Frequently Asked Questions

An eSIM is a built in digital SIM inside many newer phones. You install it by scanning a QR code. No plastic card. No post.

How our USA eSIM works
• Order on our website.
• Open the confirmation email and follow the steps.
• The eSIM installs in about a minute.
• Land in the USA, switch the eSIM on, and go online.

What you get
• Fast 5G or 4G data across mainland USA, subject to local coverage.
• A real US mobile number for calls and SMS.

New to eSIM
• You can keep your UK SIM in the phone (for getting one-time passwords for apps, banking) or take your UK SIM out of your phone if you want.
• Use the eSIM for data while your UK number stays active if you wish.
• If you need help, message us on WhatsApp or email.

Is my phone compatible?

Apple
iPhone XR, XS, SE 2020 and 2022
All iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 models

Samsung
Galaxy S20 to S25
Z Flip and Z Fold models

Google
Pixel 3a, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Other
Nokia X30 5G
Oppo Find N2 Flip, X3 Pro, X5 Pro
Motorola Razr 40, Razr 40 Ultra

Tip
Dial *#06#. If you see an EID number, your device supports eSIM.

Setting up your eSIM is simple, easier than a physical SIM. You do not need to remove your UK SIM or swap anything.

After you order, we email clear setup steps. Install takes about a minute. When you land in the USA, turn the eSIM line on. It connects quickly. No SIM tool. No shop visit.

Perfect for UK travellers. You are online as you arrive.

Travelling soon and need a USA eSIM fast? Most orders are issued within a few hours. Often faster. Place your order and check your confirmation email. We handle the rest and send your setup details. You are ready to go.

Yes. We recommend it. Order as early as you like. Activation does not start at purchase. Your bundle begins on the date you choose during activation. Turn it on when you land in the USA, or on the day that suits your trip. Buy early and stay organised. Your eSIM or SIM will be ready when you are.

No. Your phone stores your photos, contacts, apps, emails, and settings. Not the SIM.

Adding a USA eSIM or inserting a USA SIM will not delete or change anything.

Install the USA eSIM or insert the USA SIM when you travel. Everything stays the same. When you return, put your UK SIM back in and carry on.

To use our physical SIM
• iPhone 8 and newer
• Most other 5G model phones including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Oppo, Motorola, Nokia, Xiaomi, and Huawei models. NOTE: phone must be a 5G phone

For an eSIM
• iPhone XR, XS, SE 2020 and 2022, and all iPhone 11 to 16 models
• Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, plus Z Flip and Z Fold
• Google Pixel 3a and newer

What to check
• Your phone must be unlocked and must be a 5G phone (if not using an iPhone)
• For eSIM, dial *#06#. If you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM

Yes. Hawaii is covered on our USA SIMs and eSIMs. You will get service across the main islands and most built up areas. Remote valleys and high ridges may have limited or no signal.

Alaska is not included in coverage on the T-Mobile network, so our SIM/eSIM won't work in Alaska. 

Yes. Pick the optional Canada and Mexico add on. With this add on you can use your SIM or eSIM while travelling in Canada and Mexico. You get unlimited calls and texts to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. You also get 5 GB of 4G data per 30 day period, depending on your plan. Choose the add on at checkout. It cannot be added later. See your plan page for details and pricing.

Our USA SIMs and eSIMs use the T-Mobile network. 4G and 5G cover most cities, towns, and highways.

Notes
• Alaska is not included.
• T-Mobile maps show outdoor coverage only and are a guide.
• If an area shows Partner coverage, service may be limited or unavailable.

Coverage can vary with
• Terrain and elevation
• Weather
• Buildings and obstructions
• Signal strength and your phone model

Check the T-Mobile Coverage Map with the exact address or ZIP code of where you will stay before you buy. If an area shows Partner coverage, service may be limited or unavailable.

No. Our USA SIMs and eSIMs don't work in the UK. There's no roaming in the UK. They won't work whatsoever in the UK. Please DO NOT BUY the eSIM or physical SIM if you intend to use it in the UK for things like getting verification codes, or registering for TikTok, WhatsApp, Paypal, American banks etc. No refund will be given.

Yes. Your phone must be network unlocked to use our USA eSIM or SIM. Most UK phones are unlocked, but check first.

iPhone
• Settings > General > About
• Find Network Provider Lock
• If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked

Android and other phones
• Insert a SIM from a different network, for example EE if you are on O2
• Restart the phone
• If the new network name appears, it is unlocked
• If you see Invalid SIM or SIM network unlock PIN, it is locked

If it is locked
• Contact your network, for example EE, O2, Vodafone, or Three
• Ask for a network unlock
• Do this before you fly, it can take time

Notes
• We cannot unlock phones
• Dual SIM or eSIM does not bypass a network lock

No. The SIM only works in a phone. It won't work in a mobile broadband device, MiFi, or USB dongle.

Yes. Our T-Mobile Bundles include unlimited data. Stream, browse, maps, and hotspot across the USA without running out.

Network management
• After 50 GB in a 30 day period, T-Mobile may prioritise other users at busy times.
• Speeds can slow in crowded areas.
• Your data continues. It is not capped or cut off.

Our T-Mobile Bundles have no plan speed cap. T-Mobile do not throttle speeds. 5G and 4G speeds depend on signal and congestion. With strong 5G you can see several hundred Mbps or more. After 50 GB in a 30 day period, T-Mobile may prioritise other users at busy times. Your data continues.

Real world tests on our SIMs and eSIMs
• 589 Mbps down, 56 Mbps up. iPhone 12. Chicago. 18 Nov 2022. See it here.
• 916 Mbps down, 92 Mbps up. iPhone 13 Pro Max. Los Angeles. 17 Mar 2023. See it here.
• 189 Mbps down, 85 Mbps up. Google Pixel 6a. Los Angeles. 17 Mar 2023. See it here.

Results vary by phone, band, and location. Indoor speeds are often lower than outdoors.

Yes. You can share your data with laptops, tablets, and other devices.

T-Mobile Unlimited Bundle
• Hotspot is included. Connected devices run at about 3G speeds.
• For faster hotspot, choose the 30 day bundle with 5 GB of 5G or 4G hotspot data. After 5 GB, hotspot returns to 3G speeds.

T-Mobile 10 GB Bundle
• Use your full 10 GB at 5G or 4G hotspot speeds.

Good for UK travellers on work trips, road trips, and navigation on a tablet.

The T-Mobile Unlimited Bundle eSIM/SIM can not be topped-up. It's single use and permanently expires at the end of the number of days you purchased. The USA number cannot be re-used, ported, transferred, or re-activated. So make sure that you buy the right number of days to cover your entire trip and any extension. 

The AT&T Unlimited Bundle eSIM can be topped up for £69.99 for another 30 days (and you can keep topping up every 30 days). Alternatively, it's much cheaper to just buy a new eSIM (a new eSIM = a new USA phone number and your original USA number will no longer work whatsoever).

The AT&T 12GB/30GB/50GB Bundle eSIM can be topped up for another 30 days as follows: 12GB bundle for £39.99, 30GB bundle for £59.99, 50GB bundle for £69.99 (and you can keep topping up every 30 days). You can only top-up on the same bundle you originally purchased. Alternatively, it's much cheaper to just buy a new eSIM/SIM (a new eSIM = a new USA phone number and your original USA number will no longer work whatsoever).

No. You'll need to buy a new SIM/eSIM. Anyway, it's cheaper to buy new than top-up.

Your bundle only starts on the activation date you choose, not the purchase date.

Physical SIM
• Follow the instructions in your delivery.
• Open the online activation form and pick your USA start date.
• That date is Day 1 of your bundle.

eSIM
• Use the steps in your confirmation email.
• Choose your USA start date during activation.

End time
• Your bundle ends at 11:59 pm US Central Time on the final day.

Plan ahead. Your SIM or eSIM will be ready when you land.

Yes. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, and similar apps over your data. It is the easiest way to stay in touch.

Need to call a landline or someone without a smartphone? Choose the optional Call/Text Abroad Add-On. It includes unlimited minutes and texts to UK mobiles and landlines.

Yes. All our USA SIMs and eSIMs include a real US mobile number.

Use it to
• Add it to baggage tags and travel forms
• Share it with tour operators, hotels, and friends in the UK and the USA
• Update apps that use a phone number, for example Uber

How to find your number
• After arrival in the USA, open your phone settings to view the number
• iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > your USA line > My Number
• Android: Settings > About phone > SIM status

Need it before you fly
• Activate a few days early
• Once it is active, email us and we will send your number
• Your 30 days start from your chosen activation date, so ensure the bundle covers your full trip

If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, including iPhone 16, choose one of these.

T-Mobile Unlimited Bundle
• Unlimited data, minutes, and texts
• Durations of 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60, or 90 days
• Best for longer trips and heavy data use

T-Mobile 15 GB Bundle
• 15 GB high speed data with unlimited minutes and texts
• Fixed 30 day bundle
• Best for light or moderate data use

Both bundles include
• A real US mobile number
• Hotspot support
• Full access to T-Mobile 5G and 4G where available

If you have a Samsung, Pixel, Huawei, Oppo, choose one of these.

T-Mobile Unlimited Bundle
• Unlimited data, minutes, and texts
• Durations of 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60, or 90 days
• Best for longer trips and heavy data use

T-Mobile 15 GB Bundle
• 15 GB high speed data with unlimited minutes and texts
• Fixed 30 day bundle
• Best for light or moderate data use

Both bundles include
• A real US mobile number
• Hotspot support
• Full access to T-Mobile 5G and 4G where available

Buying in the USA usually costs more. Walk in plans add state taxes and activation fees. Choice is limited to 30 day bundles. Queues waste time.

We activate in bulk direct with T-Mobile, so we can price better than most in store offers. You also get short trip options, for example 7, 14, or 21 days.

Buy before you fly. We email setup. Land, switch on, and go online.

£2.99 free standard delivery. Most orders arrive in 14-21 working days.

Need it faster? Choose eSIM if you have an eSIM compatible phone.

Tip: Order early to avoid last minute delays.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. You can also pay with PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Security
Our entire site uses SSL encryption, including checkout. Your details are encrypted in transit. We do not store your card numbers. You can shop with confidence.

No. We do not send your personal details to T-Mobile when we activate your SIM or eSIM. That includes your name, address, email, and UK phone number. For eSIM activation we supply your device identifiers, EID and IMEI. Networks read these automatically and they are required for the eSIM to work. We share only what is needed to get you connected. We do not sell your data.

Yes. Our whole site, including checkout, uses SSL encryption. It protects your personal and payment details by encrypting data between your browser and our servers. This prevents anyone else from reading it. We do not store your card numbers. You can pay with confidence.

We expect a smooth setup. If your SIM or eSIM is faulty, you are covered by our 100% Money Back Guarantee.

What to do
• Contact us within 24 hours of your chosen activation date if it is not working in the USA.
• Connect to Wi Fi and reach us on WhatsApp +44 7882 165 545 or email [email protected]
• Include your full name and order number.

What we do
• We troubleshoot quickly. Most fixes take 1 to 2 hours. Always within 24 hours.
• If the SIM or eSIM is confirmed defective and cannot be fixed, we refund 100 percent of the SIM or eSIM price.

When it does not apply
• Your phone is network locked.
• Your phone is not compatible with US networks.
• Activation steps were not followed.
• You contact us after 24 hours.
• You contact us only after you return to the UK.