Frequently asked questions

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. You activate it by scanning a QR code we email you - no physical card, no store visit, done in about 3 minutes. It works on iPhone XS and later, plus most Android flagships from 2020 onward. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, our physical SIM covers the same 190+ countries.

Choose an eSIM if you have a newer phone and want it in seconds - it's digital and delivered by email. Choose a physical SIM if you have an older phone, a dual-SIM or work device, a tablet or a phone bought in mainland China - it works in any phone with a SIM tray. Both cover 190+ countries, are reusable and rechargeable, and work in China without a VPN. See the full comparison ->

eSIMs arrive by email in seconds and install via QR code in under a minute. Physical SIMs ship within 1 business day and arrive in 1-5 days. We recommend installing your eSIM 1-3 days before departure and activating on arrival. Every plan has a 180-day activation window, so you can buy now and activate any time within 180 days.

Most phones from 2019 onward qualify: iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+, and most Android flagships. One catch - phones bought in mainland China can only use Chinese-carrier eSIMs, even with an EID. No EID or a carrier-locked phone? Our physical SIM works in any phone with a SIM tray and ships worldwide.

Quickest check: dial *#06# on your phone - if you see an EID number, you're eSIM-ready. Or run our 30-second compatibility check to confirm your exact model. If it's not supported, the physical SIM has you covered.

No - both RORO eSIM and physical SIM are data-only: they give you mobile data, not a new number for calls or texts. RORO runs in dual-SIM mode alongside your existing line, so your original number keeps receiving calls and SMS as usual.

Yes - tethering and personal hotspot are supported. On fixed data plans you can share your full data allowance. On unlimited plans, hotspot sharing is capped at 500 MB per day.

190+ countries through 300+ local operators. Headline destinations: Japan (NTT/KDDI/SoftBank), Thailand (AIS/TrueMove), Korea (KT/SK), a 34-country Europe pass, the USA (T-Mobile/AT&T), mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Most regions run 4G LTE; major destinations support 5G.

Local - one country (Japan, Thailand, USA...). Best value for a single destination. Regional - a group of countries in one area, like the 34-country Europe pass or a Southeast Asia pass. Ideal for multi-country trips. Global - 80-130+ countries in one plan, best for frequent flyers crossing continents.

Fixed plans give you a set amount of data (e.g. 1, 5 or 10 GB) to use within the validity window - best when you know roughly how much you'll need. Unlimited plans have no cap on daily browsing, so you never run dry; hotspot sharing on unlimited plans is limited to 500 MB per day. Both run at full 4G/5G speed.

Yes. RORO China routes through international networks. Google, Gmail, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, ChatGPT - all work directly in mainland China, no VPN needed. Coverage includes mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. More about China ->

Plans start at $1.99/day. Country plans typically run $2.49-$4.99 for 1 GB / 7 days. Europe 34-country plans start at $3.99. Larger buckets (5/10/20 GB) bring the per-day cost as low as $0.27. No roaming surcharges, no hidden fees.

No. The price you see is the price you pay - there are no roaming surcharges, activation fees or contracts. Prices are shown in USD and your bank handles any currency conversion at its own rate. Physical SIMs add a small flat shipping fee (free to mainland China).

Credit & debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. WeChat Pay and Alipay are also accepted - but only for real-name-verified users in mainland China. No ID is required for card payments.

Connect to WiFi, then scan the QR code from your confirmation email (or enter the activation code manually) - your eSIM installs in under a minute. Do this before you travel. On arrival, turn on data roaming for the RORO line and you're connected. Our step-by-step install guide covers iPhone and Android.

The clock starts when your eSIM first connects to a network at your destination - not when you buy or install it. So you can buy early and install on WiFi at home without losing a day. Your plan stays ready to activate for up to 180 days after purchase.

Every plan - eSIM or physical SIM - has a 180-day activation window: buy now and activate any time within 180 days. Need several plans, or multiple for one destination? Order them all at once and they activate automatically in order of destination and purchase date. Any unused plan is fully refundable before it expires.

Top up before you run out - we strongly recommend it. Topping up needs an internet connection, so if your data runs dry while you're offline, recharging becomes a hassle. You'll get an alert at 10% remaining - tap Top Up in the app or on the plan page, pay, and your data is back in seconds. No reinstall, no waiting.

Sign in on the RORO website or app, open My SIMs, choose your card, and add a destination plan - live in seconds, no reinstall and no new card. Or go to Top Up and enter your ICCID and PIN directly without signing in. Reuse the same SIM trip after trip.

Yes. Buy multiple plans at once - for different countries or even several for the same destination - and they activate automatically in order, one after another, as each is used up. It's a great way to set up a multi-country trip in advance. Unused plans stay fully refundable until they expire.

Pick the physical SIM on any plan page and check out - it ships within 1 business day. Delivery is free to mainland China and a small flat fee elsewhere, arriving in 1-5 days with tracking. Order about a week before you travel so it's waiting for you.

Your card stays valid for 2 years, and every time you top up the validity extends by another 2 years. If it goes unused for 2 consecutive years, it expires. Your data plan has its own validity, but the card keeps going as long as you use it.

Yes - like our China eSIM, the physical SIM routes data over an international connection, so apps such as Google, WhatsApp and ChatGPT work without a VPN needed. It's a great option for older or work phones travelling to China.

Any unused data plan can be refunded in full any time before it expires - eSIM or physical SIM. Once a physical card has shipped, however, the card and its shipping fee are non-refundable. Open live chat or the support button to start a refund.

First, check your spam and promotions folders. We also auto-create an account for you at checkout, so you can sign in and find your QR code and activation code any time on the My SIMs page. Still stuck? Message support - we reply in under 2 minutes.

Real humans, 24/7, replying in 15 languages with an average response under 2 minutes. Tap the support button any time, or email team@roroesim.com. For setup help, the install guide walks through every step.