How to Install & Activate an eSIM on iPhone & Android
About two minutes, start to finish. Do it at home over Wi-Fi the day before you fly.
Scan this code to install your UK eSIM.
Where to?United KingdomUnited Kingdom£2.00France£2.00Japan£2.00Thailand£2.001Purchase your destination eSIM plan
Choose your destination plan on Mapians.com and receive your QR code by email within seconds. Dial *#06# to confirm your phone shows an EID.
- ✉Your eSIM is readyFrom: Mapians
Scan this code to install your UK eSIM.
Install in one tap2On Wi-Fi before departure, scan the QR code
Open Settings > Mobile Data / SIM Manager > Add eSIM and scan the QR code from another screen or use the manual activation code.
- ‹Mobile DataPrimary Home SIMMapians Travel+ Add eSIMData roamingMobile data line Mapians3
Label the new line "Mapians Travel"
Keep your home SIM active for calls, SMS and WhatsApp, and switch Data Roaming OFF on your home SIM to avoid carrier charges.
- My eSIMsThree · 5G · London27 days left72.4GB leftTop up4
On arrival, switch Data Roaming ON for Mapians
Set "Mapians Travel" as your Mobile Data line and switch Data Roaming ON for the Mapians eSIM line to connect to local 4G/5G.
Step-by-step for your phone
Open Settings › Mobile Data (or Cellular)
Tap Add eSIM › Use QR Code
Scan the QR code from your email or the Mapians app
Label the line "Mapians Travel" and choose it for Mobile Data
Keep your primary line for calls and iMessage with its roaming off
On arrival, turn on Data Roaming for the Mapians line
Open Settings › Connections › SIM manager
Tap Add eSIM › Scan QR code from provider
Scan the QR code from your email or the Mapians app
Set Mapians Travel as the mobile data SIM
Keep your home SIM for calls and SMS with its roaming off
On arrival, turn on Data Roaming for the Mapians line
Not connecting?
Toggle Airplane mode on and off, check Data Roaming is on for the Mapians line, and restart your phone.
Don't delete the eSIM
Removing the eSIM profile usually means it can't be reinstalled. Turn the line off instead.
Still stuck?
Open our 24/7 Live Chat or raise a ticket. We'll get you connected.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? Our 24/7 Live Chat and ticket team will help.
Is my phone compatible?
Most phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM, including iPhone XS/XR and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer. The phone must be carrier-unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM.
Can I use hotspot / tethering?
Yes, hotspot is supported on our plans so you can share data with a laptop or a travel companion. Usage counts against your plan.
What if it does not work?
Our support team is available 24/7 on Live Chat and tickets. Most issues are fixed in minutes by turning on data roaming for the eSIM line. If we cannot get you connected, you are covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee.
How do refunds work?
If your eSIM cannot connect because of a fault on our side, or you have not installed it, you can claim a refund within 30 days. See the refund policy for full conditions.
How much will you save on your trip?
Three quick answers. We compare roaming, an airport SIM and the Mapians plan we'd recommend. All amounts in GBP.
Airport SIM price (optional)
Roaming and airport figures are your inputs or typical examples. Mapians prices are plan prices including tax, converted at an indicative exchange rate.
More plans, lower prices, real networks
The same trip usually costs less with Mapians, especially on 10GB and above.
| Mapians | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | £2.00 | from about US$4.50 | day plans from US$3.90 | from US$1.99 (selected countries) |
| Big-data value (Europe) | 25GB / 28 days £8.99 · £0.36/GB (Llamaya) | €0.72 / GB (UK 50GB, 30 days, €36) | Sold mainly as unlimited daily plans | Close to Airalo on most plans |
| Branded operator eSIMs | Orange, Vodafone, Three, O2, Llamaya, KDDI, dtac | Network not always named before purchase | Varies by destination | Varies |
| Plan types | Per-day, fixed, unlimited, network bundles | Fixed + some unlimited | Mostly unlimited | Fixed + some unlimited |
| Dedicated seafarer plans | Yes, with crew discount | No | No | No |
| Refunds | 30-day money-back guarantee | Full refund only if the eSIM was not installed | Conditions apply | Flexible policy |
| Pay in your currency | 9 currencies incl. ₹, AED, SAR | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat & tickets, priority SLA | Chat, email, WhatsApp · no phone line | Chat | Chat |
| Unlimited plans | Yes: UK, Japan, Thailand + more | Some destinations (3GB/day then 1Mbps) | Yes, with fair-use slowdowns | Some plans |
| Hotspot on unlimited | Allowed (fair use shown upfront) | Varies | Capped 500MB–1GB/day | Allowed |
| Seller | UK-registered company, verifiable | Singapore-based | Spain-based | Part of Nord Security |
Competitor information from published pages and third-party comparisons (Saily blog, May 2026; Amigo eSIM, Oct 2026; Jetpac review, 2026). Prices change often, so check each provider's site before buying.
Most "unlimited" data isn't really unlimited
Under operators' fair-use policies, many unlimited plans give you a set amount of high-speed data, then cut you to a crawl. Here's what the small print says, from published sources.
| Provider | How it's sold | What actually happens | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Unlimited (selected destinations) | 3GB high-speed per 24 hours, then 1Mbps | Saily review of Airalo, 2026 |
| Holafly | Unlimited data | Fair-use slowdowns after heavy use; hotspot capped at 500MB/day (Europe) or 1GB/day (Asia) | Jetpac Holafly review, 2026 |
| T-Mobile (US roaming) | Unlimited data abroad | 5GB high-speed, then 256kbps | ShopBack US roaming guide, Aug 2026 |
| Jio (India) roaming packs | "Unlimited" data packs | 1GB–10GB high-speed, then 64kbps | Jio packs as published (prune.co.in, July 2025) |
| e& (UAE) Daily Data | Daily roaming data | 500MB per day, then 64kbps | eand.ae Roaming Daily Data Plan, 2026 |
Video calls, HD streaming, hotspot, maps
Maps and messages; video buffers
Slow web pages, photos take ages
WhatsApp text only. Maps barely load
We tell you exactly how much full-speed data you get
- Every plan shows its full-speed allowance in GB, upfront
- Per-day plans clearly say what happens after the daily allowance (128kbps until midnight)
- Big fixed plans like 80GB give full speed the whole time, from £0.19/GB
- Speed caps, such as KDDI's 10Mbps option, are shown on the plan before you buy
Fair-use details are taken from the providers' published terms or from the reviews named in the Source column, and can change. Check each provider's current terms.
How Mapians compares, with the numbers
Published prices, compared like for like. Sources listed underneath.
Price per GB
Lower is better.
30 days in Europe
Most travellers use under 1.5GB a day, so 100GB covers a month of heavy use for well under half the price.
What's included
Sources: Mapians plan prices (Oct 2026); Airalo UK pricing via Amigo eSIM comparison (Oct 2026); Holafly pricing, hotspot limits and plan start rules via Jetpac review (2026); Airalo support and refund themes via Saily review and Kimola consumer insights (2026). Currency conversions are indicative.
The top eSIM complaints, and how we fixed each one
From analysis of customer reviews across the market: connectivity is 40% of complaints, activation problems 23%, and support 20%.
Unknown "best available" networks and heavy throttling.
We name the exact operator and speed before you buy, and use tier-1 networks like Three, Orange, Vodafone and O2.
Confusing APN settings and one-shot QR codes.
One-tap install in the app, a 5-second device check at checkout, and a free replacement if anything fails.
Slow replies when you're stuck abroad.
24/7 Live Chat and tickets answered by trained people, with a faster SLA than other providers.
Refunds only if the eSIM was never installed.
30-day money-back guarantee, including when it's installed but won't connect.
Some plans start counting from purchase.
Install early: most Mapians plans start when you first connect abroad. Each plan states its rule.
Daily tethering caps on unlimited plans.
Hotspot allowed on our plans, with any fair-use limit stated upfront.
Hard to tell how much data you actually need.
Plan finder recommends one plan from your trip length and usage, in plain words.
Complaint shares from Kimola's consumer-insight analysis of Airalo reviews (2026); other issues from Jetpac and Saily reviews.
We stay with you for the whole trip
Most eSIM sellers stop at the QR code. That's where our service starts.
- 0 minInstant delivery
QR code by email and in the app, with one-tap install.
- Day beforePre-trip check
A reminder to install over Wi-Fi, and a quick check it's ready.
- On landingAuto-connect + arrival tips
Your plan activates on the local network. We send a simple "you're connected" guide.
- During tripLow-data alerts & top-ups
Alerts at 80% used and top-ups in two taps, so you never run dry.
- Any time24/7 Live Chat & tickets
Fast answers in plain language, around the clock.
- After tripMoney-back if it failed
If it didn't work, you're covered for 30 days.
You see the real network before you pay
- Operator name on every plan: Three, Orange, Vodafone, O2, KDDI, TRUE
- Speed shown upfront: 4G, 5G or capped speeds like 10Mbps
- Coverage list for every country on the plan
- If a network underperforms, we move you to another partner network free
Trusted by networks, payment providers and travellers
OrangeAuthorised distributor
VodafoneAuthorised distributor
Three UKAuthorised distributor
O2Authorised distributor
LlamayaAuthorised distributor
KDDIAuthorised distributor
DTACAuthorised distributorSending employees abroad? Cut travel data costs for good.
One account for every employee trip: client visits, events, project deployments. Lower cost than roaming packs, central billing, and a team that treats you as a long-term partner.
You're buying from a registered British business
Not an anonymous app. Our company details are public and you can check them yourself on the UK government register.
- Company number
- 16116903
- Registered office
- 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ, United Kingdom
- VAT number
- GB 452 8391 20
- ICO data protection
- ZB619042
- Payments
- Stripe · PCI-DSS Level 1
- Network partners
- Authorised distributor
Land connected. Pay local prices.
Pick your destination, get your QR code by email and set up in two minutes.
Buy, install and top up from your phone
Check data left, get low-balance alerts, top up in two taps and reach support from inside the app.