How do I request my eSIM?
To request an eSIM, you first confirm that your phone is compatible, then you request the digital profile from your carrier (via app, website, or store), and finally you install it by scanning a QR code or an activation link. The process, not including the waiting time for the carrier, takes only a few minutes once you have the code on screen.
This applies whether you want to switch your Movistar physical SIM line to an eSIM or if you need a separate data line for travel. These are two distinct situations that should be separated before proceeding, because the process and the result are not the same.
What is a Movistar eSIM and how does it differ from a physical SIM?
An eSIM is a chip integrated into the phone's circuit board, not a plastic card that you insert and remove. Instead of providing you with a physical SIM, the carrier sends you a digital profile (usually a QR code) that your phone saves in its internal memory. Once installed, this profile functions exactly like a traditional SIM: same number, same minutes, same data, same bill.
The practical difference for the user lies in flexibility. A phone with an eSIM can store several profiles at once and activate the one you need without opening the SIM tray. This means you can keep your local line active for calls and messages, and add a second data line—for example, for a trip—without touching your physical SIM or relying on having both cards on hand.
If you've never used an eSIM and want to understand the complete concept before continuing, we explain it from scratch in what is an eSIM.
Is my phone compatible with eSIM?
Not all phones come with eSIM technology, although most mid-range and high-end models released since 2019 do include it. The quickest way to confirm this is to go to Settings, find the mobile data or cellular network section, and check if the "add eSIM" or "add cellular plan" option appears. If it doesn't appear, the phone probably only supports a physical SIM.
Another way to verify is by dialing the code *#06#: if you see an EID among the numbers that appear in addition to the IMEI, your device has an integrated eSIM chip. Keep in mind that some phones arrive "locked" from the factory for eSIM depending on the region or carrier they were originally sold with, so hardware compatibility does not always guarantee that you can use it without restrictions.
We review the complete list of brands and series in eSIM compatible phones.
How can I buy a Movistar eSIM?
If you're looking to switch your current Movistar line to an eSIM format, the process depends on the country and whether you're a new customer or already have an active number. In general, carriers like Movistar follow a similar pattern: you access the official app or your account on the website, locate the option to manage your SIM, select "switch to eSIM," and confirm your identity. The carrier then generates a unique QR code that you must scan from another device (not from the phone where you will install it) to complete the activation.
Since the exact steps, times, and whether it's necessary to go to a physical location vary by country and plan type, the safest bet is to check your carrier's official app or website before initiating the change, rather than relying on generic third-party instructions.
A travel eSIM does not replace your local line: it complements it. You continue to receive calls and messages on your usual number, while your travel mobile data goes through a second profile designed only for the country you visit.
How can I convert my Movistar SIM to eSIM?
Converting a physical SIM to an eSIM does not delete or change your line: it only changes the medium where it resides. The operator deactivates the plastic SIM and activates the digital profile on the same number, so you keep your plan, your contacts saved in the account, and your billing history.
A detail that almost no one mentions and that is worth keeping in mind: the installation QR code usually works only once. If you factory reset your phone, replace it with another, or lose it after installing the eSIM, you cannot rescan the same QR: you have to request a new one from the operator. That's why it's a good idea to save a screenshot of the code or the activation link until you confirm that the eSIM is working with a signal, and not delete the previous physical SIM until then.
If you want to understand the fundamental differences between both formats, we cover it in eSIM vs. physical SIM.
What happens with your Movistar eSIM when you travel to another country?
This is where many travelers encounter the real limitation. Your Movistar eSIM continues to work outside your country, but to use data outside your local plan, you activate international roaming, which usually charges per megabyte or for daily packages that are considerably more expensive than your usual plan. Furthermore, if your device arrived locked to a single eSIM profile, changing it for one from another operator at your destination may not be as simple as scanning a new QR.
The alternative that has grown in recent years is to install, in addition to your Movistar eSIM, a travel eSIM: an independent data profile, designed only for the country or region you are visiting, which coexists with your usual line without replacing it. We thoroughly compare both options in eSIM vs. roaming.
Your carrier's eSIM vs. travel eSIM: comparison
The following table summarizes the most relevant differences when deciding which to use in each situation.
| Criterion | Your carrier's eSIM (roaming) | Travel eSIM (e.g., PuraSIM) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | Retains your usual number | It's an independent data line, does not replace your number |
| Where it's activated | Requested from your country of origin | Purchased and activated online, even while already traveling |
| Coverage | Depends on carrier's roaming agreements with each country | More than 200 destinations available under the same system |
| Activation time | Can take from minutes to days depending on procedures | Activation in approximately 1 minute once installed |
| Support if something fails | Varies by carrier and country | 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp |
| Purchase validity | Tied to your monthly plan | 180 days to activate from purchase |
No option is better in all cases. If you only need occasional data on a short trip and your Movistar plan includes reasonable roaming, that might be enough. If you travel frequently, visit several countries on the same trip, or simply prefer to know how much you'll spend before you leave, a separate travel eSIM is usually the most predictable option.
Which phones support installing two eSIMs at once?
To carry your Movistar line and a travel eSIM at the same time, your phone needs to support dual eSIM (or physical SIM plus eSIM). Most mid-to-high-end devices from recent years allow this, although the exact limits vary by brand and sales region.
| Brand and series | General eSIM compatibility |
|---|---|
| iPhone XS and later | Yes, including dual eSIM in recent models |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 and later | Yes, varies by purchase region |
| Google Pixel 3 and later | Yes, with dual eSIM in several models |
| Entry-level models prior to 2019 | Generally no |
Before buying any eSIM, it's advisable to check the exact model and its region of origin, as the same series can vary between countries.
Practical example: a trip from Buenos Aires to Mexico City
Imagine someone who lives in Buenos Aires, has their usual Movistar line, and will spend ten days in Mexico City for work and tourism. They want to continue receiving calls and messages from their contacts on their Argentine number, but they don't want to pay roaming for every map they open or every message they send via WhatsApp.
Before traveling, they purchase a data eSIM for Mexico online, install the profile by following the QR code (with Wi-Fi, no need to wait until they are at the airport), and get everything ready from home. Upon landing, they activate that second data line, which works in parallel with their Movistar eSIM. They use mobile data for everything—Maps, social media, transportation apps—through the travel profile, while their usual number continues to receive calls normally. Upon returning to Buenos Aires, they simply stop using the travel profile; they don't need to cancel it or do any additional paperwork.
This is, in essence, the typical use case for a travel eSIM: it doesn't compete with your usual line, it solves the specific problem of needing data outside your country without bill surprises.
Common errors when requesting or installing your eSIM
Some pitfalls are common regardless of the carrier or travel eSIM provider you use:
- Scanning the QR from the same phone where it will be installed. The code almost always needs to be read from another device (another phone, a tablet, or a computer with the QR on screen).
- Deleting the previous SIM or profile before confirming that the new one has a signal. It's advisable to wait until you see the active signal bar before deleting anything.
- Installing the travel eSIM already at the destination, without Wi-Fi available. If the download requires data and you don't have data yet, you might not be able to install it. It's better to do it before leaving, with Wi-Fi.
- Confusing "roaming" with "travel eSIM." These are different mechanisms: one extends your current plan to another country (usually with an additional cost), the other is a new, independent data line.
- Not checking phone compatibility before buying. Verifying with the code *#06# or in Settings avoids buying something your device cannot use.
We review these and other cases in more detail in common problems with eSIM.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have my Movistar eSIM and a travel eSIM at the same time?
Yes, as long as your phone supports dual eSIM (or physical SIM plus eSIM). Both profiles work independently: one maintains your number and local plan, the other is used only for data in the destination you choose.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM?
To download and install the profile, it is advisable to have Wi-Fi available, especially if you don't yet have mobile data at the destination. Once installed, activating and using it no longer depends on Wi-Fi.
What happens if I lose my eSIM QR code?
If the profile is already installed on your phone, you don't need the QR again. If you haven't installed it yet or changed devices, you usually have to request a new code from the provider, because QR codes are typically single-use.
Can I change phones without losing my Movistar eSIM?
The eSIM profile is linked to the device where it was installed, so when changing phones, you usually need to request a new profile for the new device. Your number and plan are not lost, but the transfer process depends on your carrier.
Does the travel eSIM work for calls and SMS?
Travel eSIMs are primarily designed for mobile data. For traditional calls and text messages, you continue to use your usual line, which you can keep active along with the travel eSIM.
How long does it take to activate a travel eSIM?
Once the profile is installed, activation takes approximately 1 minute. You have 180 days from purchase to activate it, so you can buy it in advance without rushing.
What documents do I need to request a Movistar eSIM?
To manage your usual Movistar line, the carrier typically requires identity verification according to its own process, which you should confirm directly on its app or official website. For a travel eSIM from an independent provider, usually only the email used for purchase and a compatible phone are needed.
What happens if my phone doesn't support eSIM?
If your device doesn't have the technology, you won't be able to install any eSIM profile, neither from your carrier nor for travel. In that case, the alternative for traveling is still a local physical SIM or your carrier's traditional roaming.
Conclusion
Requesting your Movistar eSIM and arranging your data for a trip are two different processes, and it's best not to confuse them. If you're looking to switch your usual line to digital format, your carrier is the way to go: check their app or official website, confirm that your phone is compatible, and follow their activation process. If you're looking to avoid relying on roaming the next time you leave the country, a separate travel eSIM—installed alongside your Movistar line, without replacing it—is usually the simplest option to calculate before you leave.
To take the next step smoothly, the guide on how to install an eSIM walks you through the installation, and in the international eSIM collection you can review available destinations and choose the one for your next trip. If you want to delve deeper before deciding, the definitive eSIM guide for travel covers the other scenarios not touched upon here.
