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eSIMs have revolutionized mobile connectivity by offering an alternative to physical SIM cards, particularly for travelers and professionals on the go. However, it is often necessary to extend this connection to other devices, such as a laptop, tablet, or a second smartphone.

In this guide, we explain how to efficiently share your eSIM connection and what precautions to take to avoid excessive data consumption or slowdowns.

What You Need to Consider When Sharing Data

Before activating connection sharing, it’s important to understand the implications and limitations associated with this feature.

• Increased Data Consumption: When you use your phone as a hotspot, all connected devices will consume your eSIM plan. Simple web browsing uses little data, but video streaming, software updates, or downloading large files can quickly deplete your plan.
• Limited Range: Connection sharing works within a restricted radius. In Wi-Fi mode, the range is generally 5 to 10 meters, but it can be affected by obstacles (walls, metal objects). Via Bluetooth, the range is even shorter, often around 2 to 3 meters.
• Battery Impact: Operating your phone as a router puts a significant strain on the device. More power is needed to maintain the connection, leading to rapid battery drain. It is recommended to plug in your phone when using connection sharing for extended periods.
• Network Speed and Stability: Your connection speed will depend on the network your eSIM is connected to. Performance can vary depending on the region, operator, and network load. If you are in an area with a weak signal, connection sharing will, of course, be slower and less stable.

Connection Sharing with a Vostra eSIM

eSIMs offered by Vostra use partner mobile networks in several countries, meaning your connection can switch between different operators depending on your location. Here are some factors to consider:

• Variable Networks and Speeds: Depending on the country you are in, your Vostra eSIM will connect to a different operator, which can influence connection speed. Some countries offer 5G, while others are limited to 4G or even 3G in certain rural areas.
• Quality of Service: The stability of connection sharing depends on local network coverage. In large cities, the connection will generally be fast, whereas in isolated regions, it may be slower.

💡 Tip: Before activating connection sharing, check the signal strength and network quality via your phone settings.

What is a Mobile Hotspot?

A mobile hotspot transforms your smartphone into a router, allowing other devices to use its Internet connection. This feature is very useful when traveling, especially for professionals who need to connect to a laptop without available Wi-Fi.

There are three main methods for sharing a connection:

• Via Wi-Fi: The most common and fastest, allowing multiple devices to connect.
• Via Bluetooth: Consumes less battery but offers a slower connection.
• Via USB: Provides a stable and fast connection while charging your phone.

How to Set Up a Hotspot: SIM and eSIM

Via Wi-Fi Connection

Sharing via Wi-Fi is the most common method, as it allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously with a satisfactory speed.

Setup Steps:

• Open your phone’s Settings.
• Go to Network & Internet then Hotspot & tethering.
• Activate Wi-Fi Hotspot and set a name and password.
• On the device to be connected, search for and select your Wi-Fi network.
• Enter the password and confirm the connection.

🔋 Tip: To optimize battery life, remember to deactivate connection sharing when you are no longer using it.

Via Bluetooth Connection

Sharing via Bluetooth is a more energy-efficient alternative, although the speed is more limited.

Setup Steps:

• Activate Bluetooth on your phone and the target device.
• Pair the two devices via the list of available Bluetooth devices.
• In your phone’s settings, activate Bluetooth tethering.

📌 Info: This method is useful if you want to save battery, but it is not recommended for activities requiring high bandwidth, such as streaming.

Via a USB Cable

USB tethering is ideal for a fast and stable connection, especially for a laptop.

Setup Steps:

• Plug your phone into your PC with a USB cable.
• In your phone’s settings, activate USB tethering.
• Your computer will automatically use the phone’s mobile connection.

Limitations of Connection Sharing

• Operator Restrictions: Some eSIM plans limit connection sharing or impose additional fees.
• Rapid Data Depletion: Monitor your consumption to avoid overages.
• Battery Heating and Wear: Prolonged use of connection sharing can damage your phone’s battery.

By choosing the right method and monitoring your consumption, you can optimize your experience. Discover Vostra plans for unlimited connectivity anywhere in the world!

FAQ

SIM cards have long been essential for using a mobile phone, enabling access to mobile networks for making calls, sending messages, and connecting to the internet. But despite their usefulness, they present numerous problems, especially for travelers or those who wish to switch operators easily.

Below, we will explore the drawbacks of traditional SIM cards and explain why the eSIM is a simpler, more flexible, and more economical alternative.

10 Problems with SIM Cards

1. Transferring a SIM Card

When you change phones, you need to remove your SIM card and insert it into the new device. If the formats are not compatible (nano, micro, standard), you will need to buy an adapter or request a new card from your operator. This process can be complicated, especially when traveling or in an emergency.

2. Changing Operators

Switching from one operator to another with a physical SIM card can be restrictive. If your phone is locked by an operator, you won’t be able to use another SIM card without having it unlocked, which incurs additional costs and waiting times.

3. SIM Card Malfunctions

SIM cards are fragile and can easily be damaged by humidity, heat, or frequent handling. A damaged card prevents your phone from connecting to the network, making access to calls, SMS, and the internet impossible until it’s replaced.

4. Limited Wireless Service

SIM cards are tied to a specific operator, and their network coverage is limited to certain geographical areas. If you travel to a region where your operator has poor coverage, you risk having a weak or non-existent signal.

5. Costly Roaming Plans

When you use your SIM card abroad, your operator often applies high roaming charges. Some international plans cost between €10 and €15 per day, which can quickly drive up your bill.

6. Surprise Fees

Sometimes unexpected charges appear on your bill, especially if your phone automatically connects to a foreign network without you being aware. These fees can be very high and difficult to dispute.

7. Finding SIM Card Providers While Traveling

Upon arrival in a foreign country, you will often need to look for a store that sells local SIM cards. This can be a tedious process, especially if you don’t speak the local language or if you arrive late at night.

8. Keeping Track of Multiple SIM Cards

Frequent travelers often have to juggle multiple SIM cards for different countries. This means keeping them safe, labeling them correctly, and changing them regularly, which can be a source of stress and confusion.

9. Finding a SIM Ejector Tool When You Need It

To remove a SIM card, you need a specific tool (SIM ejector tool). This small accessory is easy to lose and difficult to replace. While you can use a paper clip as a workaround, it can damage your phone.

10. Replacing a SIM Card

If your SIM card is lost or damaged, you will need to contact your operator to get a new one. This process can take several days, during which you will not be able to use your phone line.

Why eSIM is a Better Alternative

While SIM cards have long been indispensable, technological advancements now offer more efficient and economical alternatives. With an eSIM, you can switch between multiple operators without changing cards. This allows you to choose the most advantageous offer at any time, without waiting for a new SIM to be shipped.

This way, you avoid queues in stores and immediately benefit from a mobile connection upon landing, if you’re traveling.

With an eSIM, you can subscribe to affordable international plans and avoid the exorbitant roaming fees of traditional operators. Vostra offers plans tailored for travelers, with coverage in over 100 countries.

FAQ

Do you own an Apple device and are considering activating an eSIM? You’ve come to the right place! With a compatible iPhone, adopting this technology is a breeze. In this article, we’ll help you understand Dual SIM, discover what it brings to your device, and learn how to easily activate an eSIM on iPhone.

What is Dual SIM technology?

Dual SIM technology allows you to combine multiple mobile lines (physical or virtual via eSIM) on a single device, so you can connect to two different networks simultaneously.

This way, you can easily manage a professional and a personal number, or effortlessly switch between different local plans when you travel.

In practice, some smartphones can accommodate two physical SIM cards. Others combine a traditional SIM card with an eSIM, while some more advanced models will even allow you to store multiple eSIMs at once. This flexibility offers true freedom, adapted to your lifestyle and professional needs.

Dual SIM on iPhone: how does it work?

Starting with iPhone XR, Apple integrated Dual SIM technology, allowing you to simultaneously use a physical SIM card and/or an eSIM (depending on local compatibility). Thanks to this feature, you can:

• Separate your voice and data usage: keep your main line for calls and texts and opt for an eSIM dedicated to mobile internet.
• Subscribe to a local plan when you travel without having to remove your main SIM.
• More easily manage personal and professional life by keeping a distinct number for each.

A small clarification: your iPhone must be unlocked to benefit from two plans from different operators. If it is locked, make sure your two offers come from the same provider to activate Dual SIM.

Is your iPhone compatible with eSIMs?

To activate an eSIM on your iPhone, you need at least an iPhone XR (running iOS 12 or later). Here’s how to quickly check if your device is compatible (note that these steps may vary depending on the iOS version):

1. Open Settings, click on « Cellular » or « Mobile Data ».
2. Select « Cellular Data ».
3. Look for the « Add eSIM » or « Add Cellular Plan » option.

If you see one of these options, your iPhone is eSIM-ready! Otherwise, check our full list of compatible devices.

Also keep in mind that some iPhone models do not support eSIM and that your iPhone must be unlocked to be able to use an eSIM from another operator.

How to activate an eSIM on iPhone?

Head to the Vostra store and explore our selection of data plans. Whether local, regional, or international, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your trip.

Once you’ve purchased your plan, you’ll receive an email detailing each installation step. For simplicity, we’ve also gathered them below.

eSIM installation

• Open the Vostra app on your iPhone
• Go to « My eSIMs »
• Select the desired eSIM and tap « Details »
• Tap « View Instructions »
• Select « Direct »
• Tap « Install eSIM »
• Tap « Next » to follow the steps one by one
• Tap « Continue » twice and wait a few minutes for activation
• Tap « Done ».

eSIM customization

• Add a label to identify your new eSIM:
  • Tap « Secondary »
  • Enter « Vostra » or another name of your choice
  • Tap « Done », then « Continue »
• Choose your primary line for calls and SMS, then tap « Continue »
• Select your primary line for iMessage & FaceTime, then tap « Continue »
• Choose your Vostra eSIM for cellular data
  • Make sure « Allow Cellular Data Switching » is off
  • Tap « Continue ».

Once these steps are finalized, the installation page will close automatically.

eSIM activation at destination

• Open « Settings »
• Tap « Cellular » or « Mobile »
• Select your eSIM
• Check that the eSIM is activated. If not, enable « Turn On This Line »
• Consult the Vostra app to see if you need to enable « Data Roaming »
• Enable or disable roaming according to the instructions.
• Go back to « Settings »
• Tap « Cellular Data » or « Mobile Data » and select your eSIM.

Your eSIM will then automatically connect to a compatible network. Enjoy a local connection as soon as you arrive and travel worry-free!

eSIM Troubleshooting

Having connection issues? Don’t panic, try these steps:

• Adjust roaming: check your eSIM guide to see if it needs to be enabled or disabled.
• Update your APN settings if necessary: a step-by-step tutorial is usually included in your installation instructions.
• Restart your phone.

And there you have it, you’re ready to fully enjoy your eSIM on iPhone and stay connected wherever you are.

Staying connected while traveling is a smart choice, but not always straightforward. Between Wi-Fi, data plans, and roaming charges, it’s easy to get confused. Today, we’re expanding your horizons with a new alternative: the eSIM.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card directly integrated into your device, allowing you to connect instantly, at a lower cost, wherever you are in the world. But why choose an eSIM when nano SIMs already exist?

That’s where we come in. Discover in detail what differentiates the eSIM from the nano SIM and which solution is best suited to your needs.

The Evolution of the SIM Card

At the dawn of the mobile phone era, SIM cards were almost as large as bank cards, just like the devices themselves, which were bulky and cumbersome!

Since then, miniaturization has done its work: first with micro SIMs, then with nano SIMs, which are 40% smaller, and finally eSIMs, reduced to a tiny chip of just 2.5 mm x 2.3 mm.

Yet, despite this incredible size reduction, the basic technology remains unchanged. The SIM card remains a memory chip containing your user information, essential for accessing the mobile network.

In short, the smaller the SIM gets, the more space it frees up in your devices, allowing for example to integrate a more powerful battery or to design ever thinner and more elegant phones.

What is a nano SIM card?

Today, nano SIMs represent the most compact physical SIM card format on the market. They have become the essential standard, integrated into the majority of current smartphones.

However, there is no indication that this is the ultimate evolution of SIM cards as we know them today.

What is an eSIM?

The eSIM, on the other hand, pushes the boundaries of the traditional SIM card concept by eliminating the hardware constraint. Instead of inserting a card into a tray with a needle, the eSIM chip is directly integrated into the device. You then simply download your plan to connect to the network.

While some models still have a slot for a physical card in addition to the eSIM, many recent smartphones now rely solely on this integrated solution.

eSIM vs nano-SIM: More Similarities Than You Imagine

We often tend to pit classic SIM cards against eSIMs, as if they were incomparable. You might be surprised to learn that they share many common points:

• They connect your device to your mobile operator’s network.
• They are used on a multitude of devices, not just smartphones.
• They identify your phone and ensure the correct plan is applied.
• In a Dual SIM mobile, they work together.
• Ultimately, they are both… SIMs!

The distinction? The eSIM is directly integrated into the phone and downloads your plan remotely, whereas the classic nano-SIM requires a physical card. Beyond this difference, both technologies indeed fulfill a similar function.

eSIM vs. nano SIM: which is the better option?

It all depends on how you plan to use your smartphone. Before deciding, here’s a quick overview of each’s strengths.

Advantages of the nano SIM

Introduced in 2012, the nano SIM is now a proven standard. This longevity offers several advantages 👇:

• Easy to acquire : Present in almost all recent smartphones, the nano SIM is easily found, provided of course you remain vigilant against scams targeting travelers.
• Simplified transfer from one device to another : As long as your SIM card and phone are not locked, simply remove it and insert it into a new device. It’s that simple!
• Local number in a flash : Need a local phone number for calls and SMS during an overseas trip? Pop a nano SIM into your device and you’re all set.

Advantages of the eSIM

The eSIM revolutionizes your mobile experience: directly integrated into your smartphone, it eliminates the constraints of physical SIM cards. Changing operators becomes child’s play, and activating a new data plan is done in a few clicks. Some of these qualities👇:

• Unparalleled flexibility : Save up to 15 to 20 eSIM profiles on your phone and easily switch from one to another, depending on your needs or destinations.
• Keep your usual number : If your device is equipped with a dual SIM (physical + eSIM), continue to use your traditional number for calls. Otherwise, simply opt for WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging apps to stay reachable.
• Integrated regional plans : Some eSIM subscriptions offer you coverage in multiple countries. Perfect for travelers who want to stay connected without changing cards at every border.
• Impossible to lose : Unlike a physical SIM card, an eSIM remains stored on your phone’s chip. You no longer risk losing your plan or compromising your connection.

Enjoy the flexibility of Dual SIM with eSIM and nano-SIM

Did you know you can use an eSIM alone or combine it with a nano-SIM in the same phone? This combination, called Dual SIM, offers you unparalleled flexibility. There are two types of Dual SIM:

1. Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS)
   With DSDS mode, you simply choose which SIM card handles your calls and messages. When traveling, for example, you can keep your nano-SIM for rare SMS or calls (such as multi-factor authentication) while still using your eSIM’s data.
2. Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA)
   DSDA technology goes further: your eSIM and nano-SIM are both active simultaneously. This means you can receive calls and SMS on both your numbers and switch between operators in case of an unstable network. This solution is ideal for staying reachable on both a local and an international number. Be aware, however, that this increased versatility consumes more battery.

Ultimately, the key is to find the configuration that best suits your needs.

Want to stay connected anywhere in the world without the hassle of a physical SIM card? It’s now possible! Thanks to eSIMs, travel light and enjoy international connectivity in just a few clicks.

With an eSIM, you just need to purchase a plan via the Vostra app, then scan a QR code, download it manually, or install it directly on your compatible smartphone. And just like that: you’re ready to communicate as if you were home, with no extra hardware!

You’re probably wondering if the procedure is really that simple, especially when traveling abroad? We get it: eSIM technology has really only taken off in recent years. If you want to know how your international eSIM actually works, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll reveal everything about this small revolution that’s simplifying travelers’ lives.

What is an eSIM for international travel?

Planning to travel abroad and looking to stay connected without breaking the bank? Between international plans with exorbitant rates and data generously offered… in 2G, the task can seem complicated. Relying on Wi-Fi? Why not, but beware of security vulnerabilities, and it’s far from accessible everywhere.

Fortunately, if your phone is relatively new, you might already have a clever option: eSIM.

An eSIM (« embedded subscriber identity module ») is a chip integrated into your smartphone’s circuitry, which replaces the traditional SIM card with simple software to provide data service. Its strength? You can change operators or plans as often as you like, without juggling physical cards. Simply go to a dedicated platform like Vostra, then choose the subscription that suits your needs and the duration of your trip.

Particularly convenient when abroad, the eSIM doesn’t require you to remove your main SIM. It simply remains deactivated (unless you opt for dual SIM mode). Once you’re back, you just switch back to your usual SIM card as if nothing happened.

How do international eSIMs work?

eSIMs offer a clever solution to enjoy mobile data abroad without breaking your budget or frantically searching for a local SIM card upon arrival. Instead of physically replacing your usual SIM card, you simply select a plan via an app like Vostra. Then, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to activate this new plan on your smartphone.

Specifically, the eSIM relies on local service providers that offer dedicated prepaid plans. Vostra, for its part, gathers these plans in one place to make your life easier.

Using an eSIM is very similar to using a local SIM card, with the difference that you keep your usual number (if your phone supports dual SIM, which is the case for most eSIM-compatible devices). Without this dual SIM functionality, you will still have data access and can make calls or send messages via WhatsApp, Telegram, and other online applications.

Why choose an eSIM over a local SIM card? The advantages that will convince you

Local SIM cards remain very popular with travelers abroad, but they are not the only ones generating interest. Indeed, a 2019 study reveals that 60% of consumers would adopt an eSIM service if it were offered to them. And for good reason: international eSIMs offer significant advantages over traditional SIMs.

Regional plans rather than national ones

If you travel through several countries, there’s no need to change your SIM card at each border. eSIM plans covering an entire region will accompany you throughout your journey.

Transparent local rates

On platforms like Vostra, you know exactly what you’re buying and what you’re paying for. In a store, even at an airport, it’s sometimes less clear!

Pre-purchase your data

No need to chase a SIM as soon as you land. Simply activate your eSIM data plan and immediately enjoy your phone.

Multiple plans on a single device

No more hassle of physical SIMs piling up. Most smartphones allow storing multiple eSIM plans, which greatly simplifies your organization.

Flexible durations according to your needs

Rather than committing to a full month to use only a fraction of the data, opt for the flexibility of eSIMs. Choose the data amount and duration that truly suit you.

In short, international eSIMs are increasingly becoming the ideal solution for traveling light, staying connected at lower costs, and avoiding the stress of changing SIMs at each step.

Conquer the world with peace of mind thanks to international eSIM

Now that you understand how it works, you are armed with a valuable ally for your next trip. In the blink of an eye, say goodbye to connection hassles and unexpected costs: eSIMs guarantee you total freedom in over 200 destinations supported by Vostra.

Already dreaming of your next getaway? Take a look at the Vostra store and explore the many options available to you.