eSIM 出國上網完全指南｜不用換卡、保留台灣門號的新選擇

eSIM: A Complete Guide to Internet Access Abroad | A New Option to Keep Your Taiwan Number Without Changing Your SIM Card

Recommendation Summary:
The most popular way to access the internet abroad in recent years is to purchase and install it online without inserting a SIM card, while retaining your Taiwan mobile number to receive text messages and calls.

Text:

eSIM is a popular internet access method in recent years; its full name is "embedded SIM".
Simply put, it turns a physical SIM card into a piece of electronic data stored in the phone.
After purchase, the plan can be installed on your phone using a QR code or activation code, eliminating the need to insert or remove the SIM card.

I. How to Purchase and Install an eSIM

  1. Before traveling abroad, purchase an eSIM plan from a reliable sales platform or e-commerce website.

  2. Select country/region, number of days, and data usage.

  3. After checkout, you will receive a QR code or activation information (usually sent to your email).

  4. In an environment with Wi-Fi, scan the QR code with your phone.

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation, and a new action plan will be added to your phone.

After installation, you can usually customize the name, such as "Japan eSIM" or "EU" for easy identification.

II. Advantages: No need to change SIM card, and retains Taiwan mobile number.

  • You don't need to remove your original SIM card; your Taiwan mobile number can still receive SMS messages and calls.

  • The entire process is done online; there's no need to wait for the card to be mailed or queue at the airport.

  • Many plans support multiple countries, making them suitable for travel to multiple countries in Europe or Asia.

  • The price is now gradually approaching that of physical cards, and in some cases even cheaper.

  • For frequent travelers, multiple eSIMs can be installed at once, and users can switch between them according to their travel itinerary.

For travelers who are used to handling everything online and want to minimize physical contact with objects, eSIM is almost an ideal solution.

III. Disadvantages and Precautions

  • The phone must support eSIM; some mid-to-low-end models do not yet support it.

  • An internet connection is required for installation. If you are scanning the code while abroad, unstable Wi-Fi can cause problems.

  • Many eSIM plans cannot be reinstalled after deletion , so be extra careful not to delete them accidentally during installation.

  • If the phone is sent for repair or replaced, the installed eSIM usually cannot be transferred.

Before using the service, it is recommended to confirm whether your phone model is supported, as well as the calculation method for the number of days and the customer service contact information.

IV. Who is suitable to use eSIM?

  • People who travel abroad frequently and prefer the simplest possible process

  • I want to keep my Taiwan mobile number to receive bank SMS messages, verification codes, and calls from family members.

  • This trip involves cross-border travel and is suitable for backpackers or independent travelers who require multi-country travel options.

  • People who dislike queuing at airports to buy SIM cards and don't want to research telecom stores in different countries

If your phone supports eSIM and you regularly use online shopping and follow instructions,
eSIM can almost be considered the preferred solution for internet access when traveling abroad.

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