Mauritania eSIM

Expect intermittent coverage. This is the most popular adventure in Mauritania. While you will have strong 4G/LTE coverage at the departure point in Nouadhibou and the arrival in Zouérat, the train travels through the deep Sahara Desert. Signal will be available near towns like Choum, but you should expect periods of no connectivity (dead zones) while crossing the vast empty desert stretches. 

 In a country covered mostly by desert, network choice is vital. Our eSIM connects to the top providers, typically Mauritel or Mattel. These operators have the widest infrastructure, ensuring you get the best possible connection in the capital Nouakchott, the coastal city of Nouadhibou, and along the main paved highways. 

Planning the trip? See our Mauritania eSIM plans, install in one tap before you fly, and land online. Free VPN included.

 This specific plan is valid only within Mauritania. The overland route from Western Sahara (Morocco) to Senegal via Mauritania is very popular. If you are driving this route, you will lose connection once you cross the Guerguerat or Rosso/Diama borders. For a seamless journey, we highly recommend checking our Africa Regional eSIM to stay connected across all borders. 

Yes, in populated areas and main roads. Reliable internet is crucial for safety, especially for navigating police checkpoints and using maps. Our eSIM provides decent speeds for Google Maps and communication apps. However, we strongly advise downloading offline maps before heading into remote desert areas like Terjit or Chinguetti, as signal can drop in canyons and dunes. 

No. Buying a physical SIM card in Mauritania can involve language barriers and registration paperwork at dusty roadside shops. Cellesim eSIMs are hassle-free and pre-activated for data use. You can buy and install your plan before you even land or cross the border, ensuring you have immediate connectivity to contact your guide or hotel. 

 No, Uber does not operate in Mauritania. You need reliable data to negotiate rides via WhatsApp or to show drivers your destination on Google Maps, as street addresses are rarely used in Nouakchott. 

 Yes. You will generally have 4G signal in the town center of Chinguetti, allowing you to share photos of the famous desert libraries and the Friday Mosque, though signal drops in the surrounding dunes. 

 Coverage is very limited. You may find signal near the village of Iwik or the main camp, but expect to be offline while exploring the remote sandbanks and bird-watching areas of this UNESCO World Heritage site. 

 Yes. Coverage is surprisingly reliable at the entrance and main pools of the Terjit Oasis, allowing you to upload videos of the lush palm trees and springs hidden within the desert canyon. 

Most flagship smartphones released since 2018-2019 support eSIM, including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer. Tablets, smartwatches and an increasing number of laptops also support eSIM. The fastest way to verify your specific device is to check Settings , if you see "Add eSIM" or "Add cellular plan" as an option, you're compatible.

eSIM compatibility is now standard across the high-end smartphone market and rapidly spreading into mid-range devices. Cellesim works with any unlocked, eSIM-capable device , no special configuration needed beyond scanning the QR code we send you.

iPhones with eSIM support

• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (2018) , first iPhones with eSIM (one physical SIM + one eSIM).
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max (2019).
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max (2020).
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max (2021) , supports two active eSIMs simultaneously.
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max (2022) , US versions are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray).
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone SE 3 and later , full eSIM support.

Google Pixel with eSIM support

• Pixel 3 / 3 XL and all later models (Pixel 4, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Pixel Fold).

Samsung Galaxy with eSIM support

• Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S20 FE (2020) , first Galaxy with eSIM.
• Galaxy S21 / S22 / S23 / S24 series (all variants except some regional versions).
• Galaxy Z Fold 2, 3, 4, 5 and Z Flip 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Galaxy Note 20, 20 Ultra.
• Note: Some regional Samsung variants (e.g., specific Hong Kong dual-SIM physical models) may not support eSIM. Check Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager.

Other Android devices with eSIM

• Huawei: P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro and newer flagships.
• Motorola: Razr (2019+), Edge 30 series, ThinkPhone.
• Xiaomi: Mi 11 series and newer (international versions).
• OnePlus: OnePlus 11, 12 (verify region).
• Sony: Xperia 1 IV, 5 IV, 10 IV and newer.
• Nokia / HMD: G60, X30 5G.

How to verify eSIM support on your device

1. iPhone: Settings → Cellular → look for "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan". You can also dial *#06# , if you see an "EID" (32-digit number), your phone has eSIM hardware.
2. Android: Settings → Connections (or Network & Internet) → SIM Cards → look for "Download a SIM instead" or "Add eSIM".
3. EID check: most eSIM-capable Android phones show EID in Settings → About Phone → Status.

Tip: Even if your phone supports eSIM hardware, it must be unlocked (not carrier-locked) to use third-party eSIMs like Cellesim. Most phones bought outright are unlocked; phones from carrier instalment plans may require unlocking after the contract is paid off.