An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a virtual SIM card built directly into your phone — no physical card needed. After purchase, you receive a QR code instantly by email. Scan it to activate. Instant delivery, instant setup.
A physical SIM requires visiting a store or airport, registering ID, and often queuing. An eSIM is purchased online, delivered instantly to your email, installed by scanning a QR code — no ID registration required. It also doesn't take up your physical SIM slot, so you can keep your Australian number active simultaneously.
RoamMelb sells Data-Only eSIMs — no phone number and no SMS function are included. No ID verification is required.
You can still use all data-based voice services: WhatsApp calls, WeChat voice/video calls, FaceTime, etc.
Common compatible devices:
Brand
Compatible Models
Notes
🍎 iPhone
XR / XS 及以上所有型号
⚠ Dual physical-SIM models from mainland China or HK may not support eSIM
Samsung
S20 / Note 20 / Z Fold / Z Flip / A54、A55、A56
⚠ Samsung models from China/HK/Taiwan mostly do not support eSIM
Google Pixel
Pixel 3 及以上
✅ Most stable eSIM support on Android
小米 Xiaomi
Select models (e.g. 12T Pro)
⚠ Chinese market versions usually unsupported
华为 Huawei
P40 / P40 Pro
⚠ Mainland versions largely unsupported. P40 Pro+ not supported.
OnePlus
11 / 12 / 13
✅
Motorola
Select Edge / Razr models
—
⚠ To check: iPhone → Settings → General → About (look for Available SIM); Android → dial *#06# and look for an EID number. Email [email protected] if unsure.
RoamMelb is an officially authorized Airalo Reseller. The eSIM you purchase is identical to buying directly from Airalo — same networks, same quality.
RoamMelb adds: bilingual Chinese customer support, local payment methods (see "What payment methods are accepted?"), and Chinese-language travel guidance.
🇨🇳Using in China4 Q&As
When using an international roaming eSIM, your data routes through international servers in Hong Kong or Singapore, bypassing the mainland Chinese internet. For most users, this means you can access Google, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook and other overseas platforms without any additional tools.
⚠ Disclaimer: Airalo does not explicitly guarantee access to overseas websites. Results may vary depending on your city, carrier signal, device and network environment. RoamMelb cannot guarantee outcomes for individual cases. Based on user feedback, the overall success rate is high, but 100% cannot be guaranteed.
Completely normal. This is exactly how roaming eSIMs work — your phone connects to China Unicom's towers in mainland China, but your data routes through Hong Kong or Singapore to the international internet.
An IP showing Hong Kong or Singapore is expected behaviour, not a fault.
It may. Some AI services (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) restrict access from Hong Kong IPs as these services aren't fully available in Hong Kong.
If you encounter issues, try: • Enable flight mode → wait 10–15 seconds → disable, to force reconnection and potentially get a Singapore IP • Turn eSIM data off → wait 5 seconds → turn back on • Use AI tools on hotel or café Wi-Fi
💡 Based on user feedback, a Singapore IP has a higher success rate with AI tools than a Hong Kong IP — but neither is guaranteed.
It's possible but challenging. You'll need access to your email to get the QR code, and a working internet connection (Wi-Fi or existing data) to complete installation. If you have no connectivity at all, installation won't be possible.
We strongly recommend installing before you leave Australia.
✅ Best practice: Install the eSIM at home before you fly. Keep eSIM data off. After landing in China, turn off data roaming on your Australian SIM and turn on the eSIM data — it connects automatically to China Unicom. For validity start timing, please check the activation policy for your specific plan, or contact us to confirm.
📲Install & Activate5 Q&As
After payment, the QR code is sent instantly to your registered email.
⚠ Important: The phone that scans the QR code must be the phone you're installing the eSIM on. Since you can't scan and install on the same device simultaneously, use a second device (another phone, tablet, or computer) to open the email and display the QR code, then scan it with the target phone.
🍎 iPhone
设置 → 蜂窝网络 → 添加eSIM → 使用二维码
📱 Samsung
设置 → 连接 → SIM卡管理器 → 添加eSIM → 扫描二维码
📱 Google Pixel
设置 → 网络和互联网 → SIM卡 → 下载SIM → 扫描二维码
💡 After installation: Settings → Cellular → set eSIM as your Data SIM → enable "Data Roaming". We recommend installing at home on Wi-Fi before travel, and turning eSIM data on only after landing.
Activation timing varies by plan. Most plans start counting from when you first connect to a local network at your destination — installation alone does not trigger the timer. However, a small number of plans activate immediately upon installation.
We recommend checking the activation policy for your specific plan before travel, or contact us to confirm.
Most phones can store 8–10 eSIMs, but typically only 1–2 can be active simultaneously.
iPhone 13 and above supports two active eSIMs at once. eSIMs stay stored on your phone, so you can reactivate for future trips without repurchasing (as long as the plan hasn't expired).
We've confirmed with Airalo directly: eSIM QR codes are single-use and bind to the device the moment they're scanned. Transferring to a different phone is not possible, including when you upgrade to a new phone.
If you're planning to switch phones, we recommend using up the data on your current eSIM first, then purchasing a new eSIM plan on your new phone. Email [email protected] if you have questions.
Based on confirmation from Airalo, we recommend installing and activating your eSIM within 30 days of purchase to make sure it works properly.
If it isn't installed and activated within 30 days, the eSIM may no longer work.
Please note: our refund policy is also based on a 30-day window from purchase (see "Can I get a refund?"). We recommend installing and activating as soon as possible after purchase to avoid issues with usage or refund eligibility.
💡 Buying more than 30 days before you travel? Be sure to install and activate within 30 days of purchase, or email [email protected] ahead of time to confirm your eSIM's status.
📊Data Usage3 Q&As
Activity
Data rate
Duration per 1GB
📱 微信/WhatsApp 文字消息
Very low
Several days
📞 微信/WhatsApp 语音通话
~40 MB/小时
~25 hours
📹 视频通话
~300 MB/小时
~3 hours
🗺 地图导航
~70 MB/小时
~14 hours
📸 社交媒体浏览（无视频）
~150 MB/小时
~7 hours
🎬 YouTube 480p
~500 MB/小时
~2 hours
🎬 YouTube 1080p
~3 GB/小时
~20 minutes
💡 Data-saving tips: Download offline maps (Google Maps) on Wi-Fi before you go · Download music/podcasts offline · Set YouTube to 480p (saves ~80%) · Disable background app refresh · Turn off automatic updates
Airalo's "unlimited" plans provide 3GB of high-speed data per day. After that, speed throttles to around 1Mbps.
Throttled speed is still fine for: WeChat messages, email, navigation, and light browsing. Video calls and HD streaming will lag.
For most travellers, 3GB/day is more than enough unless streaming HD video all day.
✅ Yes. Most plans support personal hotspot (Wi-Fi tethering), so you can share with a tablet or laptop.
Note: tethering uses data much faster — use mindfully on limited plans.
💳Payment & Refunds4 Q&As
Visit shop.roammelb.com → choose destination and plan → add to cart → checkout → receive QR code by email → scan to install. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
We do not store your payment information. All payments are securely processed via Stripe. We currently support the following payment methods: • 💚 WeChat Pay • 💳 Visa / Mastercard credit & debit cards • 🍎 Apple Pay (iOS devices)
⚠ Alipay is temporarily unavailable while we resolve an issue on our end — we'll update this page once it's back. Email [email protected] if you specifically need to pay via Alipay.
⚠ Card holders note: Payments are processed via Stripe and may be flagged as an overseas (Hong Kong) transaction. If your card has overseas spending restrictions, contact your bank before purchasing, or use WeChat Pay instead.
RoamMelb's annual turnover is currently below the Australian GST registration threshold (A$75,000), so GST is not currently charged. If turnover exceeds the threshold, customers will be notified in advance.
A payment confirmation email is sent automatically after purchase. For a formal invoice, email [email protected].
Situation
Refund outcome
QR code not yet scanned / installed
✅ Full refund
Installed but not activated (not used at destination)
⚠ Case-by-case — contact us
Installed and used
❌ No refund
eSIM technical fault
✅ Full refund or replacement
⚠ Our refund policy applies to orders within 30 days of purchase (the window Airalo has confirmed to us). Refunds for orders past 30 days are assessed case-by-case — please contact support with details.
To request a refund, email [email protected] with your order number and a description of the issue. We respond within 2 business days.
🔧Troubleshooting4 Q&As
Work through these steps in order: 1. Confirm eSIM is set as your Data SIM (Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → select eSIM) 2. Confirm "Data Roaming" is enabled 3. Enable flight mode → wait 15 seconds → disable to force reconnection 4. Manually select network operator — in China, select China Unicom 5. Restart your phone
No. RoamMelb eSIM plans are one-time use and do not support online top-up or renewal.
If you're running low on data, visit shop.roammelb.com to purchase a new eSIM plan (you can install a second eSIM on the same phone).
RoamMelb doesn't currently have a companion app for checking data usage — please check it yourself in your phone's built-in data settings: • iPhone: Settings → Cellular → scroll down to see current-period usage for the eSIM • Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Data usage → select the eSIM to view usage
⚠ Your phone's data counter is only an estimate and may differ slightly from the carrier's actual billing, and it resets on reboot or when the usage cycle changes. We recommend leaving a buffer and buying a new plan before you run out.
Common installation errors and fixes:
❌ Device does not support eSIM
Your phone may not have eSIM capability, or it may be a region-specific model that blocks eSIM (e.g. dual physical SIM models sold in mainland China). Check compatibility first — see "Does my phone support eSIM?"
❌ No internet connection during install
Downloading an eSIM profile requires a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or existing mobile data). Make sure you are connected before attempting installation.
❌ QR code already used
Each eSIM QR code can typically only be scanned once. If it has already been installed on a device, the code is no longer valid for a second device. Contact us if this happens.
❌ Android error: "Could not activate service"
This error occasionally occurs on Android and may be caused by a corrupted profile or incomplete download. Try deleting the eSIM and reinstalling by scanning the QR code again. If the problem persists, contact support.
None of the above helped? Email [email protected] with your order number and a screenshot of the error. We reply within 2 business days.
🏢About RoamMelb2 Q&As
RoamMelb is an eSIM brand founded by Australians of Chinese background, serving the Chinese-speaking community. We sell through Airalo's official authorized channel, ensuring product quality and reliability.
RoamMelb is a registered trading brand of Juliet and Roland Hong Kong Limited.