Some older phones can't use an eSim.

Some older phones don’t HAVE an esim. Obviously they’ll have the mind to check first if their phone has one, otherwise this conversation is for naught.

Great video stokebailey! Any chance you have one for an android? Thanks in advance.

Last time I had a problem, the Airalo chat person was patient and helpful. A previous time it took over an hour to get anybody.

Try this.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. We don’t leave until the end of April. Is there any downside to getting the eSIM and installing it now? Anything I would need to be aware of while doing so?

Thanks again!

I believe it has to be activated within three months of purchase, so you're within that window. I installed ours before we left the US in October. I deactivated our US carrier's eSIM while we were crossing the Atlantic and switched to the Airalo eSIM (but still in airplane mode). When we landed it found a signal right away, without a hitch.

I have Verizon as my US carrier. I was looking at a SIM card for my Ireland trip this April (26 days). We paid the $100/month for international service during a six-week trip through Europe 2 years ago. I wanted to avoid that again. So, just for the heck of it, I went to the Verizon store and asked them about SIM cards. He said, sure you can do that. BUT, they have a plan (Unlimited Ultimate Plan) that is $80/month. My current plan is $74/month. So if I upgrade to the Ultimate plan, for $6 more per month, I get phone/data/text, everything, and it covers over 250 countries. All of Europe, Mexico, Canada. The only country it currently does NOT cover is South Korea. And, depending on your CURRENT plan, you can revert back to the original plan upon return to the US. No eSIM, no Nano card, no having to deal with roaming, wifi, turn off US SIM, turn it back on, etc., etc. No brainer.
I have no idea about the other carriers. But maybe it wouldn't hurt to give them a call (or drop in...I like face-to-face). You might be as surprised as I was.