Effortless USA Travel SIM: Push Notification eSIM Setup Guide

Gone are the days of fumbling with fiddly physical SIM cards, worrying about losing them in transit, or wasting precious holiday hours hunting for a local shop just to get online. eSIM technology has already made staying connected overseas so much simpler — but we believe it should be even more effortless.

With our push notification activation, you can say goodbye to QR codes altogether. Imagine landing in the USA and getting connected in minutes — no printing, no scanning, no hassle. Your travel SIM comes directly to your phone, ready to go with just a few taps.

Whether you’re heading to the United States for business, a holiday, or plan to hop over to Canada or Mexico as well, our USA eSIMs make sure you’re never out of touch. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how our push notification system works, what you need to prepare, and why it’s the simplest, smartest way to stay connected on the road.

Beyond QR Codes: How Push Notification eSIMs Work

Travel should feel exciting, not stressful. That’s why we’ve embraced push notifications as the next generation of travel SIM activation. But what does that actually mean?

Think of a push notification as a secure digital delivery that pops up on your screen — just like an app alert or message. Once your order is processed and your device is ready, we securely ‘push’ the eSIM profile to your phone. Your phone will recognise the incoming mobile plan and prompt you to install it. A few taps later, you’re connected — no printed QR codes, no screenshots, no juggling devices.

Why travellers love it:

Truly effortless — No need for a second device to scan QR codes or fiddling with camera focus.
Quicker setup — Activate your travel SIM as soon as you receive the prompt.
Less to worry about — No risk of blurry QR images or misplacing a printed code.

What You’ll Need: A Simple Checklist Before You Go

Getting your USA eSIM delivered via push notification is straightforward, but there are a few essentials to check first:

1. A Reliable Wi-Fi Connection

You’ll need a stable Wi-Fi connection to receive and install your eSIM profile. Think of this as downloading your travel SIM plan straight onto your phone.

2. A Compatible Device

Most modern smartphones that are eSIM-compatible will work beautifully with our USA eSIMs. However, some devices — especially certain models from China — may have limited eSIM functionality or may not support overseas eSIMs at all.

For example: Huawei, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi phones often don’t support international eSIM usage, or the feature may be disabled for regions outside of China. So if you use one of these brands, please double-check your device’s specifications or check with your phone manufacturer before placing your order.

Specific note for AT&T USA eSIMs: AT&T’s travel eSIMs are only compatible with iPhone 12 and newer models. Unfortunately, older iPhones or Android phones won’t work with AT&T’s push notification eSIMs — so it’s important to confirm your device meets this requirement before you check out.

Before you order: Always double-check that your phone will support the type of eSIM you’re purchasing. You can view our device compatibility guide or check your manufacturer’s website for the latest details.

3. Your IMEI & EID Numbers

These two unique numbers allow us to send your travel SIM securely to your specific device.

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity): A 15-digit code unique to your phone’s hardware.
EID (Embedded Identity Document): A 32-digit number linked to the eSIM chip inside your phone.

Where to find them:

iPhone: Settings > General > About. Scroll down to find both numbers.
Android: Settings > About Phone or About Device. Or simply dial *#06# — many devices display both numbers this way.
Sometimes these details are printed on your phone’s original box too — handy if your phone isn’t nearby.

When you place your order, you’ll be prompted to enter these numbers so we can send the right plan to your device.

When to Expect Your Push Notification

We want you to hit the ground running. We typically send your eSIM push notification at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on your registered start date. This means you can install your plan as soon as you arrive — all you need is Wi-Fi.

Can You Install Before You Leave?

If you like to plan ahead (and who doesn’t?), you can install your travel SIM before you even step on the plane as long as you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. However, we actually recommend waiting until you arrive.

Here’s why: once your eSIM is delivered and installed, your plan’s service days will start counting from your registered start date, whether you’re in the coverage area or not. So, to get the most value from your plan, it’s best to install it on your arrival date.

Think of it like booking a hotel room, you want to check in on the day your reservation begins to make the most of it.

Our tip: Install your eSIM as soon as you have reliable Wi-Fi on your arrival day, for example, at the airport, your hotel, or anywhere with a good connection.

Once installed, your travel SIM will switch on automatically when your phone connects to a local network. To make sure everything works smoothly, double-check that ‘Data Roaming’ is enabled for your new eSIM profile in your phone’s settings. It’s usually on by default for eSIMs, but it’s always worth confirming.

Travel Smarter: Push Notification SIMs Are Here

Our push notification activation is the next step in hassle-free travel SIM technology. By removing QR codes and delivering your eSIM straight to your phone, we’re giving you more time to enjoy your trip and less time fiddling with tech.

Ready to see just how easy staying connected can be? Browse our range of USA eSIM plans and travel with the confidence that your connection is only ever a tap away.

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Got a question? Have a look at our eSIM FAQ — it’s packed with helpful tips for first-timers.