1
Pick a plan and a term
Fixed data for a set term, or a pass by the day.
South Africa eSIM
Prepaid data plans for your trip
No plans are on sale for this destination right now.
- Coverage
- South Africa only. Crossing a border on the same trip? Pick a regional plan that includes South Africa.
- When it starts
- On the first connection at the destination, not at purchase. Install it at home and it waits.
- Activation window
- Install within 180 days of purchase.
- Hotspot
- Where the local operator allows tethering.
- Calls & texts
- Data only. Your usual SIM keeps your number, so calls and bank codes still reach you.
- Speed
- 3G/4G
- Speed Limitations
- Data speeds may be reduced based on the network operator’s fair-use policies and network conditions.
- Plans on sale
- 8 fixed plans · 8 day passes
- Data per plan
- 100 MB to 20 GB
- Fixed plan term
- 7–30 days
- Day pass term
- 1–365 days, picked at checkout
- Daily allowance
- 500 MB to 10 GB per day
- Networks
- Vodacom (5G)
- eSIM standard
- Standard GSMA profile. Scan the QR code or type the activation code under Add eSIM. One install per profile.
- ID check
- None. No passport, no registration, no shop visit.
- Quantity
- Up to 10 eSIMs in one order, each with its own QR code.
- Payment
- From your 1001SMS balance, topped up by card or crypto.
Your travel data replaces home-carrier data roaming without a physical SIM, contract, airport kiosk queue or ID check. You only need an eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone to get started.
Your existing number stays with your own SIM while the eSIM handles data. Calls, SMS and bank codes still use your home service, and WhatsApp keeps your number.
Flexible plans suit Cape Town city breaks and longer South African journeys. Choose a short plan for Johannesburg stopovers, or a longer one for touring the Garden Route.
Arrival feels simpler with your eSIM installed before departure, ready to connect in South Africa. You can try connecting before passport control instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi.
What it is not: a phone number. For a local number to receive sign-up codes or bookings, add a virtual number next to the data plan.
How it works
Land in South Africa already online
Set it up on Wi-Fi the night before. The eSIM waits quietly until you arrive.
2
Pay and scan the QR code
Pay from your balance and get the QR code at once.
3
Turn it on when you land
Turn on data roaming and it finds a network itself.
Why 1001SMS
Why a 1001SMS eSIM suits South Africa
The details that matter once you are actually there.
Refunds follow our payment and refund policy. Read the policy
Reviews
What customers say
Best virtual number website
Using this site from more than 1 month and everything works perfect till now.. no problem faced.. UI is simple and easy to understand, buying number is fast.. numbers are always fresh and otp comes instantly no waiting time.. I really suggest them best site in 2026
Worked as intended
Well, it worked as intended. It was very easy to use the service, so I can only recommend it. Wish there were help desk to check some questions but regardless it was a satisfactory purchase.
Excellent service. So happy I found it
Excellent service. Works when it works and replaced when it doesnt. Fair pricing and good perks as well.
It definitely works
It definitely works, but it can be confusing if you are not aware of what some of the services do to prevent having multiple numbers. WhatsApp will try to prevent you from making a new number on the same phone. Just have to use another phone to create the account and then you can sign in properly. I was confused why I kept going through so many numbers not working, but it was because I was using the same device that I recently had an account on. I deleted my previous account, but WhatsApp saves your device info for 30 days.
Much more reliable
SMS a little more expensive than other pages, but they are much more reliable, and work.
My experience has been great
My experience has been great because 1001sms has made my job so effortless and a 10 man task feel like a job for just 1.
Great service
Great service, absolute amazin for 3rd Countries who cant use amaing services without phone numbers
I have used number from this site and it's good
I have used number from this site and it worked perfectly. 1001sms is a good choice when it comes to getting number from any country and any service
Good to know
Using an eSIM in South Africa
FAQ
Using an eSIM in South Africa: your questions
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked to use this plan. Dial *#06# and look for an EID, which identifies your phone's eSIM hardware.
Yes, your own SIM stays in your phone for calls and SMS. WhatsApp keeps your existing number while the South Africa eSIM supplies mobile data.
Bank codes still go to your existing number, not the data-only eSIM. Keep your own SIM active; receiving those messages relies on your home carrier.
Hotspot use draws from your mobile data allowance when your phone shares it. Downloads and streaming on connected phones or laptops also use that data.
Your data continues at a lower speed after you use the daily allowance. South Africa day passes reduce speeds to either 512 Kbps or 1 Mbps.
You can buy another plan from your prepaid account balance for extra days. Its validity starts on first connection, so purchase alone does not start it.
Turn on your eSIM and select it for mobile data in phone settings. Turn on data roaming for that eSIM, then try restarting your phone.
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Arrive in South Africa with your data ready to go.
Create a free account, pick a plan, and install the eSIM before you leave for the airport.
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