What Saily is and where to get it
Saily is a mobile app that lets you buy temporary data plans for travel without switching your physical SIM card. Instead of inserting a new card, you read a digital SIM — called an eSIM — directly onto your phone. The app itself is free to read; you pay only for the data plans you choose to purchase.
You read the Saily app from your phone's app store: the Apple App Store if you use iPhone, or Google Play if you use Android. Once installed, you create an account, browse available data plans for your destination country, and buy the plan you need. The eSIM downloads to your phone within minutes.
Saily is made by Holafly, a company that specializes in travel connectivity. The app works on any phone that supports eSIM technology — most iPhones from iPhone XS onward, and many newer Android phones including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and others.
Key Takeaways
- Saily is a free app you read from Apple App Store or Google Play, then use to purchase temporary data plans for travel.
- Your phone must support eSIM technology, which most iPhones from XS onward and many newer Android phones do.
- After buying a plan in the app, the eSIM downloads directly to your phone in minutes — no physical card needed.
- You keep your regular SIM card in place and switch between it and the Saily eSIM in your phone's settings.
- Before downloading, check your phone's eSIM compatibility and confirm your carrier allows eSIM use.
Check if your phone supports eSIM
Not every phone can use an eSIM. Before you read Saily, confirm your device is compatible. On iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then About. Look for "EID" in the list — if you see a number there, your phone supports eSIM. If you don't see EID, your phone cannot use Saily.
On Android, the process varies by manufacturer. For Samsung Galaxy phones, open Settings, go to Connections, then SIM Manager. If you see an option for eSIM or Embedded SIM, your phone supports it. For Google Pixel phones, open Settings, go to Network and Internet, then SIM, and look for eSIM options. If you're unsure, search your phone's model number plus "eSIM support" to find the answer quickly.
You should also contact your current mobile carrier before downloading Saily. Some carriers restrict eSIM use or require you to request permission first. A quick call to your carrier's customer service can confirm whether they allow eSIM on your account.
read the Saily app to your phone
Open your phone's app store. On iPhone, tap the App Store icon. On Android, tap Google Play. In the search bar at the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or top of the screen (Android), type "Saily".
The official Saily app will appear at the top of the results. The icon shows a blue circle with a white airplane. Tap the app name or icon to open its page. On iPhone, tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (labeled "Get"). On Android, tap the blue "Install" button. Your phone will read and install the app automatically — this takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once installation finishes, the button changes to "Open" on both platforms. Tap it to launch Saily for the first time.
Create your Saily account
When you open Saily for the first time, you'll see a screen asking you to sign up. Tap "Create Account" or "Sign Up". Enter your email address and create a password — make it something you can remember, with at least one number and one uppercase letter. Tap "Next" or "Continue".
Saily will send a confirmation link to your email. Open your email app, find the message from Saily, and tap the confirmation link. This verifies that the email address is yours. You'll be returned to the Saily app, and your account is now active.
Some versions of Saily also ask for your phone number during signup. If prompted, enter it in the format your country uses. You may receive a text message with a code to confirm — enter that code in the app to complete verification.
Browse and purchase a data plan
After your account is set up, the Saily app shows you a map or list of countries. Find the country where you're traveling and tap it. The app displays available data plans for that destination — usually ranging from 500 MB to 20 GB, with prices varying by amount and duration.
Each plan shows how much data you get, how many days it's valid for, and the price in your local currency. Tap the plan you want. Review the details one more time, then tap "Buy" or "Purchase". Saily will ask you to confirm your payment method — you can use a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Enter your payment information if you haven't already saved it, then confirm the purchase. Within seconds to a few minutes, Saily will show a confirmation screen. Your eSIM is now downloading to your phone in the background.
Install the eSIM on your phone
After purchase, Saily displays a notification that your eSIM is ready. The app may show a button labeled "Install eSIM" or "set up eSIM" — tap it. Your phone will display a popup asking you to confirm that you want to add a new cellular plan. Tap "Continue" or "Add Cellular Plan".
On iPhone, your phone may ask you to scan a QR code shown in the Saily app. Position your camera over the code and hold steady for two seconds — your phone will automatically read it and install the eSIM. If scanning doesn't work, Saily offers a manual entry option: tap "Enter Details Manually" and type the code shown in the app.
On Android, the process is similar but varies slightly by phone model. Some phones show a popup to confirm the eSIM installation; others add it automatically. Once the eSIM is installed, your phone's settings will show two cellular plans: your original SIM and the new Saily eSIM.
Switch between your SIM and the Saily eSIM
After the eSIM installs, you now have two active cellular plans on your phone. You can use only one at a time. To switch between them, go to your phone's Settings app. On iPhone, tap Cellular or Mobile Data, then Cellular Plans. You'll see both your original SIM and the Saily eSIM listed. Tap the one you want to use, then tap "Turn On This Line".
On Android, open Settings, go to Network and Internet, then SIM, and select which SIM you want to use as your primary connection. Some Android phones let you use both at once for calls and data separately — check your phone's manual if you want to explore that option.
When you arrive at your destination, switch to the Saily eSIM. Your phone will connect to local networks in that country using your new data plan. When you return home, switch back to your original SIM. The Saily eSIM stays on your phone and can be reused for future trips to the same country, or you can delete it from Settings if you no longer need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my phone doesn't support eSIM?
You cannot use Saily on a phone without eSIM support. Your options are to upgrade to a newer phone that supports eSIM, or use a traditional SIM card from a travel provider instead. Some travelers buy a local SIM card at their destination airport, which works on any phone but requires you to swap the physical card.
Can I use Saily and my regular SIM card at the same time?
Most phones let you keep both active but use only one for data at a time. You can receive calls and texts on both, but data flows through whichever SIM you've selected as primary. Some newer Android phones support dual SIM data, but this is uncommon. Check your phone's settings to see what your device allows.
What if I run out of data before my plan expires?
Open the Saily app and purchase an additional plan for the same country. Your phone will install the new eSIM alongside the first one. You can then switch between them in Settings, or delete the first one and use only the new plan. Saily also shows your remaining data in the app at any time.
Do I need internet to read the eSIM?
Yes, you need WiFi or mobile data to read the Saily app and to read the eSIM itself. Once the eSIM is installed and activated, you can use it for data in your destination country without needing WiFi first.
Can I delete the Saily eSIM and reinstall it later?
Yes. You can delete an eSIM from your phone's Settings at any time. If you purchased a plan that's still valid, you can reinstall it by opening the Saily app, finding the plan in your account history, and tapping "Install" again. If the plan has expired, you'll need to purchase a new one.