How many GB of eSIM data do I need?
As targets, allow about 0.5–1 GB a day for mostly maps and messaging and 1.5–2 GB a day for lots of video and tethering. Multiply by the number of days for a rough total. You can always buy more if you run short, so we recommend choosing a little extra at first.
Daily data targets by usage
| Usage | Daily target | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Light | About 0.5–1 GB a day | Maps, messaging, search, a little social media |
| Medium | About 1–1.5 GB a day | Plus social media, photo uploads and music streaming |
| Heavy | About 1.5–2 GB a day | Lots of video, video calls and tethering |
Data use by app (targets)
| App / use | Target use |
|---|---|
| Google Maps / KakaoMap navigation | About 5–10 MB an hour |
| KakaoTalk and messaging | A few MB a day |
| Browsing Instagram and social media | About 100–150 MB an hour |
| Music streaming | About 60–100 MB an hour |
| Video (standard quality) | About 0.5–1 GB an hour |
| Video calls | About 200–400 MB an hour |
※ These figures are general targets and can vary with quality settings and how you use your phone.
Data allowance: frequently asked questions
It depends on how you use your phone. Mostly maps, messaging and search: aim for about 0.5–1 GB a day; with social media and photo uploads: about 1–1.5 GB a day; with lots of video, video calls or tethering: 1.5–2 GB a day. Multiply by the number of days for a rough total, and leave a little extra for peace of mind.
For medium use (about 1 GB a day), aim for about 3 GB for 3 nights, about 5 GB for 5 nights and about 7 GB for 7 nights. If you watch video often, allow 1.5–2 times that. Yeohaengyusim has plans by number of days, from 1 GB to unlimited, so you can choose to suit your schedule and habits.
You can buy an extra plan at any time. Keep using the eSIM profile you already installed, so there is no need to install it again. Buying a little less at first and adding more when needed also works well.
Use hotel and airport Wi-Fi, turn off video autoplay, save maps offline in advance, and set app auto-updates to Wi-Fi only to save data. Tethering uses a lot, so only use it when you need to.
Unlimited is convenient if you are staying a long time, tether often or want to use data without worrying about the allowance. On the other hand, for a short trip with mostly maps and social media, a fixed plan with the data you need is often better value. Compare the plans for your destination.