An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone that you activate with a QR code instead of a plastic card. The Zain Travel eSIM is a second, data-only line that sits next to your Zain number. You keep your number and your Zain SIM exactly as they are; the eSIM only carries your data abroad.

Yes. Calls, SMS and banking codes keep arriving on your Zain number as today. You turn on data roaming for the eSIM line only, so the expensive part of roaming never touches your number.

Two things must be true before you buy. 1) The phone supports eSIM: iPhone XS / XR and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer (and most Galaxy A/Z models from 2021), Google Pixel 3 and newer. Phones bought in some countries (parts of Asia, and dual-SIM units from China) have eSIM disabled by the manufacturer. 2) The phone is carrier-unlocked, meaning it accepts SIMs from other operators (this is not the screen lock). Phones bought outright are usually unlocked; phones on an operator contract may be locked. On iPhone, Settings > General > About must show "Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions". On Android, ask the operator you bought it from. To check eSIM support, dial *#06#: if an EID number is shown, the phone supports eSIM.

Destinations with their own country plans, and countries on one Global plan, plus regional packages for the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. The Global zone includes the other GCC countries (UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar; Saudi Arabia is home, so it is not in a travel plan), Europe, Turkey, Egypt, the UK, the US, India, Pakistan and most of Asia. Countries outside it (Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, the Maldives and others) have their own plan, priced for that country, and are not covered by the Global plan. Search your destination above; the coverage is listed on every plan page.

The clock starts when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination, not when you buy or install it. Each plan shows its validity on its card and at checkout: most Global, regional and country plans run 30 days, the 5 GB Global launch offer runs 14 days, and a yearly plan 365 days.

You pay once — SAR 259, 359 or 559 for the 20, 50 or 100 GB plans — and the whole allowance is on your eSIM for 365 days from the first connection abroad, in all Global-zone countries. Use it on as many trips as you like; nothing is charged again and nothing expires before the year is up. Any 30-day plan can be added as a top-up if it runs out.

They are launch prices. The Global 1 GB plan and the 1 GB country plans will go up after launch; plans you have already bought keep their price.

Open the Zain app, go to My eSIMs and tap "Add a purchase email". Enter the email you used at checkout and the 6-digit code we send you; every eSIM bought with that email appears with its usage and days left. You only do this once.

One country: the country plan is usually cheaper. Two countries or more, or a stopover: Global, one plan for the whole trip.

4G and 5G wherever the partner network offers it; hotspot and tethering are allowed. Every plan has a full-speed allowance (the first part of the plan; 2 GB each day on Unlimited), then a reduced speed that keeps messaging and maps working.

No. The eSIM is data only, which is why it is so much cheaper. Use your Zain number for calls and SMS, or call over WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar apps, which use data.

On iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later) tap "Install eSIM" on the confirmation page; it is added in one step. On Android, or an older iPhone, scan the QR code from your email or My eSIMs with the phone's camera, or type the activation code from the email under Settings, Mobile network, Add eSIM. It takes about a minute and needs Wi-Fi or your Zain data.

At home, before you fly, on Wi-Fi, once your trip is certain. The plan does not start until the eSIM first connects to a network abroad, so installing early uses none of your data or days. One thing to know: a plan can only be refunded while the eSIM is not installed, so if your trip might be cancelled, wait. If you forgot, airport Wi-Fi works too.

Usually nothing. The eSIM is labelled "Travel" and set as the data line during install; the phone picks a partner network automatically. If data does not flow, check that data roaming is on for the Travel line and that your Zain line is set for calls only.

In the Zain app under eSIM, or at My eSIMs on the web.

Open the Zain app or My eSIMs and add any 30-day plan; it activates immediately on the same eSIM.

Yes, hotspot is allowed on every plan. For a family trip, buy each member their own eSIM with the same email and your second eSIM of 10 GB or more gets 5% off and every one after that 10% off: everyone gets their own eSIM and their own data on one payment.

An eSIM can only be installed once. Contact support from the Zain app or a Zain shop and we reissue it to the new phone with the remaining balance; this is free once per plan.

Three things fix almost every case: the Travel line is turned on, data roaming is on for that line, and the network selection is set to automatic. Restart the phone after installing. If it still fails, support can see the eSIM status live and can push a new profile within minutes.

On every Global, country and yearly plan from 5 GB: Google Maps, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Trip.com, Instagram, Facebook and Uber. From 10 GB, X and Saudi banking apps join. From 20 GB (and Unlimited, and the yearly 50 and 100 GB plans), Uber Eats, Saudia and flynas join. They never count against your balance and keep working at zero balance. Voice and video calls inside these apps count as normal data. The list is agreed with Zain and grows over time.

No. They are switched on at the network level for every Global, country and yearly plan from 5 GB. The Zain app shows free-app usage separately so you can see what you saved.

Yes. Anyone in Saudi Arabia can buy on this site with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card; you need an email address and a carrier-unlocked phone that supports eSIM. You do not need a Zain number, and the Zain app is optional.

Buy a plan for each family member using the same email. The first eSIM is full price. The second eSIM of 10 GB or more on the same email gets 5% off and every eSIM after that gets 10% off, applied automatically at checkout; plans under 10 GB do not get the discount. Unlimited and the yearly plans (20, 50 and 100 GB) count. Each member has their own eSIM and data counter; you see all of them in My eSIMs in the Zain app.

Yes. The plan works in all Global countries at the same time, so one member can be in London while another is in Dubai.

Yes, at checkout, on the web and in the Zain app. Zain employees enter their staff code there to get the free 2 GB staff eSIM; campaign codes (for example the Eid pre-sale) go in the same box. The launch offer on the 1 GB plans needs no code.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, or any debit or credit card, including mada, Visa and Mastercard. You are charged in Saudi riyals (the USD figure is shown for comparison only); no VAT applies (Septoo Ltd is a UK company and the eSIM is used abroad).

No password. Buying needs only an email; the Zain number is optional. Add it if you want the eSIM to appear in the Zain app under the same login as your Zain number. My eSIMs opens with a one-time link sent to your email.

Within 14 days of purchase: a 30-day, regional or country plan can be refunded as long as the eSIM has not been installed; a yearly plan as long as it has not been used. Installing early is fine for your plan days, but it ends the refund option, so install once your trip is certain. Contact support from the app, WhatsApp or by email.

No, you can manage your eSIMs at My eSIMs on the web. The app is simply the easiest place to see your balance, top up in one tap and manage the family plan, and the alerts arrive as notifications.

Zain support, 24/7, in Arabic and English: chat in the Zain app, WhatsApp, or any of the 1,100 Zain shops, where staff can also install the eSIM for you.

The Zain Travel eSIM is sold and operated by Septoo Limited, a UK travel-eSIM operator, in partnership with Zain KSA. Your purchase is made with Septoo.