Using your eSIM in Hong Kong
What you get with every Hong Kong plan
Where it works
Hong Kong SAR China
Networks
SmarTone, csl
Hotspot
Allowed
When your plan starts
When you land
Install by
Within 180 days of buying
Questions about Hong Kong eSIMs
Does a Hong Kong eSIM work in mainland China?
Not as a given.
Hong Kong and the mainland run separate networks under separate rules, so read the coverage list on this page.
The China plan is the one to look at for Beijing or Shanghai.
Does Google work in Hong Kong?
Yes.
Search, Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp and Instagram all work on local networks here, which is not the case across the border.
Plan for the difference if your trip takes in both.
Does my eSIM work on the MTR?
We promise nothing station by station, under the harbour or anywhere else.
Load your route before you tap in, so an interchange is settled before the train moves.
Is Macau covered by a Hong Kong plan?
Read the coverage list on this page.
Macau is its own territory with its own networks, even though the ferry across takes less than an hour.
Do I need data for an Octopus card?
Not to tap through a gate.
Topping up in the app, checking a balance or paying a shop through your phone all need a connection, so set that up on Wi-Fi first.
Questions about every Ryvo plan
Will it work on my phone?
Does it come with a phone number?
No.
Ryvo eSIMs are data only.
There's no phone number, and you can't make calls or send texts on the eSIM itself.
Can I keep my usual number?
Yes.
Keep your main SIM on for calls and texts, and set the eSIM as your mobile data line.
Your carrier's roaming rates still apply to calls and texts, so check them before you go.
Can I share my data as a hotspot?
It depends on the plan.
Each plan says whether hotspot is allowed before you pay.
What if I run out of data?
Add data from your order page if your plan can be topped up.
If it can't, buy another plan for the same destination.
What if my eSIM won't connect?
Email us and we'll work through it with you, starting with your phone's mobile data settings.
If we can't get it working, our refund policy explains what happens next.
Before you go
The coverage list on this page names Hong Kong and your plan's own networks, and it says nothing about one MTR tunnel or harbour crossing over another.
Google Maps, Gmail and Instagram all behave normally in Hong Kong, which is a real difference from the mainland and worth planning around.
The trails on Lantau and out in the New Territories have patchy coverage and steep ground, so download the route before you start up Dragon's Back.
Keep your usual SIM switched on for calls and texts, and choose the eSIM for mobile data.
Still need help?
Email us your order reference, and we'll help you get connected.