Getting online in Hong Kong and Macao from the mainland: roaming, eSIM or one SIM for all
For a trip from the mainland to Hong Kong or Macao there are three ways to stay online: your own carrier’s roaming, a Hong Kong or Macao eSIM, or a physical SIM that works in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Which suits you depends on how long you stay and how often you cross back.
Three ways to get online
- Your own carrier’s roaming: nothing to buy or install, opened in your carrier’s app; usually charged by the day or by package, at your carrier’s prices.
- A Hong Kong or Macao eSIM: the install code comes minutes after paying, and your mainland SIM stays in for text codes. Hong Kong from $1.80, Macao from $1.80. The phone has to support eSIM.
- A physical SIM for mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan: one card for all of them, from $1.90 (a first order may add a card fee, shown at checkout). It suits people who cross often or whose phone has no eSIM; it is posted, 1–3 days after ordering.
Our Hong Kong and Macao prices
- Hong Kong: 7 plans, the cheapest 1GB for 30 days, $1.80.
- Macao: 7 plans, the cheapest 1GB for 3 days, $1.80, enough for a day trip.
Crossing the border
- A Hong Kong plan works only in Hong Kong, and a Macao plan only in Macao: neither works in Shenzhen, Zhuhai or each other.
- Going to both? Two eSIMs, one for each, or one SIM card that works in both.
- Back on the mainland, switch mobile data to your mainland SIM, and turn its data roaming back off when you go again.
Mainland-China iPhones
An eSIM iPhone bought in mainland China (iPhone Air, 17e and others) cannot install a Hong Kong or Macao eSIM while still on the mainland. Buy it before you go and install it once you are in Hong Kong or Macao, with Location Services on. More on mainland-China phones
Questions
Where can I buy a Macao SIM?
Online before you go: a Macao eSIM installs minutes after paying, the cheapest 1GB for 3 days, $1.80. Without eSIM, a SIM card that also works in Hong Kong and the mainland, from $1.90, posted 1–3 days after ordering.
Roaming or a local plan for Macao?
Roaming needs nothing installed, at your carrier’s prices, usually by the day. A local eSIM is paid once, from $1.80. For a day trip either works; for longer stays, compare with your carrier’s price.
Does a Hong Kong eSIM work on the mainland?
Our Hong Kong plans work in Hong Kong only. Crossing back and forth often? A SIM card that works in the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao covers all three.
Can a mainland-China iPhone Air use a Hong Kong eSIM?
Yes, once you are in Hong Kong: it cannot install it while on the mainland. Install it after you cross, with Location Services on.
How do I find the number of my Hong Kong SIM?
Our Hong Kong and Macao eSIMs are data only, with no local number, so there is none to find. Use your home number for text codes.