Family travel eSIM: how to get everyone online abroad

Step 1: check every phone

Not every phone can use an eSIM. The quickest check works on almost any phone: open the keypad and dial *#06#. If you see a number labelled EID, the phone supports eSIM.

The phone also needs to be unlocked, which means it isn't tied to one network. Phones bought outright usually are. If a child has an older hand-me-down phone, check that one first, because it is the one most likely to miss out. Our guide to checking a child's phone has more detail.

Step 2: buy one eSIM per person, in one order

An eSIM installs on one phone only, so you need one for each person. The easiest way is to buy them together. With Graba SIM family eSIMs one person pays, names each eSIM, and gets every QR code in one email, labelled "eSIM 1 of 4", "eSIM 2 of 4" and so on.

You can give everyone the same plan, or choose more data for the adults and less for younger children. Family orders save 5% on 2 eSIMs, 10% on 3 and 25% on 4 or more, up to 6 in one order.

Step 3: install at home

Install each eSIM on its phone the evening before you travel, on your home Wi-Fi. Scan the QR code from another screen, or open the link on the phone and tap the install button. It takes about two minutes a phone. Leave the travel eSIM switched off until you land. Most plans only start counting days when they first connect at your destination.

Step 4: switch on when you land

When the plane lands, turn the travel eSIM on, choose it for mobile data and turn its Data Roaming on. Then turn Data Roaming off on your usual SIM so you avoid charges from home. Our roaming settings guide shows each screen on iPhone and Android.

Read next: checking a child's phone, how much data a family needs, installing family eSIMs, family eSIMs in one order.