Travel guide
Get your phone ready before you travel: a 10-step checklist to land connected
In short
A few days before you travel, check that your phone supports eSIM, buy and install your plan over Wi-Fi, turn off data roaming on your original SIM, download maps, and back up your data. These ten steps take less than an hour and save you from surprise bills and wasted time when you arrive.
Your phone is the most important thing you carry on a trip: it holds your tickets, maps, bookings and your way to reach your family. Yet many travelers arrive only to find the internet isn’t working, or that their roaming bill has suddenly shot up. Follow this checklist before every trip to avoid that.
Checklist: 10 steps before you travel
1
Check that your phone supports eSIM
Open the device compatibility page or dial *#06# in your phone app; if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. Also make sure the phone isn’t locked to a carrier, because a locked phone won’t accept SIMs from other providers.
2
Choose and buy your plan two or three days before you travel
Pick your plan based on your destination, trip length and expected data usage. Buying early gives you enough time to install it, test it and contact support if needed, instead of doing all that at the airport.
3
Install the eSIM while connected to Wi-Fi
Installation needs an internet connection, so do it at home. Scan the QR code, name the new line “Travel” so you can tell it apart from your original SIM, and check the plan description to see when the validity period starts.
4
Turn off data roaming on your original SIM
This protects you from roaming charges your carrier may apply. Your number can still receive texts and calls, while your internet comes from the eSIM only.
5
Download offline maps of your destination
Google Maps lets you download a whole area in advance, which helps in the first moments after landing and in mountain or desert areas where coverage can be weak.
6
Back up your data
Save a copy of your photos, contacts and WhatsApp chats before you travel, in case your phone is lost or damaged during the trip.
7
Keep your important documents on your phone
Put photos of your passport, visa, flight tickets and hotel bookings in a folder that works offline, so you can reach them quickly at the airport or at hotel check-in.
8
Make sure you can receive bank verification codes
If your banks or accounts send verification codes by text message, keep your original SIM active to receive them, or use an authenticator app where possible.
9
Pack your charger, an adapter and a power bank
Using maps and the camera all day drains the battery fast, and plug types may differ in your destination country, so bring a suitable adapter and a spare battery.
10
Save the 22SIM support number on WhatsApp
If you run into any connection problem, you can reach the support team 24/7 in Arabic and English for instant help.
On arrival: what to do first
Turn on the eSIM line and set it as your mobile data line, turn on data roaming for that line only, then restart your phone if the connection doesn’t appear within a few minutes. After that, make sure mobile data on your original SIM is off and that you can see a local network name at the top of the screen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I install the eSIM: before I travel or after I arrive?
Before you travel, while connected to Wi-Fi, then turn it on when you arrive. That way you don’t have to look for internet at the airport to finish the installation.
Do I need to turn off my original SIM completely?
No. Turning off mobile data or data roaming on it is enough, so you can still receive calls and texts. Note that some carriers may charge for incoming calls while roaming.
What do I do if the internet doesn't work when I arrive?
Make sure data roaming is on for the eSIM line and that it’s selected as your data line, then restart your phone. If the problem continues, contact support on WhatsApp.
In this article
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