What is Ubigi eSIM and who is behind it?
Ubigi is an eSIM service for travelers developed by Transatel, an NTT subsidiary, active in eSIM since 2017 (source: ubigi.com, accessed August 2026). A single digital profile is installed on your iPhone, and you activate data plans on that same profile according to the country you travel to, without scanning a new QR code each time.
The company describes itself on its official website as follows:
"A pioneer and market leader in eSIM since 2017, Ubigi is the mobile connectivity solution developed by the international operator Transatel-NTT."
Translation: "A pioneer and market leader in eSIM since 2017, Ubigi is the mobile connectivity solution developed by the international operator Transatel-NTT." (source: ubigi.com/what-is-ubigi, accessed August 2026)
Ubigi also maintains alliances with manufacturers such as Apple, Microsoft, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati to bring connectivity to vehicles and connected devices (source: ubigi.com, accessed August 2026). If you came here looking for how to install its eSIM on an iPhone, below you have the procedure and the data we were able to verify from their own public sources, section by section.
How to install Ubigi eSIM on your iPhone, step by step
Before installing any eSIM—Ubigi's, PuraSIM's, or any other—your iPhone must meet two conditions. You can check both in less than a minute, directly from your phone:
-
It must have eSIM available. Dial
*#06#on the call keypad. If an EID code appears, your iPhone supports eSIM (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026). In practice, this covers iPhone XS, XR, and all subsequent models. - It must not have a carrier lock. Go to Settings > General > About and look for "Carrier Lock". It should say "No SIM restrictions". If your iPhone is locked to a single carrier (for example, because you bought it financed), no eSIM from another provider—Ubigi included—will be able to be installed until you unlock it with the seller.
With these two requirements in order, Ubigi's installation follows these steps, according to its own help guide (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com/ios/iphone/install-esim-qrcode, accessed August 2026):
- Purchase the corresponding data plan for your destination on the Ubigi website. You will receive a QR code by email.
- With your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi, press and hold the received QR code (or open it) and follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- If the QR doesn't work or you received it on another device, you can install the profile manually from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code > Enter Details Manually, and enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code that Ubigi sends you in text format (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026).
- Download the Ubigi app or go to Ubigi.me to monitor data consumption in real time and top up the plan if you run out.
This same procedure—QR or manual installation with an activation code—is the industry standard and applies almost identically to any travel eSIM you buy, including PuraSIM. If it's your first time installing an eSIM and you want the procedure explained without relying on a specific provider, you can check our general guide to installing an eSIM.
Where to activate eSIM on iPhone once installed
A common question is that, after installing the profile, the phone continues to use data from the main line and not from the newly installed eSIM. According to Ubigi's own documentation, the path to activate or reactivate it on iPhone is (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026):
- Settings > Cellular.
- Under "Cellular Plans", choose the "Ubigi" profile (or "Secondary" if you haven't named it yet).
- Toggle the switch next to "Turn On This Line".
- Go to "Cellular Data Network" and, in the APN field of the "Cellular Data" section, type
mbb. - Go back and activate "Data Roaming" for that line.
If you use dual SIM (your local line plus the travel eSIM), it's also advisable to deactivate data roaming on your main line before leaving your country, and confirm that the phone is using the correct data line—the travel eSIM, not the local one—once you land. This prevents you from being charged roaming by your usual carrier while the travel eSIM is inactive.
Why "Convert to eSIM" doesn't appear on your iPhone
This is where many people get stuck, and it's not your mistake: they are two different iOS functions with similar names. "Convert to eSIM" is NOT the option to install a travel eSIM like Ubigi's or PuraSIM's. It's a distinct Apple function: it serves to transfer your usual physical SIM card (from your regular carrier) to eSIM format, within the same carrier. It only appears if that carrier supports it (source: support.apple.com, accessed August 2026).
To install a new travel eSIM—from any provider—the correct path on iPhone is different: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (or "Add Data Plan," depending on the iOS version), not "Convert to eSIM." If you searched for "convert to eSIM" thinking of installing Ubigi and it didn't appear, it's almost certain you were looking at the wrong menu, not that your iPhone has a problem.
That said, if "Add eSIM" also doesn't appear, the most common causes are these three, in order of probability:
- The iPhone is older than an XS/XR. Older models do not have an eSIM chip (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026).
- The iPhone has a carrier lock. Check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock, as explained in the previous section.
- It's an iPhone sold in mainland China. Apple removed eSIM from those models; only physical SIM works there.
If your problem is different—for example, the eSIM installed but provides no data—we have a more comprehensive review in common eSIM problems and how to solve them.
What coverage and what operators Ubigi uses
Ubigi publishes coverage in over 200 destinations (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026). According to communications from its parent company Transatel, the network is not its own in every country: it relies on agreements with local operators worldwide, and in several destinations—such as Thailand, India, Singapore, Morocco, Canada, Greece, Portugal, the United States, Japan, Germany, or France—it also offers unlimited data plans, subject to the provider's fair use policy (source: transatel.com/news-and-insights/press-releases, accessed August 2026).
Ubigi's technical model is a single profile: you install the eSIM once, and on that same profile, you activate different plans depending on the country you are in, even if you cross borders on the same trip (source: transatel.com, accessed August 2026). This avoids having to install a new QR for each country, although it does mean having to buy or activate the corresponding plan every time you change destinations.
If your underlying question is whether your specific phone is compatible with eSIM (not just Ubigi's), you should check our list of eSIM-compatible phones before buying any plan.
What types of plans Ubigi offers
We do not publish Ubigi prices here because they change by destination and without notice: for that, the only valid reference is their own price list. What can be described is the structure of their catalog, as it appears on their website (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com/rates-and-coverage, accessed August 2026):
| Plan Type | How it works | For which itinerary it is usually intended |
|---|---|---|
| Data Volume Plan | You buy a fixed amount of GB with a specific validity period | Short trips with moderate use |
| Daily Unlimited Data Plan | Unlimited data volume per day, subject to Ubigi's own fair use policy, which may reduce speed after a certain consumption threshold | Short stays with intense use |
| Monthly or Annual Plan | Renews periodically instead of being purchased per trip | For those who return to the same destination recurrently |
| Regional or Global Coverage Plan | A single plan valid in several countries | Itineraries that cross borders |
Before deciding on any eSIM just for a single country plan, it's worth considering what happens if your itinerary crosses several destinations on the same trip: that's where the total cost—adding each activation per country—can end up being different from what it seems with only one plan in view.
What support Ubigi offers if something goes wrong on your trip
According to its own help center, Ubigi offers three support channels: live chat available on its website, a WhatsApp contact that first connects with an automated assistant called "Ubi" (which responds with public information from the site, without access to your account data), and a contact form for cases that require account verification, such as refunds or invoices. Their customer service for the latter channel operates Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 to 21:00 Central European Time—CET—(source: cellulardata.ubigi.com/help-center/contact and cellulardata.ubigi.com/help-center/assistance/how-to-contact-ubigi-customer-support, accessed August 2026). We did not find a traditional phone support number on Ubigi's public pages.
That CET time matters if you are traveling from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, or Peru: the Monday to Sunday service hours fall, depending on the country's time zone, between early morning and late afternoon local time. This is something to consider if you need human help immediately, not just an automated response from "Ubi."
Ubigi vs PuraSIM: objective comparison
This table compiles, side by side, only the data we could verify from each company's public source. Where Ubigi does not clearly publish a data point, we state it instead of fabricating information.
| Feature | Ubigi | PuraSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | More than 200 destinations (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026) | More than 200 destinations |
| Support Channels | Live chat, WhatsApp with automated assistant, form and email; service Monday to Sunday 8:00–21:00 CET (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026) | 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp |
| Plan Activation | Requires installing the profile and, in some cases, manually configuring the APN (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026) | Activation in approximately 1 minute |
| Activation Period After Purchase | Not found published with a verifiable source | 180 days from purchase |
| Profile Model | Single profile: installed once, and plans by destination are activated on the same profile (source: transatel.com, accessed August 2026) | One eSIM profile per purchase, oriented towards specific trips |
| Plan Range | From a few hundred MB to unlimited daily, monthly, or annual plans with fair use policy, depending on destination (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026) | Plans by destination, including daily data option |
If you prefer to see this same comparison applied to other travel connectivity formats—not just eSIM against eSIM—we have a broader analysis in eSIM versus traditional roaming and in eSIM versus physical SIM.
When Ubigi is suitable and when to look for another option
Ubigi can be a solid option if you frequently travel to the same countries for months (due to its single profile model and its monthly or annual plans) or if you also use integrated connectivity in a vehicle from one of the brands with which it has an alliance, such as Jaguar Land Rover or BMW (source: ubigi.com, accessed August 2026). It might also suit you if you feel comfortable resolving questions via chat or WhatsApp with an automated assistant before escalating to a person.
On the other hand, it is advisable to look at other options—including ours—if what you need is immediate activation without manually touching the APN, a wide margin of time between purchasing the plan and the actual travel day, or the certainty of being able to write via WhatsApp and speak with a person at any time, not just within European hours. No eSIM provider, ours included, is the best option for absolutely all itineraries: the decision depends on how many countries you visit on the same trip, how far in advance you plan, and how important human support outside European hours is to you.
If after comparing you are interested in an international eSIM with quick activation and 24/7 support, you can check the available plans in our international eSIM collection.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Ubigi eSIM on my iPhone?
By purchasing the plan on the Ubigi website, which sends you a QR code by email. With your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi, you press or scan that QR and follow the on-screen instructions; if you cannot use the QR, you can manually enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Enter Details Manually (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026).
Where do I activate the eSIM on my iPhone?
In Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans, by selecting the Ubigi profile and activating "Turn On This Line." Then you need to go to "Cellular Data Network" and type mbb in the APN field, and activate "Data Roaming" for that line (source: cellulardata.ubigi.com, accessed August 2026).
What is Ubigi eSIM?
It is an eSIM service for travelers developed by Transatel, an NTT subsidiary, with published coverage in over 200 destinations and a single profile model on which different plans are activated depending on the country (source: ubigi.com and transatel.com, accessed August 2026).
Why don't I see the "Convert to eSIM" option on my iPhone?
Because "Convert to eSIM" is a different function: it is used to transfer your usual physical SIM line to eSIM within the same carrier, and it only appears if that carrier supports it. To install a new travel eSIM—from Ubigi, PuraSIM, or any provider—the correct option is "Add eSIM," not "Convert to eSIM" (source: support.apple.com, accessed August 2026).
Do I need to unlock my iPhone to use a travel eSIM?
If your iPhone is carrier-locked (e.g., because you are still paying for it in installments), you will not be able to install any eSIM from another provider until you unlock it with the carrier who sold it to you. You can check the status in Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock.
Can I have the Ubigi eSIM and another eSIM installed at the same time?
Yes, compatible iPhones allow storing multiple eSIM profiles, although mobile data can only be used from one or two lines at a time depending on the model. You can have your Ubigi profile saved and add another profile, such as PuraSIM, without needing to delete the previous one.
How long does it take for a travel eSIM to activate?
It depends on the provider. With PuraSIM, activation takes approximately 1 minute once you install the profile. Ubigi does not publish a specific activation time on its public website, beyond the installation steps we already described.
What if my iPhone doesn't have the eSIM option?
If dialing *#06# does not show an EID code, your model does not support eSIM (compatible models are iPhone XS, XR, and later). In that case, you will need a physical SIM to travel, either from your carrier with roaming activated or a local SIM at your destination.
Conclusion: what to do with this information
Ubigi is a real provider, with a verifiable history since 2017 and coverage published in over 200 destinations, backed by Transatel-NTT. If you already have one of their plans, the installation and activation steps we provided above are what their own help center documents, and they apply as is. If you haven't bought anything yet and are comparing, the most concrete difference we could verify between Ubigi and PuraSIM is in the support —European hours with an automated assistant at Ubigi, versus 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp at PuraSIM— and in the window to activate the plan after purchase, which is 180 days at PuraSIM.
If your priority is quick activation, without manual APN configuration, and having someone available via WhatsApp regardless of your travel time, you can check the available plans in our international eSIM collection. And if this is the first eSIM you're going to install in your life, you should start with our definitive guide to eSIMs for travel before buying any plan, whether from Ubigi, PuraSIM, or another provider.
