How do I activate an eSIM on iOS?

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Scan the QR code provided by your carrier or paste the activation code. Once added, make sure to enable Data Roaming for the eSIM only. If no service appears, toggle Airplane Mode for 10 seconds and try again.

How do I activate an eSIM on Android?

On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add eSIM. Choose to scan the QR code or enter the activation code manually. Once added, set the eSIM as your Data SIM and enable Mobile Data. Some devices may require a restart for the eSIM to be fully activated.

Can I keep my physical SIM active while using an eSIM?

Yes, you can keep your physical SIM active for calls and SMS while using the eSIM for mobile data. Most devices allow you to select which SIM handles data, calls, or texts separately.

What should I do if my eSIM does not activate?

If your eSIM fails to activate, double-check the QR code or activation code. Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi during activation. Restart your device, and if it still doesn’t work, contact your eSIM provider for troubleshooting or request a replacement QR code.

Best eSIM for South Korea (2025) | Seoul, Busan & Jeju Coverage

Quick Answer: If you’re traveling to South Korea in 2025, an eSIM is the fastest way to get reliable 4G/5G data the moment you land at Incheon (ICN) or Gimpo (GMP). You buy online, scan a QR code, and connect on Korea’s top-tier networks without visiting a SIM shop. This guide compares the best eSIMs for South Korea, shows typical prices, explains coverage, and gives you an easy setup checklist.

Why use an eSIM in South Korea?

South Korea is one of the most connected countries in the world, with excellent 5G in major cities and dense subway systems. Using an eSIM means:

Activate before arrival and start navigating to your hotel instantly.
Skip kiosk queues and language barriers.
Keep your WhatsApp/number active while adding a dedicated data line.
Choose between small plans for short trips or unlimited-style plans for heavy use.

Quick Picks (2025)

Budget local: Airalo — cheap, metered data packs (1–10 GB) ideal for city breaks.
Unlimited-style: Holafly — “unlimited” data with fair-use (FUP); simple if you hate counting GBs.
Regional Asia: Nomad — APAC bundles that also work in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, etc.

South Korea eSIM Prices (2025 snapshot)

Exact prices vary by promos, but these are realistic ranges many travelers see. Always check the plan page for current rates and hotspot rules.

Provider	Plan	Price (USD)	Validity	Best for
Airalo	1–3 GB	$5–$9	7–15 days	Short city trips
Airalo	5–10 GB	$13–$22	30 days	1–2 week itineraries
Holafly	Unlimited-style	$29–$69	5–30 days	Heavy streaming / hotspot (FUP applies)
Nomad	APAC bundle 5–10 GB	$15–$30	7–30 days	Multi-country Asia trips

Coverage & 5G in South Korea

South Korea’s three major networks are known for speed and reliability:

SK Telecom — outstanding urban coverage and fast 5G in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon.
KT (Olleh) — strong nationwide footprint, reliable on intercity routes.
LG U+ — competitive in cities, expanding 5G quickly.

Travel eSIMs typically roam on SK Telecom or KT, so you’ll get fast data in most tourist areas: Myeong-dong, Gangnam, Hongdae, Gyeongbokgung, Busan Haeundae, and Jeju City. In national parks and remote coastal roads you may drop to 4G—download offline maps if you’re hiking or road-tripping.

Subway, T-Money & connectivity

Seoul’s subway is deep and extensive; cellular data works in most stations and tunnels. For local transit, consider a T-money card for buses/subway and use your eSIM data for live directions on Naver or Kakao Maps (often better than Google Maps for addresses in Korea).

Setup: 2-minute checklist

Buy your plan (Airalo / Holafly / Nomad) and open the QR code email.
iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM.
Scan QR → set the eSIM as your Mobile Data line.
Enable Data Roaming for the eSIM only (leave physical SIM for calls/2FA if needed).
Restart if prompted, then test with a quick map search or browser load.

Which Korea eSIM fits your trip?

Seoul weekend (3–5 days): Airalo 1–3 GB is enough for maps, social, and food apps.
1–2 weeks (Seoul + Busan/Jeju): Airalo 5–10 GB or Nomad APAC bundle if you’ll also visit Japan or Singapore.
Heavy users / remote work: Holafly unlimited-style to avoid counting GBs (watch FUP and tethering limits).

How to save data (so you don’t overpay)

Download offline areas on Naver/Kakao/Google Maps.
Use hotel/café Wi-Fi for big updates and cloud backups.
Lower video quality to 480p/720p when on mobile data.
Limit hotspot—laptops can burn through GBs quickly.

Driving & intercity trains

On KTX routes (Seoul–Busan, Seoul–Gwangju, Seoul–Daegu), coverage is strong but tunnels can momentarily drop signal. Highways around Seoul Metropolitan Area are well covered; remote mountain roads on Jeju or Seoraksan can have spotty areas — keep tickets and navigation cached offline.

Troubleshooting

No data after install: toggle Airplane Mode, confirm eSIM is the active Data line, and data roaming is ON.
Slow speeds: switch between 5G/4G; indoor 4G can be more stable in some malls or basements.
Calls/SMS: most travel eSIMs are data-only. Use app-based calls or keep your physical SIM active.

FAQs

Is my phone compatible? iPhone XS or newer, modern Samsung Galaxy (S/Note/Flip/Fold), and Google Pixel 4+ generally support eSIM. Check for “Add eSIM” in settings.

Is 5G included? Many plans include 5G where available, falling back to 4G. Actual speed depends on location and network load.

Can I hotspot? Airalo & Nomad usually allow tethering; Holafly may throttle heavy hotspot use under FUP.

Do I need a Korean number? Not for most travelers. Data-only eSIMs cover maps, rides, and messaging (WhatsApp/iMessage).

Useful Internal Links

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate. We keep recommendations practical and update ranges as offers change.