South Korea eSIM: which plan for your trip, how to install it, and prices
There are 6 South Korea eSIM plans from $1.90; for a week with about 3GB, 3GB for 7 days, $4.90. Two questions come up most before a trip to Korea: which plan fits how many days, and how maps and taxis work once you are there. Korea’s plans step up by days, from 3 to 180. First how to pick by trip length, then buying and installing, then what is different about being online in Korea.
Check your phone can use an eSIM
- Dial *#06#: if an “EID” line shows, the phone supports eSIM. On an iPhone you can also find the EID in Settings → General → About.
- The phone also has to be unlocked, that is, not locked to a carrier.
- Most iPhones sold in mainland China do not support eSIM. Newer mainland models such as iPhone Air, 17e and the 18 Pro do, but they cannot install a foreign eSIM while in mainland China: install it after you arrive, with Location Services on. They also hold at most two eSIMs. Many Hong Kong and Macao models do not support eSIM either. A phone with no EID cannot install an eSIM.
South Korea eSIM plans and prices
South Korea has 6 plans today, from $1.90, lasting up to 180 days. 30-day plans: 10GB $11.90. Choose by days and data: for a short trip that is mostly maps and messages, a small plan is enough; if you stream video, go bigger.
Tap a plan to buy it; the price is the same as here, and the order page is final.
Which plan for your trip
For each trip length, the cheapest plan that lasts that long. Stream a lot of video? Take a bigger one; running low there, you can add a plan in My cards.
How to buy
- Open South Korea on Green Tea Mobile and choose the data and days.
- Pay with Alipay, WeChat Pay or points.
- Minutes after paying, the install code (a QR code) appears on the order page and in My cards, and is emailed to you.
How to install: iPhone and Android
You get the install code as soon as you pay, so you can install it at home on Wi-Fi before you leave (an eSIM iPhone bought in mainland China is the exception: install it after you arrive). Most plans only start counting when you first connect in South Korea; a few start at payment, and the plan page says which.
iPhone
- From iOS 17.4, open My cards in Safari, tap the one-tap install and follow the prompts.
- Or go to Settings → Mobile Data (Cellular) → Add eSIM, choose Use QR Code and scan the code in My cards; you can also enter it manually with the SM-DP+ address and activation code.
Android
- Open Settings → Network & internet (or Mobile network) → SIMs.
- Choose Add eSIM, Download a SIM, or scan a carrier QR code.
- Scan the QR code, or enter the activation code manually. The path differs a little between brands.
Only one phone, so you cannot scan the code on its own screen? Save the QR code image to your photos, then pick it from your photos on the install screen.
Using it in South Korea
- iPhone: open Settings → Mobile Data, tap this eSIM, turn on Data Roaming, and set mobile data to use it.
- Android: open Settings → Mobile network or SIMs, tap this eSIM, turn on Data roaming, and make it the SIM for data.
- Keep data roaming off on your usual SIM and it runs up no roaming data charges; with international roaming on, it can usually still receive text codes.
- How much data is left and when it ends are shown in My cards. Running low? Add a plan there, with no reinstall.
Online in Korea: what is different
- Maps: Google Maps in Korea finds buses and the metro, but its walking and driving directions are incomplete. Most people there use Naver Map or KakaoMap; install one before you go.
- Taxis: Kakao T is the app most people in Korea use.
- No Korean number: our Korea eSIM is data only, with no Korean phone number. Some Korean apps and sites ask for a local number to send a sign-up code, and those will not work with it.
- Jeju is part of Korea: the same Korea plan works there, with nothing extra to buy.
The usual mistakes
- Deleting the installed eSIM: once deleted, it usually cannot be installed again.
- Scanning one code on two phones: an eSIM installs once, and works only on the phone it was installed on.
- Installed, but no data on arrival: first check Data Roaming is on for this eSIM.
- Data roaming left on for your usual SIM: the phone may use it for data and run up roaming charges.
- Installing on a mainland-China iPhone Air or 17e before you leave: it will not install in mainland China. Wait until you arrive, and turn on Location Services.
- Buying before checking the phone: iPhones from mainland China mostly cannot use eSIM. If it happens, an eSIM not yet installed can be refunded on its order page, in full, to points.
Questions
How much is a South Korea eSIM?
There are 6 plans today: 1GB for 3 days, $1.90, 3GB for 7 days, $4.90, 5GB for 14 days, $6.90, 10GB for 30 days, $11.90, 30GB for 90 days, $29.90, 50GB for 180 days, $37.50.
Five days in Seoul: which plan?
The cheapest plan that lasts 5 days is 3GB for 7 days, $4.90. If you stream a lot, take a bigger one.
Does a Korea eSIM come with a Korean number?
No. The plans are data only, with no Korean phone number, so apps that need a local number for a sign-up code will not work with it. Keep your usual SIM in the phone: with international roaming on, it can usually still receive your home text codes.
Does it work on Jeju?
Yes. Jeju is part of Korea, and the same Korea plan works there.
When does the plan start counting?
Most plans start when you first connect at your destination; a few start at payment, and the plan page says which. So you can install it before you go, unless your eSIM iPhone was bought in mainland China: those install only after you arrive.
I bought one and never used it. Can I get a refund?
An eSIM not yet installed on a phone can be refunded on its order page, in full, to points. Once installed or used, it cannot be refunded on request.