iPhone users can escape heavy mobile roaming charges while traveling abroad by downloading a simple app and digital eSIM.
An eSIM can temporarily take over the data duties of the physical SIM card in your iPhone and comes preloaded with a data allowance that is much cheaper than you’ll get by leaving your phone to roam exotic cellular services abroad.
It’s the easiest way to avoid undesirably expensive data charges via a dedicated digital mobile data plan. eSIMs work with iPhones released after 2018, so from the iPhone XS onwards. Setup is a cinch.
Don’t worry about your phone being disconnected in a different country as you don’t need to change your phone number to get hold of this much cheaper mobile data while on holiday or away for business.
A simple download will save your travel money
Foreign data roaming charges when travelling internationally are probably travel’s most common unexpected expenditure. Often without you realizing, these data charges can seriously accumulate for iPhone users reliant on their phones most of the day—checking a route via Maps, streaming a TV show, or sharing holiday snaps with friends on social media.
GigSky
Safer than Wi-Fi hotspots
Relying on Wi-Fi is rarely advisable outside of your hotel, as untrustworthy hotspots expose you to the risk of hackers gaining access to your phone’s valuable data.
Buying eSIM is a much more safe, inexpensive and convenient solution when travelling with your phone whilst abroad. The days of having to buy a physical local SIM are over now that you can simply download and setup a digital eSIM.
One of the most convenient and simple eSIM implementations we’ve tried for iPhone and iPad is from US-based GigSky. You control everything through the free app.
First choose your destination, then set up and activate the eSIM when you arrive.
You choose fixed international data plans range from 500MB to 50GB and select one of the available trip durations from three days to 15 days. The app is always accessible, even if you run out of data—just top up the eSIM with extra data if you need it with a few taps.
An eSIM that works on land, sea and air
GigSky
As well as offering mobile data plans in 200 countries, the GigSky eSIM works on cruise ships. The at-sea service is combined with a regular land service so your single plan works for the entire vacation. You can also use the plan inflight on over 20 different airlines.
Unlike other eSIM providers that are really just data resellers, GigSky owns much of its core network elements as it is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). You can rest assured that its customer service will be able to expertly and quickly diagnose any network or installation issues you might have while away. Better still, you don’t need to buy a new eSIM each time you pack your suitcase and passport.
Free trial
If you want to test out the service, there’s even a free 500MB trial plan for Europe—or 100MB everywhere else—with no credit card required. And Visa users can take advantage of special promotional offers that allow them to redeem complimentary mobile plans.
Get 500MB of free mobile data