Landing in a new country without mobile data is a familiar travel headache, and Opera wants its Android browser to fix it. The company has added a built-in travel eSIM to Opera for Android and says it’s the first browser to do so.
Eligible users can claim 3GB of data for free, with no sign-up or payment details required. Recently, Opera also made its free VPN more travel-friendly by automatically turning it off when you connect to public Wi-Fi.
How does the Opera Rees eSIM work?
An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone and activated by software. Opera’s eSIM covers 47 destinations and gives data to your whole phone, not just the browser, so maps and messaging apps work without roaming charges. It connects to 5G where local networks support it. There is no separate provider app or account either.
To claim the free data, tap your profile icon in Opera, select eSIM, and press Claim. You can set it at home to a stable connection before your trip, as data only starts counting when you connect to your destination. You need an eSIM-compatible, carrier-unlocked phone running Android 10 or newer. The plans are data only, so your existing phone number will remain unchanged.
The free 3GB lasts for three days, but it can quickly disappear on a longer trip. The free offer is currently limited to users in the US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, the UAE, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Poland, but anyone can purchase the eSIM.
Why might this make traveling abroad easier?
The biggest advantage is avoiding another app and account when you are already offline. Opera lets you manage the eSIM in the browser you already have.
The eSIM only needs to be installed once. Once it expires, you can then top it up for different countries during the same trip. Paid plans offer 3GB, 5GB or 10GB for 30 days, with 5G available where supported. Prices vary by destination and appear before you buy. Opera had nothing to share about an iOS version, so this will remain an Android perk for now.