eSIM for Groups: How to Manage eSIMs for 10+ Travelers Without the Headache

Short answer: to manage eSIMs for a group, buy them all into one group account, assign each eSIM to a traveler by name and email, and send each person their own QR code from the dashboard. Have everyone install before departure, then use the dashboard's filters to see who hasn't activated yet and who's running low on data during the trip.

Buying an eSIM for yourself takes a minute. Buying eSIMs for a group of 15 or 40 travelers is a different story: you have to hand out codes, make sure everyone installed, and answer "why don't I have internet?" abroad. This guide explains how to do it in an organized way, from purchase to the last day of the trip, using FlySim's group dashboard.

Who this guide is for

• Group trip organizers: company trips, staff retreats, community and senior trips.
• Delegation coordinators: youth delegations, professional delegations and sports teams.
• Companies: a team flying to a conference, a trade show or a project abroad. See also our guide to eSIM for business travel.

The problem with group eSIMs without a management tool

When you buy several eSIMs together, all the QR codes arrive in one email. That's where the problems start:

• Who got which code? Each QR code is meant to be scanned once. If two travelers scan the same code, one of them will be left without.
• Who installed and who didn't? There's no way to know until someone complains abroad.
• Whose data is running out? You only find out when the traveler is already stuck.

The group dashboard was built exactly for this.

Step 1: Open a group account

Leave your details on our business and groups page: where you're going, how many travelers and when. We'll get back to you with a quote and open an account for you. You can set up more than one manager, for example the trip organizer and another staff member.

You sign in to the dashboard with your email only: type it in, receive a one-time code by email, and you're in. No password to remember.

Step 2: Buy the eSIMs

There are two ways, with the same result: the eSIMs appear in your dashboard.

• Buy on the site while signed in: choose a destination and plan, update the quantity in your cart and pay. When you're signed in, the cart shows a message that the order will be added to the group account, and that happens automatically.
• By quote: if we've agreed a quote with you, we link the order to your account ourselves.

Tip: choose one standard plan for the whole group with a safety margin on data. It's easier to manage, and fewer travelers get stuck. Need help choosing? See how much data to buy for a trip abroad.

Step 3: Assign a traveler to each eSIM

The dashboard shows a table of all your eSIMs. For each one, click Edit / send and enter:

• The traveler's name.
• Their email. For young travelers you can enter a parent's email.
• A note (optional). For example a phone number, room or sub-group.

Step 4: Send each traveler their QR code

Click Send QR to traveler. The traveler receives a personal email with:

• The QR code for their eSIM only.
• Installation instructions for iPhone and Android.
• An explanation of turning on data roaming abroad.
• The eSIM number, which they can use to check their balance on the check usage page.

The dashboard records who each code was sent to and when. If a traveler can't find the email, you can send it again.

Step 5: Make sure everyone installs before the flight

It's best to install at home, on Wi-Fi. With groups, it works best to set a shared installation time, for example at the end of a preparation meeting or in the group's WhatsApp chat, with a link to the installation guide. Before that, check on the plan page when its validity starts: on some plans at the first connection to a network at the destination, and on others already at installation.

And even earlier, right at the start of planning, ask all participants to check that their phone supports eSIM with our compatibility checker.

Step 6: Track everyone during the trip

This is the part that really saves headaches. At the top of the dashboard there's a summary of the whole group:

• In use
• Not activated yet
• Running low on data
• Ended

In the table itself, each traveler has a bar showing how much data is left, and when it expires. You can filter by Running low, Not activated or No traveler, and search by name.

How to use it in practice

• On landing day: filter by Not activated. Anyone still listed a few hours after arrival probably hasn't turned on data roaming for the eSIM line. Go over to them, and it's sorted in a minute.
• Mid-trip: filter by Running low, and deal with it before anyone is left without internet.

Note: usage data comes from the mobile network and may update with a delay of a few hours.

Group eSIMs vs. a pocket router

Some groups consider one or more pocket Wi-Fi routers. That can work when everyone is always together, but with a group it breaks down quickly: as soon as people split up, whoever is far from the router is left without internet. You also have to charge, collect and return them. With an eSIM, every traveler is connected on their own. Full comparison in eSIM vs. pocket Wi-Fi router.

Frequently asked questions

How many eSIMs can I buy in one order?

In the cart you can order up to 20 units of each plan. For larger groups, or for a volume quote, leave your details on the business and groups page.

Do travelers need an account on the site?

No. Only the organizer signs in to the dashboard. Travelers receive an email with their code, and that's it.

Can I resend the QR code to a traveler who can't find the email?

Yes. From the dashboard you can resend to the same email or a different one. Note that each QR code is meant to be scanned once, so resending doesn't give an extra eSIM.

What if travelers in the group are going to different destinations?

No problem. You can buy different plans on the same account, and each eSIM appears in the table with its destination and plan.

How do I know who hasn't installed yet?

After landing, the Not activated filter shows who hasn't connected to the network at the destination yet. Before landing there's no way to tell from the data, so it's worth doing a shared installation at home.

Organizing a group?

Tell us where, how many travelers and when, and we'll get back to you with a quote and a group dashboard. Request a quote for your group.