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Can I install my eSIM now, and activate it later?

Great question! Whether or not you can install your eSIM now and activate your data package later depends on which device (and operating system) you're using, as well as your physical location.

If your eSIM is for a different country/region than your current location:

Yes, you can install your eSIM prior to arriving in that country, and activate your data package once you've arrived.

Even if your device attempts to activate your package and connect to a network during the installation flow, it will not be successful until you're in the correct country/region.

If you're using an iPhone or iPad: Once you arrive in the correct country/region, an iPhone or iPad running the latest software update (iOS 16.4 or newer) will automatically attempt to connect to a supported network as long as the eSIM is on. No other activation steps will be necessary.

If you're using an Android device: Once you arrive in the correct country/region, you can choose to activate your data package and connect to supported networks once you're ready to begin using your data.

If your eSIM is for the country/region you're currently located:

On Android devices, it's fine to install your eSIM and wait to activate your data package until you're actually ready to use the data.

But if you're on an iPhone or iPad running the latest software (iOS 16.4 or newer), your device may automatically activate your data package during the installation flow if it can reach a supported network. (That's because Data Roaming no longer needs to be manually toggled on.)

So if you're using an iPhone or iPad and you're already in the country/region for your eSIM (i.e. it's a Mexico eSIM and you're already in Mexico), you should wait to install your eSIM until you're ready to activate your data package and start using the data. 

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