Nomad eSIMs activate when you connect to a supported local network at your destination, ensuring your plan starts only when you are ready to use it.

To purchase a Nomad eSIM, visit the Nomad website or app, create an account or proceed as a guest, browse and select a suitable plan, and complete the checkout process. After purchase, you will receive an email with installation and activation instructions.

To ensure activation proceeds smoothly, make sure your cellular settings are configured correctly, and data roaming is enabled upon arrival.

For example, if your plan auto-activates on April 12 for a 30-day plan, it will expire on May 12, even if you arrive later.

Nomad eSIMs must be activated within a defined window, typically 60 days from the date of purchase (except for eSIMs where the provider is Plum in which case the eSIM expires after 60 days from purchase if not activated upon arrival in your destination country). If you do not manually activate your eSIM within this period, it will automatically activate on the 60th day after purchase (except for Plum provider in which case the eSIM expires on the 60th day after purchase if not activated). The validity period of your plan begins either on the day of manual activation or on the auto-activation date, whichever comes first.

The future start date displayed on your eSIM indicates the latest possible activation date, ensuring users are aware of the automatic activation timeline.

1. Install your eSIM before your flight, and turn on your eSIM when you arrive at your destination.

2. Your Nomad eSIM will activate automatically when it connects to the local network.

3. Activation before you arrive at the destination is not possible.

For example, if you are traveling to the USA, you can purchase and install the eSIM. Activation begins as soon as your device connects to the local network.

1) Install and select the eSIM as your Cellular/Mobile data network.

2) Enable "Data Roaming" on your device.

3) Restart your device. The eSIM will then connect to the local network and activate.

Ensure you refer to the confirmation email for detailed installation and activation instructions.

In some cases, you might need to manually activate your eSIM - please refer to the email containing the installation instructions for more details. In these cases, you can activate your plan when you are ready to use data either by clicking the "Activate Now" button on the website or Nomad app.

To ensure a seamless activation experience, preparation is key. Follow these eSIM preparation tips before your trip:

1) Pre-install the eSIM.

2) Enable data roaming in cellular settings.

3) Select the eSIM as the data source.

4) Align your purchase timing with your travel dates. Additionally, consider the activation window specified on your plan.

Ensure your eSIM profile is installed on your device before attempting manual activation. Errors can occur if activation is attempted without installation.

If you experience delays in activation, ensure the following steps: restart your device, enable data roaming, disconnect from Wi-Fi, and verify manual network selection if needed.

It is recommended to purchase your eSIM 1-2 weeks before travel to align with activation timelines and avoid premature activation. Ensure that your purchase aligns with the 60-day activation window to prevent auto-activation before your intended travel date. Note that eSIMs where Plum is the provider expires on the 60th day of purchase instead of auto-activation.

Additionally, check for potential conflicts with old or expired eSIM profiles and delete them if necessary. Ensure the correct eSIM profile is active.

It is recommended to purchase your eSIM 1-2 weeks before travel to align with activation timelines and avoid premature activation. This timing accommodates unexpected delays and ensures compliance with the activation window guidelines.

Unused eSIMs will automatically activate on the 60th day after purchase (except for Plum). If you fail to activate your eSIM within the 60-day window, the plan will expire and cannot be reinstated or refunded. Once expired, the eSIM is no longer usable, and you will need to purchase a new plan to regain service.

Please note, below are special plans and they start when the eSIM is installed even outside of Thailand or after 60 days from purchase. Installing the eSIM outside of Thailand can lead to immediate activation and loss of validity days, as well as errors during installation when using mobile data outside Thailand. For Thailand eSIMs, it is strongly advised to install your eSIM ONLY AFTER arriving in Thailand to avoid these issues. For other destinations, installing the eSIM at home with a stable internet connection is recommended to ensure it works immediately upon arrival.

Unused eSIMs will automatically activate on the 60th day after purchase. The activation period generally ranges between 60 days based on the plan, prompting activation close to travel dates.

Purchasing eSIMs too early might lead to unintended automatic activation. It is advisable to buy your eSIM closer to the travel date.

Restart your device if the activation seems delayed and ensure it is connected to the correct network.

Be aware that if you exceed the allocated data limit on your eSIM plan, your plan will expire early regardless of the remaining validity period. Always monitor your data usage to avoid unexpected interruptions. Checking Validity and Troubleshooting Monitor your eSIM's remaining validity through the Nomad app. For any issues regarding premature expiration, check your data consumption and contact Nomad Support with relevant usage logs.

To avoid rapid data consumption, disable automatic uploads (e.g., iCloud photo backups) unless on Wi-Fi, limit the use of data-heavy apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Zoom, and avoid using VPNs, hotspots, or tethering. Turn off Wi-Fi Assist and background updates to conserve data.

Please note, below are special plans and they start when the eSIM is installed even outside of Thailand or after 60 days from purchase. Additionally, installing the eSIM outside of Thailand can lead to immediate activation and loss of validity days, as well as errors during installation when using mobile data outside Thailand. It is strongly advised to install your eSIM ONLY AFTER arriving in Thailand to avoid these issues.

Avoid using mobile data during the installation process outside Thailand from the eSIM.

Q: Can I prepare by installing the eSIM at home, but activating it upon arrival?

A: No, installing the eSIM outside Thailand will trigger immediate activation. This will reduce the effective validity of your plan.

Q: Why isn't the installation process working while I am abroad?

A: Installation outside Thailand may encounter errors as the eSIM requires a local Thai network for successful activation.

Q: What happens if I forget and activate my eSIM before arriving?

A: The plan will start its validity countdown immediately after installation and cannot be paused or reset. It is recommended to install upon arrival.

Will my eSIM work if I activate it on my trip start date? Yes. As long as you activate your eSIM on your trip start date, the plan will be valid for its full duration (e.g., a 45-day plan).

Can I purchase and activate an eSIM after arriving at my destination?

Yes. You can purchase and activate a Nomad eSIM even after arriving at your destination. Ensure that the eSIM line is turned on, Data Roaming is enabled, and the eSIM is set as the preferred line for cellular data.

What happens if I activate my trial eSIM too early? If you activate your trial eSIM too early, the trial period will begin immediately and may expire before your trip. To avoid this, redeem and install the eSIM close to your travel date.

Does the "Not yet started" status affect my primary SIM? No, the "Not yet started" status only indicates that the Nomad eSIM plan hasn’t been activated for data yet. Your primary SIM continues to handle voice and SMS independently.

Can I change the activation start date of my eSIM plan? No, the activation start date cannot be changed retroactively. Once the plan is activated, its duration begins immediately.

What happens if my eSIM auto-activates before I arrive at my destination? If your eSIM auto-activates, the validity period will start from the auto-activation date. You can still use the remaining validity and data when you arrive, but the days elapsed since auto-activation will be deducted from your total validity period.

Why did my eSIM plan start early? An eSIM plan activates when it connects to the destination’s local network and is set as the active cellular data line. If you are in the destination country and have enabled the eSIM for data, this triggers the plan’s activation.