Frequently asked questions

HORNO Mobile is a security-first global eSIM connectivity provider. It combines worldwide data plans with three HORNO technologies, Privacy Protocol™, OneTap™ and iSwitch™, designed around privacy, effortless activation and intelligent network selection.

No. HORNO Mobile is built for travel, but it also works as an everyday or second-line data connection, for remote work, or as a business travel data line.

Yes. Many customers keep a HORNO Mobile eSIM active as a daily data line alongside their regular carrier SIM, not only for trips abroad.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM profile built into your device. Instead of inserting a physical card, you install a profile via QR code or a HORNO OneTap™ installation link, and your device connects to supported partner networks.

No. HORNO Mobile eSIMs are fully digital, no physical SIM card is shipped or required.

Yes. Your existing physical SIM (or primary eSIM) stays active for calls and SMS on your usual number, while the HORNO Mobile eSIM handles data as a second line.

Yes. HORNO Mobile eSIMs run alongside your primary line in dual-SIM mode, so you keep your regular number for calls and SMS.

Yes. A HORNO Mobile eSIM can provide a stable data connection for remote work, whether at home, travelling, or working from a different country.

Yes. HORNO Mobile plans cover 158+ countries plus regional and global options, making it suitable for frequent business travel across multiple destinations.

No additional HORNO app is required for supported installation via HORNO OneTap™, your device's native eSIM functionality is used. Your account and usage dashboard are accessed via the web.

HORNO Privacy Protocol™ is the privacy and security-focused layer behind the HORNO Mobile experience. It describes how privacy is treated as a core design principle of the product, from how your account and order data are handled to how connectivity is delivered across supported networks and roaming partners.

Mobile data connects you through operators, roaming partners and infrastructure you do not control, often in countries whose rules differ from your own. Choosing a provider that treats privacy as a primary concern, rather than an optional add-on, means your connectivity choices are made with that in mind.

Most travel eSIMs are sold purely on gigabytes, destinations and price. HORNO Mobile combines the same global data plans with three technologies: HORNO Privacy Protocol™, HORNO OneTap™ and HORNO iSwitch™, privacy, effortless installation and intelligent supported network selection.

Yes. The privacy-first philosophy applies consistently as you move between supported countries, operators and roaming networks. Coverage and network availability still depend on the destination, the plan and local roaming agreements.

Yes. Privacy is part of the product philosophy, not an upsell. It informs how the service is designed, how data is handled and how the connectivity experience is presented.

HORNO Mobile processes the information needed to sell, deliver and support your eSIM: your account identity, billing details required for invoicing, your orders and the plan usage figures reported by the network for the eSIM you purchased. Details are set out in the HORNO privacy policy.

No. HORNO Privacy Protocol™ is not a VPN and does not tunnel or encrypt all of your internet traffic. It describes a privacy-first approach to the connectivity product. If you require traffic-level encryption, use a VPN alongside your HORNO Mobile eSIM.

No. HORNO Mobile does not claim anonymity, zero-log operation or IP masking. We prefer claims that are technically defensible over marketing that cannot be verified.

By collecting what is necessary to run the service, being explicit about what is processed, and keeping privacy central to how the product is built and communicated.

While travelling, people often fall back on unknown public Wi-Fi networks. Using your own eSIM data connection instead of an open hotspot is a simple, practical step towards a more controlled connectivity experience.

HORNO OneTap™ is the HORNO Mobile installation experience. Every compatible order includes a secure installation link that opens your device's native eSIM provisioning flow, order, tap, connect.

On supported OneTap flows, no. You open the secure installation link on the phone that will use the eSIM. A QR code and manual activation details are always provided as a fallback for other devices or situations.

No additional HORNO app is required for supported installation. Installation uses the eSIM functionality already built into your device.

On supported OneTap flows, no manual APN setup is required. If your device asks for an APN, the value is shown alongside your eSIM details in your dashboard.

Yes, on compatible iPhone models running a recent version of iOS. Opening the installation link on the iPhone itself starts the native "Add eSIM" flow.

Yes, on compatible Android devices that support eSIM and the native provisioning intent, including recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models. Support varies by manufacturer, model and Android version.

Your phone opens its native eSIM installation screen with the HORNO plan details pre-filled. You confirm, choose a label for the line, and the eSIM is added to your device.

Yes, and we recommend it. Install over Wi-Fi at home; most plans start when the eSIM first connects to a supported network at your destination, check the plan page for its specific start condition.

eSIM profiles can normally be installed only once. If you delete the profile from your device, contact support before purchasing again, a new profile may be required.

Most eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked smartphones released in recent years. The full device list is on the compatibility section of the How it works page.

HORNO iSwitch™ is the intelligent network selection technology behind HORNO Mobile. It is designed to reduce manual network management and help your device use the best available supported mobile network according to availability and roaming configuration.

It means your eSIM is provisioned to work across multiple supported partner networks at a destination, and your device can move between them as availability changes, instead of you browsing operator lists manually.

The HORNO Mobile profile carries the roaming configuration for the destinations covered by your plan. Your device selects from the supported networks available where you are, using the preferred available supported network.

Yes, where 5G is available at the destination, supported by the partner network for your plan, and supported by your device.

Connectivity can continue over LTE where LTE is supported, so your session keeps working without any manual change.

Yes. LTE is the fallback layer wherever it is supported by the partner network and your device.

Normally no, leave automatic network selection enabled. Manual selection remains available in your device settings if you want to force a specific supported operator.

Yes. Available operators, technologies and speeds depend on the destination, the roaming agreements behind your plan, and your device.

No, we do not promise the strongest physical signal. HORNO iSwitch™ is designed to help your device use the best available supported network according to availability and roaming configuration.

Your device connects through the preferred available supported network for your plan; if that network becomes unavailable, it can move to another supported network at that destination.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into your phone. You can install a mobile plan by scanning a QR code or tapping a one-click install link, no physical card required.

You keep your original number and physical SIM active for calls and SMS while our eSIM handles your mobile data abroad. Nothing to swap, nothing to lose.

Most customers are connected in under 3 minutes: buy → receive QR by email → scan → connect.

Yes, you need internet (Wi-Fi or another data connection) once to install the eSIM profile. After that it works standalone on cellular.

Yes. We recommend installing before you leave home. Only enable data roaming for the HORNO line when you land at your destination.

iPhone XS / XR and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer, and most 2020+ flagship Androids. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked. Use the device search on our How it works page to check your exact model.

On iPhone go to Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock (should say 'No SIM restrictions'). On Android go to Settings → Connections/Network → SIM lock, or ask your carrier.

Our data eSIMs work on cellular iPads (iPad Pro, Air, mini with cellular). Apple Watch requires a paired plan with your home carrier and is not supported.

No. An eSIM profile is bound to a single device. If you switch phones you'll need a new eSIM.

No, once deleted, a QR code cannot be reused. Contact support before deleting an active profile.

158+ countries across Europe, Americas, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Oceania, plus regional and true global plans.

We partner with tier-1 carriers in every market (e.g. Vodafone / Orange / T-Mobile in Europe, NTT Docomo / SoftBank in Japan, Verizon / AT&T / T-Mobile in the US) for LTE/5G coverage.

Yes, where 5G is available on the underlying network and your device supports it.

Toggle airplane mode on/off, or manually select a network in Settings → Mobile Data → Network Selection. Contact support 24/7 if the issue persists.

All prices on mobile.horno.net are shown in USD. Stripe top-ups are billed in AED at 1 USD = 4.33 AED.

Yes, on the reference 20 GB / 30-day plan HORNO Mobile is 15-39% below Airalo public retail (e.g. Italy $21.60 vs $26, Europe $22.41 vs $37) and priced at Yesim.app public parity in USD, floored at supplier cost + $1.

Yes, unlimited daily and multi-day plans are available in most destinations. Filter by 'Unlimited' in the store.

A day pass gives you 24 hours of data from first use, ideal for short trips or layovers.

No mandatory subscription. You can optionally enable auto top-up so your wallet is refilled when it runs low.

The wallet model lets you buy any eSIM in one tap without re-entering card details, and unlocks HRP reward credits.

$10.00 USD. Preset amounts are $10, $25, $35, $50 and $100, or enter any custom amount above $10.

It covers Stripe card processing on top-ups. It is shown as a separate line on your invoice. No fee is added when you spend from your wallet.

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay via Stripe. All billing in AED on the card statement.

Cards are tokenized by Stripe (PCI-DSS Level 1). HORNO Mobile never stores raw card numbers.

Tap the '📱 Install on this iPhone (one-tap)' button in your confirmation email or dashboard, iOS opens the eSIM installer automatically. Or scan the QR from another screen with the Camera app.

Tap the 'Install on Android' button, compatible devices open the system eSIM installer via the LPA: universal link. Or go to Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM and scan the QR.

No. eSIM runs alongside your physical SIM in dual-SIM mode. Set the HORNO line for 'Cellular Data' and keep your primary line for calls/SMS.

iPhone: Settings → Cellular → HORNO → Data Roaming ON. Android: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → HORNO → Data roaming ON.

Any time before you need data, most customers install as soon as they receive the confirmation email, even days before travelling.

Most plans activate on first connection to a supported network at your destination, not at purchase or installation, check the specific plan page for its start condition.

Check Settings for an 'Add eSIM' or 'Cellular/Mobile Plan' option, or use the device search on the How it works page. Your phone must also be carrier-unlocked.

Yes. HORNO Mobile eSIMs are designed to run in dual-SIM mode alongside your existing physical SIM or another eSIM.

Yes. Keep your normal SIM installed and active for calls/SMS on your usual number while the HORNO eSIM handles data.

Yes, an internet connection (Wi-Fi or other data) is needed once to install the eSIM profile. After installation it works over cellular.

Confirm your device is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked, retry over Wi-Fi, or use the QR code/manual entry fallback provided in your confirmation email. Contact 24/7 support if the issue persists.

Validity starts on first connection to a supported network in the destination, not at purchase. You can install the eSIM days before travel with no penalty.

Open your HORNO Mobile dashboard, usage and remaining data are shown with a large progress bar, updated in near real time.

Data plans are single-use, when consumed, buy a new plan and it installs to the same eSIM profile (no new QR needed for supported destinations).

Your connection stops. Buy another plan from the dashboard and it reactivates typically within seconds.

Yes, hotspot and tethering are supported on HORNO eSIM plans, subject to your device's own hotspot capability.

Most HORNO plans support in-dashboard top-ups from your wallet. If a specific plan doesn't support top-up, purchasing a new plan is the alternative.

Once a plan's validity period ends, data access stops. Purchase a new plan to reconnect, for supported destinations it installs to the same eSIM profile.

No. HORNO Mobile eSIM plans are data-only unless a specific plan page states otherwise. Keep your primary SIM active for calls.

No. HORNO Mobile eSIM plans are data-only unless a specific plan page states otherwise. Keep your primary SIM active for SMS.

Yes, where 5G is available at the destination, supported by the local partner network, and supported by your device.

Yes. HORNO iSwitch™ intelligently selects the best available supported network, using 5G where available and LTE where needed.

Yes. Speeds depend on the destination, the local partner network, congestion, and your device, HORNO does not guarantee a fixed speed.

Yes, for regional and global plans covering multiple countries. Single-country plans are scoped to that destination, check the plan's coverage list.

Only if you choose single-country plans for each destination. Regional or global plans let you use one eSIM across multiple covered countries.

If your plan covers the new country, your device connects to a supported local partner network there automatically via HORNO iSwitch™. If it isn't covered, you'll need a plan for that destination.

Yes. Regional plans are designed for multi-country trips within a covered region, using one eSIM profile for the whole itinerary.

Yes. Install over Wi-Fi at home; most plans only start counting validity once the eSIM first connects to a supported network at your destination.

Yes. Available operators, technologies and speeds in each destination depend on the local partner networks and roaming agreements behind your plan.

Yes. 5G/LTE availability varies by destination and partner network. HORNO iSwitch™ intelligently selects the best available supported network, using 5G where available and LTE where needed.

Under EU Directive 2023/2673, unused eSIM plans can be refunded within 14 days IF the eSIM has not been activated. Activated eSIMs are non-refundable (digital content already delivered).

Refunds are credited back to your internal HORNO wallet, not to your card. You can then use the balance for any future purchase.

Yes, the right of withdrawal applies to unused top-up credits. Once you've spent credits on an activated eSIM, that portion is not refundable.

Visit the /withdrawal page or contact finance-uae@horno.net with your order ID.

24/7 via horno.net/support or by email. Response time typically under 2 hours.

Manage your profile and identity at webapp.horno.net/settings (HORNO Network SSO).

Yes, every top-up (HRN-MOBILE-INV-TOPUP-.../A, AED) and every wallet purchase (HRN-MOBILE-INT-.../B, USD) generates a signed PDF emailed to you and finance-uae@horno.net.

Yes. Data controller: HRN Innovation Technologies LTD, Level 2 Innovation One, DIFC Dubai. See privacy policy on horno.net.