eSIM for Kids, a Second Phone and iPad: Getting the Whole Family Online Abroad
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Short answer: any eSIM-compatible device in the family can have its own travel data plan: a child's phone, a second work phone, or a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad or tablet. Each device stays online on its own, without draining a parent's battery through a hotspot. Wi-Fi-only iPads can't use an eSIM at all.
Why an eSIM for kids, a second phone and a tablet makes sense
When planning a family holiday, most parents sort out a data plan for their own phone and forget the other devices: the kid's phone, the second work phone, the iPad for long journeys. The result is familiar: everyone depends on a hotspot from one phone, the battery dies halfway through the day, and the data runs out even sooner.
An eSIM solves that. Every compatible device can get its own digital data plan, installed in minutes, before you even take off.
What is an eSIM, in short?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into the device. Instead of inserting a physical card, you scan a QR code or install a profile, and the device connects to the mobile network at your destination. There's no card to lose, no airport kiosk to find, and a single device can hold several profiles. More in how an eSIM works.
eSIM for kids: staying reachable abroad
Kids and teens want to be connected abroad, and parents want to stay in touch with them. An eSIM for kids gives you:
- Constant contact: your child can message and call on WhatsApp even when they're not right next to you.
- Budget control: a plan with a fixed amount of data. When it runs out, it runs out, with no surprise roaming charges.
- Navigation and location sharing: if your child wanders off at a theme park or a mall, live location sharing works without Wi-Fi.
- New life for an old phone: an old phone that supports eSIM can become your child's "travel phone", even without an active home plan.
Tip for parents: before the flight, set up the built-in parental controls (Screen Time on iPhone, Family Link on Android) so you can manage apps and screen time abroad too.
eSIM for a second phone: keeping work and holiday separate
Have a work phone and a personal phone? Instead of paying roaming on both or leaving one behind, install an eSIM on the second phone:
- One phone keeps your home line for important SMS messages (like bank verification codes).
- The other phone gets an affordable data plan for your destination, for maps, social media and WhatsApp calls.
You stay reachable without leaving roaming on for your main line the whole trip.
eSIM for iPad and tablets: entertainment and navigation on the road
An eSIM for iPad or another tablet is a great solution for long car journeys, for the navigator in the passenger seat, or for shows in the back seat.
Important before you buy:
- Only Wi-Fi + Cellular models support eSIM. A Wi-Fi-only iPad has no cellular hardware at all and can't connect to a data plan.
- Newer iPads are eSIM-only: starting with the 2024 models (such as iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2), cellular iPads ship without a physical SIM tray and work with eSIM only.
- Samsung tablets: some newer Galaxy Tab S 5G models support eSIM, but support varies by model and region of purchase. Check your specific model.
Watch your data usage: streaming video uses a lot of data. If the kids will watch shows on the way, download episodes in advance on hotel Wi-Fi and choose a plan with enough data. Here's how much data you need per day.
How do you check if a device supports eSIM?
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular. If you see "Add eSIM", the phone supports it.
- iPad: Settings > Cellular Data. If there's no such menu, it's a Wi-Fi-only model.
- Android: Settings > Connections > SIM manager. If there's an option to add an eSIM, the device supports it.
- Quick check: dial *#06#. If an EID number appears, the device has an eSIM chip.
Also make sure the device is unlocked to all networks and not locked to a specific carrier. You can also check your model in our compatibility checker.
One hotspot or an eSIM for every device?
| Hotspot from a parent's phone | Separate eSIM for each device | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Drains fast | Every device runs independently |
| Range | Only when devices are close | Works anywhere |
| Data | Everyone uses one plan | Each device has its own data |
| A child who wanders off | Gets disconnected | Stays connected |
How to set up a travel eSIM for the whole family
- Choose a destination and plan on FlySim, based on the length of the trip and how much data each device needs.
- Install the eSIM at home, while the device is on Wi-Fi. Here's the step-by-step installation guide.
- When you land: turn on the eSIM line, set it as the data line, and turn on data roaming for the eSIM line only.
- On your home line: turn off data roaming to avoid charges.
Note: travel eSIM plans are data plans in most cases. For calls, use apps like WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install an eSIM on my child's old phone without an active plan?
Yes, as long as the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked to all networks.
Can I install an eSIM on an iPad I bought as Wi-Fi only?
No. Only Wi-Fi + Cellular models include the cellular hardware an eSIM needs.
Does the iPhone 17 support eSIM?
Yes. The iPhone 17 series supports eSIM, and you can install a travel data plan on it like on any compatible phone.
Which eSIM plan should each device get?
A parent's phone used for navigation and location sharing needs more data. A child's phone used mostly for messaging usually needs less. For a tablet with video, choose a large plan or download content in advance.
Are there eSIM plans for Europe and the USA?
Yes. FlySim has plans for Europe, the United States and many other destinations, with fast digital activation.
Summary
A travel eSIM for every device in the family saves money, battery and nerves. Instead of sharing one hotspot, everyone gets their own connection: the kids, the second phone and the iPad. Check compatibility, choose a plan for your destination, and install it before takeoff.