Can I share my eSIM hotspot with family?
Usually, yes. One phone with a travel eSIM can share its data with family members over a personal hotspot. It works well for families who stay together, as long as the plan allows tethering and you buy enough data.
How to turn on the hotspot
- iPhone: Settings → Personal Hotspot → turn on Allow Others to Join, and set a password.
- Android: Settings → Network & internet (or Connections) → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Make sure the travel eSIM is selected as the line for mobile data before you turn the hotspot on.
How much data to buy
Add up what each person uses. As a guide, plan on about 0.5 GB a day per person for messaging and maps, and more for video calls. Two people for 15 days is roughly 15 GB; a family of four may need 30 GB or more. See how much data you need.
One shared eSIM or separate eSIMs?
| One shared eSIM | Separate eSIMs | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually cheaper per GB | More plans to buy |
| Staying together | Works only near the host phone | Everyone online anywhere |
| Battery | Host phone drains fast | Normal |
| Phone support | Only the host needs an eSIM phone | Every phone must support eSIM |
Tip: carry a power bank for the host phone, and set a hotspot password so strangers cannot use your data.
Find a large plan: Saudi Arabia · UAE · Turkey · Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Do all travel eSIMs allow hotspot sharing?
Most do, but not all. Always check the provider’s terms for “tethering” or “hotspot” before buying if you plan to share.
How many people can share one eSIM?
Phones can usually share with several devices, but speed and battery drop as more people connect. For two or three people sharing for messaging and maps, one larger plan works well.
Is one big eSIM cheaper than separate eSIMs?
Often, yes, because larger plans cost less per GB. But if family members split up during the day, separate small eSIMs keep everyone connected.
More travel eSIM guides
How to install an eSIM on iPhone and Android
Step-by-step instructions for installing and activating a travel eSIM on iPhone and Android, plus the settings to check before you fly.
Does my phone support eSIM?
How to check whether your iPhone, Samsung, Pixel or other phone supports eSIM, and why a locked phone can still refuse one.
Dubai SIM at the airport vs eSIM vs roaming
Should you buy a Dubai tourist SIM at the airport, use a travel eSIM or roam? Pros, cons and live UAE eSIM prices.
eSIM for Umrah and Hajj: a practical guide
How to choose and set up a Saudi Arabia eSIM for Umrah or Hajj, how much data to get and what to prepare before you travel.
How to pay for an eSIM without a credit card (Pakistan & India)
Debit cards, virtual cards, PayPal and wallets: the practical ways to buy a travel eSIM from Pakistan or India when you do not have a credit card.
Umrah SIM card: buy in Saudi Arabia or get an eSIM?
Saudi SIM at the airport, travel eSIM or home roaming for Umrah and Hajj: prices, set-up and which one to choose.
Travel eSIM on a non-PTA iPhone: does it work?
Can a non-PTA iPhone use a travel eSIM abroad? What works, what PTA rules mean for travellers from Pakistan, and how to check your iPhone first.
Airalo alternatives: cheaper eSIMs compared
Airalo prices side by side with the cheapest eSIM for the same data and days in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Thailand and more. Updated daily.
How much data do I need for Umrah?
A simple data guide for Umrah and Hajj: what WhatsApp, maps and video calls use per day, and which Saudi eSIM size fits a 10, 15 or 30-day trip.