Set Up Before You Fly — Not at the Airport
The single most important eSIM rule for Umrah: install it at home, before you travel. Installation requires a Wi-Fi connection and takes 5–10 minutes. Doing it in advance means your phone connects automatically to STC when you land in Jeddah or Madinah — no airport queue, no first-day stress.
This guide covers both iPhone and Android with the common pitfalls that catch pilgrims out, including carrier-locked phones, APN settings on Android, and the compatibility check before you buy.
Step Zero: Is Your Phone eSIM-Compatible and Carrier-Unlocked?
eSIM compatibility: Most phones from 2018 onward support eSIM. Confirmed compatible models include:
- iPhone: XR, XS, XS Max, and all newer models (iPhone 11 through 17)
- Samsung Galaxy: S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25, Z Fold and Z Flip series
- Google Pixel: 3a and newer
- Other Android: Most 2020+ flagships from Motorola, OnePlus, Huawei (check your specific model)
Check on iPhone: Settings → General → About → EID (a 32-digit number confirms eSIM support). Check on Android: Dial *#06# — if an EID number appears alongside your IMEI, eSIM is supported.
Carrier unlock — the step most people miss: If your phone was purchased through a mobile carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, EE, O2, etc.), it may be carrier-locked to that network. A locked phone cannot use third-party eSIM profiles, even if it is technically eSIM-capable.
How to check on iPhone: Settings → General → About → scroll to Network Provider Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions," you are unlocked. If it shows your carrier name, contact your carrier to request an unlock before purchasing your Umrah eSIM.
US note: iPhones bought on major US carrier plans are often locked. US carriers are legally required to unlock phones after one billing cycle if the account is in good standing — contact your carrier's customer service to request this.
Step-by-Step: iPhone
- Buy your eSIM plan and check your email for the QR code from the provider
- On home Wi-Fi, go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM
- Tap Use QR Code and scan the code from your email (hold your phone steady — the scan takes 3–5 seconds)
- If the QR code won't scan: tap Enter Details Manually instead and type the activation code from your email
- Label the new line "Saudi Data" so it is easy to identify in Settings
- Set Default Voice Line to your existing home SIM
- Set Mobile Data to the new eSIM line
- Turn Data Roaming ON for the eSIM line (Settings → Mobile Data → Saudi Data → Data Roaming: ON)
- Confirm your home SIM has Data Roaming OFF to avoid unwanted roaming charges
iPhone 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 (US models only): These iPhones are eSIM-only — they have no physical SIM tray. Your home carrier service must already be on an eSIM profile. You can add a second eSIM for Saudi data. The setup process is identical to above.
Step-by-Step: Android (Samsung, Pixel, and Others)
Samsung Galaxy:
- Get your QR code from email
- On Wi-Fi: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add Mobile Plan
- Select Scan carrier QR code and scan the code
- Name it "Saudi Data"
- Set it as your Mobile Data SIM; keep your home SIM for calls and texts
- Enable Data Roaming on the eSIM line (SIM Manager → Saudi Data → toggle Data Roaming ON)
Google Pixel:
- On Wi-Fi: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Download a SIM
- Select Need help? then Download instead
- Scan the QR code
- Follow prompts to activate
APN settings (Android only — important):
Some Android phones do not automatically detect the correct APN (Access Point Name) for an international eSIM. If your eSIM installs successfully but shows "No data" in Saudi Arabia, you may need to set the APN manually. Check your eSIM provider's email or website for the correct APN details — it is typically listed as a single line like data.esim.net or similar. Enter it in Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names → Add New APN.
Do Not Delete the eSIM After Installing
Once installed, leave the eSIM on your phone. Removing it means requesting a new QR code from the provider, which can take hours. The eSIM profile simply sits dormant and invisible until you land in Saudi Arabia, at which point it activates automatically. You can switch it on or off in Settings → Mobile Data without deleting it.
When Does My Plan Start? (Validity Timing)
Most Saudi Arabia eSIM plans start their validity countdown when the eSIM first connects to a Saudi network — not when you buy it or install it. Installing it at home days before travel costs you nothing. The day counter begins when you land in Saudi Arabia and the eSIM picks up STC.
Confirm your specific provider's terms, as some plans start from purchase date.
The Pre-Flight Test (Do This Before You Board)
With the eSIM installed and at home, run through this checklist:
- Confirm the eSIM line shows a network name in Settings → Mobile Data (you will see "No Service" or your home network name — that is normal; it is dormant until you arrive in Saudi Arabia)
- Open the Nusuk app and confirm your Umrah permit loads and the QR code displays (this tests that Nusuk works, not the eSIM specifically — the eSIM will activate on arrival)
- Set WhatsApp media auto-download to "Wi-Fi only": WhatsApp → Settings → Storage and Data → Media Auto-Download
- Download offline Google Maps for Makkah and Madinah: Google Maps → Profile → Offline Maps → Select Your Own Map
- Install BOTIM and subscribe (~$2.99/month) as a calling backup
- Download your Quran audio for offline playback during Tawaf
On Arrival in Saudi Arabia
Your phone connects automatically to STC at 5G (our single-country Saudi plans) within a few minutes of landing. If it does not connect:
- Toggle the eSIM line off and on (Settings → Mobile Data → Saudi Data)
- Toggle Airplane Mode on and off
- Confirm Data Roaming is ON for the eSIM line
- If still no connection: manually select the network. Settings → Mobile Data → Saudi Data → Network Selection → turn off Automatic → select STC from the list
If none of these work, our 24/7 live chat can troubleshoot in real time and arrange a replacement if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my eSIM plan start? Validity begins when the eSIM first connects to a Saudi network — not when you purchase or install it. Installing early costs you nothing.
Can I keep my normal home number while using the eSIM? Yes. The eSIM runs alongside your physical home SIM in a dual-SIM setup. Your home number stays active for calls, texts, and 2FA verification codes throughout your trip.
My QR code won't scan — what do I do? Try reducing screen brightness on the device displaying the QR code (a QR on a phone screen is easier to scan at 60–70% brightness than maximum brightness). Use the manual entry code as an alternative — it is in the same email as the QR code.
Is hotspot supported? Yes — personal hotspot and tethering work on all our Saudi plans.
What if the eSIM won't connect in Saudi Arabia even after toggling? Try manual network selection (Settings → Mobile Data → Network Selection → turn off Automatic → select STC). If still failing, check that Data Roaming is enabled on the eSIM line specifically — not just generally. Contact our 24/7 live chat for real-time help.
Does my phone need to be 5G-capable to use the eSIM? No — your phone connects to the strongest signal available. 5G gives faster speeds where available; if your phone is 4G-only, it simply connects at 4G speeds. Both work for Nusuk, WhatsApp, Maps, and Careem.
What is an APN and do I need to set it manually? APN (Access Point Name) is the network identifier your phone uses to route mobile data. iPhones configure it automatically. Some Android phones do not — if you have no data in Saudi Arabia despite the eSIM showing "connected," check our support email for your plan's APN settings and enter them manually in your Android network settings.