Can you use an eSIM as a hotspot?

The plan sets the hotspot rules, whatever the phone can do.

Airalo's own guide (last updated May 28, 2025) says an eSIM can be used for hotspotting "just like traditional SIMs". The same page lists "assuming all plans include tethering" as a common mistake and says to check first. That's sound advice, because vendors write the rules differently.

What the vendors' pages say

Holafly calls its plans unlimited and then caps sharing. The Global page, like the Japan and Thailand pages, says you get 1 GB of shareable data per day. On the 7-day global plan that is 1 GB per day. Holafly's Thailand page gives the same arithmetic: a 7-day plan includes 7 GB. Holafly also says operator fair usage can, in rare cases, slow speeds for up to one day.

Maya Mobile lists "Hotspot included" on its page, next to the claim of "no caps, no throttling". Maya gives no hotspot allowance. Its 7-day plan is $19.99 (checked November 2, 2026).

aloSIM lists "Hotspot / Tethering: Yes" on its USA page.

Airalo is the quiet one. The Japan plan page I read doesn't say whether hotspot works on it. The blog post says it does on eSIMs in general. I can't tell you more than that.

Google Fi is a carrier plan, not a travel eSIM, but it's explicit. Its page says you can tether up to 10 devices, and lists 50 GB of high-speed hotspot on Unlimited Premium.

Doing the sums

Picture a 7-day trip with a laptop on the hotspot. On Holafly's 7-day plan the hotspot pool is 7 GB for the week. Holafly states the allowance per day and the page doesn't say unused hotspot data carries over, so I wouldn't count on a quiet Monday topping up Tuesday.

On a fixed plan the data pool is shared. aloSIM's USA plan gives 10 GB to phone and laptop alike.

Setup, per Airalo's guide

On iPhone: Settings, Personal Hotspot, then switch on Allow Others to Join. On Android: Settings, Network & Internet, Hotspot & Tethering, Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Make sure the eSIM is the line selected for mobile data. Airalo warns that forgetting this is a common mistake, along with ignoring battery drain. Carry a power bank.

My take

If a laptop is part of the trip, I'd skip a plan that caps hotspot at 1 GB a day and favor one that lists hotspot with no cap, or a fixed pool you can see draining. If the page doesn't mention hotspot, treat the answer as unknown and ask support before paying.

Browse plans in the eSIM catalog. The unlimited eSIM roundup flags the speed caps. Check your phone first with does my phone support eSIM, and see eSIMs for long stays if you work on the road.