Already installed your eSIM at home? Do this once the plane lands in mainland China.
- Turn off airplane mode.
- Turn on your haalaan China line if it is switched off.
- Set mobile data to haalaan China.
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > haalaan China.
- Android: Settings > SIMs (or SIM manager) > Mobile data > haalaan China.
- Turn on Data Roaming for haalaan China. This is the step people miss. See Data roaming settings.
- Turn off data roaming on your US line so your home carrier does not charge you for data.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and open Maps or WhatsApp to check you are online.
Give it a minute or two to find the network. Your plan’s days start from this first connection.
That is the point of the trip: a stable, hassle-free connection where your apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and the rest) are designed to work like they do back home.
Not connecting? Toggle airplane mode, or restart the phone. Then see No connection? Try this.
Hotel Wi-Fi connects but apps do not load? Switch Wi-Fi off and use your eSIM.
FAQ
When do my trip days start?
When the eSIM first connects to a network in mainland China. Installing at home does not start them.
Why does data roaming need to be on?
The eSIM is an international roaming service. Data roaming has to be on for the haalaan line. Turn it off on your US line.
* How apps work depends on the network route and isn't guaranteed. Your data is routed via Hong Kong, according to our network provider. Services and networks can change.
Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau).