What is an eSIM Plus?
An eSIM Plus is an additional digital profile that you install on your phone to add mobile data when you travel, without affecting your main line or your physical SIM card. Instead of replacing your SIM, it complements it: you activate a second profile, choose how many gigabytes you need, and browse as soon as you arrive at your destination with the available local network.
The name can be confusing because it's not a brand or product with that exact name: it's a common way to describe an eSIM that is added, as a "plus," to what you already have. Your phone continues to receive calls and messages with your usual number, while the additional profile only handles the data you consume in the country you are in.
Think of an eSIM Plus as an extra suitcase you carry just for data: it doesn't replace your main luggage; it simply gives you extra space when you need it.
If you've never installed an eSIM and want to understand the technology from scratch before reading on, the guide what is an eSIM explains the basic concepts in more detail.
How does an eSIM Plus work on your phone?
Technically, most modern cell phones already come with an eSIM chip integrated into the board, in addition to the physical slot for your regular SIM. When you buy an eSIM Plus, what you receive is not a chip to insert, but a QR code or an activation file that your phone reads to install a new profile within that integrated chip.
Once installed, that profile is saved as an independent line. Your phone can keep both active at the same time: your local line continues to receive calls and SMS, while the eSIM Plus is used exclusively for browsing with the data plan you purchased for that trip. You can activate or deactivate each line from your phone settings at any time, without needing to restart the device or visit a store.
Not all phone models support this feature, so before buying, it's a good idea to check if yours is compatible. You can confirm this in the guide to eSIM compatible phones, and the step-by-step installation is detailed in how to install an eSIM.
Real example: using an eSIM Plus on a trip
Imagine you live in Bogotá and have a week-long business trip to Los Angeles. Your local cell phone plan works well in Colombia, but outside the country, your carrier's roaming charges you per megabyte or forces you to buy a roaming package that is usually more expensive than a data plan designed for tourists.
With an eSIM Plus, a few days before traveling, you install the data profile for the United States using your home Wi-Fi. You don't need to activate it yet: the profile remains stored on your phone, ready to use. The day you land, you activate the data line in the settings, your phone automatically connects to a local network, and within minutes you have mobile data working, without having to find a counter at the airport or rely on hotel Wi-Fi.
During the week, you use your phone for navigation, messaging, and social media with that data, while your Colombian line remains available for emergency calls and SMS. Upon returning to Bogotá, you simply deactivate the data line for the trip; you don't need to uninstall it if you plan to return to that city on another trip, although each profile is usually linked to a specific amount of data and validity period.
This way of handling data abroad is different from traditional roaming, which depends on an agreement between your home carrier and a local one. If you want to compare both options in depth, the guide eSIM vs. roaming details when each is most suitable.
Which company offers free eSIMs?
This is a frequent question, and the honest answer is that there is no eSIM Plus that is permanently free: mobile data has a real cost for any provider, whether local or international. What does exist in the market are specific trial promotions with a small amount of free data, mainly designed for you to check if your phone is compatible before paying for a full plan. These promotions change frequently, and it's a good idea to check them directly on each provider's website before assuming they are still valid.
What you can control is not paying for something you are not going to use yet. PuraSIM gives you up to 180 days from purchase to activate your eSIM: you can buy and install it calmly, even weeks before your trip, and the plan does not start running until you decide to activate it. If your trip is postponed, the plan will still be waiting.
What are the disadvantages of an eSIM?
Like any technology, the eSIM has limitations that should be known before relying on it for an important trip.
The first is compatibility: not all cell phones, especially older models or some versions sold exclusively for certain markets, include the necessary eSIM chip. If you are unsure about yours, check the list of eSIM compatible phones mentioned in the previous section.
The second is that, being a digital profile, you cannot remove it from one phone and physically place it in another as you would with a traditional chip; if you change devices, you usually need to reinstall the profile or request a new one. The third is that installing the profile requires an internet connection at that moment, either Wi-Fi or data, so it is not something you can resolve without any prior connection. Finally, some phone models limit how many eSIM profiles you can save or have active at the same time, which can be a nuisance if you travel frequently to different countries and accumulate several profiles.
None of these limitations are usually serious if you know them beforehand and prepare your phone a few days in advance. The guide to common eSIM problems reviews how to resolve the most common issues before they catch you off guard in the middle of your trip.
Which is the cheapest eSIM?
There's no single answer because the price of an eSIM Plus depends on several variables that change according to the destination, the amount of data, and the duration of your trip. Comparing only the final price without looking at what that price includes often leads to making the wrong choice.
| Factor | Why it affects the price | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Validity period | Plans for more days usually cost more but lower the price per day | Ensure the validity covers the entire trip, not just half |
| Amount of data | More gigabytes means a higher total plan cost | How much data you actually consume on a normal travel day |
| Destination coverage | Some countries have more expensive networks for providers to contract | Whether the plan covers a single country or several on your route |
| Automatic renewal | Some plans renew automatically and charge again without notice | If you can cancel the renewal before it is charged |
| Support included | A provider without accessible support can cost you more in lost time | Through what channel you can request help if something fails |
Regarding this last point, PuraSIM offers 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp, so if something doesn't work during your trip, you have someone to contact without relying on a phone line or office hours.
Which company has eSIM in Mexico?
If you are looking for an eSIM for your local line within Mexico, the country's main operators already offer the technology on compatible cell phones; it is advisable to confirm directly with your operator if your plan and your specific device support it, as availability varies according to the model and contract type.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for an eSIM Plus to use mobile data when traveling outside Mexico, or when someone travels to Mexico from another country, PuraSIM covers that case: it works with more than 200 destinations, so Mexico is among the countries where you can activate an international data plan without relying on your local operator's roaming.
eSIM Plus vs. physical SIM: what's the difference?
The main difference is not the quality of the connection, which depends on the local network in both cases, but rather how the plan is installed and managed.
| Aspect | eSIM Plus | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | QR code or digital file, from anywhere with Wi-Fi | Plastic chip that needs to be picked up or received physically |
| Two lines at once | You can keep your local line active along with the data line | Depends on whether the phone has a dual physical slot |
| Changing phones | Requires reinstalling or requesting a new profile | Simply remove the chip and place it in the other device |
| Risk of loss | Cannot be lost or physically damaged | The chip can be lost, bent, or damaged |
| Availability upon arrival | Ready before leaving home | Depends on finding a point of sale at the destination |
Neither option is better in all cases: it depends on your phone, your travel habits, and how much you value not having to rely on a physical counter upon arrival. If you want to delve deeper into this comparison, the guide eSIM vs. physical SIM goes into more detail about each scenario.
How to activate an eSIM Plus step-by-step
The process is simpler than it seems the first time, and it generally takes about a minute once you have the code handy.
- Confirm that your phone is eSIM compatible before purchasing the plan.
- Buy the data plan for your destination and receive the QR code or installation file by email.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and install the profile from your phone's line settings by scanning the code.
- Leave the profile installed but inactive if the trip is still far away.
- Upon arrival at your destination, activate the data line from the settings and confirm that the phone has connected to a local network.
One detail that few travelers take advantage of: there's no need to wait until the last day to install the profile. Since PuraSIM provides 180 days from purchase to activate the eSIM, you can install it weeks in advance, calmly at home, and the plan's validity period doesn't start until the phone connects to a network in the destination country for the first time. This way, you avoid doing it in a hurry at the airport and don't lose anything if the trip date changes.
If you want the complete step-by-step with screenshots by operating system, check the installation guide we linked above. And if you are planning a longer trip with several stops, the definitive eSIM guide for travel covers how to organize data for routes with more than one country.
Frequently asked questions
Does an eSIM Plus replace my regular phone line?
No. The eSIM Plus is installed alongside your main line, not in place of it. Your number continues to receive calls and messages while the eSIM Plus only handles mobile data for the trip.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM Plus at my destination?
You only need it to install the profile, not to activate it. You can install it from your home Wi-Fi before traveling and activate it later, at any time, without needing Wi-Fi at that instant.
Can I use two eSIM Plus at the same time if I visit two countries?
It depends on your phone: some models allow you to save several eSIM profiles, although only one is active at a time, and others limit how many you can have active simultaneously. It's a good idea to check this before a trip with multiple stops.
What if my phone is not eSIM compatible?
If your phone does not have an integrated eSIM chip, this solution is not for you, and you would need a local physical SIM or a traditional roaming plan. You can check the list of compatible devices before purchasing.
Does eSIM Plus work the same as my local plan's data?
It works similarly in terms of daily browsing, but it is an independent plan with its own amount of data and validity, designed specifically for the country or countries where you will be traveling.
Can I ask for help if I have a problem during the trip?
Yes. PuraSIM offers 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp, so you can write at the moment the problem arises, without relying on office hours.
How long does it take to activate an eSIM Plus?
Activation takes approximately 1 minute once you decide to turn on the data line, provided the profile is already installed on the phone.
In how many countries can I use a PuraSIM eSIM Plus?
PuraSIM covers more than 200 destinations, so most trips, whether to a single country or with several stops, are covered with this type of plan.
In summary: is an eSIM Plus right for you?
An eSIM Plus makes sense when you want reliable mobile data in another country without giving up your local line or overpaying for your carrier's roaming. It doesn't replace your physical SIM; it complements it, and once you understand that it's installed before the trip and activated when you arrive, the rest of the process is simple.
If your next trip already has a date, the best starting point is to confirm that your phone is compatible and then check the available plans for your destination in PuraSIM's international eSIM collection. And if you prefer to first understand the complete process from start to finish, the definitive eSIM travel guide we linked earlier is a good next step before purchasing.
