I am supposed to have unlimited international data (and texts) with my T-Mobile plan, but it doesn’t seem to work anywhere, which is pointless. So I’m in the UK and I need a data only eSIM (because my iPhone 15 doesn’t have a slot for a physical SIM card. Which I discovered when I tried to buy one at the train station. The lady at the shop told me that for an eSIM I need to go to an actual mobile store, but I keep seeing posts about giffgaff and orange and I’m hoping that I can just buy one online and download it (while I have WiFi) so that I can access maps and other apps while we’re out and about. But I’m confused about whether I was supposed to buy it before we left the US and just activate it here?
Posted by
Freedonia
16536 posts
T-Mobile is slow in the UK.
But before you buy an esim, check to see that you have data roaming turned on.
If it's turned on, did you get the "Welcome to the UK" text from T-Mobile? If not, try turning your phone off and on and see if it connects. It may take a few minutes.
You can buy numerous esims online. Just pick the one you want and follow the instructions for installation.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2799 posts
And before you do anything, has your phone from T-Mobile been unlocked by the carrier? Getting an eSIM will be pointless if your phone is locked.
If your phone is able to accept a new SIM, Airalo is a data only eSIM regularly mentioned in this forum.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4676 posts
Not in England, but we went to a Vodafone store to have it installed.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5893 posts
Is it not working or is it just slow? As mentioned above, check your cellular data settings and make sure roaming is turned on. Check to see that you are connected to a network.
I just returned from the UK and my T Mobile worked fine. I have an older plan with slow data so I purchased an International data pass to get high speed data.
Posted by
Singapore
624 posts
I'd recommend Giffgaff- I use it frequently and find it excellent. It's a local network rather than a travel eSIM provider like Airalo, so you also have access to normal phone calls and texts.
Posted by
SoCal
1330 posts
Just go to Airalo or Nomad and buy one online. The bricks and mortar shops have staff who don't know what they're talking about, by and large. I find the word they most enjoy using is "No."
Posted by
274 posts
Yes, that is becoming more and more common. If you can get by with data from hotels, you don't actually need data. You can always download the maps you want and apart from up to date buses etc, they give you enough to get around. Good luck.