Dubai and eSIM Issues

[serfty]

TL; DR;

There is something fishy with mobile data in Dubai at the moment ...

Detail;

I have been travelling most of this month through Singapore, Europe and the middle East. For data Eskimo and freebee FlexiRoam 14 days.

All has been good including Qatar, now in Dubai there are issues!!

On passing immigration, my passport was handed back with a promotional pack "Free Tourist SIM". I thought it a bit weird immigration officials were providing these, but, whatever. The pack is from 'du' - one of the main Dubai providers. It has a physical sim card as well as a QR code for an eSim - both provide up to 10GB for up to 24 hours. I stuck it in my bag.

With Flexiroam, I have noticed it can take maybe 15 minutes after arrival before it activates so switched to Eskimo for a bit. This while waiting for the expected email from Flexiroam advising roaming was activated.

Data was soon showing du | Eskimo - but the phone was still offline - no internet. I connected to the airport Wi-Fi to research successfully but could not bring up the Eskimo site. While pondering this, the Flexiroam email arrived, so switched over and turned off Wifi. Data was soon showing du | Flexiroam - but still no internet.

Mentally shrugging, I headed to my hotel for check-in. It was a bit early and my room was not ready and was asked to wait.

While waiting I decided to pursue this internet stuff. I could not get data with either Eskimo or Flexiroam. I checked settings, rebooted, doing all the checks I could recall to no avail. I tried to use the hotel Wi-Fi to bring up the Flexiroam site - no go; same thing for Eskimo.

OK, I travel with a backup 'phone (an old S10). I dug out the Tourist pack and inserted the du SIM into it, sent a text code of my birth year to 1220 and soon had mobile data. I was able to tether/hotspot to it as well. Off I went ...

Alright 24 hours later and time is up. I could recharge the 'free' SIM for USD14 to get 4GB/28 days, hmmm ...

I was departing the Emirate in 30 hours so did not need that much and it griped me that I could not use either of the two eSIMs I had planned.

QR Code!

The pack has an eSIM QR code as an alternate to the physical SIM. So could I set up another freebee eSIM on my main 'phone? That'd get me through to the airport before departure. With that - yes, was able to set up an eSIM. This was a bit more involved than with the physical SIM and included enabling location access for the du site, scanning my passport and some other bits.

Ok, I now have enough data for now, but this whole thing puzzles me. Research indicates eSIMs must be installed before arriving into Dubai - but I had. Both Eskimo& FlexiRoam.

Maybe I missed something?

This site has some info - I'm still not sure if I did anything (note, the page won't properly load in Dubai, I bookmarked it from prior research).

Is eSIM Allowed in the UAE? Updated Rules for 2026 Travel

Planning a trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Learn the latest UAE eSIM rules as of December 2025, and what changes travelers should expect entering 2026. Install your eSIM before arrival for seamless Etisalat connectivity.

www.roafly.com

 

[serfty]

Oh, and IP calling (messenger, WhatsApp) definitely is not working.

Thank goodness for Amaysim.

 

[SYD]

Odd. A vaguely recall someone else mentioning this/similar over on the eSiM thread.

As you say, you’ve pre installed Eskimo and Flexiroam and their “Global” plans cover the UAE….

I was pondering if you need to get a UAE country specific plan but Eskimo’s website states that the Global, Middle East (Regional) and of course UAE (Country) plan all supposed to work…

https://www.eskimo.travel/en/plans/united-arab-emirates-esim

I’d be contacting them both as to why it wasn’t roaming (they may give you some credit).

 

[serfty]

I was pondering if you need to get a UAE country specific plan but Eskimo’s website states that the Global, Middle East (Regional) and of course UAE (Country) plan all supposed to work…
https://www.eskimo.travel/en/plans/united-arab-emirates-esim

I'd need dig up a contact - I'll do so after departure. The following is what I see when clicking that link you provided:

FWIW, neither of the apps will load.

 

[SYD]

I'd need dig up a contact - I'll do so after departure. The following is what I see when clicking that link you provided:
View attachment 485159
FWIW, neither of the apps will load.

I’ve used used both Eskimo and Flexi chat functions via the app in the past. So I guess you’ll have to wait unless you can get a VPN to work?

 

[moa999]

That first link seemingly suggested trying Eutelsat rather than do which you can sometimes do by manually selecting APN settings.

 

[SYD]

That first link seemingly suggested trying Eutelsat rather than do which you can sometimes do by manually selecting APN settings.

A very quick search didn’t come up with alternate APN settings - which is what came to mind to me first.

Now, just as I typed that - I had an issue with GigSky onboard a ship (I posted a comment on the eSIM thread). I had to force data to 3G to get it working, even though it was showing connected at 4G/LTE. Not sure if that was ship specific…but an incorrect APN can look the same ie connected but no data…

 

[serfty]

That first link seemingly suggested trying Eutelsat rather than do which you can sometimes do by manually selecting APN settings.

It was a link I had while doing research. I actually don't have that service. I cannot the web page it while here. I did check APN settings and more, to no avail.

I'll just use the 2 x 24hour freebies plus hotel/airport/public Wi-Fi for my 50 hours here.