Fresim

Data-Only eSIM Plans: eSIM & Mobile Connectivity Explained

Data-only eSIM plans give you mobile data without a phone number, calls or SMS. Learn how they work, what you can and can't do, and how to install in one tap.

Updated 16 October 2026

In one sentence

A data-only eSIM plan is a digital SIM that gives your phone internet access through mobile data, but does not come with a phone number for regular calls or text messages.

In detail

Traditional mobile plans bundle three things: voice calls, SMS texts and data. A data-only eSIM plan keeps just the data. Because there is no phone number attached, the plan is usually simpler and well suited to short trips, and each store sets its own prices, which vary by destination. You still get a working internet connection, so apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Maps, Uber, email and streaming all work as normal. What you lose is the ability to make or receive standard cellular calls and texts on that eSIM, so your home SIM stays in charge of your usual number.

How it works

An eSIM is a small chip built into your phone that can store a carrier profile you download, instead of a physical card you swap in. With a data-only plan, that profile only contains a data allowance and a validity period, such as a set number of gigabytes over a set number of days. Your phone connects to a local network in the country you are visiting, and apps send and receive information over the internet rather than through the phone's dialler.

Why travellers should care

Roaming on your home plan can be expensive and unpredictable, while a data-only eSIM lets you buy a defined amount of data for the destination you are visiting. It installs in minutes, with no shop visit and no tiny SIM card to lose. Your home SIM can stay active alongside it, so you can still receive bank texts and verification codes on your normal number while using the travel eSIM for data.

Related terms

  • No Voice/SMS
  • Internet Only
  • Hotspot
  • Dual SIM
  • eSIM Install

Example

Maya, a travel blogger, lands in Lisbon on a four-day trip. Before leaving home she buys a data-only eSIM from a creator's Fresim store and receives it by email. She taps Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later), and the eSIM is set up in about a minute. At the airport she switches mobile data to the new eSIM, leaves her home SIM on for incoming texts, and uses WhatsApp to call her hotel and Google Maps to find the tram. If she wanted to install it from another screen or share it with a travel companion, she could scan the QR code too.

Key takeaway

A data-only eSIM gives you internet access abroad without a phone number, so use apps for calls and messages and keep your home SIM for anything that needs your regular number.

Frequently asked questions

What is a data-only eSIM?

A data-only eSIM is a digital SIM that provides mobile internet but no phone number for standard calls or SMS. It is delivered by email, and you install it with one tap: Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later) or Install on Android (Android 10 or later). The QR code is a handy second option for sharing the eSIM or installing it from another screen.

Can I make calls with a data-only eSIM?

Not regular cellular calls, because the plan has no phone number. You can still make voice and video calls over the internet using apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, Skype or Google Meet, as long as you have a data connection and the app is installed.

Can I use a data-only eSIM for a hotspot?

Often yes, but it depends on the specific plan and the local network, so check the plan details before you buy. If hotspot sharing is allowed, your phone can share its data with a laptop or tablet. Remember that hotspot use drains your data allowance faster than browsing on your phone alone.

Will I still get texts and bank codes on my home number?

Yes, if you keep your home SIM active. Most modern phones support dual SIM, so your home SIM can stay on for incoming texts and verification codes while the data-only eSIM handles internet. Check that your home carrier's roaming settings suit your needs, and be aware that roaming charges may apply for receiving texts abroad.

Does my phone support data-only eSIMs?

You need an eSIM-compatible phone that is network unlocked. For one-tap install, Fresim eSIMs work with iPhones on iOS 17.4 or later and Android phones on Android 10 or later. Check your phone's settings or manufacturer's support page to confirm eSIM support before you buy.

Where you'll use this

More esim glossary

Sources

  • GSMA — Consumer eSIM Specification (SGP.22 Remote SIM Provisioning Architecture)
  • Apple Support — Use eSIM on your iPhone
  • Google Android Help — Manage SIMs and eSIMs on your Android phone