What is an eSIM and how does it work with Entel?
An eSIM is a SIM card that is not physical: it is a chip integrated into your cell phone that is activated by scanning a QR code, without needing to change any plastic card. Entel, as an operator in Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, offers it for new lines or to migrate your current number, just like a physical SIM but without a tray.
The difference from a traditional SIM is not the signal or speed: it's the way it's installed. Instead of going to a store to pick up a card, you receive a QR code (by email or in the operator's application) and scan it from your phone settings. In seconds, the line is active. This solves a very specific problem for travelers: you can keep your home country's line saved on your phone and also activate a second data line without touching the physical tray, which is much more practical in an airport or during a trip than looking for a SIM store.
What many people don't know is that the same technology—eSIM—is used by local operators like Entel for your regular line, as well as by independent providers who issue data lines just for use during an international trip, without depending on any destination operator. These are two different uses of the same technology, and understanding the difference is what saves you headaches when crossing a border. If you want the technical details of how it works internally, we explain it in depth in what is an eSIM.
How to request an Entel eSIM step by step?
The process for requesting an eSIM with Entel generally follows this sequence:
- Verify that your cell phone is compatible. Not all models accept eSIM (we'll look at this in detail in the next section).
- Request the eSIM line from the operator's official app, website, or in a physical store, depending on whether it's a new line or a migration from your current physical SIM.
- Receive the QR code for activation, usually by email or within the app itself.
- Scan the code from Settings → Mobile data (or Cellular) → Add eSIM, following the on-screen instructions.
- Set the line as primary or secondary and activate mobile data usage for that particular eSIM.
The step that most people overlook is the third one: if you migrate your physical number to eSIM, the old physical line stops working as soon as the new one is activated, so it's best to make the switch when you have Wi-Fi nearby to avoid losing connection during the process. This same QR scanning procedure is essentially what any travel eSIM follows; you can see the illustrated step-by-step in how to install an eSIM.
An eSIM doesn't replace your regular line: it complements it. Most current cell phones allow you to have two active lines at once—one physical and one eSIM, or two eSIMs—and choose which one uses data at any given moment.
How much does Entel's eSIM cost?
The cost of an eSIM with Entel depends on the plan you choose (prepaid or postpaid), the country (Chile, Peru, or Bolivia), and the promotions in effect at the time of contracting, so there isn't a single valid figure: the correct price is always the one published on Entel's official channel in your country on the day you contract it. Any price you read in a third-party article may have changed by the time you check it.
The same applies in reverse when comparing with an international eSIM for travel: the price varies according to the destination, the amount of data, and the duration of the plan, so the correct way to compare is not to memorize a figure, but to check the destination catalog when planning the trip and compare equivalent plans (same amount of data, same days) before deciding.
If your goal is just to use data for a few days of travel—not a permanent line—it's worth comparing the cost of a local eSIM for the country you're visiting versus an international eSIM that covers several destinations with a single profile, especially if your itinerary crosses more than one border.
Which phones are compatible with eSIM?
Not all cell phone models have an integrated eSIM chip, and the list varies by brand and year of manufacture. This table generally summarizes from which range the most common manufacturers in the region tend to include it:
| Brand | Series from which eSIM is usually included | How to confirm it on your device |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone XS/XR onwards | Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM (if the option appears, it's compatible) |
| Samsung | Galaxy S20 and Note 20 onwards (some regional variants do not include it) | Settings → Connections → SIM card manager |
| Pixel 3 onwards | Settings → Network & internet → SIMs | |
| Motorola / Xiaomi / other Android | Recent high-end models, varies greatly by market | Dial *#06# and check if an EID appears in addition to the IMEI |
The key piece of information is in the last column: dialing *#06# on the phone is the most reliable way to find out, because if the device has eSIM, it will show an EID number in addition to the usual IMEI. It's more reliable than relying on the commercial name of the model, because some regional variants of the same cell phone—especially in the Samsung and Xiaomi ranges sold in Latin America—come without the eSIM chip even if the international model has it.
What are the disadvantages of eSIM?
The eSIM solves the problem of the physical card, but it's not perfect. These are the real limitations you should be aware of before relying on it, especially if you're going to travel:
- It cannot be removed and transferred to another cell phone like a physical SIM: if you change devices, you have to reactivate the profile (sometimes with a new QR code, sometimes by direct transfer between devices of the same brand).
- It depends on having the cell phone unlocked from the factory to install profiles from operators other than the original; a carrier-locked cell phone may reject eSIMs from other companies.
- The QR code is single-use with most operators: if you lose it or change cell phones without having saved the profile, you have to request a new one, which can take time.
- Not all older or low-end cell phones support it, so it is still necessary to check compatibility before assuming it will work.
- Configuring it requires some familiarity with cell phone settings, a step that can be uncomfortable for those not used to tweaking network settings.
None of these disadvantages are exclusive to one operator: they apply to any eSIM, whether from Entel, another local operator, or an international travel provider. The difference lies in how simple each provider makes it in practice. We review several of these cases in more detail in common eSIM problems, in case you've already encountered any.
Real-world example: a trip through Peru and Chile
Imagine you leave Mexico for Lima, stay four days, and then cross to Santiago, Chile, for another five. If you relied solely on your Mexican line with roaming, each country you visit might involve manually activating roaming, checking if your home operator has an agreement in both destinations, and keeping an eye on consumption to avoid surprises upon return.
A different alternative is to install, before leaving home, an international eSIM that already includes data coverage for several countries on your itinerary with a single profile. You install it with Wi-Fi before the flight, activate it upon landing in Lima, and it continues to work when you cross to Santiago without having to look for a local operator store or buy another line halfway through your trip. Meanwhile, your regular line—the one you normally use in Mexico, or Entel if you live in Chile or Peru—continues to receive calls and text messages without changes, because the data eSIM and your primary line coexist on the same cell phone.
This is exactly the type of situation—multiple countries on the same trip, without wanting to rely on the roaming of each local operator—where an international eSIM solves something that a single-operator eSIM, like Entel's, is not designed to cover: it provides coverage within its country (or those it directly operates), not an itinerary that crosses several borders with a single data profile. If you want to compare this dilemma between roaming and a dedicated eSIM in depth, we analyze it in eSIM vs. roaming.
How to activate your eSIM in Entel Bolivia?
If your line is from Entel Bolivia, the eSIM activation process follows the same general logic described in the request section, with two specific particularities of the Bolivian market:
- The request and the QR code are managed through Entel Bolivia's official channels (app, website, or store), not through the Entel Chile or Peru platforms, even if the group is the same.
- Before scanning the QR, confirm that your cell phone is unlocked (without a carrier lock), as many imported devices circulate in Bolivia with factory restrictions that prevent the installation of eSIM profiles from operators other than the original.
Once the code is scanned from Settings → Mobile data → Add eSIM, network activation usually takes a few minutes. If after that time the line still shows no signal, restarting the cell phone resolves most cases, because sometimes the operating system needs to recognize the new profile after a complete restart.
Entel eSIM vs. international eSIM for travel
The question that really matters is not which eSIM is "better" in the abstract, but which one solves your specific situation. This table compares both options on points that do change your travel experience:
| Aspect | Entel eSIM (local operator) | International eSIM for travel |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Within the country where Entel operates (Chile, Peru, Bolivia), plus roaming as per agreement | Designed for multiple countries or regions with the same data profile |
| Phone number | Includes local number, useful as a primary or residential line | Normally data-only, no dedicated voice or SMS number |
| Contracting process | Requires customer registration procedures with the operator (sometimes with local identity verification) | Purchased online and installed before or during the trip, without customer registration procedures as a resident |
| Intended use for | Living or residing in the country where Entel operates | Tourists and travelers who need data in one or more destinations for a limited time |
| What happens if you cross countries | Depends on whether there is a roaming agreement with the next country | If the plan covers those destinations, it continues to work without additional management |
Neither of them is "the wrong one": an Entel eSIM makes sense if you live or are going to reside in Chile, Peru, or Bolivia and need a line with a local number. An international eSIM makes sense if your need is temporary data coverage while traveling, without relying on your home line's roaming or contracting a resident line in each country you visit. If you are still in doubt between keeping a physical card from your operator or switching to digital, this comparison between eSIM and physical SIM clears up the rest of the doubts.
When is each one convenient?
To decide between keeping your local line (Entel or another) on roaming or installing a specific international eSIM for your trip, these objective criteria help more than intuition:
- If your trip is to a single country and for a few days, first check if your home operator has a roaming agreement there: you may not need anything extra.
- If your itinerary crosses two or more countries, an international eSIM covering the region usually simplifies things more than activating roaming country by country.
- If you need to continue receiving calls and SMS to your usual number, you don't have to choose: you keep that line active and use the travel eSIM only for data.
- If you are going to settle in the country for a long time (work, studies, residency), a local line like Entel's, with its own number, makes more sense than an eSIM designed for short stays.
- If your cell phone is not compatible with eSIM, neither of the two digital options applies, and you need to consider a physical SIM, either local in the destination country or roaming with your home operator.
In other words: it's not a decision of "which is better," but of what you need to solve on that specific trip.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to deactivate my physical Entel SIM to use an eSIM?
Not necessarily. Most modern cell phones allow you to have a physical SIM and an eSIM active at the same time (dual SIM), or two eSIMs together. You can leave your Entel line as primary for calls and use the eSIM only for data.
Can I have both Entel's eSIM and an international eSIM at the same time?
Yes, as long as your cell phone supports dual active lines (check your model's specifications). This is precisely the most common scenario for travelers: the local line remains for calls and messages, and the international eSIM handles data while you are abroad.
What if my cell phone is not compatible with eSIM?
If your device does not have an integrated eSIM chip (you confirm this by dialing *#06# and checking if an EID appears), you will have to resort to a physical SIM, either local in the destination country or roaming with your home operator.
Does the international eSIM work the same as Entel's within Chile or Peru?
It provides equivalent mobile data access, but it usually does not include its own voice or SMS number: it is designed for browsing, using maps, and messaging apps while traveling, not to replace a resident line with a local number.
How long does it take to activate an international eSIM upon arrival at the destination?
Activation usually takes about a minute once you install the profile and activate mobile data, provided you have already scanned the QR code in advance (ideally before leaving home, with Wi-Fi).
What happens if I have a problem with the eSIM during the trip?
It depends on the provider. In the case of an international eSIM like PuraSIM's, support is available 24/7, in several languages, by email and WhatsApp, to resolve activation or connection issues from any country.
How long can I wait before activating an international eSIM that I have already purchased?
In PuraSIM's case, you have 180 days from the purchase date to activate it, so you can buy it in advance and activate it just when your trip begins, without losing validity.
How many countries can I travel to with a single international eSIM?
It depends on the plan you choose: there are options for a single country and others that cover entire regions. PuraSIM, for example, has a catalog for more than 200 destinations, so it's advisable to check the specific plan for your itinerary before purchasing.
Conclusion
Entel's eSIM has its place: if you live in Chile, Peru, or Bolivia, or are going to reside there, a local line with its own number is still the most complete option. But if you have a trip ahead of you—one or several countries, a few days or a few weeks—and what you need is mobile data without the hassle of signing up as a resident customer, without depending on your original operator's roaming agreement, and without touching your main line, an international eSIM is designed exactly for that.
Before your next trip, first check if your cell phone is compatible by consulting the list of eSIM-compatible models, and if you need more than one country on the same itinerary, compare options in PuraSIM's international eSIM collection, with coverage in more than 200 destinations, activation in approximately one minute, and 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp in several languages. If it's your first time using an eSIM, it's advisable to start with the complete guide to traveling with eSIM before buying, so you don't end up installing it with last-minute doubts.
