.g. 1GB/day), then slow to 128kbps until the next day; total-data plans give one high-speed allowance for the whole trip and stop when used up. Every plan's limit is shown at purchase and in the spec table.

No. ALT eSIM data eSIMs require no real-name or ID registration — just scan the QR code and go.

iPhone XS or later (2018+), Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+ — most flagship phones from 2018+. Dial *#06# — if a 32-digit EID shows, your phone supports eSIM. Full list on the Compatible Devices page.

Wi-Fi is required to download the eSIM profile. iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code. Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager → Add mobile plan. Takes 2-3 minutes.

Yes — emailed within ~30 seconds of Stripe payment. We recommend installing on home Wi-Fi before departure and enabling Data Roaming on arrival.

It's data-only. Use WhatsApp, LINE, Telegram, FaceTime for calls. For bank/work SMS, keep your physical SIM active in parallel.

No. ALT eSIM is a data-only eSIM — it does not come with a phone number and cannot make calls or receive SMS. It is an additional data line: your existing physical SIM and number can stay active in the phone (dual-SIM) to keep receiving calls and SMS, but your original number will incur your home carrier's roaming charges abroad. For calls, use WhatsApp, LINE, Telegram or FaceTime over data.

1) Confirm Data Roaming is on; 2) Set the new eSIM as the default data line in Settings; 3) Restart your phone. Still stuck — WhatsApp our Hong Kong support team.

All eSIM purchases are final — no refunds or returns once payment is confirmed, whether or not the eSIM has been installed or used. Please confirm destination, duration, and device compatibility before buying. See the Refund Policy page.

No. Plans expire at the end of the validity period. Pick a plan that matches your trip length; buy a new one for your next destination.

The clock starts when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination — not at purchase or install. Buy and install days ahead on home Wi-Fi; the countdown only begins when you enable data roaming on arrival.

Yes, hotspot sharing is supported. Note the daily high-speed allowance is shared by everyone tethered to the eSIM — heavy sharing uses it up faster (speed drops but data keeps working after that).

Plans can't be topped up mid-trip, but you can buy another eSIM anytime — QR code arrives in ~30 seconds. Daily plans also keep working at reduced speed after the daily allowance, so you're never suddenly cut off.

For typical travel (maps, WhatsApp, social, finding restaurants) 1GB/day is plenty. If you stream video, go live, or hotspot for others, pick 2-3GB/day or a large total-data plan. Daily plans throttle instead of cutting off, so you stay connected either way.

Yes. WhatsApp stays tied to your existing number and runs over the eSIM's data. Keep your physical SIM in the phone (dual SIM) to receive bank/work SMS — just turn off data roaming on that line to avoid roaming charges.