Before departure, check your iPhone's compatibility, your travel eSIM's activation timing and its installation instructions. On arrival, confirm which line is providing your data. This is particularly important for iPhones bought in Hong Kong: do not assume that “iPhone XS or later” automatically means your phone supports eSIM. Check both the model and where it was purchased.
1. Check whether your Hong Kong model supports eSIM
Apple's general eSIM guidance covers supported iPhone XS, XR and later models, but some Hong Kong and Macao versions use two physical nano-SIM cards. For example, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series models bought in Hong Kong appear on Apple's dual nano-SIM list. Instructions for overseas versions cannot simply be applied to them.
Before buying a plan, find your model under Settings → General → About. Check it against the purchase region and Apple's Hong Kong model guidance. If you are unsure, confirm the exact model with Apple or the provider. Dual-SIM support alone is not a reason to buy an eSIM.
Also check Carrier Lock under About. “No SIM restrictions” means the phone is unlocked. If it remains locked, ask your original carrier whether it can be unlocked before considering another carrier's eSIM.
2. Check these five points before buying
eSIM plans differ. Before paying, review:
- Coverage: Does the plan cover only your destination, or also your transit stops and other countries on the trip?
- Data and duration: Check the total or daily allowance, validity period and any speed reduction after reaching a limit.
- When the clock starts: Is validity counted from purchase, installation, manual activation or the first connection to a specified network?
- Features: Is it data-only, or does it include a phone number, calls or texts? Is hotspot sharing supported?
- Reinstallation and support: Can you reinstall it after deletion? What happens if you change phones, and who can help with problems?
Without checking the chosen provider, you cannot assume that every plan “activates on arrival” or “starts counting days as soon as it is installed”. Save the plan instructions, order details and support contact, and pay particular attention to validity when travelling across time zones.
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3. Install with a stable connection and label the lines
Follow the provider's instructions while connected to Wi-Fi or an available hotspot. Common installation methods include a QR code, carrier app, activation link or manually entered details. Use the method supported by your plan.
If the QR code is displayed on another screen, scan it with your iPhone camera and follow the prompts to add the cellular plan. If you receive the code on the same phone, iOS 17.4 or later lets you press and hold the QR code in the default Mail app or browser, then select “Add eSIM”. For other versions or screens, follow your provider's instructions and Apple's setup guide. Do not assume every phone offers the same option.
Once added, give the lines clear labels such as “Hong Kong main” and “Japan travel”. Installation means the plan has been added; whether its validity period has started still depends on the plan's terms.
4. Check your data line and roaming settings on arrival
Open Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data and select your travel eSIM as the data line. Follow the provider's instructions for that line's data roaming and other settings. Some plans require data roaming to be enabled, so turning it off for every line may prevent the travel plan from working.
Check data roaming on your Hong Kong main line and the “Allow Cellular Data Switching” setting too. If you want to use mainly the travel plan's data, you can turn data switching off and avoid using overseas data on the Hong Kong line. If you keep your main line active for calls or texts, check your original carrier's charges separately. Turning data roaming off does not make every call, text or other service free.
You can also consider temporarily turning off the main line when you do not need it, but this may prevent texts such as bank verification codes from arriving. Choose according to your needs rather than switching off a number you still rely on simply to follow a guide.
5. Check the settings before deleting an eSIM
If you cannot connect, check that the travel line is on and selected for data. Confirm that the plan has reached its activation time, has data remaining and covers your location. Then check the network or related settings as instructed by the provider.
Do not immediately delete the eSIM and scan the code again: reinstallation depends on the provider's arrangements. When contacting support, include your model, iOS version, location and a screenshot of the error, hiding unnecessary personal information.
After returning to Hong Kong, confirm that both your data and default calling line are set back to your Hong Kong main line, and turn off the travel line as needed. Before deleting it, check the remaining allowance, validity and reinstallation conditions. If keeping it for another trip, first confirm that the plan will still be valid.
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