Taiwan eSIM: Stay Connected from Taipei to Kenting
Skip the SIM-card queue at Taoyuan Airport. A Taiwan eSIM gets you online the second you land, with fast 4G/5G on the island's top networks.
Stepping off the plane in Taipei with a dead phone is no way to start a trip. With a Taiwan eSIM, you are online before you reach baggage claim, ready to hail a taxi, message home, or pull up your hotel address.
Why use an eSIM in Taiwan
A traditional SIM means hunting for a counter, showing your passport, and swapping out your home card. An eSIM is a digital profile you install in minutes, with none of the hassle.
Taiwan has some of the fastest, most reliable mobile internet in Asia. Our eSIMs connect to top-tier carriers including Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Mobile, all offering broad 4G/LTE and expanding 5G.
Taipei and New Taipei: excellent 5G across the metro and MRT
Taichung and Tainan: strong 4G/5G downtown and at major sights
Kaohsiung: reliable coverage across the harbour city
Coverage reaches well into the mountains and along the east coast, though deep gorges and remote trails may dip to 4G.
How to get connected
1. Buy your Taiwan eSIM online and check your email for the QR code.
2. Install by scanning the QR code (Settings then Cellular or Mobile Data, then Add eSIM).
3. Activate data roaming for the eSIM line when you land, and you are online.
How much data do you need
Light use (maps, chat, email): 1 to 3 GB for a short trip
Average traveler (social, browsing, some video): 5 to 10 GB per week
Heavy use (streaming, hotspot, remote work): 15 GB or an unlimited plan
Taiwan's free public Wi-Fi (iTaiwan) helps stretch your data in cities.
Good to know
Capital: Taipei
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD, NT$)
Language: Mandarin Chinese (Taiwanese Hokkien widely spoken)
Time zone: UTC+8
Must-see: Taipei 101, Taroko Gorge, and the lantern-lit old streets of Jiufen
FAQ
Is my phone compatible?
Most phones from the last few years support eSIM, including recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models. Check your settings for an eSIM or Add Cellular Plan option.
When should I install the eSIM?
Install it at home over Wi-Fi before you travel. It will not activate until you arrive in Taiwan and switch on data roaming for the line.
Can I keep WhatsApp and my number?
Yes. WhatsApp is tied to your phone number, not your data plan, so it works as usual. Keep your home SIM enabled for calls and texts while using the eSIM for data.
Yes. HelloSIM offers Taiwan eSIM data plans that connect to major Taiwanese networks, so you get mobile data as soon as you arrive and enable data roaming on the eSIM line.
Is my phone compatible with a Taiwan eSIM?
Most recent phones support eSIM, including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy S, Note and Z models. Check your settings for an 'Add eSIM' option to confirm.
How can I check if my iPhone supports eSIM?
Open Settings, go to General, then About and look for an EID number, or open Cellular and look for 'Add eSIM'. If either appears, your iPhone can use a Taiwan eSIM.
How do I install a HelloSIM eSIM for Taiwan?
You get a QR code by email after purchase. On iPhone go to Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, Use QR Code; on Android go to Settings, SIMs, Add eSIM, and scan the code. Setup takes about a minute over Wi-Fi.
Should I install my Taiwan eSIM before flying?
Yes. Install it at home over Wi-Fi so the profile is ready, then simply enable it and turn on data roaming when you land in Taiwan. This saves you searching for Wi-Fi at the airport.
When does my Taiwan eSIM plan start counting?
Most HelloSIM plans start when the eSIM first connects to a network in Taiwan, not at purchase, so installing early does not waste your validity.
Which networks does HelloSIM use in Taiwan?
HelloSIM connects to Taiwan's leading operators, which include Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone. Your device automatically selects the best available partner network.
Is 5G available in Taiwan with an eSIM?
Yes. Taiwan has widespread 5G, especially in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. If your device and plan support 5G you can use it where available, otherwise you fall back to fast 4G/LTE.
How good is mobile coverage in Taiwan?
Coverage is excellent across cities, towns and along the west-coast corridor, and generally strong in the mountains and on the east coast too. Signal can dip in remote high-mountain trails and deep tunnels.
Will the eSIM work at Taoyuan International Airport?
Yes. You typically get signal right after landing at Taoyuan (TPE), so enable your eSIM and turn on data roaming once you touch down to be online before you reach immigration or the MRT.
Does the eSIM work in Taipei and the MRT metro?
Yes. Taipei has dense coverage including inside MRT stations and many underground sections, so you can navigate, use transit apps and message while riding the metro with only occasional brief drops.
How much data do I need for a week in Taiwan?
For a week of maps, messaging, browsing and social media, around 3 to 5 GB suits most travelers. Choose more if you stream a lot of video or use your phone as a hotspot.
How much data do I need for two weeks in Taiwan?
Two weeks of typical use usually fits in roughly 8 to 12 GB. Heavy streaming, video calls or tethering can push this higher, so pick a larger plan if you expect that.
Are there unlimited data eSIM plans for Taiwan?
Taiwan is popular for generous data plans. HelloSIM offers a range of sizes and durations; check the Taiwan page for the largest available options and pick the data amount that fits your trip.
What Taiwan eSIM plans does HelloSIM offer?
HelloSIM offers Taiwan data plans in several sizes and validity periods, from a few days for a short visit to longer stays. You choose the data amount and duration that match your plans.
How much does a Taiwan eSIM cost?
Cost depends on the data amount and validity you choose. Small short-trip bundles start at just a few euros, while larger or longer plans cost more; see the HelloSIM Taiwan page for current pricing.
Can I use my HelloSIM eSIM as a hotspot in Taiwan?
Yes. HelloSIM Taiwan plans support tethering, so you can share your connection with a laptop or tablet. Hotspot use draws from the same allowance, so watch your data if you tether often.
Can I keep my home number while using the Taiwan eSIM?
Yes. On a dual-SIM phone the eSIM runs alongside your regular SIM, so you keep your home number for calls and texts while the HelloSIM eSIM handles data in Taiwan.
How do I avoid roaming charges on my home SIM in Taiwan?
Set the HelloSIM eSIM as your data line and turn off data roaming on your home SIM. All data then runs through HelloSIM, so you avoid surprise charges from your primary carrier.
Do I need to change APN settings for the Taiwan eSIM?
Usually not, as the APN configures automatically. If data does not work, HelloSIM provides the correct APN to enter manually in your cellular data settings.
I have no service after landing in Taiwan, what should I do?
Confirm the HelloSIM line is enabled, data roaming is on for it, and it is set as your data line. Toggle Airplane mode or restart your phone to force a fresh connection to a Taiwanese network.
My Taiwan eSIM is not registering, how do I fix it?
Restart your phone, then manually pick a network such as Chunghwa Telecom or Taiwan Mobile instead of automatic. Make sure data roaming is enabled for the eSIM line, which resolves most registration issues.
Does the HelloSIM eSIM include calls and SMS in Taiwan?
HelloSIM Taiwan plans are data-only. You can still call and message using internet apps like WhatsApp, LINE, FaceTime or Messenger over your data connection.
Which messaging app do people use in Taiwan?
LINE is the dominant messaging and calling app in Taiwan, so it is worth installing before your trip. With your HelloSIM data you can use LINE, WhatsApp and other apps for free calls and texts.
Can I make phone calls with a data-only Taiwan eSIM?
Not standard cellular calls, but internet calling works well. Use LINE, WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype over your data to reach contacts anywhere, including Taiwan numbers through some calling services.
What is the emergency number in Taiwan?
In Taiwan, dial 110 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance. The international mobile emergency number 112 also works from any phone and will route you to help.
Can I use my Taiwan eSIM in other Asian countries?
A Taiwan-only plan is meant for Taiwan. If you also visit Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong or elsewhere in Asia, choose a HelloSIM regional Asia plan that lists all the countries on your itinerary.
Will a Taiwan eSIM work in mainland China or Hong Kong?
No. A Taiwan plan covers Taiwan only, and mainland China has its own network rules. For those destinations pick a plan that specifically lists China or Hong Kong in its coverage.
How do I top up or add data in Taiwan?
If you run low you can buy another HelloSIM plan or top up through your account. Many eSIMs let you add a new bundle to the same installed eSIM without scanning a new QR code.
What happens when my Taiwan eSIM data runs out?
Your data connection stops once the allowance is used up. Buy a new plan or top-up to restore data; an already-installed eSIM can usually be recharged without reinstalling it.
How long is a Taiwan eSIM valid?
Validity depends on the plan, commonly from a few days up to 30 days. The countdown typically starts when the eSIM first connects to a Taiwanese network rather than at purchase.
Can I buy a Taiwan eSIM after I have already arrived?
Yes. With any internet connection, such as airport or hotel Wi-Fi, you can buy and install a HelloSIM eSIM on arrival and be online within a few minutes.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM?
You need internet to download and install the eSIM profile, so use Wi-Fi to scan the QR code and set it up. After that the eSIM provides your cellular data across Taiwan.
What internet speeds can I expect in Taiwan?
Taiwan has fast, modern mobile networks, so cities often deliver strong 4G and 5G speeds. Real-world speeds vary with location, network congestion and your device.
Will the eSIM work in Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan?
Yes. All of Taiwan's major cities have strong 4G and 5G coverage, so you can stay connected for maps, transit and messaging in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan and beyond.
Does the eSIM work on the high-speed rail and around the island?
Yes. Coverage along the west-coast high-speed rail and main highways is strong, so you stay online between cities. Expect occasional brief drops in tunnels and remote east-coast mountain stretches.
Can I use one Taiwan eSIM on two phones?
No. An eSIM profile is tied to one device after installation. For two phones, buy a separate eSIM for each, or tether the second device from the first to share data.
Does the eSIM support video streaming in Taiwan?
Yes, streaming works smoothly on Taiwan's fast networks. Streaming uses a lot of data, so choose a larger plan or connect to Wi-Fi for long viewing sessions to preserve your allowance.
Can I get a refund on my Taiwan eSIM?
HelloSIM support can help with eSIMs that fail to activate or were never used. Refund eligibility depends on the situation, so contact support promptly if you run into any problem.
Do I need to turn on data roaming for the eSIM in Taiwan?
Yes. Because the eSIM uses Taiwanese partner networks, data roaming must be enabled on the HelloSIM line for it to work. This does not add any extra charge to your HelloSIM plan.
Any tips for using an eSIM in Taiwan?
Install and test the eSIM before you fly, download offline maps of Taipei and other stops, install LINE for local messaging, keep your QR code and confirmation email handy, and set HelloSIM as your data line with home-SIM roaming off.
Can I use the eSIM for navigation and food apps in Taiwan?
Yes. With active data you can use Google Maps, MRT and bus apps, and food-delivery services across Taiwan. Downloading offline maps is still smart for tunnels and remote mountain areas.
