When you use your phone abroad, it's not just "will I get a signal?" — sometimes you also wonder, "is this connection actually safe?" For travelers who want an extra layer of peace of mind, Bloomy eSIM now offers an optional VPN add-on. To be upfront: a VPN isn't something everyone needs. It's an optional extra for people who frequently use public Wi-Fi, or who want to choose which country or region they connect through — and you can add it only when you need it. In this article, we'll cover how a VPN works, when it helps, who it's a good fit for (and who can skip it for now), and how to add and set it up.
- The VPN is an optional add-on for extra peace of mind
- It helps protect your traffic on public Wi-Fi
- You can use the VPN on its own, even without an eSIM
- You can add and set it up from your account page
- Your eSIM remains data-only, exactly as before
What is a VPN? An extra layer of protection for your connection
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your phone and the internet. Because your traffic is encrypted, it's much harder for third parties to read what you're sending and receiving — even on networks shared by many strangers, like public Wi-Fi.
Most VPN services also let you choose the country or region of the server you connect through. For example, you could route your connection through a server in your home country while traveling. This can be useful with services that change what they show based on where your connection appears to come from.
Here's how it fits together with Bloomy eSIM: the eSIM is your connection — the line that gets you online abroad — while the VPN is a protective layer on top of that connection. They do different jobs. The eSIM works perfectly well on its own; adding a VPN gives you two extra options: traffic protection and the ability to choose where you connect through.
The VPN is not required — it's an optional add-on for extra peace of mind. Your eSIM works just as well without it. If you're unsure, it's perfectly fine to start your trip with the eSIM alone and add the VPN later if you find you need it.
What the add-on includes
The new add-on is a VPN you can use alongside your Bloomy eSIM. The main points:
- It works together with Bloomy eSIM, and can also be used on its own — you don't need an eSIM to purchase it
- Plans are available for different lengths of use, so you can match it to your trip
- Whether you're already using an eSIM or still planning your trip, you can add it only when you need it
Pricing and terms may change, so please check the latest details (shown in USD) at the time of purchase. Also, a VPN does not guarantee access to any specific service — availability can depend on each service's own detection methods and policy changes. Knowing this in advance helps set the right expectations.
When does a VPN help?
Using public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and cafés
During a trip or a longer stay, you'll probably use free airport Wi-Fi or shared hotel Wi-Fi more often than you expect. Networks that anyone can join are convenient, but compared with your home connection, your traffic can be more exposed. Routing your connection through a VPN encrypts it, which is reassuring when you're logging in to accounts or making payments on the go.
Choosing which country or region you connect through
In the VPN app, you simply pick the country you want to connect through. If you'd like to route your connection through a server back home while you're abroad, you can — making it a good fit for anyone who wants to switch connection locations depending on where they are and what they're doing.
Using services that change based on your location
When you access services you normally use at home from another country, region detection can change what's shown or what's available. Choosing your connection location with a VPN gives you more options in these situations. That said, as noted above, access to any specific service is not guaranteed — it's best to think of this as a "nice if it works" bonus rather than a certainty.
Is the eSIM enough on its own, or should you add the VPN?
The short answer: for a short trip where you mostly rely on mobile data, the eSIM alone is usually all you need. On the other hand, if you often use public Wi-Fi or want to choose where you connect through, the VPN is worth considering. Here's a quick guide:
| How you'll use your phone | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Short trip, mostly maps, search, and social media | eSIM alone is enough |
| Mostly mobile data, rarely using Wi-Fi | eSIM alone is enough |
| Frequently using public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and cafés | Adding the VPN gives extra peace of mind |
| Lots of logins, payments, or work communication on the go | Adding the VPN gives extra peace of mind |
| Want to choose which country or region you connect through | Consider the VPN (check in advance that it works for your use case) |
If you're on the fence, there's nothing wrong with starting your trip with just the eSIM and adding the VPN once you feel you need it — it's designed so you can add exactly what you need, when you need it. Still deciding on an eSIM plan for your destination? You can browse by country, data amount, and length of stay on our eSIM comparison page.
Who should add it — and who can skip it for now
In short: if you use Wi-Fi a lot or want to choose your connection location, the VPN is worth adding. If you're taking a short trip and relying mainly on mobile data, you can skip it for now.
The VPN is a good fit if you:
- Regularly use public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and cafés
- Often handle work communication, logins, or payments while out and about
- Want to choose which country or region you connect through
- Are studying abroad or on a long stay, spending a lot of time on local Wi-Fi networks
You can skip it for now if you:
- Rely mainly on your eSIM's mobile data and rarely connect to Wi-Fi
- Are on a short trip focused on browsing — maps, search, and social media
Since you can add it whenever the need arises, we'd rather you decide based on how you actually use your phone than add it "just in case."
How to add and set it up
To get started, add the VPN from your account page and follow the on-screen instructions. Setup is simple: sign in to the app as guided, then pick the country you want to connect through. If you're already using a Bloomy eSIM, no changes to your eSIM are needed.
Setting up the Bloomy eSIM itself works exactly as before: tap the setup link you receive, follow the on-screen steps to add it, and turn the line on when you arrive. If you'd like a refresher on the eSIM steps, see the eSIM setup guide; if you have trouble connecting at your destination, see the connection troubleshooting guide.
Things to know before you add it
To avoid surprises, please keep the following in mind:
- Access to specific services is not guaranteed: availability can depend on each service's own detection methods and policy changes.
- Speeds may be affected: because a VPN routes your traffic through an intermediate server, some impact on connection speed is normal. Connection quality itself also varies with the local network, your device, coverage area, and congestion.
- Data plans are subject to a fair use policy: this applies whether or not you add the VPN.
- Pricing and terms may change: please check the latest details before purchasing.
Bloomy eSIM is data-only, and adding the VPN doesn't change that. It doesn't include a phone number, so regular voice calls and SMS aren't available — but app-based calls that run over data, such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime, work as usual. If you need a phone number or SMS verification, please plan for an additional solution alongside your eSIM.
In short: an extra layer of peace of mind, only when you need it
The VPN is an optional add-on for anyone who wants an extra layer of security while connecting abroad. If you often use public Wi-Fi or want to choose which country or region you connect through, you can add it for just the days you need from your account page. To learn more about VPNs and staying connected abroad, browse our articles on IP and VPN topics. As always, we'll keep refining Bloomy so that even first-time users can get connected without a hitch.
The information in this article is current as of June 2026. Pricing, plans, and terms may change — please check the latest details before purchasing.
