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VictorChristian t1_itz4zwr wrote

I did a Euro trip last month - Sweden, specifically and decided to try the eSIM option in my 13 Pro Max (it can do dual eSIM). The SIM tray was empty.

I chose to buy an eSIM from Airalo so i downloaded the app at home here in the United States and chose to install the Sweden eSIM thru the app directly. There are options to scan a QR code but I chose the direct method.

The Sweden eSIM installed and I even activated it in setting but it went into SOS mode since there were no local towers to connect to. It didn’t roam.

Once I landed at Arlanda International Airport, I turned off airplane mode and my t-mobile eSIM connected and I got the “welcome to Sweden” text from t-mobile. I then activated the Airalo eSIM and it took a minute (we were approaching the gate at this point) and it also connected - to Telenor, a local Scandinavian provider.

Now, I saw that split signal icon on my 13 PM. After I disembarked, i found an empty chair to sit down and change the settings to use the Airalo eSIM for all data and the T-Mobile eSIM for voice and texts.

Connection was at LTE for the whole trip. I burned thru all but 11mb of the 3GB Airalo eSIM by the end of the week long trip.

It was a great experience and gave me much confidence for my 14 PM.

If it’s a serious concern, tho, Apple still sells the 13 and we can pick up older models thru refurb.

That was my eSIM experience :-)

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SolidGoldUnderwear t1_itzbo1k wrote

Very similar for me in Norway. AT&T turn off data and airalo tun on data. This way you still receive sms/imessage but use airalo for data. only issue is it was a little slow or overloaded in the after work hours.

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VictorChristian t1_itzee75 wrote

From what I’ve read about Airalo, they basically resell MVNO plans - so It’s kinda like resell of a resell. The names on their site barely make sense - I mean, “Change” for an American ”provider” that uses ATT and T-Mo towers. Never heard of that company before - sounds kinda made up.

I got a “Van” eSIM for Sweden and asked hotel staff who they were and people behind the desk though i was just messing with them.

Given all that, it’s not surprising we probably get deprioritized a lot. I can see Airalo going to a local MVNO and buying up all the 1MB/s minutes they can get and sell them to us LOL

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xhandler t1_iu3n51q wrote

Now I don't know what Airalo is or how it works, but I don't think the names are local operators but rather "product name" Airalo has made for each country. "Vän" just means "Friend" (and there are no operators called Vän), looking at the Norwegian and Danish counterparts they're also not operators. So it could just as easily have been called "Airalo - Sweden"

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VictorChristian t1_iu3ujo5 wrote

>"Vän" just means "Friend" (and there are no operators called Vän)

Really?? No wonder the hotel staff thought i was insane.

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SmoothLikeGravel t1_iu0dxke wrote

Do you still charged by AT&T for using your phone for texts/calls?

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SolidGoldUnderwear t1_iu0f4av wrote

not for getting messages, just replying. you have to disable international day pass and set it to pay per use.

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incognitoshadow t1_iu0a9nc wrote

>change the settings to use the Airalo eSIM for all data and the T-Mobile eSIM for voice and texts

how did you do this? I had an airalo eSIM for my trip to italy recently but had to disable texting and voice (basically disable my regular sim)

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VictorChristian t1_iu1ub8i wrote

So, when i had both eSIM’s active, i went to Settings… Cellular Data and in Cellular Data options, i saw a “use this line for data”. I picked the Airalo line for data and all data used the Airalo line.

They have a tutorial video… https://www.airalo.com/help/getting-started-with-airalo/how-do-i-install-an-esim-on-my-ios-device?gclid=CjwKCAjw2OiaBhBSEiwAh2ZSP0uqMdgPY8qwp0i-lEEsh7CQuW_1pnjuQRR6pDKSBkR7pK-fvQJFGRoCPuQQAvD_BwE

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Car333 t1_iu0cp36 wrote

This gives me great confidence in trying it out. Did you alter any of your apps data usage? Like not having Instagram/Reddit/etc use cellular for data only Wi-Fi? I think my concern is that I will burn through the data accidentally.

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VictorChristian t1_iu1th9e wrote

i did not. I used the phone like i normally use the phone. Lots of pictures, lots of browsing, Apple Pay and a whole lot more Apple Maps since i was in a city wholly unfamiliar.

I also used FaceTime - but mostly audio, I did use video to talk to family for a few minutes. What’s app also connected but since the Airalo eSIM does NOT have a phone number attached, what’s app popped up a message saying the network has changed and if i would still like to use my original (US) phone number. I tapped, “yes” and my aunt actually called me unexpectedly once one whats app but i called her back from the hotel wifi - she’s a bit of a talker and i was worried about battery LOL.

At the end of the trip at the airport, i had about 500 MB left and i tethered to my MacBook to see how that worked and burned thru about 490MB… as stated earlier, i was left with 11MB and shut everything down to board my flight back home.

It really worked very well. i was very impressed.

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Car333 t1_iu1vgaj wrote

I’m actually really impressed that you did all of that with 11mb to spare on a 3GB plan… good for you!

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VictorChristian t1_iu2z3lk wrote

I realized a while ago that I actually use much less data than I originally thought. Not just for this trip - just generally.

month to month, I find myself only using about 7 to 10 gb a month.

that said, i wish I had needed more data on my trip to get a chance to test the Airalo top up feature.

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binarydays t1_iu3f5bi wrote

I tried Nomad (AppStore) while traveling to Singapore and it worked fine. Speed varied depending on the time of the day as I observed. Sometimes it was a bit slow, but it was good enough for Maps, iMessage and internet browsing. Their price was a bit cheaper than Airalo (for my specific destination).

Might be an option to look at and compare. Thank you for sharing your experience with Airalo :)

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