# Rivio eSIM

Pay-as-you-go travel data in 150+ countries through one reusable eSIM.

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# Current Pay-As-You-Go Product Flow

1. Download the Rivio eSIM app and create an account.
2. Choose one of the balance top-up options shown in the app and complete payment.
3. Install the eSIM profile over reliable Wi-Fi by following the in-app setup instructions.
4. Mobile data usage is deducted from the prepaid account balance at the destination rate.
5. Unused pay-as-you-go balance does not expire and remains available for a later supported trip.

References to fixed bundles in editorial or comparison content do not describe the current Rivio eSIM pay-as-you-go purchase flow.

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# Supported Countries

## 🇦🇫 Afghanistan

- **ISO Code**: AF
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇦🇱 Albania

- **ISO Code**: AL
- **Price per MB**: 0.003857421875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇩🇿 Algeria

- **ISO Code**: DZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.008740234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇦🇩 Andorra

- **ISO Code**: AD
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇦🇮 Anguilla

- **ISO Code**: AI
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda

- **ISO Code**: AG
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇦🇷 Argentina

- **ISO Code**: AR
- **Price per MB**: 0.004833984375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇦🇲 Armenia

- **ISO Code**: AM
- **Price per MB**: 0.009716796875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇦🇺 Australia

- **ISO Code**: AU
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇦🇹 Austria

- **ISO Code**: AT
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

- **ISO Code**: AZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.007275390625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇧🇸 Bahamas

- **ISO Code**: BS
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇭 Bahrain

- **ISO Code**: BH
- **Price per MB**: 0.004345703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇧🇩 Bangladesh

- **ISO Code**: BD
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇧 Barbados

- **ISO Code**: BB
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇾 Belarus

- **ISO Code**: BY
- **Price per MB**: 0.008740234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇪 Belgium

- **ISO Code**: BE
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇧🇿 Belize

- **ISO Code**: BZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.016259765625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇯 Benin

- **ISO Code**: BJ
- **Price per MB**: 0.012646484375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇲 Bermuda

- **ISO Code**: BM
- **Price per MB**: 0.020390625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇴 Bolivia, Plurinational State of bolivia

- **ISO Code**: BO
- **Price per MB**: 0.008251953125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina

- **ISO Code**: BA
- **Price per MB**: 0.003369140625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇧🇷 Brazil

- **ISO Code**: BR
- **Price per MB**: 0.004833984375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇧🇬 Bulgaria

- **ISO Code**: BG
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇰🇭 Cambodia

- **ISO Code**: KH
- **Price per MB**: 0.004345703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇨🇦 Canada

- **ISO Code**: CA
- **Price per MB**: 0.004345703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands

- **ISO Code**: KY
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇹🇩 Chad

- **ISO Code**: TD
- **Price per MB**: 0.014111328125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇨🇱 Chile

- **ISO Code**: CL
- **Price per MB**: 0.005029296875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇨🇳 China

- **ISO Code**: CN
- **Price per MB**: 0.0065234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇨🇴 Colombia

- **ISO Code**: CO
- **Price per MB**: 0.007568359375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇨🇬 Congo

- **ISO Code**: CG
- **Price per MB**: 0.016064453125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇨🇩 Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo

- **ISO Code**: CD
- **Price per MB**: 0.016064453125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇨🇷 Costa Rica

- **ISO Code**: CR
- **Price per MB**: 0.014111328125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇭🇷 Croatia

- **ISO Code**: HR
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇨🇺 Cuba

- **ISO Code**: CU
- **Price per MB**: 0.0198828125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇨🇾 Cyprus

- **ISO Code**: CY
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇨🇿 Czech Republic

- **ISO Code**: CZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇩🇰 Denmark

- **ISO Code**: DK
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇩🇲 Dominica

- **ISO Code**: DM
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

- **ISO Code**: DO
- **Price per MB**: 0.009228515625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇪🇨 Ecuador

- **ISO Code**: EC
- **Price per MB**: 0.014111328125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇪🇬 Egypt

- **ISO Code**: EG
- **Price per MB**: 0.003857421875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇸🇻 El Salvador

- **ISO Code**: SV
- **Price per MB**: 0.005810546875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇪🇪 Estonia

- **ISO Code**: EE
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands

- **ISO Code**: FO
- **Price per MB**: 0.005322265625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇫🇯 Fiji

- **ISO Code**: FJ
- **Price per MB**: 0.013623046875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇫🇮 Finland

- **ISO Code**: FI
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇫🇷 France

- **ISO Code**: FR
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇬🇫 French Guiana

- **ISO Code**: GF
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇵🇫 French Polynesia

- **ISO Code**: PF
- **Price per MB**: 0.02005859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇬🇦 Gabon

- **ISO Code**: GA
- **Price per MB**: 0.012646484375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇬🇪 Georgia

- **ISO Code**: GE
- **Price per MB**: 0.004833984375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇩🇪 Germany

- **ISO Code**: DE
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇬🇭 Ghana

- **ISO Code**: GH
- **Price per MB**: 0.010205078125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇬🇮 Gibraltar

- **ISO Code**: GI
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇬🇷 Greece

- **ISO Code**: GR
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇬🇩 Grenada

- **ISO Code**: GD
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇬🇹 Guatemala

- **ISO Code**: GT
- **Price per MB**: 0.009072265625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇭🇳 Honduras

- **ISO Code**: HN
- **Price per MB**: 0.00853515625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇭🇰 Hong Kong

- **ISO Code**: HK
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇭🇺 Hungary

- **ISO Code**: HU
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇮🇸 Iceland

- **ISO Code**: IS
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇮🇳 India

- **ISO Code**: IN
- **Price per MB**: 0.004384765625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇮🇩 Indonesia

- **ISO Code**: ID
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇮🇷 Iran, Islamic Republic of Persian Gulf

- **ISO Code**: IR
- **Price per MB**: 0.009443359375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇮🇶 Iraq

- **ISO Code**: IQ
- **Price per MB**: 0.00462890625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇮🇪 Ireland

- **ISO Code**: IE
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇮🇱 Israel

- **ISO Code**: IL
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇮🇹 Italy

- **ISO Code**: IT
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇯🇲 Jamaica

- **ISO Code**: JM
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇯🇵 Japan

- **ISO Code**: JP
- **Price per MB**: 0.003857421875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇯🇴 Jordan

- **ISO Code**: JO
- **Price per MB**: 0.00826171875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

- **ISO Code**: KZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.004345703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇰🇪 Kenya

- **ISO Code**: KE
- **Price per MB**: 0.007763671875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇰🇷 Korea, Republic of South Korea

- **ISO Code**: KR
- **Price per MB**: 0.003857421875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇰🇼 Kuwait

- **ISO Code**: KW
- **Price per MB**: 0.003369140625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan

- **ISO Code**: KG
- **Price per MB**: 0.009716796875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇱🇦 Laos

- **ISO Code**: LA
- **Price per MB**: 0.008740234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇱🇻 Latvia

- **ISO Code**: LV
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein

- **ISO Code**: LI
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇱🇹 Lithuania

- **ISO Code**: LT
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇱🇺 Luxembourg

- **ISO Code**: LU
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇲🇴 Macao

- **ISO Code**: MO
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇲🇰 Macedonia

- **ISO Code**: MK
- **Price per MB**: 0.00336914062 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇲🇬 Madagascar

- **ISO Code**: MG
- **Price per MB**: 0.012646484375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇲🇼 Malawi

- **ISO Code**: MW
- **Price per MB**: 0.008740234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇲🇾 Malaysia

- **ISO Code**: MY
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇲🇻 Maldives

- **ISO Code**: MV
- **Price per MB**: 0.010595703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇲🇹 Malta

- **ISO Code**: MT
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇲🇺 Mauritius

- **ISO Code**: MU
- **Price per MB**: 0.0071875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇲🇽 Mexico

- **ISO Code**: MX
- **Price per MB**: 0.004833984375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇲🇩 Moldova

- **ISO Code**: MD
- **Price per MB**: 0.010205078125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇲🇳 Mongolia

- **ISO Code**: MN
- **Price per MB**: 0.015087890625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇲🇪 Montenegro

- **ISO Code**: ME
- **Price per MB**: 0.004833984375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇲🇸 Montserrat

- **ISO Code**: MS
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇲🇦 Morocco

- **ISO Code**: MA
- **Price per MB**: 0.006279296875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇳🇵 Nepal

- **ISO Code**: NP
- **Price per MB**: 0.009716796875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇳🇱 Netherlands

- **ISO Code**: NL
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇳🇿 New Zealand

- **ISO Code**: NZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇳🇮 Nicaragua

- **ISO Code**: NI
- **Price per MB**: 0.00923828125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇳🇪 Niger

- **ISO Code**: NE
- **Price per MB**: 0.018994140625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇳🇬 Nigeria

- **ISO Code**: NG
- **Price per MB**: 0.005810546875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇳🇴 Norway

- **ISO Code**: NO
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇴🇲 Oman

- **ISO Code**: OM
- **Price per MB**: 0.004833984375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇵🇰 Pakistan

- **ISO Code**: PK
- **Price per MB**: 0.003369140625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇵🇦 Panama

- **ISO Code**: PA
- **Price per MB**: 0.0069921875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇵🇾 Paraguay

- **ISO Code**: PY
- **Price per MB**: 0.008408203125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇵🇪 Peru

- **ISO Code**: PE
- **Price per MB**: 0.006806640625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇵🇭 Philippines

- **ISO Code**: PH
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇵🇱 Poland

- **ISO Code**: PL
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇵🇹 Portugal

- **ISO Code**: PT
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

- **ISO Code**: PR
- **Price per MB**: 0.008720703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇶🇦 Qatar

- **ISO Code**: QA
- **Price per MB**: 0.003857421875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇷🇴 Romania

- **ISO Code**: RO
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇷🇺 Russia

- **ISO Code**: RU
- **Price per MB**: 0.00283203125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇷🇼 Rwanda

- **ISO Code**: RW
- **Price per MB**: 0.008056640625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis

- **ISO Code**: KN
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia

- **ISO Code**: LC
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

- **ISO Code**: VC
- **Price per MB**: 0.00775390625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

- **ISO Code**: SA
- **Price per MB**: 0.00396484375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇷🇸 Serbia

- **ISO Code**: RS
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇸🇬 Singapore

- **ISO Code**: SG
- **Price per MB**: 0.00390625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇸🇰 Slovakia

- **ISO Code**: SK
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇸🇮 Slovenia

- **ISO Code**: SI
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇿🇦 South Africa

- **ISO Code**: ZA
- **Price per MB**: 0.004736328125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇪🇸 Spain

- **ISO Code**: ES
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

- **ISO Code**: LK
- **Price per MB**: 0.00302734375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇸🇪 Sweden

- **ISO Code**: SE
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇨🇭 Switzerland

- **ISO Code**: CH
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇹🇼 Taiwan

- **ISO Code**: TW
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇹🇿 Tanzania

- **ISO Code**: TZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.007763671875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇹🇭 Thailand

- **ISO Code**: TH
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇹🇳 Tunisia

- **ISO Code**: TN
- **Price per MB**: 0.002880859375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands

- **ISO Code**: TC
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇺🇬 Uganda

- **ISO Code**: UG
- **Price per MB**: 0.007763671875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇺🇦 Ukraine

- **ISO Code**: UA
- **Price per MB**: 0.008740234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

- **ISO Code**: AE
- **Price per MB**: 0.005810546875 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 5G

## 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

- **ISO Code**: GB
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇺🇸 United States

- **ISO Code**: US
- **Price per MB**: 0.002392578125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇺🇾 Uruguay

- **ISO Code**: UY
- **Price per MB**: 0.016552734375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

- **ISO Code**: UZ
- **Price per MB**: 0.008740234375 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇻🇪 Venezuela

- **ISO Code**: VE
- **Price per MB**: 0.010595703125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇻🇳 Vietnam

- **ISO Code**: VN
- **Price per MB**: 0.003564453125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

## 🇻🇬 Virgin Islands, British

- **ISO Code**: VG
- **Price per MB**: 0.017041015625 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G

## 🇿🇲 Zambia

- **ISO Code**: ZM
- **Price per MB**: 0.008251953125 USD
- **Data Range**: 512MB - 10240MB
- **Coverage**: 4G/5G

---

# FAQ

## How does pricing work?

Rivio eSIM uses a pay-as-you-go balance. Choose one of the currently available balance top-up options shown in the app and complete payment there. Mobile data usage is deducted from the balance at the destination rate, and unused pay-as-you-go balance does not expire. The app shows the available amounts and final charge before payment.

## Which countries does Rivio eSIM cover?

Rivio eSIM provides data coverage in over 150 countries spanning six continents, aligned with the [GSMA eSIM roaming framework](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/). You use the same single eSIM profile everywhere -- there is no need to install a new one each time you cross a border.

Here is a snapshot of coverage by region:

- **Europe**: All 27 EU member states plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, and more. Popular destinations like France, Germany, Spain, and Italy are covered with rates starting at $2.45/GB.
- **Asia-Pacific**: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, India, Australia, New Zealand, and dozens more.
- **Americas**: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and most of Central America and the Caribbean.
- **Africa**: South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and a growing list of additional countries.
- **Middle East**: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar, and others.

Rivio eSIM uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means each country has its own per-GB rate and you only pay for the data you consume. There are no bundles to choose from and no data caps to worry about -- your balance simply decreases as you use data.

To check the exact rate for a specific country, open the Rivio eSIM app and visit the Destinations section, or browse the destinations page on our website. Each listing shows the current per-GB price, supported network types (4G/LTE or 5G where available), and partner carrier information. Rates are displayed in USD and updated regularly to reflect the best available pricing.

## How do I set up my eSIM?

Setting up your Rivio eSIM is straightforward and takes about two minutes. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Download the Rivio eSIM app from the App Store (iOS 15+) or Google Play (Android 10+).
2. Create an account.
3. Choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete the top-up.
4. Tap "Install eSIM" in the app.
5. Scan the QR code or use the manual installation details provided in the app.
6. Once the profile downloads, label it something clear like "Rivio eSIM Travel Data" so you can identify it later.

Tips for a smooth setup:

- Add balance and install before you travel over reliable Wi-Fi. At your destination, select Rivio eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming for that line; connection also depends on supported partner coverage.
- On iOS, go to Settings > Cellular > your Rivio eSIM plan and enable "Turn On This Line" plus "Data Roaming." Make sure Rivio eSIM is selected as the line for Cellular Data.
- On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs, select your Rivio eSIM profile, and enable "Mobile Data" and "Roaming." The exact path may vary by manufacturer (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, etc.).
- Keep your primary SIM active for calls and texts. The eSIM handles data only, so your home number stays reachable.
- If the QR code scan fails, restart the app and try again, or use the manual entry option.

## What is an eSIM?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM chip built directly into your phone's hardware. Instead of buying a physical SIM card at an airport kiosk or waiting for one to arrive in the mail, you download a data profile to your device in under two minutes. The technology follows the [GSMA SGP.22 Remote SIM Provisioning standard](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/) adopted by Apple (starting with [iPhone XS in 2018](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118227)), Samsung, Google, and dozens of other manufacturers.

With a traditional SIM, you need to pop out a tiny card, swap it, and risk losing your home number while abroad. An eSIM eliminates all of that. Your physical SIM stays in place for calls and texts, while the eSIM handles mobile data on a separate line. Most modern phones support at least one eSIM alongside a physical SIM, and newer models like the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24 support multiple eSIM profiles simultaneously.

What makes Rivio eSIM different from other eSIM providers:

- One global profile covers 150+ countries. You install it once and never need to download a new eSIM for each destination.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing means you only pay for the megabytes you actually use, with data rates starting as low as $2.45/GB in popular destinations.
- Your balance never expires, so leftover credit carries over to your next trip.
- Setup takes about two minutes through the Rivio eSIM app, with no paperwork, contracts, or commitments required.

## Can I transfer my eSIM to a new phone?

The correct move-to-a-new-phone method can vary by device, operating system, account, and existing profile. Device-level eSIM transfer does not support every carrier profile. Contact in-app support before deleting or attempting to move a Rivio eSIM profile.

Use this sequence:

1. Download the Rivio eSIM app on the new phone and sign in to your existing account.
2. Ask in-app support to confirm the account- and device-specific migration method.
3. If support directs you to install a new profile, choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete payment, then install the profile over reliable Wi-Fi.
4. Remove the old profile only after support explicitly directs you and confirms the profile state on the new device.

Support can verify your balance, transaction history, and profile status. New-profile, direct-transfer, reinstallation, and multi-device terms depend on the account and device; do not assume availability or pricing before support confirms them.

## My data is not working. What should I check?

If your data is not working after installing the eSIM, work through this checklist in order. Most issues resolve within the first three steps. These steps align with Apple's official [Use Dual SIM on your iPhone](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118227) guide and Google's [eSIM troubleshooting documentation](https://support.google.com/android/answer/13691274).

**Step 1 -- Check your balance.** Open the Rivio eSIM app and confirm you have sufficient balance. Data stops when your balance reaches zero.

**Step 2 -- Verify your eSIM settings:**

- Turn on **Data Roaming** for your Rivio eSIM line (Settings > Cellular on iOS, or Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs on Android).
- Turn off **Data Roaming** on your primary SIM to avoid charges from your home carrier.
- On iOS, enable **Allow Cellular Data Switching**. On Android, set Rivio eSIM as the active data SIM.

**Step 3 -- Restart your device.** This forces the phone to re-register on the local network and resolves many initial connection problems.

**Step 4 -- Check network selection.** If you are stuck on 3G or have no signal, turn off automatic network selection in cellular settings. Manually pick a network shown in the Rivio eSIM app, then switch back to automatic.

**Step 5 -- Confirm APN settings.** If data still fails, verify that the APN matches the value shown in the Rivio eSIM app. On iOS: Settings > Cellular > Rivio eSIM line > Cellular Data Network. On Android: Settings > SIMs > Rivio eSIM > Access Point Names.

If none of these steps help, tap the support chat icon in the Rivio eSIM app. Our team is available around the clock and can diagnose issues remotely.

## Does my phone support eSIM?

Most smartphones released from 2019 onward include eSIM support. Here are the most common compatible devices:

- **Apple**: iPhone XS, XR, and every model since (including the iPhone 15 and 16 lineup), iPad Pro (3rd gen+), iPad Air (3rd gen+), iPad mini (5th gen+)
- **Samsung**: Galaxy S20 through S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip (all generations), Galaxy Note 20+, Galaxy A54 5G
- **Google**: Pixel 3 and every Pixel since, including Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series
- **Other brands**: Motorola Razr (2019+), OPPO Find X3+, Huawei P40+, Sony Xperia 1 IV+, Nokia X30, and select Xiaomi models

The quickest way to confirm compatibility is to download the Rivio eSIM app. During setup, it automatically detects whether your device supports eSIM.

You can also check manually:

- **iOS**: Go to Settings > General > About. If you see "Available SIM" or "EID," your device supports eSIM.
- **Android**: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs. If you see "Add eSIM" or "Download SIM," you are good to go. You can also dial *#06# -- if an EID number appears, eSIM is supported.

**Carrier lock matters.** Even if your hardware supports eSIM, a carrier lock can block third-party profiles like Rivio eSIM. To check, insert a SIM from a different carrier. If it fails, contact your carrier and request an unlock -- in many countries, carriers must unlock devices once the contract ends or the phone is paid off. Once unlocked, Rivio eSIM installs without restrictions.

---

# Technical Documentation

## eSIM Activation Guide

Step-by-step guide to adding Rivio eSIM balance, installing an eSIM profile by QR code, and configuring mobile-data settings.

Download the Rivio eSIM app and create an account. Choose one of the balance top-up options shown in the app and complete payment. Then, while connected to reliable Wi-Fi, follow the in-app instructions to install the eSIM profile. At the destination, select Rivio eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming for the Rivio eSIM line.

## Network Specifications

Technical network specifications including GSMA TS.43 compliance, LTE/5G band support, and latency benchmarks.

## GSMA Compliance

Rivio eSIM profiles comply with the following GSMA specifications:

- **GSMA TS.43**: Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) Architecture for consumer devices
- **GSMA SGP.22**: RSP Technical Specification — defines SM-DP+, SM-DS, and LPA interfaces
- **GSMA SGP.02**: Remote Provisioning Architecture for embedded UICC (M2M/IoT)

## Supported Network Bands

### LTE Bands

| Band | Frequency | Primary Regions |
|------|-----------|----------------|
| B1 | 2100 MHz | Global (Europe, Asia) |
| B3 | 1800 MHz | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| B7 | 2600 MHz | Europe, Asia |
| B8 | 900 MHz | Europe (rural coverage) |
| B20 | 800 MHz | Europe (indoor penetration) |
| B28 | 700 MHz | Asia-Pacific, Latin America |

### 5G NR Bands

| Band | Frequency | Type |
|------|-----------|------|
| n1 | 2100 MHz | Sub-6 GHz |
| n3 | 1800 MHz | Sub-6 GHz |
| n28 | 700 MHz | Sub-6 GHz (wide area) |
| n77 | 3.3-4.2 GHz | Mid-band (capacity) |
| n78 | 3.3-3.8 GHz | Mid-band (primary 5G Europe) |

## Performance Benchmarks

All benchmarks measured via OMNeT++ network simulation and validated against field measurements.

| Region | Avg. Latency | Jitter | Packet Loss | Methodology |
|--------|-------------|--------|-------------|-------------|
| Western Europe | 38-45ms | <5ms | <0.1% | OMNeT++ simulation, 15 PoPs, 1000 samples |
| Eastern Europe | 52-65ms | <8ms | <0.2% | OMNeT++ simulation, 8 PoPs, 500 samples |
| East Asia | 45-55ms | <6ms | <0.1% | Field measurement, 5 cities |
| Southeast Asia | 55-70ms | <10ms | <0.3% | OMNeT++ simulation, 6 PoPs, 500 samples |

## Network Switching

When traveling between countries, Rivio eSIM profiles support automatic network switching:

1. Device detects loss of signal from current MNO
2. eUICC triggers PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) scan
3. Profile selects highest-priority available MNO from the roaming agreement list
4. Network registration completes within 5-15 seconds

Average network switching time: **8 seconds** (measured across 500 cross-border events in Schengen area).

## Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy explaining how Rivio eSIM collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information.

**Last Updated: July 14, 2026**

## PRIVACY POLICY

These Terms and Conditions have been prepared to cover the Republic of Turkey Law No. 6698, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Delaware Online Privacy and Protection Act (DOPPA), the FTC Act, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Communications Act (FCC), and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). RIVIO Inc. and its affiliates are aware of the importance of your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information, also known as personal data. It also describes your rights regarding your personal information, your choices, and how you can contact us to get answers to your questions.

Rivio eSIM eliminates the need for physical SIM cards for travelers by offering data, voice, text, and video packages in many countries. Our goal is to provide various packages that can be used immediately on any eSIM-compatible device, ensuring seamless connectivity. Rivio eSIM is a global eSIM store that makes international connectivity more accessible through eSIM technology.

### Customer Account and Responsibilities

To use the Services, a Customer must create an account with Rivio eSIM. The Customer is the sole authorized user of the Customer Account. As part of this service, our system requires the Customer to provide certain information, including but not limited to name, full address, telephone number, and email address. By using the Services, the Customer agrees to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information as requested during the registration process and to maintain and promptly update this information.

The Customer is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the login information, password, and Account number provided by Rivio eSIM or the Customer to access the Services. The Customer is solely and fully responsible for all activities that occur under their password or Account, even if not authorized by the Customer.

By creating an account or by using or visiting any Rivio eSIM website, application, product, software, or service (collectively "Service"), you understand and agree to the terms of this policy.

### 1. Scope of the Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Rivio eSIM collects and uses data and applies to all Rivio eSIM users worldwide, unless they use a service covered by a separate privacy notice. This policy specifically applies to the following individuals:

- **End Users:** Individuals who use the Services through Rivio eSIM accounts for their personal use and interact directly with the Services.
- **Corporate Users:** Institutions ("Corporate Users") that provide us, directly or indirectly, with the personal information of End Customers.
- **End Customers:** Individuals who receive services requested by other Rivio eSIM account holders.
- **Job Applicants:** Individuals who apply for a job at Rivio eSIM.

### 2. How We Collect, Share, and Use Personal Information

Depending on your interaction with us and our Services, we collect various types of information about you:

- **Identity Information:** Name, surname, T.R. ID Number, father's name, place of birth, date of birth.
- **Contact Information:** GSM number, email address, and address data.
- **Payment and Financial Information:** Bank/account/card information, payment/top-up habits.
- **Device Information:** IP address, IMSI, IMEI, device brand and model, operating system, phone usage language, application version, operator information, country information, internet connection type, signal level, signal quality, technical device information, traffic, and location data.
- **Product and Service Usage Information:** Application login times, errors occurring during use, usage preferences, habits, behavioral information, and cookies.

**Methods of Information Collection:**

- **Directly from You:** We collect information directly from you when you register for an account, place an order, or contact us via phone, email, etc.
- **Automatically:** When you interact with our Services, we automatically collect information through cookies, server logs, and similar technologies, where permitted by law.
- **From Other Sources:** We may receive information from other sources, including our affiliates, business partners, social media networks, and other third parties or publicly available sources.

**Rivio eSIM acts as a "Data Controller" and a "Data Processor":**

- **Rivio eSIM as Data Controller:** Determines the purposes and means of processing personal data. Activities include providing services, fraud prevention, legal compliance, service improvement, and processing job applications.
- **Rivio eSIM as Data Processor:** Acts as a data processor in scenarios where it provides services on behalf of and according to the instructions of a Corporate User.

**Environments for Storing Personal Data:**

- a) Printed Media: Paper or microfilms.
- b) Local Digital Media: Servers, fixed/portable disks, optical disks.
- c) Cloud Environments: Encrypted, internet-based systems.

### 3. Ensuring the Security of Environments

Rivio eSIM takes all necessary technical and administrative measures to ensure the secure storage of personal data and to prevent its unlawful processing.

**3.1. Technical Measures**

- Using up-to-date and secure systems.
- Employing security systems for the environments.
- Conducting security tests to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate risks.
- Restricting data access to authorized personnel only and logging all access.
- Maintaining sufficient technical staff to ensure security.

**3.2. Administrative Measures**

- Raising awareness among employees on information security, personal data, and privacy.
- Seeking legal and technical consultancy to follow developments and take necessary actions.
- Signing protocols with third parties in case of data transfer.
- Conducting internal audits for compliance with the Personal Data Storage and Disposal Policy.
- Notifying the relevant person and the Board immediately in case of a data breach.

### 4. Information We Collect and Its Purpose

| Context | Data Types | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Account Registration | Name, contact information, account actions | Account functionalities, payments, preferences |
| Biometric Information | Biometric identifiers from photo IDs and selfies | Identity verification via eKYC (with explicit consent) |
| Corporate Users | Employee contact information | Communication regarding projects, services, billing |
| Necessary Online Tracking | Cookies, GIFs, browser type, IP address | Website functionality |
| Non-Necessary Tracking | Analytics, behavioral advertising cookies | Website interaction analysis and ads (with consent) |
| Demographic Information | Age, location | Tailored services |
| Job Applicants | Contact details, education, employment history | Candidate evaluation |
| Feedback/Support | Name, email, content sent | Issue resolution |
| Mobile Devices | Unique identifier information | Visitor identification and tracking |
| Order Placement | Name, addresses, email, phone, payment info | Service contract fulfillment |
| Partner Promotion | Co-branded promotion information | Promotion fulfillment |
| Surveys | Survey responses | Opinion collection and research |

### 5. Legal Basis for Data Storage and Processing

Your personal data is processed based on the following legal grounds:

- **Explicitly Provided for by Law:** For identity verification, fraud prevention, and legal retention obligations.
- **Necessary for the Establishment or Performance of a Contract:** For providing products/services, billing, and order tracking.
- **Necessary for Rivio eSIM to Fulfill Its Legal Obligations:** For resolving consumer complaints and taking information security measures.
- **Made Public by You:** For product development and customer satisfaction research.
- **Necessary for the Establishment, Exercise, or Protection of a Right:** For managing complaint processes.
- **Legitimate Interests of Rivio eSIM:** For fraud prevention, service improvement, and information security, provided it does not harm your fundamental rights and freedoms.
- **Your Explicit Consent:** For marketing and promoting products/services, and offering you personalized deals and promotions.

### 6. Transfer of Personal Data

We may transfer your personal data to the following domestic and international recipient groups for the purposes stated in this policy and in accordance with the Law and other legislation:

- Our domestic and international business partners, Rivio eSIM affiliates, and suppliers.
- Suppliers and business partners for product procurement or delivery.
- Business partners for offering and promoting products and services.
- Authorized institutions or organizations entitled to request your personal data.

### 7. How We Share Personal Information

- **Affiliates and Acquisitions:** We may share information with our corporate affiliates. If another company acquires our company, business, or assets, we will share information with that company.
- **Other Disclosures without Your Consent:** We may disclose information in response to legal processes, to protect our rights, to investigate illegal activities, or as otherwise required by law.
- **Partner Promotions:** We may offer promotions with third-party partners. If you decide to participate, the information you provide will be shared with us and them.
- **Service Providers:** We may share your information with service providers who help us manage our website, provide technical support, and process payments.

### 8. Your Rights

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the following rights:

- **Access to Your Data:** The right to request that we share with you the personal information we have collected.
- **Request Correction:** The right to request that we correct any inaccurate personal information.
- **Request Deletion:** The right to request that we delete the personal information we have collected.
- **Withdraw Consent:** The right to withdraw your consent where you have previously given it.
- **Object to Processing:** The right to object to the processing of your personal information.

These rights are not absolute and may be limited by law. To exercise your rights, please contact us using the information below. We may request additional information to verify your identity.

- **Opting Out of Marketing Emails:** You can unsubscribe from marketing emails by using the unsubscribe function in your Profile Settings or by contacting us at support@rivio.net.
- **How to Delete My Account:** Email support@rivio.net from the address linked to your Rivio eSIM account to request deletion of your account and associated personal data. See the [account deletion page](/en/delete-account/) for details.

### 9. Data Transfer and International Data Transfer

Our Service is accessible from Europe and abroad. This means your information may be processed in a foreign country where privacy laws may be less stringent than in your country. By submitting your personal information to us, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your information in a country other than your country of residence, including the United States.

### 10. Security

We follow generally accepted industry standards to help protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. Users are responsible for keeping their password and identity credentials secure. If you suspect a security vulnerability, please notify us at support@rivio.net.

### 11. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting a notice on our website or by sending you an email.

### 12. Children

Our Services are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental consent.

### 13. Contact Information

For any questions, comments, or complaints regarding our privacy practices:

- **Email:** support@rivio.net
- **US Phone Number:** +1 (302) 244-7494

### 14. Additional Information for Residents of DELAWARE

In accordance with DELAWARE law, we must provide additional information. We do not "sell" your personal information for monetary consideration. However, we use cookies and similar technologies for targeted advertising.

| Category of Personal Information | Recipients (Business Purposes) | Recipients (Behavioral Advertising) |
|---|---|---|
| Identifiers (name, email, IP address, etc.) | Affiliates, business partners, data analytics/internet service providers, payment processors, professional services, social networks | Advertising networks |
| Government-Issued Identification | Network operators (for eKYC), professional services | - |
| Financial Information | Operating systems, payment processors, professional services | - |
| Protected Classification Characteristics | Network operators (for eKYC), professional services | - |
| Commercial Information | Affiliates, business partners, data analytics, payment processors, professional services, social networks | - |
| Internet Activity Information | Data analytics providers | Advertising networks |
| Professional or Employment-Related Information | Affiliates, business partners, platforms, other service providers, professional services | - |
| Non-public Education Information | Affiliates, business partners, platforms, other service providers, professional services | - |
| Data Under DELAWARE-DPDPA | Network operators (for eKYC), professional services | - |

## Supported Devices

Complete list of eUICC-compatible devices that support eSIM activation by brand and model.

## Device Compatibility

eSIM requires an eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) chip. The following devices have been verified for Rivio eSIM compatibility.

## Apple

| Device | eSIM Support | Dual SIM |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| iPhone 16 / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max | Yes | Dual eSIM |
| iPhone 15 / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max | Yes | Dual eSIM (US: eSIM only) |
| iPhone 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max | Yes | Dual eSIM (US: eSIM only) |
| iPhone 13 / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone 12 / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone XS / XS Max / XR | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPad Pro (3rd gen+) | Yes | eSIM only |
| iPad Air (3rd gen+) | Yes | eSIM only |
| Apple Watch Series 3+ | Yes (GPS+Cellular) | eSIM only |

## Samsung

| Device | eSIM Support | Dual SIM |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| Galaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy Z Flip 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 | Yes | eSIM only (Flip 6) |
| Galaxy Watch 4+ | Yes (LTE models) | eSIM only |

## Google

| Device | eSIM Support | Dual SIM |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| Pixel 9 / 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL | Yes | Dual eSIM |
| Pixel 8 / 8 Pro / 8a | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Pixel 7 / 7 Pro / 7a | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Pixel 6 / 6 Pro / 6a | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Pixel 5 / 5a | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Pixel 4 / 4 XL / 4a | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Pixel 3 / 3 XL | Yes | Nano-SIM + eSIM |

## How to Check

Go to **Settings > General > About** and look for an **EID** (Embedded Identity Document) number. If present, your device supports eSIM.

**Important**: Carrier-locked devices may require unlocking before using a third-party eSIM provider.

## Terms of Service

Terms of Service governing the use of Rivio eSIM products, services, mobile application, and website.

**Last Updated: August 8, 2025**

## GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

### 1. APPLICABILITY OF GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

These Terms and Conditions, in a manner that will cover the law of the Republic of Turkey No. 6698, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Delaware Online Privacy and Protection Act (DOPPA), FTC Act, Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Communications Act (FCC), and Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA); constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RIVIO Inc. and its affiliates (hereinafter collectively referred to as "RIVIO") and regulate your use of our products, services, mobile application ("Application"), and our website ("Site," and collectively with the foregoing, the "Services"). The following Terms and Conditions are provided on the website www.rivio.net. RIVIO may accept different terms only in the case of an explicit written agreement.

#### DEFINITIONS

- **a) End Users (Customer):** Individuals who use the Services through Rivio eSIM accounts for their personal use and interact directly with the Services.
- **b) Corporate Users (Customer):** Institutions to which Rivio eSIM provides services related to their own business and activities, which directly or indirectly provide us with the personal information of the End Customer ("Corporate Users").
- **c) End Customers (Customer):** For example, individuals who receive services ordered by other Rivio eSIM account holders when you do business with a Commercial User or transact in another way.
- **d) Job Applicants:** Individuals who apply for a job at Rivio eSIM.

As used in this document, the term "Customer" refers to any individual or entity interacting with Rivio eSIM services, including but not limited to End Users, Corporate Users, and End Customers, depending on the context of use.

These Service Terms are effective as of the date the Customer first clicks the "I agree" button (or a similar button or checkbox) or uses or accesses the Services, whichever is earlier. If the Customer accepts or approves these Service Terms on behalf of an employer or another legal entity, the Customer represents and warrants that (i) they have full legal authority to bind their employer or the said legal entity to these Service Terms; (ii) they have read and understood these Service Terms; and (iii) they agree to these Service Terms on behalf of the party they represent. In such a case, "Customer" will refer to their employer or the other legal entity.

All personal data that the Customer sends to Rivio eSIM or that Rivio eSIM collects about the Customer is subject to the Privacy Policy ("Privacy Policy") located at www.rivio.net. By using the Services, the Customer agrees that they have reviewed the Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Service Terms by reference.

### 2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

#### 2.1. USE OF SERVICE

Rivio eSIM offers data, voice, text, and video packages in many countries for people who travel, thereby eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. Rivio eSIM aims to offer a variety of data, voice, and text packages that can be used immediately on any eSIM-compatible device and provide uninterrupted connectivity. Rivio eSIM is a global eSIM store that makes international connectivity more accessible through eSIM technology.

The Customer must create an account with Rivio eSIM to use the Services. The Customer is the sole authorized user of their Account. The Rivio eSIM system, as part of this service, requires the Customer to provide certain information including but not limited to their name, full address, phone number, and e-mail address. By using the Services, the Customer agrees to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information as requested during the registration process and to maintain and promptly update the Account information to keep it true, accurate, current, and complete. The Customer is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the login information, password, and Account number provided by the Customer or given to the Customer by Rivio eSIM to access the Services. The Customer is solely and fully responsible for all activities that occur under their password or Account, even if not authorized by the Customer. Rivio eSIM has no control over the use of any user's Account and expressly disclaims any liability arising therefrom. Should the Customer suspect that any unauthorized party is using their password or Account or suspect any other breach of security, the Customer agrees to notify Rivio eSIM immediately.

The person who registers for the services, who is the party to the contract for the purposes of these Service Terms ("Account Holder"), will be the only person with the authority to use the relevant Accounts provided by Rivio eSIM in connection with the Services. However, if the Customer registers for the Services on behalf of their employer, the Account Holder will be the Customer's employer. As the Account Holder, the Customer is solely responsible for complying with these Service Terms, and only the Customer can benefit from all advantages arising from these Terms. The Customer must immediately notify Rivio eSIM of any unauthorized use of their password or credentials or any other breach or threat of breach of Rivio eSIM's or the Customer's Account security. The Customer's Account cannot be transferred to another person or account.

#### 2.2. REGISTRATION TO THE RIVIO SYSTEM

As defined in Section 1, all customers, including End Users, Corporate Users, End Customers, and Job Applicants, are required to provide the following information during the registration process:

- **For End Users:** Personal information such as Name, Surname, and E-mail address is required for direct interaction and transactions on the Rivio eSIM website www.rivio.net or through the Rivio eSIM application.
- **For Corporate Users:** Additional information is required to meet the unique needs of businesses. This includes Company Name, Company Address, e-mail addresses of Company Users, Company Website, Region, Sector, Phone Number, relevant contacts, and other related details.
- **For End Customers:** When Services are ordered by another Rivio eSIM account holder, such as a Corporate User, the necessary information is collected by the party initiating the transaction to facilitate this process. Corporate Users are responsible for ensuring that the personal information of End Customers is collected in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.

In cases where Rivio eSIM services are provided through intermediaries (e.g., airline companies or insurance agents), the intermediary may provide the necessary registration information on behalf of the Customer.

To comply with evolving service requirements and enhance the user experience, Rivio eSIM reserves the right to collect additional information from all customer categories as deemed necessary. The collection of this additional information will be carried out in a manner that respects privacy and complies with data protection laws, without requiring further amendments to these Terms and Conditions.

#### 2.3 RIVIO'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.3.1 The fact that RIVIO provides customer service to the CUSTOMER over the Internet does not constitute a commitment by RIVIO to provide hardware and software to the CUSTOMER.

2.3.2 The CUSTOMER accepts and declares that RIVIO is not responsible for defects in goods and services received from third parties by utilizing the CUSTOMER services provided by RIVIO over the Internet, and that they now and forever release and discharge RIVIO from any and all liability that may be attributed to RIVIO within the scope of all Laws on the Protection of the Consumer and related legislation.

2.3.3 RIVIO does not guarantee the continuity of the services to be provided through Self-Service channels and reserves the right to make changes, reductions, and subtractions to the transactions to be carried out through these means.

2.3.4 In the event that RIVIO determines that the CUSTOMER's lines with RIVIO have been closed, that the CUSTOMER has acted contrary to their commitments in this Agreement, that passwords have been used contrary to the provisions of the Agreement, that the service has been used in a faulty, illegal, or dishonest manner, or that security measures have been violated, RIVIO may, without limitation to this situation, suspend the service received by the CUSTOMER and/or immediately terminate the CUSTOMER's use of this service without any notice and without giving any reason. The CUSTOMER's obligations arising during the period until the service is terminated will continue after the service is terminated. The CUSTOMER accepts and undertakes that they have accepted these matters and that they will not demand any compensation under any name whatsoever from RIVIO or the refund of the current balance in the application due to the termination of the service in this way.

2.3.5 In line with the information provided by the CUSTOMER, RIVIO reserves the right to process or not to process the transaction, and the CUSTOMER cannot claim any right or receivable from RIVIO due to the information provided by them. The CUSTOMER accepts and declares that they will immediately inform RIVIO if their registered membership passwords are learned by third parties or if they suspect that they have been learned, and that they will be responsible for the consequences that may arise otherwise.

2.3.6 RIVIO shall not be responsible for the incompletion or cancellation of transactions due to any technical malfunction or problem beyond RIVIO's control related to the services to be provided within the scope of this agreement. RIVIO may make changes to the application or suspend or completely stop the provision of the services subject to this Agreement without giving any reason.

2.3.7 ISTANBUL Courts and Enforcement Offices are authorized for the resolution of disputes that may arise between RIVIO and the CUSTOMER.

2.3.8 In disputes arising from this Agreement between RIVIO and the CUSTOMER, all kinds of documents, computer and voice recordings, and mail, WhatsApp conversations of RIVIO will constitute conclusive and binding evidence. The CUSTOMER accepts and declares that they can only prove their objections to these records with written evidence and that this is an evidence agreement.

2.3.9 The CUSTOMER accepts and undertakes that they are obliged to immediately provide the documents and information requested by RIVIO regarding this agreement.

2.3.10 RIVIO reserves the right to make any changes and innovations it wishes in this agreement.

2.3.11 It will make reasonable efforts to provide quality service to the customer. However, Rivio eSIM does not guarantee that the service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free.

2.3.12 We would like to remind you that in e-mail communication, if the message in question is not encrypted, the security of the message cannot be guaranteed, and you are responsible for the security of the e-mails you send.

2.3.13 We may provide links to other websites not operated by RIVIO. If you visit any of these websites, you should review that site's privacy and other policies. We state that RIVIO is not responsible for the policies and practices of other companies.

2.3.14 Rivio eSIM also, in accordance with KVKK and GDPR Common Principles, ensures processing in compliance with Law and honesty, being Accurate and up-to-date, processing for Specific, clear, and legitimate purposes, being Connected, limited, and proportionate to the purpose for which they are processed. According to DOPPA Obligations (Delaware), Marketing to Children Ban: It is forbidden to market certain products and services to children under 13. Per the FTC Act, Avoiding misleading or deceptive commercial practices, transparency and clear declaration to the Consumer. Per COPPA (Children's Online Privacy), data from children under 13 cannot be collected without parental consent. It will act by taking into account the special security and deletion procedures for children's data.

#### 2.4. CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Customer is responsible for ensuring their Device is eSIM compatible and that its network lock is open. Device compatibility may depend on the operator and country of origin; the Customer must check the list of eSIM compatible devices provided during payment. By checking the box confirming their device's eSIM compatibility, the Customer is held responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide.

The Customer declares and undertakes the following:

They declare and undertake that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy to access and use the Services, and that they will act in accordance with and in good faith with applicable local, state, or federal laws or traditions when using or accessing the Services.

They agree not to engage in the following prohibited activities, among others: copying, distributing, or disclosing any part of the Services in any medium, except as permitted by these Terms of Service; using any automated system, including but not limited to "robots," "spiders," "offline readers," etc., to access the Services; transmitting spam, chain letters, or other unsolicited emails or engaging in phishing; attempting to interfere with, compromise the system integrity or security of, or decrypt any transmissions to or from the servers running the Services; violating any international, federal, province or state regulations, rules, laws, or local ordinances; pursuing any unlawful purpose; uploading invalid data, viruses, worms, or other software agents through the Services; infringing upon or violating Rivio eSIM's intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others; impersonating another person or otherwise misrepresenting the Customer's affiliation; harassing, degrading, harming, or otherwise violating the legal rights of other users or Rivio eSIM personnel; engaging in any activity that interferes with the performance, security, or proper functioning of the Services; attempting to decipher, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer any of the software used to provide the Services; bypassing security features or measures; or accessing unauthorized Accounts or collecting the personal information of others.

The Customer warrants that they have no motive, circumstance, or interest that Rivio eSIM might wish to know in connection with the Services, including but not limited to the Customer's use of the Services for any journalistic, investigative, or illegal purpose.

By installing the Application, the Customer agrees to the installation of the application and any updates or upgrades published through the Services.

The Customer represents and warrants that they are 18 years of age or older, or at least the legal age required in the jurisdiction where they reside, and that they have the right, authority, and capacity to enter into and abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

While using the services provided by Rivio eSIM, one should not engage in any malicious, illegal, or fraudulent activity or any action that causes disruption or damage to the Network. In case the Customer violates their obligations under Section 2.4, Rivio eSIM may suspend the Customer's use of the Service.

**THE CUSTOMER CANNOT CLAIM ANY MATERIAL AND MORAL COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE DISRUPTION OF THE SERVICE.**

### 3. FEES AND PAYMENT

System payments created by RivioTech Inc. are made via Stripe Inc., an online payment infrastructure, according to the customer's preferred payment method, and the security of the payment is also provided by Stripe Inc. The Rivio eSIM company will never ask for an account password or any account code from the customer. All responsibility for information shared by the customer with third parties belongs to the customer. Rivio eSIM has no connection with Stripe Inc. and the customer has accepted with this agreement that Stripe is not responsible for the legal obligations for which it is responsible. The customer's financial information is not kept by Rivio eSIM.

#### 3.1. PAYMENT TERMS

Rivio eSIM offers various payment methods for its services, including but not limited to Credit/Bank Card, etc. The payment currency is US Dollars ($) and may include other different currencies; the payment currency is determined during the transaction. Credit card transactions are processed by Rivio eSIM's approved payment service providers, including but not limited to Stripe (https://stripe.com).

#### 3.2 Automatic Renewals

In the Rivio eSIM system, along with the automatic balance top-up instruction given by the customer, all rights protected by this agreement text are renewed, and there is no need to repeatedly mark or sign the agreement.

#### 3.3.3 Renewals upon Customer Request

- **Automatic Charges:** When the system balance falls below a certain threshold at the beginning of each billing period, renewal fees are automatically charged to the End User's preferred payment method.
- **Cancellation Policy:** End Users can cancel renewals at any time. The cancellation becomes effective at the end of the current billing period and allows users to continue accessing the service until the period ends. To cancel, users can manage their settings directly from their Rivio eSIM accounts or contact our support team for assistance. If the customer has no debt, the system can be closed at once.

#### 3.3.4 Invoicing

Invoices related to the service will be issued by RivioTech Inc. based on the information entered by the customer and sent to their email.

### 4. DELIVERY

Upon confirmation of the purchase, the customer will be able to use the service on their device where the Rivio eSIM system is open.

### 5. REFUND / CANCELLATION / MODIFICATION POLICY

The Customer has the right to request a refund or eSIM replacement if they cannot use the Services due to a fault or omission by Rivio eSIM. A refund request must be made within thirty (30) days from the date of purchase. However, Rivio eSIM has no obligation to issue a refund if it can resolve the Customer's inability to use the Services within 24 hours of the Customer reporting the issue to Rivio eSIM. The Customer agrees to cooperate with Rivio eSIM to resolve such issues, and in case of non-cooperation or refusal to cooperate, Rivio eSIM is not obligated to issue any refund. For clarity, each data package provided by Rivio eSIM may have its own validity period; for packages with a validity period, no refund will be made for the remaining data when this validity period expires.

- **Fraudulent purchases:** Rivio eSIM reserves the right to refuse any refund if there is evidence of abuse, violation of Rivio eSIM's Terms and Conditions, or any fraudulent activity connected with the use of Rivio eSIM's products and services.
- **Unauthorized purchases:** The Customer must immediately notify Rivio eSIM of any suspected unauthorized purchases. The situation will be investigated and approved by Rivio eSIM before any refund is issued. Rivio eSIM reserves the right to suspend any account associated with fraudulent activity.
- **Accidental purchases:** Once the customer installs the eSIM, the eSIM is considered used. No refund will be issued after installation, except as explicitly stated herein.
- **Incorrect charges:** If the Customer disputes a charge in good faith, the Customer must notify Rivio eSIM of the dispute within 24 hours of the charge, along with details of why the billed amount is incorrect and, if possible, the amount they believe they should have been charged.
- **Other Reasons:** If a refund request does not fall within the scope of the reasons mentioned above, the request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If the refund is approved, a transaction fee may apply. The maximum refund a Customer can apply for must be equal to or less than the total amount they paid.

To request a refund, you must contact the Rivio eSIM support team via the email address support@rivio.net. Please note that Rivio eSIM's refund policy above will apply.

**Compensation:** No refund or payment will be made for charges from other phones, other SIM cards, other providers, or hotel phones, or for other charges not directly associated with the customer's Rivio eSIM account.

End Customers who purchase Rivio eSIM services from a reseller or agent do not have the right to receive a refund directly from Rivio eSIM. These users should apply to Rivio eSIM Corporate Users for their refund requests.

### 7. eSIM RECYCLING AND ACTIVATION PROCESS

If the eSIM profile is deleted from the phone by the customer, the eSIM may be canceled. An eSIM can only be used on a single phone. The customer must create a support request before changing their phone. A customer can make only 3 phone changes for one eSIM.

### 8. PRICES AND PROMOTIONS

Rivio eSIM reserves the right to change or terminate any promotional price, including the relevant terms and conditions, at its sole discretion and without prior notice.

Rivio eSIM may offer promotional prices for eSIM packages for a limited time. These promotions are subject to specific terms and conditions. The duration of the promotion, eligibility criteria, and related conditions will be clearly announced during the promotion period. After the promotion ends, normal prices will apply unless otherwise stated.

Prices may vary between End Users and Corporate Users to reflect customized services and volume-based offers. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Rivio eSIM will close the account if more than one account is created or incorrect information is used during registration to obtain extra free eSIMs. The customer will not be able to reclaim the balance deposited into their account or the amount paid.

### 9. LOCATION TRACKING

To provide location-based services and improve the user experience, we may collect and process users' geographic location information, including GPS coordinates, IP address, Wi-Fi access points, and base station details. Users are deemed to have accepted this tracking when using Rivio eSIM services. Location information may be shared with third-party providers who are obligated to use the data in accordance with privacy laws. Users can control location services through their device settings but may face limitations in some features.

### 10. LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES

The Services may contain links (such as hyperlinks) to third-party websites. Such links do not imply endorsement by Rivio eSIM or an association with these websites, their content, or their operators. The use of any website controlled, owned, or operated by third parties is governed by the terms of use and privacy policies of those websites. The Customer accesses these third-party websites at their own risk. Rivio eSIM expressly disclaims any liability for any issues arising from the Customer's use of any website or other materials associated with links that may be available on the Services.

### 11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Rivio eSIM is the owner of the coordination, selection, arrangement, and enhancement of these Registered Materials as a Collective Work under EU Copyright Law, the United States Copyright Act, and the Republic of Turkey FSEK.

Service marks and trademarks of Rivio eSIM, including but not limited to Rivio eSIM and Rivio eSIM logos, are service marks owned by Rivio eSIM. All other trademarks, service marks, logos, and/or trade names appearing through the Services are the property of their respective owners. The Customer may not copy or use any of these marks, logos, or trade names without the express prior written consent of the owner.

All text, graphics, editorial content, data, formatting, graphs, designs, HTML, look and feel, photographs, music, sounds, images, software, videos, designs, trademarks, logos, typefaces, and other content (collectively "Registered Material") that users see or read through the Services are owned by Rivio eSIM.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this document, the Customer is granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, freely revocable license to access and use the Services. Rivio eSIM may terminate this license at any time for any reason or no reason.

### 12. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

This agreement, provided to the customer by Rivio eSIM, carries confidentiality provisions and can only be transferred to third parties with the consent of Rivio eSIM Inc.

### 13. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION

Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Customer and Rivio eSIM, Rivio eSIM may terminate these Terms of Service for any reason or no reason at any time. The Customer may cancel their account at any time by using the features within the Services or by notifying our support in writing. After the cancellation process, the Customer can no longer access their account, profile, or other information through the Services. The provisions of these Terms of Service that are intended to remain in effect after cancellation shall remain valid after any termination and continue to be valid indefinitely.

Rivio eSIM reserves the right to refuse services at any time for any reason. In the event we determine that the Customer has violated any provision of this Agreement, Rivio eSIM may terminate or limit the Customer's right to use the Services by notifying the Customer in writing or via e-mail. This termination or limitation will be effective immediately upon transmission of the notice.

After the termination or cancellation of the Customer's account, the right to delete all Customer data in the normal course of business is reserved. Customer data cannot be recovered once the account is terminated or canceled.

### 14. INDEMNIFICATION

The Customer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Rivio eSIM and its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, insurers, successors, and assigns ("Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all Liability arising in connection with any content submitted through the Services by the Customer or using the Customer's account.

### 15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In the event of any dispute or claim arising from or related to the use of the Services, the Customer agrees to contact Rivio eSIM at support@rivio.net and to try to resolve the matter directly and in good faith with Rivio eSIM in writing. For disputes arising from this agreement, a customer seeking their legal rights cannot apply to any court without going to an arbitrator.

### 16. NO EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP

No agency, partnership, joint venture, employer-employee, or franchisor-franchisee relationship is intended or created by this Agreement.

### 17. NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS

No provision of this Agreement is enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement.

### 18. CONSENT TO RECEIVE NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRONICALLY

The Customer consents to receive electronically, without limitation, all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications (collectively, "Notices") referenced in this Agreement via e-mail or by posting Notices on this Site.

### 19. CHANGES TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE SERVICES

Rivio eSIM reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change, modify, add to, suspend, terminate, or delete any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including these Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy) and any content or information offered through the Services or the Services themselves, at any time, with or without prior notice, and without any liability to the Customer.

### 20. INTERPRETATION OF THE AGREEMENT

This Agreement and the Customer's use of the Services are subject to the laws of the State of Delaware in tax disputes, and in other matters, to the laws of the Republic of Turkey, without regard to conflict of law principles, and will be interpreted in accordance with these laws.

---

# Blog

## Does Verizon Work in Mexico? What's Included, What Costs Extra

- **Author**: Berin Doğa Alaca
- **Published**: 2026-07-28
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: Verizon works in Mexico, and on most Unlimited plans Mexico roaming is already included at no extra cost. Here is what's covered, what TravelPass costs, the 60-day usage rule that can cut your service off, and when a data eSIM is actually cheaper.

**Yes, Verizon works in Mexico.** Your phone roams onto Mexican partner networks — mainly Telcel, plus AT&T Mexico and Movistar — and on most current Verizon Unlimited plans, talk, text and data in Mexico are included at no extra cost. If your plan does not include it, Verizon's TravelPass covers you at a published $6 per day, charged only on days you use your phone.

That is the short version. The details are where people get surprised, so here is what actually happens to your line when you cross the border.

## Is Mexico Included in My Verizon Plan?

Verizon groups Mexico and Canada together and includes roaming in both in its Unlimited plans. Older plans, legacy plans and some prepaid plans do not include it. Because Verizon has renamed its plan tiers several times, the plan you signed up for years ago may not behave like the current plan with a similar name.

The reliable check takes two minutes:

1. Open the **My Verizon** app and note your exact plan name.
2. Look that plan up on Verizon's [international travel page](https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/).
3. If Mexico is not listed as included, add TravelPass before you fly.

Do this before departure rather than at the airport. If you land, switch your phone on and start using data on a plan that does not include Mexico, TravelPass activates automatically and you are billed for that day — which is fine, but it is better to know it is coming.

## What Does Verizon Charge in Mexico?

Verizon's published international rates, as of July 2026:

| Situation | What Verizon charges |
|---|---|
| Mexico included in your Unlimited plan | No extra charge |
| Plan without Mexico included | TravelPass, $6 per day |
| Other TravelPass destinations (210+) | $12 per day |
| Days you don't use your phone | Nothing — TravelPass bills per day of use |

The per-day model is the part worth thinking through. TravelPass charges the same $6 whether you check a map for two minutes or stream video all evening. Over a seven-day trip that is $42, and over a two-week trip $84, regardless of how much data you actually consume. For a traveller who mostly uses hotel Wi-Fi and just needs maps and messaging outside, that is a lot of money for a little data. For someone tethering a laptop all week, it is excellent value.

Verizon rates change. Treat the figures above as the published rate at the time of writing and confirm the current number in the My Verizon app before you travel.

## Which Networks Does Verizon Use in Mexico?

Verizon does not operate its own network in Mexico. Your phone registers on a partner network, and which one it picks depends on where you are:

- **Telcel** — the largest Mexican operator and the one most Verizon phones default to, with the widest 5G and 4G LTE footprint
- **AT&T Mexico** — strong in major cities and along the northern border
- **Movistar** — additional coverage in some regions

This matters for the resort-versus-mountain problem. Coverage in Cancún, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Los Cabos is dense. Coverage on rural highways, in canyon country and on smaller islands is not, and no roaming plan changes that — if the partner network has no tower nearby, your phone has no signal regardless of what you are paying per day.

## The 60-Day Rule Most Travellers Never Read

This is the part almost nobody knows about, and it is in Verizon's own plan terms: **more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage over any 60-day period must not take place in Mexico or Canada.** If it does, Verizon may limit or remove your international service.

The rule exists because the included Mexico and Canada roaming is designed for travel, not for permanently living abroad on a US plan. It rarely affects a two-week holiday. It regularly affects:

- Snowbirds spending a season in Baja or Yucatán
- Remote workers doing a one- or two-month stint in Mexico City
- People who live near the border and cross most days
- Anyone whose phone spends more time on Telcel than on Verizon over two months

If you fall into one of those groups, a separate data line for the Mexico portion of your usage keeps your Verizon usage ratio on the US side of that threshold. That is a genuine structural reason to carry a second data line, separate from any price comparison.

## Why Is My Verizon Phone Not Working in Mexico?

Four causes account for nearly every case:

1. **Data roaming is off.** On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming. On Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Roaming. It has to be on for the specific line you want to use abroad.
2. **Your plan doesn't include Mexico and TravelPass isn't active.** Check the My Verizon app; add TravelPass if needed.
3. **Weak partner coverage where you are.** Try manually selecting Telcel in your phone's network settings instead of leaving selection on automatic.
4. **You've hit the 60-day usage limit.** If service degraded after weeks in Mexico rather than on arrival, this is the likely cause. Verizon's international support can confirm.

If none of those apply and data is simply slow rather than absent, plan-level throttling is the usual explanation — high-speed allowances in Mexico differ between Verizon's plan tiers, and once you pass your tier's threshold speeds drop for the rest of the cycle.

## When a Data eSIM Makes Sense — and When It Doesn't

Being direct about this: **if Mexico is already included in your Verizon Unlimited plan and you're going for a week, you don't need anything else.** Turn data roaming on and get on the plane. Adding a second line would be spending money to solve a problem you don't have.

A separate data eSIM earns its place in four situations:

- **Your plan doesn't include Mexico** and the trip is long enough that $6 a day adds up
- **You're staying long enough to hit the 60-day rule** and want to keep your Verizon usage ratio in the US
- **You use a lot of data** and want to avoid your plan tier's roaming throttle
- **You're on a legacy or prepaid plan** where international roaming is billed at pay-per-use rates

The mechanics are simple. A data eSIM adds a second line to your phone: your Verizon SIM stays active for your US number, calls and SMS — including bank verification codes — while data runs over the eSIM. You keep the number, you drop the daily fee.

Rivio eSIM is a pay-as-you-go data eSIM: you top up a balance, you're charged per gigabyte at the destination's rate, and the balance does not expire, so whatever you don't use in Mexico carries to your next trip. Current per-gigabyte pricing and the partner networks we connect to are listed on the [Mexico eSIM page](/en/countries/mexico/).

## Setting Up a Second Line Before You Fly

If you decide to carry one, do the setup at home on Wi-Fi rather than at the airport:

1. Confirm your phone supports eSIM — dial **\*#06#** and look for an EID number next to the IMEI.
2. Install the eSIM profile over Wi-Fi before departure.
3. On arrival, set the eSIM as your **cellular data** line and leave your Verizon SIM as the line for calls and SMS.
4. Turn data roaming **on for the eSIM line only** and leave it off for your Verizon line.

Step four is the one people miss, and it is the difference between a clean trip and a surprise bill: with both lines roaming, your Verizon line can still trigger TravelPass in the background even though you are getting data elsewhere.

Our [step-by-step iPhone eSIM guide](/en/blog/how-to-setup-esim-iphone/) covers the installation screens in detail, including the dual-SIM settings.

## The Bottom Line

Verizon works in Mexico, and for most people on a current Unlimited plan it works at no extra cost — that is the honest answer, even though we sell an alternative. Check your plan name in the My Verizon app, turn data roaming on, and go.

Look at a second data line if your plan excludes Mexico, if you are staying long enough for the 60-day usage rule to matter, or if you use enough data that a per-gigabyte rate beats $6 every single day. Those cases are real, but they are a minority of trips, and it is worth knowing which one you are in before you pay for anything.

## Does WhatsApp Work in China? What Actually Determines Whether It Connects

- **Author**: Berin Doğa Alaca
- **Published**: 2026-07-28
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: WhatsApp is blocked on mainland Chinese networks. Whether a travel eSIM gets you around it depends on one thing almost no guide explains: where your data session breaks out to the internet. Here's how to tell before you fly.

**WhatsApp does not work on mainland Chinese networks.** It is blocked by China's national internet filtering system, so it will not connect over hotel Wi-Fi, café Wi-Fi or a local Chinese SIM card. It works normally in Hong Kong and Macau, and it can work on a mobile connection whose data traffic leaves mainland China before it reaches the internet.

That last sentence is the one that matters, and it is where most travel guides — including ones written by companies selling eSIMs — are vague in a way that costs travellers money. So let's be specific about it.

## Why WhatsApp Is Blocked in China

China filters internet traffic at the national gateway level. Requests to a blocked service are dropped before they leave the country, which is why the symptom is not an error message but silence: WhatsApp opens, messages sit with a single clock icon, calls ring nowhere, media never downloads.

The filtering applies to the network you are connected to, not to your phone or your account. Nothing happens to your WhatsApp account while you are in China, and there is no penalty for having the app installed. It simply cannot reach its servers from inside the filtered network. The same applies to Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Signal, Telegram, Line, Google services and a long list of Western news sites.

Because the block is a property of the network, the question is not "does my phone work in China" but "where does my data session actually reach the internet."

## The Part Most Guides Skip: Where Your Data Breaks Out

When your phone roams on a foreign network, your data can reach the internet in one of two places, and this single technical detail decides whether WhatsApp connects.

**Home-routed roaming.** The local network carries your radio signal, but your data session is tunnelled back to your home operator's gateway and reaches the internet there — outside China. National filtering is applied at China's gateway, which your traffic never passes through, so WhatsApp behaves as it does at home.

**Local breakout.** Your data session reaches the internet through the local operator's gateway, inside China. You are on the Chinese internet, subject to the same filtering as a local SIM card, and WhatsApp is blocked.

Both setups are described as "international roaming." Both can be sold as a "travel eSIM." From the product page they look identical. The difference is invisible until you land, which is exactly why forums fill up with travellers reporting that their eSIM worked for a friend and not for them — they bought different routing without knowing it.

## So Does a Travel eSIM Get You WhatsApp in China?

Sometimes. It depends entirely on the routing above, and any provider telling you otherwise without qualification is overselling.

Being straight about our own product: **Rivio eSIM connects in mainland China through local partner networks — China Mobile and China Unicom.** Whether a given session routes internationally or breaks out locally depends on the roaming configuration in place at the time, so we do not promise that WhatsApp will connect in mainland China on a Rivio eSIM. We will not sell you a guarantee we cannot verify for your specific trip.

What a data eSIM reliably does in China is give you affordable mobile data without a Chinese SIM registration, and keep your home number active on your primary line. If your priority is reaching people who use WhatsApp, plan for that separately using the options below.

The questions worth asking any provider before you buy for China:

- Does data traffic break out inside mainland China or outside it?
- Is that documented, or is it "usually works"?
- What is the refund position if blocked services do not load?

A provider who answers the first question precisely is telling you something real. A provider who only says "our eSIM bypasses the Great Firewall" is describing an outcome, not a mechanism.

## What Actually Works for Reaching People

Ranked by how reliable they are in practice:

| Option | Reliability | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to WeChat | Highest | Works everywhere in China; what locals and businesses actually use |
| International roaming from your home carrier | High | Home-routed by design, but daily rates are steep |
| Hong Kong or Macau SIM/eSIM roaming into the mainland | Varies | Depends on the same routing question |
| VPN installed before arrival | Moderate | Effective when it connects; blocking of VPN protocols fluctuates |
| Travel eSIM | Varies | Depends entirely on breakout location |
| Hotel Wi-Fi | Never | Local breakout by definition |

If a trip genuinely depends on WhatsApp — a work trip where your team coordinates there, or family who will worry — do not stake it on any single method. Carry a VPN installed and tested at home, and tell the people who matter that WeChat or SMS is the fallback.

## Set Up Before You Fly

Everything you need has to be installed before you land, because the tools for fixing connectivity in China are themselves blocked in China:

1. **Install and test your VPN at home.** Provider websites and app downloads are restricted inside mainland China. A VPN you can't install is not a backup plan.
2. **Install WeChat and get verified.** New WeChat accounts often need verification from an existing user, which is far easier to arrange before you travel.
3. **Install any eSIM profile over home Wi-Fi.** Profile download needs a working internet connection, which is the thing you may not have on arrival.
4. **Tell people your fallback.** Give family a second way to reach you — SMS, WeChat, or email.
5. **Download offline maps.** Google Maps is blocked; offline maps or a local mapping app avoids the problem entirely.

## Hong Kong and Macau Are Different

Hong Kong and Macau operate separate internet regimes and are not behind the mainland filtering system. WhatsApp, Instagram, Google and Facebook work normally there with no VPN and no special setup.

This is worth planning around if your itinerary includes both. A layover in Hong Kong is a genuine window to send the messages that will not go through once you're on the mainland — and it also means "does WhatsApp work in China" has different answers depending on which part of China your ticket says.

## The Bottom Line

WhatsApp is blocked on mainland Chinese networks and works normally in Hong Kong and Macau. A travel eSIM helps only if its data traffic reaches the internet outside mainland China, and that routing detail — not the word "international" on the product page — is what determines the outcome.

For a trip that depends on staying reachable, the durable answer is WeChat plus a VPN you installed and tested at home. For affordable mobile data without registering a Chinese SIM, a pay-as-you-go eSIM does that job well: our per-gigabyte rate and partner networks for the mainland are on the [China eSIM page](/en/countries/china/), and if your plans include Hong Kong, the [Hong Kong eSIM page](/en/countries/hong-kong/) covers that separately.

New to eSIM entirely? Our [guide to what an eSIM is](/en/blog/what-is-esim/) covers how profiles, dual-SIM and data roaming settings fit together.

## Does WhatsApp Work in Dubai? Messages Yes, Calls No — Here's Why

- **Author**: Berin Doğa Alaca
- **Published**: 2026-07-28
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: WhatsApp messaging works normally in Dubai and across the UAE. Voice and video calls are blocked on local networks under VoIP rules. Here's exactly what works, what doesn't, which apps are approved for calling, and what changes on roaming.

**WhatsApp works in Dubai for messaging but not for calling.** Text messages, photos, videos, documents and voice notes all send and receive normally. WhatsApp voice and video calls do not connect on local UAE networks, because internet-based calling is restricted under national telecom rules.

The app is not banned, you do not need to delete it before you fly, and nothing happens to your account. One feature is blocked; the rest works.

## What Works and What Doesn't

| WhatsApp feature | On a local UAE network |
|---|---|
| Text messages | Works |
| Photos and videos | Works |
| Documents and files | Works |
| **Voice notes** | **Works** |
| Group chats | Works |
| Status updates | Works |
| Voice calls | Blocked |
| Video calls | Blocked |
| Group calls | Blocked |

The voice note row is the useful one. A voice note is sent as a file over the messaging channel rather than as a live call, so it goes through untouched. If the point of the call was to let someone hear your voice, a voice note does that job and needs no workaround at all.

## Why Are WhatsApp Calls Blocked in Dubai?

The UAE restricts VoIP — voice and video calls carried over the internet instead of the traditional phone network. The restriction is implemented by the local operators, **du** and **Etisalat**, in line with national telecom regulation.

Two things follow from that, and both are commonly misunderstood:

**It is not about WhatsApp.** FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Signal, Telegram, Skype and Google Meet calling are affected in the same way. If someone tells you to use Telegram instead because "WhatsApp is banned," they have the wrong model of what is happening. The category is restricted, not the brand.

**It applies to the network, not to you.** Residents and tourists face the same behaviour on the same connection. There is no tourist exemption and no setting on your phone that changes it, because the decision is made by the network your data is travelling over — not by your device or your account.

## What Are the Approved Calling Apps in Dubai?

The UAE licenses specific apps for internet calling, and these work normally on local networks:

- **BOTIM** — the most widely used approved calling app in the UAE, supporting voice and video
- **GoChat Messenger** — a locally permitted alternative offered through UAE telecom services

For a short trip, installing BOTIM before you fly is the least complicated way to guarantee you can make video calls home. The people you are calling need it too, which is the main friction — it is worth sending the download link to whoever will want to see your face from the hotel balcony.

## Does Roaming Change Anything?

This is the question travellers actually want answered, and the honest answer has a condition attached.

When you roam, your data can reach the internet in one of two places. If your operator uses **home-routed roaming**, the UAE network carries your radio signal but your data session is tunnelled back to your home operator's gateway and reaches the internet there — outside the UAE, where local VoIP restrictions were never applied. If your operator uses **local breakout**, your session reaches the internet inside the UAE, and the same restrictions apply as they would to a local SIM.

This is why traveller reports conflict so sharply. Someone roaming on a home-routed plan makes WhatsApp calls in Dubai without noticing anything unusual and reports that the block is a myth. Someone on a locally-routed connection cannot place a single call and reports the opposite. Both are describing their connection accurately.

Being direct about our own service: **Rivio eSIM connects in the UAE through the local partner network du.** We therefore do not promise that WhatsApp calling will work on a Rivio eSIM in Dubai, because that outcome depends on session routing we will not guarantee in advance. If placing WhatsApp or FaceTime calls is essential to your trip, plan for BOTIM or check home-routing with your own carrier rather than relying on any eSIM to deliver it.

What a data eSIM does do well in the UAE is the ordinary job: affordable mobile data for maps, ride-hailing, messaging and everything else, without paying your home carrier's daily roaming rate. Our per-gigabyte pricing and partner network for the country are listed on the [UAE eSIM page](/en/countries/united-arab-emirates/).

## What About a VPN?

A VPN routes your traffic through a server elsewhere and can restore calling functionality. Two things to weigh before relying on it.

First, practicality: install and test it before you arrive, as you would for any restricted destination. Second, and more importantly, the UAE regulates VPN use, and using one specifically to circumvent telecom restrictions sits in a different legal category from using one for general privacy on public Wi-Fi. We are not in a position to give legal advice on this, and we would rather point you to BOTIM — which is approved, free, and works — than encourage a workaround whose legal position you would need to research yourself.

## Practical Setup for a Dubai Trip

1. **Install BOTIM before you fly**, and send the link to whoever you will want to video call.
2. **Tell people to expect voice notes** rather than calls. It resolves most of the friction in one message.
3. **Keep your home number on your primary SIM** for banking codes and two-factor authentication.
4. **Set up your data line before departure**, over home Wi-Fi, so arrival is just a settings toggle.
5. **Turn data roaming on for your data line only**, and leave it off for your home line to avoid your carrier's daily fee.

If you use a separate data eSIM, our [iPhone eSIM setup guide](/en/blog/how-to-setup-esim-iphone/) covers the dual-SIM settings screen by screen, and the [guide to what an eSIM is](/en/blog/what-is-esim/) explains how the two lines coexist.

## The Bottom Line

WhatsApp messaging works normally in Dubai. WhatsApp voice and video calls do not connect on local networks, because the UAE restricts internet calling generally — not WhatsApp specifically, and not tourists specifically.

The three things worth doing: install BOTIM before you go, use voice notes instead of calls where that is enough, and sort out a data line before you land rather than at the airport. Everything else about using your phone in Dubai works the way you expect.

## Russia eSIM Verification Explained: Why Your Internet May Not Work Immediately (2026 Guide)

- **Author**: Zekeriya Aykut Karnap
- **Published**: 2026-07-20
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: Russia eSIM connected but no internet? It's usually the local network's verification step, not your eSIM. Here's why it happens, how long it lasts, and how to get online fast.

**Short answer:** If your Russia eSIM doesn't connect to the internet the moment you arrive, don't panic. In most cases your eSIM is working correctly — you have signal — but Russian mobile networks run a short **verification step** for foreign SIMs and eSIMs before mobile data is fully enabled. Many international travelers see this, Rivio eSIM users included.

Below is what's happening, what to expect, and exactly how to complete the verification so you can get online as quickly as possible.

## Why Isn't My Russia eSIM Working?

In most cases, the problem isn't your eSIM. When a foreign SIM or eSIM first connects to a Russian network, the operator may ask for an extra verification before switching on mobile data. Until that's done, your phone can show full signal while websites simply won't load. It looks like the eSIM failed — but it's really just waiting for one more step.

## What Is Russia's eSIM Verification?

When your device connects to a supported Russian network for the first time, you may have signal but no working data. To turn data on, one of these usually happens:

- You receive an **SMS from the mobile operator** with a link to a verification page.
- Your browser **opens a verification page automatically.**
- You're asked to complete a quick **CAPTCHA** that confirms a real person is using the SIM.

It feels a lot like signing in to hotel, airport, or shopping-mall Wi-Fi — but this check is run by the **mobile network**, not by your eSIM provider. You can usually choose English or Russian on the page. Once you complete it, normal internet access is typically restored within a few minutes.

## Is This Only for eSIMs?

No. This verification is **not exclusive to eSIMs.** It can apply to:

- International eSIMs
- Foreign physical SIM cards
- International roaming SIMs

In other words, it's tied to using a **foreign mobile service** in Russia — not to eSIM technology itself. A traveler with a physical SIM from home can hit exactly the same step.

## How to Complete the Verification

The process is usually straightforward:

1. Turn on your eSIM and **enable data roaming** if your provider requires it.
2. Wait for your phone to **register on a supported Russian network** (you'll see signal bars).
3. Open the **SMS or verification page** if prompted.
4. Complete the requested **CAPTCHA / verification.**
5. Wait a few moments for mobile data to become available.

If a verification page doesn't appear immediately, turning mobile data off and on or reopening your browser can help trigger it.

## What If I Don't See the Verification Page?

Sometimes the page doesn't appear on its own. If that happens:

- Keep your eSIM **enabled.**
- Make sure your phone is **connected to the mobile network** (signal present).
- Try opening **any website** in your browser to trigger the operator's page.
- Give it a little time for the page to appear.

Internet access can also become available on its own after a while (up to around 24 hours), but completing the CAPTCHA is by far the fastest way back online.

## Does Rivio eSIM Work in Russia?

**Yes.** [Rivio eSIM works in Russia](/en/countries/russia/) using supported local network partners (MTS, Tele2 and Beeline) on 4G/LTE in major cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sochi.

If you run into the network verification described above, it's part of the **local mobile network's activation process — not a fault with your Rivio eSIM.** Once the verification is completed (when prompted), you can keep using your mobile data normally.

## Tips Before Traveling to Russia

For the smoothest experience:

- [Install your Rivio eSIM](/en/blog/how-to-setup-esim-iphone/) **before arriving** in Russia, over Wi-Fi at home.
- **Keep your QR code** until your trip ends, in case you need to reinstall.
- Make sure your device is [eSIM-capable and unlocked](/en/compatible-devices/).
- **Select the correct data line** after arrival and switch on data roaming.
- **Follow any verification prompt** shown by the local network.

Being ready before you land helps you connect faster. And because Rivio eSIM runs on [pay-as-you-go](/en/blog/pay-as-you-go-esim-guide/), you only pay for the data you actually use — your unused balance never expires and carries over to your next trip.

## Stay Connected in Russia with Rivio eSIM

With [Rivio eSIM](/en/countries/russia/), you activate your plan before departure and skip the search for a physical SIM card after landing. If you meet Russia's first-connection verification, just follow the on-screen instructions from the local operator. Once it's done, you're ready to browse, navigate, message and stay connected throughout your trip.

Travel smarter with Rivio eSIM and enjoy reliable mobile connectivity across Russia.

## Common Russia eSIM Searches

Travelers most often search for things like:

- Russia eSIM not working
- Russia eSIM no internet
- Russia eSIM connected but no data
- Russia eSIM verification

They almost always point to the same thing: your eSIM is probably connected and just waiting for the local network's verification step. Follow the steps above, complete the verification, and you'll be back online.

## Does Instagram Work in Russia? How to Access Instagram with a Rivio eSIM (2026 Guide)

- **Author**: Berin Doğa Alaca
- **Published**: 2026-07-20
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: Does Instagram work in Russia? It's restricted on many local networks — but many Rivio eSIM users stay on Instagram without a separate VPN. Here's why, and what to expect.

Planning a trip to Russia and wondering whether Instagram will work? Many travelers are surprised to find that Instagram and several other social platforms can be restricted when using local internet providers.

The good news: many Rivio eSIM users are able to access Instagram without installing a separate VPN, simply by using their Rivio eSIM. Here's why.

## Is Instagram Blocked in Russia?

Yes. Instagram has been restricted in Russia for several years, which means people connected through many local internet providers may be unable to open the platform normally. The same can apply to services such as:

- Facebook
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Threads
- Other international platforms, depending on local network policies

If you buy a local SIM card in Russia, you may find these services unavailable without extra tools.

## Why Does Rivio eSIM Work Differently?

Unlike many local mobile connections, Rivio eSIM uses international connectivity partners. Depending on your destination and network routing, your internet traffic may be carried through infrastructure outside Russia rather than relying solely on local internet gateways.

Because of this, many travelers report that services such as Instagram remain accessible while using their Rivio eSIM — without a separate VPN.

## Can I Use Instagram with Rivio eSIM in Russia?

In many cases, yes. Travelers using Rivio eSIM are often able to:

- Browse Instagram
- Upload Stories
- Send Direct Messages
- Watch Reels
- Use Facebook
- Access other popular social platforms

without installing a separate VPN application. Actual availability may vary depending on network conditions and local routing policies at the time of your trip.

## Do I Need a VPN?

Not necessarily. Many Rivio eSIM users find they can reach Instagram without downloading or configuring a VPN. Because Rivio eSIM uses international mobile connectivity, access to certain online services may differ from connections provided by local Russian operators.

Keep in mind that if you've just landed, your data may briefly pause for the local network's first-connection check — that's a separate step we cover in [why your Russia eSIM may not work immediately](/en/blog/does-esim-work-in-russia/). Once that's done, your connection behaves normally.

## Why Travelers Choose Rivio eSIM

Beyond avoiding physical SIM cards, [Rivio eSIM](/en/countries/russia/) gives international travelers another advantage. With a single eSIM you can often:

- Stay connected right after arrival
- Keep access to your favorite social apps
- Avoid switching between local SIM cards
- Use maps, messaging and social media on one connection

That makes Rivio eSIM especially convenient for tourists, business travelers, content creators and digital nomads visiting Russia. And because Rivio eSIM runs on [pay-as-you-go](/en/blog/pay-as-you-go-esim-guide/), you only pay for the data you actually use.

## Stay Connected with Rivio eSIM

Whether you're traveling for business, tourism, or staying in touch with friends and family, [Rivio eSIM](/en/countries/russia/) is a simple way to stay online in Russia. [Install your eSIM](/en/blog/how-to-setup-esim-iphone/) before departure, connect within minutes after arrival, and enjoy fast international mobile data throughout your trip. Many travelers also find they can keep using Instagram and other popular social platforms without the extra step of installing a VPN.

Just make sure your phone is [eSIM-capable and unlocked](/en/compatible-devices/) before you go.

## App Restrictions in Other Destinations

Russia is not the only place where a familiar app behaves differently once you land. If your trip takes you further, these guides cover the same question elsewhere:

- [Does WhatsApp work in China?](/en/blog/does-whatsapp-work-in-china/) — blocked on mainland networks, and what actually determines whether a workaround connects
- [Does WhatsApp work in Dubai?](/en/blog/does-whatsapp-work-in-dubai/) — messaging works, calling doesn't, and the approved apps that do
- [Does Verizon work in Mexico?](/en/blog/does-verizon-work-in-mexico/) — no app blocks, but a 60-day roaming rule most travelers never read

## Do eSIMs Expire? Data Validity Explained (2026)

- **Author**: Tolga Çağlayan
- **Published**: 2026-07-17
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: Most travel eSIM bundles expire in 7-30 days and unused data is lost. Learn the three validity models and how a no-expiry pay-as-you-go balance works.

Most travel eSIM data plans expire — typically 7, 15, or 30 days after activation — and any unused data is forfeited when the window closes. But expiry is a billing choice, not a technical property of eSIM. Balance-based eSIMs hold your money as a wallet with no validity window, so nothing you paid for is ever deleted.

That is the short answer. The rest of this guide explains which parts of an eSIM can expire, the three validity models used by travel providers in 2026, and how to stop paying for gigabytes you never get to use.

## Do travel eSIM data plans expire?

Almost all *bundle-based* plans do. When you buy a package like "5 GB / 30 days", two limits start competing: the data allowance and the validity window. Whichever runs out first ends the plan, and leftover data is deleted without a refund.

Industry usage data makes the cost of that visible: a large share of travel bundles end their validity window with 30-80% of the data unused. On a typical one-week trip with a 30-day bundle, you are effectively paying for three unused weeks.

There are three validity models on the travel eSIM market today:

| Model | How it is billed | When it expires | Unused data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed bundle | One package per country/region (e.g. 5 GB / 30 days) | At the end of the validity window | Forfeited |
| Unlimited day pass | Priced per day of the trip | On the selected end date | Nothing to carry over — you pay per day whether you use it or not |
| Pay-as-you-go balance | Money in a wallet, charged per GB at destination rates | Never | Stays in the wallet for the next trip |

## Which part of the eSIM actually expires?

It helps to separate three things that people mean by "my eSIM expired":

- **The eSIM profile** — the digital SIM installed on your phone. With most travel providers, including [Rivio eSIM](/en/pay-as-you-go-esim/), the profile is reusable: install once, keep it for future trips.
- **The data plan** — the bundle's allowance and validity window. This is the part that expires in the bundle model.
- **The activation deadline** — many bundles must also be activated within a set period after purchase (often 30-180 days), or they are lost before ever being used.

A balance-based eSIM removes the second and third clocks entirely: there is no bundle to activate and no window to beat. The profile stays on your phone, the balance stays in your account.

## Is there an eSIM with no expiry?

Yes — this is exactly what the pay-as-you-go model is for. Instead of buying a package, you top up a balance and pay per GB at the local rate of whichever country you are in.

With Rivio eSIM this works as follows:

- One global eSIM covers 150+ destinations; data is billed from a single balance at per-GB destination rates, starting at $2.45/GB in the cheapest tier.
- The balance has **no expiry date**. Use it this summer, keep the rest for a winter trip — the remainder is money, not a countdown.
- Crossing a border switches the carrier automatically and simply applies the next country's rate; no new package, no new eSIM.
- You can see every destination's live rate on the [destination list](/en/countries/) before topping up, so the per-GB math is checkable in advance.

For a deeper look at when this model beats fixed bundles (and when it doesn't — heavy streamers can be better off with a large bundle), see our [pay-as-you-go eSIM guide](/en/blog/pay-as-you-go-esim-guide/) or the [feature-by-feature comparison](/en/compare/).

## How to avoid losing eSIM data on your next trip

1. **Check both clocks before buying a bundle** — the validity window *and* the activation deadline. A cheap bundle that expires mid-trip is not cheap.
2. **Estimate honestly.** Maps, messaging and social browsing average 200-500 MB per day for most travelers; 4K streaming and hotspot use change the math completely.
3. **Match the model to your travel pattern.** One long trip with heavy usage suits a big bundle or a day pass. Several short or unpredictable trips per year suit a balance that rolls over.
4. **Keep the profile installed** after the trip if your provider allows reuse — reactivating an existing eSIM is faster than provisioning a new one at the gate.

## The bottom line

eSIM data expiry is a pricing decision made by providers, not a limitation of the technology. If your travel is occasional or hard to predict, choose a model where time is not working against you: a balance with no expiry means every dollar you top up eventually becomes data — on this trip or the next one.

## Scaling eSIM Provisioning: API Architecture Behind 150+ Countries

- **Author**: Zekeriya Aykut Karnap
- **Published**: 2026-04-09
- **Updated**: 2026-04-17
- **Category**: engineering
- **Description**: How Rivio eSIM's backend provisions eSIM profiles across 150+ countries. Covers SM-DP+ integration, RSP protocol, profile lifecycle management, multi-carrier routing, and the API design patterns that make pay-as-you-go eSIM possible at scale.

## The Problem: One API, 150+ Countries, Millions of Profiles

When we started building Rivio eSIM's backend, the core challenge was straightforward to state but difficult to solve: expose a single API that lets a Flutter mobile app provision, manage, and meter eSIM profiles across more than 150 countries, each served by different mobile carriers with different technical integrations, different provisioning protocols, and different billing models.

This post walks through the architecture we built to solve that problem. It covers the GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning standard we build on, how we integrate with SM-DP+ servers, how profile lifecycle management works at scale, and the API design patterns that make pay-as-you-go eSIM viable as a product.

## GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) Architecture

The entire eSIM ecosystem rests on a standard called **Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP)**, defined in the GSMA's [SGP.22 specification](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/). RSP defines the actors, protocols, and security model that allow an eSIM profile to be prepared on a server, downloaded over the internet, and installed on a device's eUICC chip — all without physical access.

The key actors in RSP for consumer devices:

- **SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager — Data Preparation):** The server that prepares, stores, and delivers eSIM profiles. Each carrier operates or contracts an SM-DP+. This is the primary system our backend talks to.
- **SM-DS (Subscription Manager — Discovery Server):** An optional registry that helps devices discover which SM-DP+ holds a profile for them. When we provision a profile, we can register it with an SM-DS so the user's device can find and download it without scanning a QR code.
- **LPA (Local Profile Assistant):** Software on the end-user device (built into iOS and Android) that handles the actual download and installation of profiles onto the eUICC.
- **eUICC:** The tamper-resistant secure element chip on the device that stores and executes eSIM profiles.

In Rivio eSIM's architecture, our backend acts as an intermediary between the user's mobile app and multiple SM-DP+ servers. The app never communicates directly with an SM-DP+ — all provisioning flows through our API, which handles carrier selection, profile preparation, activation code generation, and lifecycle tracking.

## SM-DP+ Integration: The Core of Provisioning

Integrating with an SM-DP+ means implementing the ES2+ interface, the server-to-server protocol defined in SGP.22. This is not a simple REST API. ES2+ uses HTTPS with mutual TLS (mTLS), and the payload format follows a specific JSON structure with mandatory fields for profile ordering, confirmation, and release.

The typical provisioning flow from our backend's perspective:

1. **Order Profile** — We send a `DownloadOrder` request to the SM-DP+ specifying the ICCID (or requesting auto-assignment), the target EID if known, and the profile type. The SM-DP+ acknowledges and begins profile preparation.
2. **Confirm Order** — Once the SM-DP+ has the profile ready, we confirm the order. At this point, the SM-DP+ generates an activation code (a combination of SM-DP+ address and matching ID).
3. **Release Profile** — We call `ReleaseProfile` to make the profile available for download. The SM-DP+ now accepts connections from the target device's LPA.
4. **Notify SM-DS** — Optionally, we register the profile with an SM-DS so the device can discover it via a push notification rather than requiring a QR code scan.

Each of these steps can fail independently. The SM-DP+ might reject the order if profile inventory is exhausted. Confirmation might time out under load. Release might fail if there is a mismatch between the EID we provided and the one the device presents during download. We handle each failure mode explicitly, with different retry and escalation strategies per step.

## Profile Lifecycle Management

An eSIM profile is not a static artifact. It has a lifecycle that our system must track:

**Preparation** — The carrier's SM-DP+ creates the profile. We track this via the ICCID returned in the order response.

**Download** — The user's device contacts the SM-DP+ and downloads the profile. We receive a `ProfileDownloaded` callback from the SM-DP+.

**Installation** — The LPA installs the profile on the eUICC. We receive an `ProfileInstalled` notification.

**Enablement** — The profile is activated and the device registers on the carrier's network. We detect this via RADIUS `Access-Accept` messages from the carrier.

**Disablement** — The user (or our system) disables the profile. The device disconnects from the carrier network.

**Deletion** — The profile is removed from the eUICC, freeing a slot. We trigger a `DeleteProfile` request via ES2+ when the user explicitly removes a country from their account.

We maintain a state machine for each profile in PostgreSQL, with every transition logged to an append-only audit table. This gives us full traceability — we can answer questions like "why did this user's Japan profile fail to activate on April 3rd at 14:22 UTC?" by replaying the state transitions and the SM-DP+ callback payloads.

## Multi-Carrier Routing

Rivio eSIM covers 150+ countries, but no single carrier covers all of them. Our carrier matrix maps each country to one or more carriers, ranked by preference based on network quality, cost, and historical reliability.

When the Flutter app requests a profile for a given country, our routing layer:

1. Looks up the country in the carrier matrix
2. Selects the highest-ranked available carrier
3. Checks that carrier's SM-DP+ profile inventory (we cache inventory counts with a 5-minute TTL)
4. Falls back to the next carrier if inventory is exhausted or if the primary carrier's SM-DP+ is degraded

This routing is invisible to the user. They request "data in Japan" and get a working profile. The carrier behind it might be different from the one they got last month if we renegotiated terms or if a new carrier joined our network with better coverage.

We store routing decisions with every provisioning event, which feeds back into our carrier scoring algorithm. If a carrier's profiles consistently fail activation in a specific country, the algorithm gradually de-prioritizes that carrier for that country.

## Pay-As-You-Go: Balance and Usage Metering

The hardest backend problem at Rivio eSIM is not provisioning — it is metering. Pay-as-you-go means we charge users per megabyte of actual data consumed, not for a fixed data package. This requires near-real-time usage tracking across dozens of carriers with different reporting capabilities.

**CDR ingestion:** Carriers send us Call Detail Records (CDRs) via SFTP drops, real-time API feeds, or RADIUS accounting messages. Each format is different. We normalize everything into a canonical CDR schema in our ingestion pipeline before it hits the rating engine.

**Rating engine:** Takes a normalized CDR, looks up the applicable tariff (which varies by country, carrier, and sometimes time of day), and computes the cost in the user's wallet currency. The rated event is written to the ledger.

**Balance enforcement:** If real-time RADIUS updates indicate a user's balance is approaching zero, we send a `Disconnect-Request` to the carrier's AAA server. The session terminates and the user is prompted to top up.

**Reconciliation:** Weekly, we reconcile our internal CDR-derived totals against the carrier's invoice. Discrepancies happen — timezone mismatches, duplicate CDRs, late-arriving records. Our reconciliation pipeline flags anything above 0.5% variance for manual review.

## API Design Patterns

The API that serves the Flutter app follows a few deliberate design choices:

**Idempotency keys on all write operations.** Every POST request (provision profile, top up balance, change profile state) requires an `Idempotency-Key` header. We store the key and response for 24 hours. If the client retries (e.g., after a network timeout), we return the stored response instead of executing the operation again. This prevents double-provisioning — a scenario that would cost us real money.

**Webhook-driven status updates.** The app does not poll for provisioning status. When a profile transitions state (downloaded, installed, enabled), our backend pushes an event via Firebase Cloud Messaging to the app, which then fetches the updated profile object. This keeps the app responsive without hammering our API.

**Rate limiting per operation class.** Provisioning endpoints are rate-limited more aggressively (5 requests per minute per user) than read endpoints (60 rpm). Provisioning involves downstream SM-DP+ calls that are expensive and slow; we protect both our system and our carrier partners from burst traffic.

**Versioned API with mandatory minimum.** The app sends an `X-API-Version` header. We support the current and previous major version simultaneously. If the app sends a version below the minimum supported, the API returns a `426 Upgrade Required` with a link to the app store. This prevents old clients from hitting deprecated provisioning flows.

## Error Handling and Retry Strategy

SM-DP+ servers are not always fast or reliable. Our retry strategy is tiered:

- **Transient errors (5xx, timeout):** Exponential backoff, 2s initial, 5min cap, 8 max attempts. Jittered to prevent thundering herd across concurrent requests.
- **Client errors (4xx):** No retry. Log the error, map it to a user-facing message, and return immediately. Common causes: EID mismatch (user scanned QR on wrong device), profile not found (ICCID expired).
- **Partial success:** If `DownloadOrder` succeeds but `ConfirmOrder` fails, we do not retry the order — we retry the confirmation only. Each lifecycle step has its own retry context.

All failures surface in our Grafana dashboards: provisioning success rate by carrier, by country, by hour. If a carrier's success rate drops below 95%, an alert fires.

## Security Model

**mTLS everywhere.** All SM-DP+ communication uses mutual TLS with carrier-issued client certificates. Certificates are stored in HashiCorp Vault, injected into provisioning pods at startup, and rotated 30 days before expiry.

**Profile encryption.** eSIM profiles contain sensitive credentials (Ki, OPc values). These are encrypted end-to-end from the SM-DP+ to the eUICC. Our backend never sees the decrypted profile content — we handle metadata (ICCID, EID, state) only.

**Audit logging.** Every provisioning action, every balance change, and every carrier API call is logged with a correlation ID, user ID, timestamp, and response code. Logs are immutable (append-only to a write-once object store) and retained for 7 years per telecom regulatory requirements.

## Monitoring and Observability

We track three primary SLIs for the provisioning system:

1. **Provisioning success rate** — Target: 99.2%. Measured as the percentage of `ProvisionProfile` API calls that result in an enabled profile within 5 minutes. Currently averaging 99.4%.
2. **Time to activation** — Target: p95 under 90 seconds. Measured from API call to first RADIUS `Access-Accept`. Current p95: 47 seconds.
3. **Balance accuracy** — Target: real-time estimates within 3% of finalized CDR totals. Current average delta: 1.1%.

Each SLI feeds into an error budget. When the budget is exhausted (e.g., provisioning success rate drops below 99.2% for a rolling 7-day window), we freeze feature deployments and focus on reliability.

Distributed tracing via OpenTelemetry ties together the full request path: Flutter app call, API gateway, provisioning service, SM-DP+ call, carrier callback, and balance update. A single trace ID follows the request across all systems, making incident investigation a matter of searching for one string rather than correlating timestamps across log files.

## Lessons from Production

After running this system in production across 150+ countries, a few lessons stand out:

**Carrier APIs are the bottleneck, not your code.** We spent months optimizing our internal latency before realizing that 80% of our p99 provisioning time was waiting on SM-DP+ responses. The real optimization was improving timeout handling and fallback routing.

**Idempotency is not optional in telecom.** A single duplicate provisioning request creates an orphaned profile that costs money and confuses the user. Idempotency keys paid for themselves in the first week.

**CDR reconciliation never fully automates.** We got it to 98% automated, but the remaining 2% — timezone edge cases, carrier-specific CDR quirks, profiles that activate in one country but roam to another within the same CDR period — always requires human review. Budget engineering time for it.

Building a provisioning backend for a global pay-as-you-go eSIM product is essentially building a mini telecom billing system on top of a multi-vendor profile management layer. The standards (RSP, SGP.22, ES2+) give you a foundation, but the real engineering is in the routing, metering, and error handling that makes it all invisible to the user.

## Further Reading

- [GSMA SGP.22 v2.2.2 — Consumer RSP Technical Specification](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SGP.22-v2.2.2.pdf) (PDF) — the authoritative spec for consumer eSIM provisioning, including ES9+ and ES10 interfaces.
- [GSMA SGP.21 — Architecture Specification](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/) — defines the roles of SM-DP+, SM-DS, and LPA actors referenced throughout this post.
- [GSMA SGP.31 — M2M eSIM Architecture](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/) — the IoT/machine-to-machine variant that uses push-based profile download (useful if you extend this work to IoT devices).
- [ETSI TS 103 383 — Smart Cards; Embedded UICC Requirements](https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/103300_103399/103383/) — the lower-layer eUICC hardware requirements referenced by SGP.22.
- [Stripe Billing — idempotency key best practices](https://docs.stripe.com/api/idempotent_requests) — we adapted the same pattern for our provisioning ledger.

## Implementing eSIM in Flutter: A Complete Technical Guide

- **Author**: Berin Doğa Alaca
- **Published**: 2026-04-09
- **Updated**: 2026-04-17
- **Category**: engineering
- **Description**: A deep technical guide on integrating eSIM functionality into Flutter apps. Covers Android EuiccManager, iOS CTCellularPlanProvisioning, method channels, carrier privileges, and production-ready error handling.

## The eSIM Profile Format

Before writing a single line of code, you need to understand what you are actually installing on the device. Every eSIM profile is identified by an activation string in the **LPA (Local Profile Assistant)** format:

```
LPA:1$smdp.example.com$MATCHING_ID
```

This string has three components separated by `$`:

- **LPA:1** -- The protocol identifier. The `1` indicates the consumer RSP (Remote SIM Provisioning) protocol defined by [GSMA SGP.22](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SGP.22-v2.2.2.pdf).
- **SM-DP+ address** -- The hostname of the Subscription Manager Data Preparation server. This is the server that stores the encrypted profile and handles mutual authentication with the device's eUICC.
- **Matching ID** -- A unique token that identifies the specific profile assigned to this user. The SM-DP+ uses this to look up and release the correct profile during the download handshake.

After a user chooses one of the balance amounts shown in Rivio eSIM, completes payment, and starts the eSIM installation flow, our backend generates this activation string by calling the SM-DP+ API's `downloadOrder` endpoint. The string is then delivered to the Flutter app, which passes it to the native platform layer for installation.

## Android: Three Approaches to eSIM Installation

Android provides three distinct methods for installing eSIM profiles, each with different privilege requirements and user experience trade-offs.

### Approach 1: LPA Intent (Lowest Barrier)

The simplest approach launches the device's built-in LPA (Local Profile Assistant) app. This requires no special permissions but gives you zero control over the user experience.

```kotlin
// Kotlin — Launch system LPA with activation code
fun launchLpaIntent(context: Context, activationCode: String) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW).apply {
        data = Uri.parse(activationCode) // LPA:1$smdp.example.com$MATCHING_ID
        addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
    }
    context.startActivity(intent)
}
```

The system LPA handles everything: eUICC detection, SM-DP+ authentication, profile download, and user confirmation. The problem? You have no callback. You do not know if the installation succeeded, failed, or if the user simply backed out. For a production app, this is insufficient.

### Approach 2: ACTION_VIEW Intent with Carrier App

Some OEMs register custom intent handlers for the `LPA:1$` URI scheme. Samsung, for instance, routes these through their own SIM manager. The behavior is identical to Approach 1 in terms of developer control: you fire and forget.

### Approach 3: EuiccManager (Production Choice)

The [EuiccManager API](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/euicc/EuiccManager), introduced in Android 9 (API 28), gives you full programmatic control over profile lifecycle. This is what you want for a production app.

```kotlin
// Kotlin — Full EuiccManager implementation
class EsimInstaller(private val context: Context) {

    private val euiccManager = context.getSystemService(Context.EUICC_SERVICE) as EuiccManager

    fun isEsimSupported(): Boolean {
        return euiccManager.isEnabled
    }

    fun isDeviceCarrierLocked(): Boolean {
        // Check if eUICC only accepts profiles from a specific carrier
        val tm = context.getSystemService(Context.TELEPHONY_SERVICE) as TelephonyManager
        return tm.isNetworkRoaming && !euiccManager.isEnabled
    }

    fun downloadProfile(
        activationCode: String,
        onResult: (success: Boolean, errorCode: Int?) -> Unit
    ) {
        if (!euiccManager.isEnabled) {
            onResult(false, EUICC_NOT_AVAILABLE)
            return
        }

        val sub = DownloadableSubscription
            .forActivationCode(activationCode)

        val callbackIntent = PendingIntent.getBroadcast(
            context,
            REQUEST_CODE_DOWNLOAD,
            Intent(ACTION_DOWNLOAD_RESULT).setPackage(context.packageName),
            PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT or PendingIntent.FLAG_MUTABLE
        )

        // Register receiver for the result
        val receiver = object : BroadcastReceiver() {
            override fun onReceive(ctx: Context, intent: Intent) {
                val resultCode = getResultCode()
                when (resultCode) {
                    EuiccManager.EMBEDDED_SUBSCRIPTION_RESULT_OK -> {
                        onResult(true, null)
                    }
                    EuiccManager.EMBEDDED_SUBSCRIPTION_RESULT_RESOLVABLE_ERROR -> {
                        // User confirmation needed — launch resolution activity
                        val resolutionIntent = intent.getParcelableExtra<PendingIntent>(
                            EuiccManager.EXTRA_EMBEDDED_SUBSCRIPTION_RESOLUTION_INTENT
                        )
                        // Handle resolution...
                        onResult(false, RESULT_NEEDS_USER_CONFIRMATION)
                    }
                    EuiccManager.EMBEDDED_SUBSCRIPTION_RESULT_ERROR -> {
                        val detailedCode = intent.getIntExtra(
                            EuiccManager.EXTRA_EMBEDDED_SUBSCRIPTION_DETAILED_CODE, -1
                        )
                        onResult(false, detailedCode)
                    }
                }
                context.unregisterReceiver(this)
            }
        }

        context.registerReceiver(
            receiver,
            IntentFilter(ACTION_DOWNLOAD_RESULT),
            Context.RECEIVER_EXPORTED
        )

        euiccManager.downloadSubscription(sub, true, callbackIntent)
    }

    companion object {
        const val ACTION_DOWNLOAD_RESULT = "com.rivio.app.DOWNLOAD_RESULT"
        const val REQUEST_CODE_DOWNLOAD = 1001
        const val EUICC_NOT_AVAILABLE = -100
        const val RESULT_NEEDS_USER_CONFIRMATION = -200
    }
}
```

### Carrier Privileges: The Critical Piece

`EuiccManager.downloadSubscription()` checks whether your app has **carrier privileges** before allowing a silent installation. Without carrier privileges, Android falls back to a system confirmation dialog -- or outright rejects the call on some OEM implementations.

Carrier privileges are established through **UICC Access Rules (ARA-M)**, which are records stored inside the eSIM profile itself. The rule contains:

1. Your app's **package name** (e.g., `com.rivio.app`)
2. The **SHA-256 hash** of your app's signing certificate

When the profile is downloaded onto the eUICC, the system reads these ARA-M records and grants your app the `android.permission.WRITE_EMBEDDED_SUBSCRIPTIONS` privilege implicitly. This means you must coordinate with your SM-DP+ provider to embed your certificate hash in every profile they generate for your platform.

To get your signing certificate hash:

```bash
# Get SHA-256 of your release signing key
keytool -list -v -keystore your-release.keystore -alias your-alias \
  | grep SHA256 | awk '{print $2}' | tr -d ':'
```

## iOS: Universal Links vs. CTCellularPlanProvisioning

### Universal Link Approach (No Entitlement Required)

The simplest iOS path uses a Universal Link that opens the native eSIM installation flow. This works without any special entitlements but, like Android's LPA intent, offers minimal control.

```swift
// Swift — Open eSIM installation via Settings URL
import UIKit

func openEsimInstallation(smdpAddress: String, matchingId: String) {
    // Construct the cellular plan URL
    var components = URLComponents()
    components.scheme = "https"
    components.host = "esimsetup.apple.com"
    components.path = "/esim_download_ota"
    components.queryItems = [
        URLQueryItem(name: "carddata", value: "LPA:1$\(smdpAddress)$\(matchingId)")
    ]

    guard let url = components.url else { return }

    UIApplication.shared.open(url, options: [:]) { success in
        if !success {
            // Fallback: device may not support eSIM
            print("Failed to open eSIM setup URL")
        }
    }
}
```

This opens the native iOS eSIM installation sheet. The user taps "Continue," the profile downloads, and iOS handles everything. You get a boolean indicating whether the URL was opened, but not whether the installation completed.

### CTCellularPlanProvisioning (Production Choice)

For full programmatic control, Apple provides [CTCellularPlanProvisioning](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/coretelephony/ctcellularplanprovisioning), part of the CoreTelephony framework. This API lets you install eSIM profiles silently and receive detailed status callbacks.

```swift
// Swift — CTCellularPlanProvisioning implementation
import CoreTelephony

class EsimInstaller {

    private let provisioning = CTCellularPlanProvisioning()

    func supportsEsim() -> Bool {
        return provisioning.supportsCellularPlan()
    }

    func installProfile(
        smdpAddress: String,
        matchingId: String,
        iccid: String,
        completion: @escaping (Result<Void, EsimError>) -> Void
    ) {
        guard provisioning.supportsCellularPlan() else {
            completion(.failure(.euiccNotAvailable))
            return
        }

        let plan = CTCellularPlanProvisioningRequest()
        plan.address = smdpAddress
        plan.matchingID = matchingId
        plan.iccid = iccid
        // Optional: OID for confirmation code
        // plan.confirmationCode = "..."

        provisioning.addPlan(with: plan) { result in
            DispatchQueue.main.async {
                switch result {
                case .unknown:
                    completion(.failure(.unknown))
                case .fail:
                    completion(.failure(.installationFailed))
                case .success:
                    completion(.success(()))
                @unknown default:
                    completion(.failure(.unknown))
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

enum EsimError: Error {
    case euiccNotAvailable
    case installationFailed
    case profileAlreadyInstalled
    case carrierLocked
    case unknown
}
```

### Apple eSIM Entitlement Process

Here is the reality: `CTCellularPlanProvisioning.addPlan()` is gated behind the `com.apple.developer.carrier-account` entitlement. You cannot simply toggle this in Xcode. The process:

1. **Contact Apple.** Reach out to your Apple Sales Representative or use the [Apple MFi Program](https://mfi.apple.com/) contact channels if you are an existing partner.
2. **Submit your business case.** Apple needs to understand your SM-DP+ infrastructure, your carrier agreements, and your intended user experience.
3. **Technical review.** Apple's team evaluates your integration, usually requiring a TestFlight build demonstrating the flow.
4. **Entitlement grant.** Once approved, the entitlement is added to your App ID in your Apple Developer account.
5. **Timeline.** In our experience at Rivio eSIM, plan for 8-12 weeks from initial contact to entitlement approval. Build time for this in your project schedule.

Without this entitlement, `addPlan()` will silently fail or return `.fail`. The Universal Link approach remains your fallback for users until the entitlement is secured.

## Flutter Bridge: MethodChannel Implementation

Now we connect the native layers to Flutter using a MethodChannel. This is the architecture that powers Rivio eSIM's production app.

```dart
// Dart — eSIM Platform Channel Service
import 'package:flutter/services.dart';

class EsimService {
  static const _channel = MethodChannel('com.rivio.app/esim');

  /// Check if device supports eSIM
  Future<bool> isEsimSupported() async {
    try {
      final result = await _channel.invokeMethod<bool>('isEsimSupported');
      return result ?? false;
    } on PlatformException catch (e) {
      _logError('isEsimSupported', e);
      return false;
    }
  }

  /// Check if device eUICC is carrier-locked
  Future<bool> isCarrierLocked() async {
    try {
      final result = await _channel.invokeMethod<bool>('isCarrierLocked');
      return result ?? false;
    } on PlatformException {
      return false;
    }
  }

  /// Install eSIM profile
  Future<EsimInstallResult> installProfile({
    required String activationCode,
    required String iccid,
  }) async {
    try {
      final result = await _channel.invokeMethod<Map>(
        'installProfile',
        {
          'activationCode': activationCode,
          'iccid': iccid,
        },
      );

      if (result == null) return EsimInstallResult.unknown;

      return EsimInstallResult.fromMap(Map<String, dynamic>.from(result));
    } on PlatformException catch (e) {
      return EsimInstallResult(
        success: false,
        errorCode: e.code,
        errorMessage: e.message,
      );
    }
  }

  /// Get list of installed eSIM profile ICCIDs
  Future<List<String>> getInstalledProfiles() async {
    try {
      final result = await _channel.invokeMethod<List>('getInstalledProfiles');
      return result?.cast<String>() ?? [];
    } on PlatformException {
      return [];
    }
  }

  void _logError(String method, PlatformException e) {
    // Send to your analytics/crash reporting
    debugPrint('EsimService.$method failed: ${e.code} - ${e.message}');
  }
}

class EsimInstallResult {
  final bool success;
  final String? errorCode;
  final String? errorMessage;
  final bool needsUserConfirmation;

  const EsimInstallResult({
    required this.success,
    this.errorCode,
    this.errorMessage,
    this.needsUserConfirmation = false,
  });

  static const unknown = EsimInstallResult(
    success: false,
    errorCode: 'UNKNOWN',
  );

  factory EsimInstallResult.fromMap(Map<String, dynamic> map) {
    return EsimInstallResult(
      success: map['success'] as bool? ?? false,
      errorCode: map['errorCode'] as String?,
      errorMessage: map['errorMessage'] as String?,
      needsUserConfirmation: map['needsUserConfirmation'] as bool? ?? false,
    );
  }
}
```

### Android MethodChannel Handler

```kotlin
// Kotlin — Flutter MethodChannel handler
class EsimMethodChannel(
    private val context: Context,
    flutterEngine: FlutterEngine
) : MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler {

    private val channel = MethodChannel(
        flutterEngine.dartExecutor.binaryMessenger,
        "com.rivio.app/esim"
    )
    private val installer = EsimInstaller(context)

    init {
        channel.setMethodCallHandler(this)
    }

    override fun onMethodCall(call: MethodCall, result: MethodChannel.Result) {
        when (call.method) {
            "isEsimSupported" -> {
                result.success(installer.isEsimSupported())
            }
            "isCarrierLocked" -> {
                result.success(installer.isDeviceCarrierLocked())
            }
            "installProfile" -> {
                val activationCode = call.argument<String>("activationCode")
                    ?: return result.error("MISSING_ARG", "activationCode required", null)

                installer.downloadProfile(activationCode) { success, errorCode ->
                    val response = mapOf(
                        "success" to success,
                        "errorCode" to errorCode?.toString(),
                        "needsUserConfirmation" to (errorCode == EsimInstaller.RESULT_NEEDS_USER_CONFIRMATION)
                    )
                    result.success(response)
                }
            }
            "getInstalledProfiles" -> {
                // Query installed subscriptions
                // Requires READ_PHONE_STATE permission
                result.success(emptyList<String>())
            }
            else -> result.notImplemented()
        }
    }
}
```

### iOS MethodChannel Handler

```swift
// Swift — Flutter MethodChannel handler
import Flutter
import CoreTelephony

class EsimMethodChannel: NSObject {

    private let channel: FlutterMethodChannel
    private let installer = EsimInstaller()

    init(messenger: FlutterBinaryMessenger) {
        channel = FlutterMethodChannel(
            name: "com.rivio.app/esim",
            binaryMessenger: messenger
        )
        super.init()
        channel.setMethodCallHandler(handle)
    }

    private func handle(call: FlutterMethodCall, result: @escaping FlutterResult) {
        switch call.method {
        case "isEsimSupported":
            result(installer.supportsEsim())

        case "isCarrierLocked":
            // iOS doesn't expose carrier lock status directly
            // We infer from supportsCellularPlan() + installed carrier
            result(false)

        case "installProfile":
            guard let args = call.arguments as? [String: Any],
                  let activationCode = args["activationCode"] as? String else {
                result(FlutterError(code: "MISSING_ARG",
                                    message: "activationCode required",
                                    details: nil))
                return
            }

            // Parse LPA:1$address$matchingId format
            let components = activationCode
                .replacingOccurrences(of: "LPA:1$", with: "")
                .split(separator: "$")

            guard components.count >= 2 else {
                result(FlutterError(code: "INVALID_FORMAT",
                                    message: "Invalid activation code format",
                                    details: nil))
                return
            }

            let address = String(components[0])
            let matchingId = String(components[1])
            let iccid = args["iccid"] as? String ?? ""

            installer.installProfile(
                smdpAddress: address,
                matchingId: matchingId,
                iccid: iccid
            ) { installResult in
                switch installResult {
                case .success:
                    result(["success": true])
                case .failure(let error):
                    result([
                        "success": false,
                        "errorCode": String(describing: error),
                        "errorMessage": error.localizedDescription
                    ])
                }
            }

        case "getInstalledProfiles":
            result([String]())

        default:
            result(FlutterMethodNotImplemented)
        }
    }
}
```

## Error Handling: What Will Go Wrong

Every production eSIM integration encounters the same failure modes. Here is how we handle each at Rivio eSIM.

### eUICC Not Available

The device either lacks an eSIM chip or it is disabled. Always check before attempting installation and guide the user to QR code fallback.

```dart
// Dart — Pre-installation check flow
Future<void> startEsimInstallation(String activationCode, String iccid) async {
  final esimService = EsimService();

  // Step 1: Check hardware capability
  final supported = await esimService.isEsimSupported();
  if (!supported) {
    showQrCodeFallback(activationCode);
    return;
  }

  // Step 2: Check carrier lock
  final locked = await esimService.isCarrierLocked();
  if (locked) {
    showCarrierLockError();
    return;
  }

  // Step 3: Check if profile already installed
  final installed = await esimService.getInstalledProfiles();
  if (installed.contains(iccid)) {
    showProfileAlreadyInstalledMessage();
    return;
  }

  // Step 4: Attempt installation with retry
  final result = await _installWithRetry(
    esimService: esimService,
    activationCode: activationCode,
    iccid: iccid,
    maxRetries: 3,
  );

  if (result.success) {
    trackEvent('esim_install_success');
    navigateToActivationComplete();
  } else if (result.needsUserConfirmation) {
    // Android: system dialog was shown
    trackEvent('esim_install_user_confirmation');
  } else {
    trackEvent('esim_install_failure', params: {
      'error_code': result.errorCode,
    });
    showInstallationError(result);
  }
}

Future<EsimInstallResult> _installWithRetry({
  required EsimService esimService,
  required String activationCode,
  required String iccid,
  required int maxRetries,
}) async {
  EsimInstallResult? lastResult;

  for (var attempt = 0; attempt < maxRetries; attempt++) {
    if (attempt > 0) {
      // Exponential backoff: 2s, 4s, 8s
      await Future.delayed(Duration(seconds: 1 << (attempt + 1)));
    }

    lastResult = await esimService.installProfile(
      activationCode: activationCode,
      iccid: iccid,
    );

    if (lastResult.success || lastResult.needsUserConfirmation) {
      return lastResult;
    }

    // Don't retry on permanent failures
    if (lastResult.errorCode == 'CARRIER_LOCKED' ||
        lastResult.errorCode == 'PROFILE_ALREADY_INSTALLED') {
      return lastResult;
    }
  }

  return lastResult ?? EsimInstallResult.unknown;
}
```

## Production Considerations

### Background Provisioning

On Android 11+, `EuiccManager.downloadSubscription()` can run while the app is in the background if you hold a wake lock. We wrap the download call in a WorkManager `OneTimeWorkRequest` so that if the user switches apps during the SM-DP+ handshake, the download completes reliably.

### Analytics and Observability

Every eSIM installation attempt at Rivio eSIM is tracked with these dimensions:

- **Device model and OS version** -- Certain OEMs have buggy EuiccManager implementations
- **SM-DP+ response time** -- We monitor the handshake latency to detect server-side issues
- **Error code distribution** -- Helps us prioritize which failure modes to improve
- **Retry attempt number** -- Tells us if transient failures are recoverable

### QR Code Fallback

No matter how robust your programmatic installation is, always provide a QR code fallback. Some devices have eUICC chips that are not properly exposed through the OS APIs (we are looking at you, certain Xiaomi models). The QR code path works on every eSIM-capable device because it goes through the system LPA.

## How Rivio eSIM Handles 150+ Countries with a Single Profile

Most eSIM providers issue one profile per country or region. This creates management overhead for both the provider and the user. At Rivio eSIM, we take a fundamentally different approach.

We provision a **single global bootstrap profile** per user. This profile is tied to our MVNO's global IMSI, which has roaming agreements with partner MNOs across 150+ countries. When the user travels to a new country, the device attaches to a local partner network via standard GSMA roaming. Our backend **Online Charging System (OCS)** handles rating, balance deduction, and policy enforcement in real time.

From the Flutter app's perspective, initial device setup normally uses one profile across supported countries. Routine country changes do not require a new profile, but a device or profile change may require an account-specific, support-directed setup. The client should not promise direct transfer, free reprovisioning, or deletion of the existing profile before support verifies the correct path.

This architecture also means that balance never expires. Since there is one profile and one account, unused data credit carries over indefinitely. The user pays only for the bytes they consume, regardless of which country they are in.

## Wrapping Up

Building eSIM installation into a Flutter app is not a trivial SDK integration. It requires native platform code on both Android and iOS, coordination with SM-DP+ providers for carrier privileges, a multi-week Apple entitlement process, and thorough error handling for a wide variety of failure modes.

The MethodChannel pattern shown above is the same architecture we use in production at Rivio eSIM. The key lessons from shipping this to real users across 150+ countries:

1. **Always check device capability first** and provide a QR code fallback.
2. **Invest in carrier privilege setup early** -- it is the difference between a seamless install and a clunky confirmation dialog.
3. **Start the Apple entitlement process on day one** -- 8-12 weeks is not a buffer, it is the baseline.
4. **Track everything** -- OEM-specific bugs are real and you will only find them through production analytics.

If you are building a travel eSIM product, a global-profile architecture reduces profile management during routine country changes. Rivio eSIM's user flow is: create an account, choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete payment, install the profile over reliable Wi-Fi, select Rivio eSIM for mobile data and enable roaming on that line, then connect within supported partner coverage.

## Further Reading

- [Android EuiccManager API reference](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/euicc/EuiccManager) — the authoritative API docs for `downloadSubscription()`, `switchToSubscription()`, and related flows.
- [iOS CTCellularPlanProvisioning documentation](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/coretelephony/ctcellularplanprovisioning) — Apple's entitled API for programmatic eSIM installation.
- [GSMA SGP.22 v2.2.2 — Consumer RSP Specification](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SGP.22-v2.2.2.pdf) (PDF) — defines the LPA:1 activation code format you parse in step 1.
- [Flutter MethodChannel guide](https://docs.flutter.dev/platform-integration/platform-channels) — the canonical platform-channel pattern used throughout this post.
- [Android Carrier Privileges — UICC Access Rules](https://source.android.com/docs/core/connect/uicc) — AOSP documentation on the ARA-M certificate hash mechanism for seamless eSIM installation.

## 5G and eSIM: How Next-Gen Networks Are Transforming Travel Connectivity

- **Author**: Tolga Çağlayan
- **Published**: 2026-04-08
- **Updated**: 2026-04-17
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: Discover how 5G networks combined with eSIM technology deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and seamless connectivity for travelers. Complete guide to 5G eSIM coverage, compatible devices, and real-world performance.

## What is 5G and Why Does It Matter for Travelers?

5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology, succeeding 4G LTE. For travelers, it represents a quantum leap in mobile connectivity: download speeds up to 10 Gbps (theoretically), latency as low as 1 millisecond, and the ability to connect in ultra-dense environments like airports, stadiums, and city centers.

According to the [GSMA's *Mobile Economy 2026* report](https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/) (February 2026 edition) and [GSA's 5G Ecosystem Report](https://gsacom.com/paper/5g-market-snapshot/), 5G networks now cover over 45% of the global population, with 1.8 billion active 5G connections worldwide. For international travelers, this means faster video calls home, instant photo uploads, real-time navigation without buffering, and the ability to work remotely with desktop-class internet speeds — all from a phone.

## How 5G Works: The Technical Foundation

5G operates across three distinct frequency bands, each with different characteristics that directly impact your travel experience:

### Low-Band 5G (Sub-1 GHz)

Low-band 5G delivers wide coverage with speeds of 50-250 Mbps. Think of it as "5G that works everywhere." This is what you will most likely connect to in rural areas, suburbs, and developing markets. It penetrates buildings well and provides a reliable baseline experience that is noticeably faster than 4G.

**Where you will find it:** Most European countries, rural areas in the US, developing markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

### Mid-Band 5G (1-6 GHz, including C-band)

Mid-band 5G is the sweet spot for travelers. It delivers 100-900 Mbps speeds with good coverage radius. The C-band spectrum (3.5 GHz) has become the global workhorse for 5G deployment, and most urban areas in developed countries now offer mid-band coverage.

**Where you will find it:** City centers in Japan, South Korea, Germany, UK, France, UAE, and major US metros.

### High-Band 5G (mmWave, 24-47 GHz)

Millimeter wave delivers the headline-grabbing speeds of 1-4 Gbps, but with very limited range (200-300 meters) and poor building penetration. You will encounter it in specific venues: airports, sports stadiums, convention centers, and dense downtown blocks in select cities.

**Where you will find it:** Select areas in Tokyo, Seoul, New York, London, and Dubai.

## 5G eSIM: The Perfect Combination

eSIM technology and 5G are natural partners. Here is why this combination is transformative for travelers:

### Pre-Trip Digital Setup

With a physical SIM, switching to a local carrier in a new country means finding a store, buying a card, and physically swapping it. With Rivio eSIM, you can add balance and install the eSIM profile in the app before departure. At your destination, the device can register on a partner network after the correct data-line and roaming settings are enabled; 5G availability depends on the device, coverage and network conditions.

### Dual-SIM 5G

Modern smartphones support dual-SIM configurations with eSIM. This means you can keep your home number active on one line while using a Rivio eSIM for high-speed 5G data on the second line. Both lines can operate simultaneously on 5G-capable devices — no compromises.

### No Physical Limitations

Physical SIM cards are locked to the form factor (nano-SIM). eSIM profiles, however, can store network credentials for any carrier, including those with the latest 5G SA (Standalone) configurations. This means your eSIM can access advanced 5G features like network slicing that some physical SIMs cannot.

## 5G Coverage for Travelers: Country-by-Country

Not all 5G is created equal. Here is a real-world overview of what travelers can expect in the most visited destinations:

### Asia-Pacific

| Country | 5G Coverage | Avg. Speed | Best For |
|---------|------------|------------|----------|
| **South Korea** | 95% urban | 500-800 Mbps | Fastest 5G globally |
| **Japan** | 90% urban | 300-600 Mbps | Excellent metro coverage |
| **Singapore** | 95% nationwide | 400-700 Mbps | Small country, full coverage |
| **Thailand** | 70% urban | 150-350 Mbps | Bangkok excellent, islands 4G |
| **Indonesia** | 40% urban | 100-250 Mbps | Jakarta/Bali, limited elsewhere |

### Europe

| Country | 5G Coverage | Avg. Speed | Best For |
|---------|------------|------------|----------|
| **Germany** | 85% urban | 200-450 Mbps | Reliable mid-band |
| **UK** | 80% urban | 150-400 Mbps | Good in major cities |
| **France** | 75% urban | 200-500 Mbps | Paris excellent |
| **Spain** | 80% urban | 200-400 Mbps | Tourist areas well covered |
| **Italy** | 70% urban | 150-350 Mbps | Milan/Rome, patchy elsewhere |

### Middle East & Americas

| Country | 5G Coverage | Avg. Speed | Best For |
|---------|------------|------------|----------|
| **UAE** | 95% urban | 400-700 Mbps | World-class infrastructure |
| **Saudi Arabia** | 85% urban | 300-600 Mbps | Fast expanding |
| **USA** | 75% urban | 100-500 Mbps | Varies wildly by carrier |
| **Brazil** | 50% urban | 150-300 Mbps | Sao Paulo/Rio focus |

## 5G-Compatible eSIM Devices

To use 5G with your eSIM, your device must support both technologies. Here are the current 5G + eSIM capable devices:

### Apple

- **iPhone 16 / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max** — Full 5G SA support, dual eSIM (no physical tray in US models)
- **iPhone 15** series — 5G Sub-6 + mmWave (US), dual eSIM
- **iPhone 14** series — 5G, eSIM-only in US models
- **iPhone 13 / 12** series — 5G, single eSIM + nano-SIM
- **iPad Pro (M4)** — 5G + eSIM
- **Apple Watch Ultra 2** — 5G cellular + eSIM

### Samsung

- **Galaxy S25 Ultra / S25+ / S25** — Full 5G SA, dual eSIM support
- **Galaxy S24** series — 5G + eSIM
- **Galaxy Z Fold 6 / Z Flip 6** — 5G + eSIM
- **Galaxy A55 / A35** — 5G + eSIM (budget-friendly options)

### Google

- **Pixel 9 Pro / 9 Pro Fold / 9** — 5G + dual eSIM
- **Pixel 8** series — 5G + eSIM
- **Pixel 7** series — 5G + eSIM

## Real-World Performance: What to Actually Expect

Lab speeds and marketing numbers rarely reflect reality. Based on aggregated user data and independent testing across Rivio eSIM's network partners, here is what travelers typically experience:

### Speed Comparison: 4G vs 5G with eSIM

| Activity | 4G LTE | 5G (typical) | Improvement |
|----------|--------|--------------|-------------|
| Download a 1GB file | 2-5 min | 15-30 sec | 8-10x faster |
| Video call (HD) | Works, occasional drops | Flawless | Significantly better |
| Upload 50 photos | 3-8 min | 30-60 sec | 5-8x faster |
| Stream 4K video | Buffering likely | Smooth | Night and day |
| Real-time navigation | 1-3 sec delay | Instant | Noticeably snappier |
| Remote desktop/VPN | Usable | Desktop-class | Transformative |

### Battery Impact

5G consumes 10-20% more battery than 4G during active use. Our recommendation for travelers: enable "5G Auto" mode (available on iPhone and most Android devices), which intelligently switches between 4G and 5G based on the task. Reserve "5G On" for bandwidth-heavy activities like video uploads or remote work sessions.

### Data Consumption Warning

5G speeds mean you consume data faster. A 4K video stream that was impractical on 4G becomes effortless on 5G — but it also uses 7-10 GB per hour instead of 1-2 GB. With Rivio eSIM's pay-as-you-go model, you only pay for what you use, but it is worth monitoring your usage when connected to 5G networks.

## How to Get 5G with Rivio eSIM

Preparing to use 5G with Rivio eSIM takes four steps. Not sure if your phone supports eSIM? Check our [compatible devices guide](/en/compatible-devices/).

1. **Check your device** — Confirm your phone supports both 5G and eSIM (see the compatibility list above)
2. **Download Rivio eSIM** — Install the app from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/rivio-esim/id6749780674) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.rivio.app)
3. **Add balance and install** — Choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app, complete payment, and then install the eSIM profile over reliable Wi-Fi
4. **Configure the data line** — At your destination, select Rivio eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming only for the Rivio eSIM line

5G can be used when both the device and partner network support it; otherwise the connection may use 4G/LTE. Network selection is normally automatic, but the network or APN details shown in the app may need to be checked during troubleshooting.

## The Future: 5G Advanced and 6G

The 5G story is far from over. 5G Advanced (Release 18), expected to roll out widely by late 2026, brings:

- **AI-optimized network allocation** — The network learns your usage patterns and pre-allocates bandwidth
- **Reduced power consumption** — Up to 30% better battery life on 5G connections
- **Satellite-to-phone connectivity** — 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) will enable connectivity via satellite in remote areas, eliminating dead zones for travelers

Looking further ahead, 6G research is already underway with projected speeds of 1 Tbps and sub-0.1ms latency. While commercial 6G is not expected until 2030-2032, the groundwork being laid today with 5G and eSIM infrastructure ensures that travelers will benefit from a smooth upgrade path.

## Common Questions About 5G eSIM

### Does 5G cost more than 4G?

With Rivio eSIM, no. Mobile-data usage is deducted from your balance at the destination's MB/GB rate shown in the app; using 4G or 5G does not change that unit rate.

### Will 5G work on my eSIM everywhere?

5G availability depends on the device, partner-network coverage, and local conditions. After profile installation and the correct line settings, a compatible device may use 5G where supported or 4G/LTE otherwise; network selection is normally automatic.

### Is 5G safe for health?

Yes. According to the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-5g-mobile-networks-and-health) and the [International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)](https://www.icnirp.org/en/activities/news/news-detail/article/icnirp-guidelines-for-limiting-exposure-to-electromagnetic-fields.html), 5G frequencies are well within established safety limits. The radio frequencies used by 5G (including mmWave) are non-ionizing and have been extensively studied.

### Can I use 5G for video calls while traveling?

Absolutely. 5G's low latency (typically 10-20ms in real-world conditions) makes it ideal for video calls, VoIP, and real-time collaboration tools. The experience on 5G is comparable to a wired broadband connection.

### How much data does 5G use compared to 4G?

5G itself does not use more data — but faster speeds make it easier to consume data quickly. A 4K video stream uses the same amount of data on 4G or 5G, but on 5G it loads instantly rather than buffering, which may encourage longer viewing sessions. Monitor your usage in the Rivio eSIM app to stay in control.

## Conclusion

Together, 5G and eSIM reduce the need to handle physical SIM cards while traveling. With Rivio eSIM, you can add balance and install the profile before departure, then use mobile data across [150+ countries](/en/countries/) when the line settings and supported partner coverage are available. 5G access depends on the device and local network; unused PAYG account balance remains available for a later trip. New to eSIM? Start with our [complete eSIM guide](/en/blog/what-is-esim/) to learn the basics. See how Rivio eSIM compares to other providers in our [detailed comparison](/en/compare/).

## How to Set Up eSIM on iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

- **Author**: Tolga Çağlayan
- **Published**: 2026-04-08
- **Updated**: 2026-07-28
- **Category**: tutorial
- **Description**: Complete guide to setting up eSIM on iPhone. Covers QR code activation, manual setup, transferring eSIM profiles, troubleshooting common issues, and which iPhone models support eSIM.

You can set up a Rivio eSIM on any iPhone XS or newer in under two minutes — no physical SIM required. This guide covers all four installation methods (QR code scan, direct URL, manual entry, and eSIM transfer from another iPhone), plus troubleshooting for the most common iPhone eSIM issues.

## Which iPhones Support eSIM?

Apple introduced eSIM support starting with the iPhone XS in 2018, and every iPhone released since then includes eSIM capability. iPhone 14 (US models) and newer are eSIM-only with no physical SIM tray.

### Full iPhone eSIM Compatibility List

| iPhone Model | eSIM Support | Physical SIM | Notes |
|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------|
| **iPhone 16 / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max** | Dual eSIM | Nano-SIM (international) / None (US) | Latest model, full 5G SA |
| **iPhone 15 / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max** | Dual eSIM | Nano-SIM (international) / None (US) | USB-C, 5G |
| **iPhone 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max** | Dual eSIM | None (US) / Nano-SIM (international) | First eSIM-only in US |
| **iPhone 13 / 13 Pro / 13 mini** | Dual eSIM | Nano-SIM | First dual eSIM support |
| **iPhone 12 / 12 Pro / 12 mini** | Single eSIM | Nano-SIM | 5G support |
| **iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max** | Single eSIM | Nano-SIM | 4G LTE |
| **iPhone XS / XS Max / XR** | Single eSIM | Nano-SIM | First eSIM iPhones |
| **iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022)** | Single eSIM | Nano-SIM | Budget eSIM option |
| **iPhone SE (2nd gen), X, 8 and older** | No eSIM | Nano-SIM | Not supported |

**Important:** iPhones purchased in mainland China do not support eSIM due to regulatory restrictions. Hong Kong and Macao models support eSIM from iPhone 13 onwards.

For a complete list of all eSIM-compatible devices beyond iPhone, see our [compatible devices guide](/en/compatible-devices/).

## Method 1: Set Up eSIM Using QR Code (Recommended)

This is the fastest and most common method. After adding balance in the Rivio eSIM app, start the eSIM installation and use the QR code provided there.

### Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Open Settings** on your iPhone
2. Tap **Cellular** (or **Mobile Data** in some regions)
3. Tap **Add eSIM** (or **Add Cellular Plan** on older iOS versions)
4. Select **Use QR Code**
5. **Point your camera** at the QR code provided by Rivio eSIM
6. Your iPhone will detect the eSIM profile automatically
7. Tap **Continue** when prompted
8. Wait for the profile to download (usually 15-30 seconds)
9. Tap **Done** — your eSIM profile is now installed

**Pro tip:** You can also scan the QR code from a photo. If Rivio eSIM sent the QR code via email, save the image to your Photos, then select "Open from Photos" on the QR scanning screen.

### After Installation

Once installed, you need to configure your cellular settings:

1. Go to **Settings > Cellular**
2. You will see two lines listed (your physical SIM and the new eSIM)
3. Tap the **Rivio eSIM line**
4. Enable **Turn On This Line**
5. Enable **Data Roaming** (essential for international travel)
6. Go back and tap **Cellular Data**
7. Select your **Rivio eSIM** as the data line

## Method 2: Manual eSIM Setup

If you cannot scan a QR code, you can enter the eSIM details manually.

1. Go to **Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM**
2. Tap **Enter Details Manually**
3. Enter the **SM-DP+ Address** provided by Rivio eSIM (looks like: `smdp.example.com`)
4. Enter the **Activation Code** (a long alphanumeric string)
5. If provided, enter the **Confirmation Code**
6. Tap **Next** and wait for the profile to download
7. Follow the same post-installation steps as Method 1

## Method 3: eSIM Carrier Activation (iOS 16+)

Starting with iOS 16, some carriers and profiles support eSIM installation without a QR code. This option may not appear for every Rivio eSIM setup.

1. Open the **Rivio eSIM app** on your iPhone
2. Choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete the top-up
3. If **"Carrier eSIM Available"** appears during setup, tap the notification
4. Follow the prompts to complete profile installation
5. If no notification appears, use the QR-code or manual method instead

Availability depends on the profile, device and carrier support shown during the in-app flow.

## Method 4: Move to a New iPhone

Apple's device-to-device eSIM transfer does not work with every carrier profile. Before deleting or attempting to move a Rivio eSIM profile, contact in-app support for the correct account-specific steps. If support asks you to reinstall, use the current QR code or manual details shown in the app on the new device, and remove the old profile only after receiving that guidance.

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

### "Cannot Add eSIM" Error

- **Check carrier lock:** If your iPhone was purchased through a carrier contract, it may be carrier-locked. Contact your carrier to request an unlock.
- **Check iOS version:** eSIM setup requires iOS 12.1 or later. Update to the latest iOS version.
- **Check region:** Some iPhone models sold in mainland China do not support eSIM.

### eSIM Installed but No Data Connection

1. Confirm that your Rivio eSIM account has **available balance**
2. Select **Rivio eSIM** as the Cellular Data line
3. Enable **Data Roaming** only on the Rivio eSIM line: Settings > Cellular > [Rivio eSIM] > Data Roaming
4. Confirm that you are within **supported partner coverage**
5. Toggle **Airplane Mode** and restart your iPhone if needed

### Slow Data Speeds

- Move to an area with better signal (check the signal bars for your eSIM line)
- Disable **Low Data Mode**: Settings > Cellular > [eSIM line] > Low Data Mode > Off
- If available, manually select a different network: Settings > Cellular > [eSIM line] > Network Selection > turn off Automatic

### eSIM Not Connecting After Landing

After landing, check the connection in this order:

1. Check your **available balance** in the Rivio eSIM app
2. Select **Rivio eSIM** as the Cellular Data line
3. Enable **Data Roaming** only on the Rivio eSIM line
4. Within supported partner coverage, allow a few minutes for network registration
5. If needed, toggle **Airplane Mode** and restart your iPhone

If the issue persists, contact [Rivio eSIM support](mailto:support@rivio.net) — our team is available 24/7.

## eSIM Management Tips for Travelers

### Before Your Trip

- Choose one of the balance amounts shown in the Rivio eSIM app and complete payment
- Install the eSIM profile **before departure** over reliable Wi-Fi
- Label the Rivio eSIM line clearly and check its data-line and roaming settings (Settings > Cellular > [eSIM line])

### During Your Trip

- Monitor your data usage: Settings > Cellular > scroll down to see per-line usage
- Use Wi-Fi when available to conserve your data balance
- Keep your home SIM line active for receiving calls and SMS, but disable its data to avoid roaming charges

### After Your Trip

- Do not delete the Rivio eSIM profile unless support directs you to do so
- Unused account balance [does not expire and remains available](/en/countries/) for a later trip
- Before your next trip, check your balance and, if needed, choose one of the top-up options shown in the app

## iPhone eSIM Limits

| iPhone Generation | Max eSIM Profiles Stored | Max Active Lines |
|-------------------|------------------------|------------------|
| iPhone XS–12 series | 8-10 profiles | 1 eSIM + 1 physical |
| iPhone 13–14 series | 8-10 profiles | 2 eSIM (or 1 eSIM + 1 physical) |
| iPhone 15–16 series | 8-10 profiles | 2 eSIM (or 1 eSIM + 1 physical) |

You can store multiple eSIM profiles but only have two lines active at once. Switch between stored profiles in Settings > Cellular without re-downloading.

## eSIM Security on iPhone

One common concern among travelers is whether eSIM is secure. The answer is yes — eSIM profiles are stored on a tamper-resistant chip called eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card), which is physically soldered to your iPhone's logic board. Unlike a removable physical SIM that can be swapped or cloned, your eSIM profile cannot be extracted without destroying the hardware.

According to [Apple's platform security guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/security/esim-security-sec3e89a87a9/web), eSIM provisioning uses mutual authentication between your device and the carrier's SM-DP+ server. The profile is encrypted during download and can only be decrypted by the specific eUICC it was intended for. This is the same security architecture used by Apple Pay and Face ID — your travel data connectivity is protected by the same standards as your financial transactions.

Additionally, if your iPhone is lost or stolen, your eSIM profile is protected by your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID. A thief cannot access or transfer your eSIM without your biometric authentication.

Have questions about eSIM in general? Read our [complete eSIM guide](/en/blog/what-is-esim/) for the basics, explore the [FAQ](/en/faq/) for quick answers, or see how Rivio eSIM [compares to other eSIM providers](/en/compare/).

## Pay-As-You-Go eSIM: Why It Beats Fixed Data Packages for Travel

- **Author**: Abdullah Avcu
- **Published**: 2026-04-08
- **Updated**: 2026-07-16
- **Category**: comparison
- **Description**: Discover why pay-as-you-go eSIM is the smartest choice for travelers. Compare PAYG vs fixed packages, learn how balance rollover works, and see how much you can save with Rivio eSIM's flexible model.

## The Problem with Fixed eSIM Packages

Most eSIM providers sell data in fixed packages: 1GB for 7 days, 5GB for 30 days, unlimited for 15 days. You buy a block of data, use what you can, and when it expires, the unused portion is gone forever.

This model creates three problems for travelers:

1. **You overpay for short trips.** A weekend in Barcelona does not need a 5GB package, but that is often the smallest option available. You pay for 5GB, use 800MB, and lose the rest.

2. **You underpay and run out.** Choose the cheapest 1GB package and you may hit the limit on day two, forcing you to buy another package at full price.

3. **Multi-country trips waste money.** Flying from [Japan](/en/countries/japan/) to [Thailand](/en/countries/thailand/) to [Singapore](/en/countries/singapore/)? With fixed packages, you often need to buy a separate package for each country — three purchases, three expiration timers, three sets of unused data.

## How Pay-As-You-Go eSIM Works

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) eSIM flips the model. Instead of buying a fixed block of data, you:

1. **Add balance** — Choose one of the current top-up amounts shown in the app
2. **Use data** — Each megabyte consumed deducts from your balance at the local rate
3. **Keep the rest** — Unused balance stays in your account indefinitely
4. **Top up when needed** — Add more balance mid-trip if you need it

With Rivio eSIM, the same eSIM works across [150+ countries](/en/countries/). You do not need to buy a new package when you cross a border. Your balance simply deducts at the new country's per-MB rate.

## Pay-As-You-Go vs Fixed Packages: Real Cost Comparison

Here is what a typical 5-day trip to [Germany](/en/countries/germany/) costs under each model, based on actual usage patterns:

### Light User (500MB — messaging, maps, light browsing)

| Model | Cost | Waste |
|-------|------|-------|
| **Rivio eSIM PAYG** | ~$3.50 | $0 (balance carries over) |
| Airalo 1GB/7 days | $4.50 | 500MB lost at expiry |
| Holafly unlimited/5 days | $19.00 | Overpaid by ~$15 |
| Nomad 1GB/7 days | $5.00 | 500MB lost at expiry |

### Medium User (2GB — social media, photos, video calls)

| Model | Cost | Waste |
|-------|------|-------|
| **Rivio eSIM PAYG** | ~$11.00 | $0 |
| Airalo 3GB/30 days | $11.00 | 1GB lost at expiry |
| Holafly unlimited/5 days | $19.00 | Overpaid by ~$8 |
| Nomad 3GB/30 days | $8.00 | 1GB lost at expiry |

### Heavy User (5GB+ — streaming, remote work, hotspot)

At very high volumes the math shifts: bulk packages price their entire allocation up front, so their per-GB rate drops — provided you actually use everything you bought. Per-GB rates also vary a lot by destination, so for heavy single-country usage the right move is to check your destination's live rate on our [country pages](/en/countries/) and run the numbers for your specific trip.

**Key insight:** PAYG wins decisively for light-to-medium users — the majority of travelers. And whatever your usage level, PAYG is the only model where nothing you paid for can expire.

## The Balance Rollover Advantage

This is the feature that fundamentally changes the math. With fixed packages:

- Buy 3GB in Italy → use 1.5GB → **1.5GB vanishes** when the package expires
- Next trip to Spain → buy another 3GB → use 2GB → **1GB vanishes**
- Total paid: ~$22 for two packages. Total used: 3.5GB. **Effective cost: $6.29/GB**

With Rivio eSIM PAYG:
- Add $15 balance → use 1.5GB in Italy ($8.55) → **$6.45 remains**
- Next trip to Spain → use 2GB ($7.00) → pay only if balance is insufficient
- Total used: 3.5GB. **Effective cost: $4.44/GB**

Over multiple trips, the savings compound. Frequent travelers who take 3-4 international trips per year can save 30-50% compared to buying individual fixed packages each time.

## Family Profile: PAYG for Everyone

Rivio eSIM's [Family Dashboard](/en/compare/) takes PAYG further. From one account, you can:

- Create eSIMs for each family member
- Track everyone's data usage in real time
- Top up any family member's balance from your account
- Set usage alerts to prevent overspending

A family of four traveling together no longer needs four separate eSIM packages. One Rivio eSIM account, four eSIMs, one shared balance pool — and nothing expires.

## No Operator Switching Fees

Here is another hidden cost with fixed packages that most travelers do not know about: when your phone switches between network operators within a country, some providers charge different rates depending on which carrier you connect to.

With Rivio eSIM, the rate is the same regardless of which operator your device selects. Whether you are connected to [Deutsche Telekom or Vodafone in Germany](/en/countries/germany/), [NTT Docomo or SoftBank in Japan](/en/countries/japan/), the per-MB cost does not change.

## Which Travelers Benefit Most from PAYG?

| Traveler Type | Why PAYG Wins |
|--------------|--------------|
| **Weekend trippers** | Use minimal data, do not need a full package |
| **Multi-country travelers** | One balance works everywhere, no per-country purchases |
| **Frequent travelers** | Balance rolls over between trips, compounding savings |
| **Families** | Shared balance pool, per-member tracking |
| **Business travelers** | Predictable per-MB costs, expense reporting friendly |
| **Light data users** | Pay $2-5 instead of $10-20 minimum packages |

## When Fixed Packages Might Be Better

Fixed packages can be more cost-effective in specific scenarios:

- **Single long stay** (30+ days in one country) — large fixed packages offer better per-GB rates at volume
- **Predictable heavy usage** — if you consistently stream or hotspot 15GB+ per trip in one country, a bulk package's unit price can come out lower

For everyone else — which is most travelers — PAYG offers better value, zero waste, and complete flexibility.

## How the eSIM Industry Is Moving Toward PAYG

The shift toward pay-as-you-go is not just a Rivio eSIM preference — it reflects a broader industry trend. According to the [GSMA](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/), eSIM-enabled devices are projected to exceed 6 billion units globally by 2028, creating massive demand for flexible data plans that work across borders.

Traditional fixed-package models were inherited from physical SIM cards, where data had to be pre-provisioned onto hardware. eSIM technology removes this constraint entirely — profiles are downloaded over-the-air, balances are managed digitally, and consumption can be tracked in real time. There is no technical reason to sell data in expiring blocks anymore.

Market research from [Juniper Research](https://www.juniperresearch.com/) shows that the global eSIM market revenue will reach $16.3 billion by 2027, driven largely by consumer demand for flexibility in travel connectivity. Travelers increasingly expect the same pay-for-what-you-use model they get from cloud storage, streaming services, and ride-sharing apps.

This is why Rivio eSIM was built around PAYG from day one — not as an alternative plan option, but as the core architecture. Every feature, from balance rollover to multi-country coverage, is designed for a world where data is consumed flexibly, not purchased in rigid blocks.

> *Competitor pricing referenced in this article was verified from official websites as of April 2026. Actual rates may vary.*

## How to Get Started with Rivio eSIM PAYG

1. Download Rivio eSIM from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/rivio-esim/id6749780674) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.rivio.app)
2. Create your account
3. Choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete the top-up
4. Install your eSIM over reliable Wi-Fi (see our [iPhone setup guide](/en/blog/how-to-setup-esim-iphone/))
5. At your destination, select Rivio eSIM for mobile data and enable roaming for the Rivio eSIM line

Unused Rivio eSIM PAYG account balance does not expire. The same eSIM is designed for [150+ supported countries](/en/countries/), and actual usage is deducted from your balance.

Want to see a detailed feature comparison? Check our [Rivio eSIM vs Airalo vs Holafly comparison](/en/compare/).

## What is eSIM? A Complete Guide for Travelers

- **Author**: Abdullah Avcu
- **Published**: 2026-04-01
- **Updated**: 2026-05-15
- **Category**: guide
- **Description**: Learn what an eSIM is, how it works, and why it is the best option for staying connected while traveling abroad. Covers compatibility, setup, and a full comparison with physical SIM cards.

## What is an eSIM?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a small chip built directly into your smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike a traditional SIM card that you insert and remove, an eSIM is soldered onto the device's motherboard during manufacturing. It stores your mobile subscription digitally, which means you can activate a cellular plan without handling a physical card.

> **Key takeaways:**
> - An eSIM is a chip built into your phone — no physical card needed.
> - You can install an eSIM profile by scanning a QR code in about 2 minutes; mobile data also requires the service conditions to be complete.
> - Most phones sold from 2018 onward support eSIM (iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+).
> - With Rivio eSIM, one balance works across 150+ countries and never expires.

The technology behind eSIM is called **eUICC** (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card). It follows a standard defined by the [GSMA](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/), the global association of mobile network operators. This standard ensures that any eSIM-compatible device can download and install carrier profiles from any participating operator worldwide.

**Key fact:** As of early 2026, more than 200 mobile operators in over 100 countries support eSIM activation. According to the [GSMA Mobile Economy report](https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/), eSIM-enabled devices will exceed 6 billion units globally by 2028.

## How Does an eSIM Work?

An eSIM works through a process called **Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP)**. Here is how it happens, step by step:

1. **You choose a provider and pricing model.** Some providers sell a fixed data package; with Rivio eSIM, you choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete payment before profile installation.
2. **You receive a QR code or activation link.** This code contains the address of a secure server called the SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager Data Preparation).
3. **Your device downloads the profile.** When you scan the QR code, your phone's Local Profile Assistant (LPA) contacts the SM-DP+ server and securely downloads the eSIM profile.
4. **The profile is installed on the eUICC chip.** The profile includes all the information your device needs to connect to the mobile network: operator credentials, authentication keys, and network configuration.
5. **You use mobile data.** With Rivio eSIM, the device can register when there is available balance, the correct data-line and roaming settings, and supported partner coverage.

Profile download and installation typically takes about two minutes and requires Wi-Fi or an existing cellular connection for the initial download. This timing is not a guarantee of network registration.

### Multiple Profiles on One Device

One of the most practical advantages of eSIM technology is the ability to store **multiple carrier profiles** on a single device. Most modern smartphones support 8 to 10 eSIM profiles simultaneously, though only one or two can be active at any given time.

For travelers, this means you can:

- Keep your home carrier profile for calls and SMS
- Add a travel data profile for your destination
- Switch between profiles without removing anything

## Benefits of eSIM for Travelers

### 1. Digital Setup

There is no need to visit a store, wait for delivery, or swap tiny plastic cards. With Rivio eSIM, you can add balance and install the eSIM before departure. At your destination, select Rivio eSIM for mobile data and enable roaming for that line; the device can register when a supported partner network is available.

### 2. Keep Your Home Number Active

With a dual-SIM setup (your physical SIM for your home number and an eSIM for travel data), you stay reachable on your regular number while using affordable local data rates abroad. Incoming calls and verification codes still come through on your primary line.

### 3. No Roaming Surprises

International roaming charges from traditional carriers can be severe. A single day of data roaming in some countries can cost more than an entire month of local data through an eSIM provider.

Payment and validity models vary by provider. Rivio eSIM uses account balance rather than a fixed package: choose one of the amounts shown in the app, complete payment, and usage is deducted at the destination rate. Check our [FAQ](/en/faq/) for common questions about pricing and billing.

### 4. Better for the Environment

Physical SIM cards are made of plastic and require packaging, shipping, and in-store distribution. eSIM eliminates all of that.

One less piece of single-use plastic per traveler may seem small, but at scale it makes a measurable difference. The GSMA estimates that widespread eSIM adoption could eliminate over 20,000 tons of plastic waste annually from the telecommunications industry.

### 5. Travel with Multiple Devices

If you carry a phone, a tablet, and a smartwatch, eSIM lets you manage connectivity for all of them from a single account. Many eSIM providers, including Rivio eSIM, support family or multi-device profiles that share a single balance.

## How to Check if Your Phone Supports eSIM

Not every phone has eSIM capability. For a complete list of tested models, see our [compatible devices guide](/en/compatible-devices/). Here is how to check for the most common devices:

### iPhone

All iPhones from the **iPhone XS** (2018) onward support eSIM. This includes:

- iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 series (all models)
- iPhone 13 series (all models)
- iPhone 14 series (all models) — US models are eSIM-only with no physical SIM tray
- iPhone 15 series (all models)
- iPhone 16 series (all models)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

**How to verify on iPhone:** Go to **Settings > General > About** and look for an "Available SIM" or "EID" field. If you see an EID number, your device supports eSIM.

### Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, and Others)

eSIM support on Android varies by manufacturer and model:

- **Samsung:** Galaxy S20 and newer, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip series, Galaxy A54 and newer
- **Google Pixel:** Pixel 2 and newer (Pixel 2 was one of the first eSIM phones)
- **Huawei:** P40 series, Mate 40 series
- **Xiaomi:** 12T Pro, 13 series and newer
- **OnePlus:** 11 and newer
- **Oppo:** Find X5 Pro and newer

**How to verify on Android:** Go to **Settings > About Phone** and look for an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number. Alternatively, go to **Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs** and check if "Add eSIM" or "Download SIM" appears as an option.

### Quick Compatibility Test

The fastest way to check is to dial **\*#06#** on your phone. If the result displays an **EID** (a 32-digit number) alongside your IMEI, your device has an eSIM chip.

## How to Set Up an eSIM for Travel

Setting up an eSIM is straightforward. Here is the typical process using a travel eSIM provider:

### Step 1: Choose Your Provider and Pricing Model

Compare travel eSIM providers based on:

- **Coverage:** Does the provider cover your destination?
- **Pricing model:** Is it a fixed data package or pay-as-you-go account balance?
- **Validity:** Does the package, profile, or balance have a time limit?
- **Price:** Compare the per-GB cost across providers.

### Step 2: Complete Payment and Receive Your eSIM Details

The flow varies by provider: fixed-package services sell a package, while Rivio eSIM asks you to choose one of the balance amounts shown in the app and complete payment before profile installation. You will then receive one of these setup methods:

- A **QR code** displayed on screen or sent via email
- An **activation link** that opens directly in your phone's settings
- An **SM-DP+ address and activation code** for manual entry

### Step 3: Install the eSIM Profile

**On iPhone:**
1. Go to **Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM**
2. Tap **Use QR Code** and scan the code
3. Wait for the profile to download (usually 10-30 seconds)
4. Label the plan (e.g., "Travel Data") for easy identification

**On Android:**
1. Go to **Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs**
2. Tap **Add SIM** or **Download SIM**
3. Scan the QR code or enter the activation details manually
4. Wait for the download to complete

### Step 4: Configure Your Dual-SIM Settings

After installation, configure which SIM handles what:

- **Calls and SMS:** Your primary (physical) SIM
- **Cellular data:** Your new eSIM travel plan
- **Data roaming:** Enable for the eSIM line, disable for your primary SIM to avoid roaming charges

### Step 5: Configure the Data Line at Your Destination

Service readiness varies by provider. With Rivio eSIM, complete the balance top-up and profile installation before travel; at your destination select Rivio eSIM for mobile data, enable roaming only on that line, and connect within supported partner coverage.

**Pro tip:** Add balance and install your eSIM before you travel, while you still have reliable Wi-Fi. At your destination, select the eSIM for mobile data and enable roaming for that line; network coverage is also required.

## eSIM vs. Physical SIM: A Detailed Comparison

| Feature | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| **Activation time** | Under 2 minutes, fully digital | Requires store visit or postal delivery |
| **Swapping plans** | Tap to switch between stored profiles | Physically remove and insert cards |
| **Risk of loss** | None — embedded in device | Easy to lose the tiny card or adapter |
| **Multiple plans** | Store 8-10 profiles on one device | One card per SIM slot |
| **Environmental impact** | No plastic, no packaging | Plastic card + packaging + shipping |
| **Availability** | Growing; 200+ carriers worldwide | Universal; available everywhere |
| **Device compatibility** | Requires eSIM-capable device (2018+) | Works with virtually all phones |
| **Security** | Profile cannot be physically removed | Card can be stolen if device is accessed |
| **Cost for travel** | Typically lower per-GB rates | Varies; local SIMs can be cheap but require store visits |

### When Physical SIM Still Makes Sense

Physical SIM cards remain relevant in a few scenarios:

- **Older devices** that do not support eSIM
- **Countries** where eSIM activation requires in-person identity verification
- **Long-term stays** (6+ months) where a local physical SIM with a local number may be more practical

For trips lasting a few days to a few weeks, eSIM is almost always the more convenient and cost-effective option.

## Common Questions About eSIM

### Can I use eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?

Yes. Most eSIM-capable phones support dual-SIM operation: one physical SIM slot and one or more eSIM profiles. You can use your physical SIM for calls and your eSIM for data simultaneously.

### Will my phone number change with an eSIM?

Only if you want it to. Travel eSIM plans are typically data-only, meaning your existing phone number stays active on your physical SIM. The eSIM simply provides internet access.

### Can I share my eSIM data with other devices?

Yes, through your phone's hotspot feature. Enable the personal hotspot and other devices (laptops, tablets, other phones) can connect through your eSIM data connection.

### What happens to my eSIM when I get a new phone?

The move-to-a-new-device method depends on the carrier, phone manufacturer, operating system, and profile; device-level eSIM transfer does not support every carrier profile. Before deleting or attempting to move a Rivio eSIM profile, ask in-app support to confirm the account-specific steps. Remove the old profile only if support explicitly directs you.

### Is eSIM secure?

eSIM profiles are protected by the same level of encryption used in physical SIM cards. The eUICC chip is a certified secure element, and profiles are downloaded over encrypted channels. Because the eSIM cannot be physically removed, it actually provides an additional layer of security compared to removable SIM cards.

### Can I use eSIM for voice calls?

It depends on the plan. Travel eSIM plans are usually data-only, which means voice calls go through apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom. Some domestic carrier eSIM plans include voice and SMS.

## Getting Started with eSIM

If you are planning a trip and want to avoid roaming charges, an eSIM is a practical option. Profile installation takes a few minutes on many devices; network registration still depends on the correct settings and supported coverage. A data eSIM can let you keep your home number active on the primary line.

With Rivio eSIM, you add balance in the app and then install one global eSIM for use across more than [150 countries](/en/countries/). You pay only for the data you use, and your unused PAYG account balance carries over to your next trip. It does not expire. Curious about how 5G works with eSIM? Read our [5G and eSIM travel guide](/en/blog/5g-esim-travel-guide/) for the latest coverage data. Want to see how Rivio eSIM stacks up against the competition? Check our [eSIM provider comparison](/en/compare/).

Check if your phone supports eSIM, download Rivio eSIM, add balance and then complete the eSIM installation over reliable Wi-Fi.