Traveling with family or friends and everyone having internet without paying for four different roaming plans is possible: with a multi-device eSIM, you can share data from a single phone or install a plan for each phone, depending on what suits you best. In this guide, we explain the two ways to share data abroad, when to use each, and how many GB you'll need collectively.
Can an eSIM be used on multiple devices?
An eSIM is installed on only one device at a time, but you can share its data with others using the phone's hotspot (Wi-Fi zone). This means you don't clone the eSIM onto two phones; instead, one phone acts as a router for a tablet, laptop, or your companion's phone. This is the most common and economical way to connect the entire family with a single plan.
The other option is for each person to install their own eSIM on their phone, each with its own GB plan. Both options are valid, and the best choice depends on how many of you there are, how much each person consumes, and whether you separate during the day. The important thing to know is that sharing mobile data abroad works exactly the same as at home: if your Spanish plan allows it, the hotspot works; and with a travel eSIM, almost all plans allow it without restrictions. This way, a group of friends can pay for a single generous plan and share it, or a family can provide internet to children from an adult's phone.
Option 1: Share data with a hotspot
A hotspot (also called "internet sharing," "Wi-Fi zone," or "tethering") turns your phone into a portable router. You activate the function, a Wi-Fi network with a password appears, and other devices connect to it like any Wi-Fi. All traffic consumes data from your eSIM's GB allowance.
This is the ideal option for family travel: an adult carries the eSIM with a large plan and provides internet to the kids' tablet, a second phone, and a work laptop. It's also perfect for couples who always travel together. The only drawback is that the sharing phone uses more battery and consumes data faster because it powers multiple devices. Therefore, it's advisable to have a generous GB plan and an external battery. Sharing via hotspot is so convenient that many people prefer it over buying a separate portable Wi-Fi; we compare both in eSIM versus portable Wi-Fi. For technical details on the function, see how to use a hotspot abroad with an eSIM.
Option 2: One eSIM per phone
The alternative is for each traveler to install their own eSIM on their phone. Each person has their independent plan, their GBs, and their management. This option makes sense when the group separates during the day (some go on an excursion and others go shopping), when someone consumes a lot and you don't want them to deplete everyone's data, or when everyone wants total autonomy.
The advantage is independence: no one depends on the "router-phone" having battery or being nearby. The disadvantage is that you add up several plans, although since travel eSIMs are cheap (from ~0.85$ per GB on large plans), the difference isn't always that great. A useful detail: a single iPhone can have several eSIMs installed and switch between them, which is practical if you travel to several countries; we explain this in how many eSIMs an iPhone can have. Before buying, it's advisable to check that all phones in the group are compatible: check it at if your phone is compatible with eSIM.
How to activate hotspot on iPhone, Samsung, and Xiaomi
Activating the hotspot is quick on any modern mobile. The path changes slightly depending on the brand, but the concept is the same: you activate the function, define a password, and others connect. This table summarizes where to find it on the most common brands:
| Phone | Path to activate hotspot | Function name |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings > Personal Hotspot | Personal Hotspot |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering | Mobile Hotspot |
| Xiaomi | Settings > Connection & sharing > Portable hotspot | Portable hotspot |
Key tip: when sharing via hotspot, make sure data roaming is activated on the eSIM line (not your Spanish SIM) to avoid accidentally incurring roaming charges from your home operator.
Once active, set a non-obvious password so that strangers don't intrude and consume your GBs. When not in use, deactivate it to save battery and prevent background consumption.
How many GB you'll need collectively
If you're going to share a single plan via hotspot, you need to add up the consumption of all devices. A single traveler uses 1-1.5 GB per day; with three or four people drawing from the same plan, consumption multiplies. This table guides you in calculating the shared plan:
| Group | Light usage/day | Medium usage/day | Plan for 1 week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple (2 devices) | 2-3 GB | 4 GB | 15-20 GB |
| Family (3-4 devices) | 4-5 GB | 7-8 GB | 30-40 GB |
| Large group (5+) | 6-8 GB | 10+ GB | Unlimited plan |
A trick to make your GBs last: use hotel and café Wi-Fi for heavy downloads (offline maps, updates, uploading photos to the cloud) and reserve your eSIM data for when you're out and about. This way, a shared plan goes a lot further. To refine your calculation, see how much data you need for travel.
Which option to choose depending on your trip
As a practical summary: if you always stay together (a couple, a family with small children), the hotspot from one mobile is the cheapest and simplest option. You buy a large plan, install it on the phone with the best battery, and everyone draws from it. This is the option we recommend for most family trips.
If the group often separates, each person consumes a lot, or you want everyone to be independent, then one eSIM per person will give you more freedom. And there's a common intermediate option: two eSIMs in the group (one for each "subgroup" that usually stays together) instead of just one or four. Whatever your case, the good thing is that they are installed in a minute from home, and you avoid paying for four different international roaming plans. If you are still in doubt between data sharing or traditional roaming, we clarify it in eSIM vs. roaming.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install the same eSIM on two phones at once?
No. An eSIM can only be installed on one device at a time. What you can do is share its data with other phones using the hotspot (Wi-Fi zone), so that one phone acts as a router for the others. If you want independent lines, each person must install their own eSIM.
Does sharing data via hotspot drain the battery faster?
Yes, quite a bit. The phone acting as a router keeps Wi-Fi and data connection active for multiple devices, which consumes more battery and also depletes GBs faster. Carry an external battery and deactivate the hotspot when you're not using it to extend battery life.
Do all eSIM plans allow internet sharing?
The vast majority of travel eSIMs allow hotspot use without restrictions, unlike some local plans that limit it. Even so, it's advisable to check before purchasing if data sharing will be your primary use, to ensure that the plan supports it normally.
Is a shared eSIM cheaper than one per person?
Normally, sharing a single large plan via hotspot is cheaper than multiple individual eSIMs, especially if you always travel together. One eSIM per person costs a bit more but offers total independence. Since travel plans are inexpensive, the difference isn't always huge; decide based on how often you separate.
Does the hotspot work the same on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Both iPhone and Samsung, Xiaomi, and other Android devices have an internet sharing function. Only the name and the path in the settings change. The important thing is to activate data roaming on the eSIM line and set a password for the hotspot so that unknown people don't connect.
Conclusion
Connecting the entire family or group of friends doesn't require a roaming plan for each person: with an eSIM and a hotspot, you can share data from one phone, or install a plan per person if you want autonomy. Calculate the GBs together, activate the Wi-Fi zone with a password, and travel all connected with a single plan installed in a minute.
