Best eSIM for South Africa: A Guide For Travelers

Benefits of Getting an eSim in South Africa

There are a lot of benefits to getting an eSim in South Africa and the benefits are pretty much the same across the world, not just for one particular country.

• Convenience – the first benefit is how easy it is to buy an eSim and activate it on your new eSim-enabled device. Just go online, buy it, and activate it. There is no finding a shop and queueing to buy a physical sim card or any of that hassle.
• Be connected as soon as you land – if you activate your eSim before you board your flight to South Africa, you will have a data connection as soon as you touch down.
• Use Your Home Phone Number – you can still use your home phone number alongside your eSim which means you can receive calls, texts, and login codes for your bank account on your usual number. This makes life a lot easier as there is no swapping one sim card for another
• Easy Top-Ups – topping up your eSim involves simply going online and it is done in a matter of seconds
• Move your eSim – if you have a lost or stolen device, you can simply move your eSim to your new eSim-enabled device
• No Sim Card Swapping – losing your sim card from home is not an option. Luckily there is no sim card swapping with eSims so it will stay safely in your phone

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in South Africa

There are there local mobile operators offering eSims in South Africa and they include:

• Vodacom: Vodacom is one of the leading mobile operators in South Africa and offers eSims for both postpaid and prepaid customers. Customers can either get an eSim QR code from Vodacom stores or order one through the Vodacom website.
• MTN: MTN is another major mobile operator in South Africa that also offers eSims for customers. Customers can activate an eSim by visiting an MTN store or by ordering one online.
• Telkom: Telkom is a South African telecommunications company that offers eSims for both postpaid and prepaid customers. Customers can get an eSIM QR code from Telkom stores or order one online through the Telkom website.

All the eSim providers we looked at above will partner with one of these local mobile operators in order to provide an eSim connection to their customers.

Devices Compatible with eSim in South Africa

eSim technology is rather new and this means not all devices have eSim functionality, they do have to be relatively new to be built with an eSim (embedded sim card).

Luckily most new smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches come with eSims and these include:

• iPhone XS, 12, 11, SE (2nd generation), and newer models
• Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, Note 20, and newer models
• Google Pixel 5, 4, 3a, and newer models
• iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), and newer models
• Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and newer models
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2, and newer models
• Huawei Watch 3 and newer models

To check if your device works with an eSim, simply dial *#06# and hit the call button. If an eSim identification number (EID) comes up then your device is compatible with an eSim.

Data Needed When Traveling to South Africa

The amount of data you will need while traveling in South Africa depends solely on how much data you use each day.

On average, most people consume approximately 5 GB per week, but for those with heavier usage, it can go up to 15 GB per week.

Running out of data during your trip is annoying as it may require topping up your eSim, leading to extra costs.

Therefore, it’s best to run a data usage report on your device and purchase an eSim plan that suits your data needs so you do not have to top-up/.

Luckily, there are many eSim data plans for South Africa that come with a lot of data, and they are not so expensive so you do not need to conserve your data unless you are on a serious budget.

Cost of eSim in South Africa

eSims in South Africa are free of charge with the plan you buy. This means you do not pay for the eSim but only the data plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get an eSim in South Africa?

Yes, you can get an eSim in South Africa, either online from a global provider or online/in-store with a local provider such as Vodacom, MTN, or Telkom.

How do I set up eSim in South Africa?

To get set up with an eSim in South Africa, first, you have to buy the eSim plan you want at a shop or online. You then need to scan the QR code emailed to you to get your eSim activated, it is that easy.

If this sounds too technical, do it in a store where the staff is there to help.

Does Telkom South Africa have eSIM?

Yes, Telkom South Africa does have eSim and you can buy them online or in their stores.

Does Vodacom South Africa have eSIM?

Yes, Vodacom South Africa does have eSim, you can buy them online or through an approved Vodacom outlet.

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