Airalo eSIM Integration on Xiaomi Phones Redefines Travel Connectivity
Airalo, recognized as the world’s first and largest eSIM provider, has partnered with the International Internet Business Department of Xiaomi, a major global consumer electronics leader.
This collaboration marks the first time Airalo will be embedded as a pre-installed app on Xiaomi smartphones, offering travelers seamless access to mobile connectivity across more than 200 destinations. With just an Airalo account signup, users sidestep the hassle of hunting down local SIM cards or paying expensive roaming fees.
Why This Matters
The preloading of the Airalo app on Xiaomi devices is more than convenience—it’s a strategic leap toward delivering instant, affordable, and reliable international mobile access. In regions like APAC where Android (and particularly Xiaomi) dominates with 83% market share, this partnership meets growing traveler demand head-on.
Enhanced Offerings & Broader Reach
Airalo continues to elevate its service with a broader portfolio of eSIM packages. The app now features 12 innovative connectivity options, up from six, catering to diverse traveler needs and preferences.
Jacqueline Loh, Growth Director of APAC
We are incredibly excited to partner with Xiaomi, a company that shares our vision of a connected world. As we continue to scale our presence across APAC, this partnership plays a key role in bringing our eSIM technology to millions of users in the region. Pre-loading the Airalo app on Xiaomi smartphones demonstrates our focus on enhancing accessibility to global connectivity as well as our aim in delivering user-first solutions that support the region’s growing demand for travel and digital services.
Jethro Wang, Head of Partnerships (Southeast Asia)
At Xiaomi, we are committed to enhancing our users’ experiences, including providing them with seamless, reliable connectivity. Partnering with Airalo allows us to offer our users greater convenience, underscoring our dedication to serving them better.
Context: Airalo’s Broader Ascent
This move aligns with Airalo’s rapid global expansion. Founded in 2019, Airalo surpassed 20 million users and offers eSIM access across 200+ countries and regions as of mid-2025.
Moreover, in July 2025, Airalo secured a $220 million Series C investment led by CVC (via CVC Asia Fund VI), earning unicorn status with a valuation above $1 billion. The funds are earmarked for accelerating user experience improvements, expanding product offerings, and strengthening enterprise and white-label solutions.
Traveler-Friendly Benefits
- Immediate Access: Users can install Airalo straight from their Xiaomi phone without any setup hassles.
- Wide Coverage: Connectivity available in more than 200 destinations worldwide.
- Flexibility & Options: A growing array of data plans—tailored for everything from quick layovers to prolonged trips.
- Budget-Friendly: More affordable than traditional international roaming rates.
- Simplified Experience: Digital-first onboarding removes common pain points associated with physical SIMs and carrier restrictions.
Conclusion: What the Airalo–Xiaomi Partnership Signals for the eSIM Market
This partnership heralds an important shift in how global travelers stay connected—local carrier dependence is fading, replaced by digital, cross-border flexibility. Xiaomi’s endorsement of Airalo’s technology could pave the way for more device manufacturers to follow suit.
The Airalo–Xiaomi deal is more than a distribution agreement—it’s a signpost for the future of mobile connectivity. By embedding eSIM access directly into devices, Airalo is following a trajectory similar to Truphone’s early integrations with Apple and Ubigi’s partnerships with Peugeot and Citroën vehicles, but with a far wider consumer reach given Xiaomi’s global footprint. Unlike carrier-backed players such as Deutsche Telekom’s eSIM offering, Airalo’s independence allows it to remain device-agnostic and competitive on pricing across 200+ markets.
Industry analysts forecast the gIobal eSIM market to grow at a CAGR of over 15% through 2030 (Counterpoint Research, 2024). The combination of device manufacturers (Xiaomi, Samsung, Apple) and digital-first providers (Airalo, Airhub, Airalo’s unicorn peers) signals a broader shift: control of roaming and connectivity is moving away from traditional telcos toward tech-driven intermediaries who own the customer interface.
For Xiaomi, the partnership strengthens its position in emerging markets where Android dominates 80%+ share (StatCounter, 2025), while for Airalo, it accelerates its post–Series C growth strategy by embedding itself at the hardware level. The implications for travelers are clear: easier, cheaper, and more flexible connectivity. The implications for operators, however, are more disruptive—roaming revenues, already under pressure, face further erosion as device-level eSIM activation becomes the norm.
In essence, this partnership doesn’t just benefit Xiaomi users—it underscores a new competitive reality: the future of global mobile access will be decided at the intersection of devices and digital eSIM platforms, not within the walls of legacy operators.
