A comprehensive explanation of how to purchase an Airalo eSIM data plan and how to activate it.
This article is based on information available at the time of writing.
In this article, we will explain how to purchase and install Airalo's eSIM with images.
For details on the eSIM service Airalo for overseas travelers, please check the official website below. The eSIM service is easy to use even for Japanese people, as both the website and app support Japanese.
Local and regional eSIMs for travelers
Data packs at local prices. Manage your eSIM with Airalo and top up on the go.
table of contents
- How to buy an Airalo eSIM
- How to install (activate) Airalo eSIM
How to buy an Airalo eSIM
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Use discount code 10 to get 10% off all Airalo eSIMs.
Purchase from the official website on a desktop (computer)
The first way is to buy from the official website.
Homepage
Go to Airalo's official website and search for your desired country or region. Although there are some machine translation-like parts, it also supports Japanese.
Airalo data plans for Japan
When you have decided on the plan to purchase, click " Buy Now ".
Before the checkout screen, you need to create an Airalo account first. (Log in if you have already created an account.)
Press the new registration tab and enter the minimum required items such as name, email address, and password. Alternatively, you can register using an account from an external service such as Apple, Facebook, or Google.
Account creation screen
After successfully creating an account (or logging in), you will be taken to the checkout page.
This checkout page allows you to review your purchases, select a payment method, and apply discount codes.
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10% OFF with discount code " 10 "
How to use Airalo's discount code " 10" is detailed in the separate article below, but it is very easy just to enter from "Apply code".
Introduction of promo code that can purchase Airalo eSIM at a great price
Save even more on Airalo eSIM with convenient discount codes that anyone can use.
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Currently available payment methods are
- credit card / debit card
- PayPal
- Alipay
There are three options, but in the past Google Pay was also available, so the options may increase or decrease.
List of available payment methods
When you select Credit/Debit Card, the following input screen will be displayed. AMEX and Union Pay are also available.
If you can choose a payment method, review the order summary and press " Complete Order " to finish.
The image below is an example of selecting and entering a credit card as the payment method, using the discount code 10, and applying a 10% discount.
Just before order completion
If the payment is completed without any problems, the purchase will be completed and the following screen will be displayed.
(For some reason, it was displayed in English only here, and I could not return it to Japanese.)
All you have to do is install the purchased eSIM on your device. Installing an eSIM can be done by scanning a QR code or directly from Airalo's mobile app, detailed in the next section.
Purchase via mobile app
Airalo's mobile app is also very complete and easy to use.
iOS app
First, download " Airalo: eSIM Data Pack " from the App Store .
When you launch the app, the store screen is displayed, so select the country (local eSIM) or region (regional eSIM) from there => select the data plan, and so on.
Select Philippines eSIM 3GB plan from store
Airalo's mobile app is also compatible with Japanese, so you can rest assured.
Once you have decided on a plan to purchase, tap the "Buy Now" button to proceed to account registration.
If you already have an account, log in, otherwise tap New Registration and enter the information required to create an account. It's relatively easy because you don't have to enter your address or phone number.
Alternatively, you can sign up using your Apple account, Facebook account, or Google account.
If you do not use them and register with your email address, you will receive a 4-digit confirmation code, so enter it to complete your account registration.
New registration screen and confirmation code input screen
After completing account registration or login, the final checkout (payment screen) will appear.
It seems that Apple Pay is selected as the default payment method in the iOS app, but you can also change it to credit/debit card, PayPal, or Alipay.
For credit/debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Amex and UnionPay are accepted.
Checkout and payment method selection screen
On the checkout screen, you can select a payment method and apply a discount code.
If you haven't used it yet, use promo code 10 for a 10% discount.
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10% off with 10
How to use is very easy just by entering from "Apply code".
In the image below, the payout has changed from US$9.50 to US$8.55 after application.
Use discount code " 10"
Finally, when you press the "Complete Order" button, payment will be made with the selected payment method, and when the payment is completed without problems, the following order completion screen will be displayed.
If you scroll this screen, you will find an area called "How to install eSIM", so you can install the purchased eSIM from there. (More on that in the next section.)
Order completion screen
Android apps
Will be added later.
How to install (activate) Airalo eSIM
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A stable internet environment is required when installing the eSIM. If possible, do it while connected to WiFi.
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In most cases, each eSIM can only be installed once. If you interrupt the installation in the middle, there is a high possibility that you will not be able to install again, so be careful.
Install using QR code
After purchasing the eSIM, scan the QR code to install it.
As for how to display the QR code, if you are using a computer, you can log in to your Airalo account on the Airalo official website and display it from the eSIM details screen. (You can also switch from the screen immediately after purchasing the eSIM with one click.)
Select the Android device / iOS device from the " Install eSIM " part in the center of the eSIM details screen as shown below .
Below is the screen for iOS terminal. Not only the QR code, but also the procedure is written firmly in the text.
The specific steps from QR code scanning to setting are omitted here, but since iOS devices and Android devices are described in separate articles below, please read it for reference only if you are new.
How to install eSIM on iPhone using QR code
We will introduce the installation procedure of eSIM using QR code with actual images.
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How to install eSIM on Android device using QR code
I will introduce the eSIM installation procedure using the QR code with screenshots.
The QR code can also be displayed from the Airalo mobile app.
Below is the QR code display procedure on the iOS app (My eSIM -> eSIM installation -> QR code). However, from the app (if it supports it) the direct install described below is easy.
View QR code in Airalo app
Install directly from the mobile app
This is a method that can be completed within the app without using a QR code .
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At the time of writing, this is only possible for the iOS app, but the Android app should support it soon.
Below is an image when using direct install on iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 16.
Open the Airalo app, select the eSIM purchased from My eSIM , and tap Install eSIM to display the direct installation screen. When you tap the " Install eSIM " button at the bottom of the screen , the operation procedure guide will be displayed first, so check the steps and press Next to proceed.
eSIM direct install from Airalo iOS app
After completing the operation procedure guide, the iOS " Activate eSIM " screen will be displayed. *The display may be slightly different for iOS 15 or earlier.
Here too, the eSIM installation (activation) is completed simply by tapping the button.
*This activation may take several minutes.
eSIM activation screen on iOS 16
For iOS 16, after the mobile communication setting completion screen, proceed to the eSIM setting procedure as follows.
Basically, I think Airalo's eSIM is for short-term use only when traveling, so it's OK if you select the main SIM / eSIM = main line .
The installed Airalo eSIM is labeled "Travel". (This can be changed later.)
Setting screen of installed eSIM
In the last selection of the line used for "mobile data communication", if you want to use the installed Airalo eSIM for data communication immediately, select the travel line instead of the main line .
However, you can always change these settings later.
This completes the installation (activation) of eSIM.
Depending on the eSIM, data roaming or APN (access point name) may be required when actually using it , so please check the eSIM details.
Rename your cellular plan
The installed eSIM will automatically be named "Travel", but you can freely change this at any time from Settings -> Cellular.
I think that the Airalo eSIM installed at the bottom of the SIM section is displayed with the name Travel, so tap it and change it from "Mobile plan name" at the top.
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If you are traveling to a specific country, we recommend naming it flag emoji + Airalo .
Cellular plan naming on iPhone