What is Sandbox mode?#
Sandbox mode is a simulation environment designed for development and testing. It allows you to validate your integration with the Airalo Partner API, SDKs or WooCommerce plugin without affecting live data, incurring real charges, or provisioning real eSIMs.Key differences between Sandbox and Production#
| Sandbox mode | Production mode |
|---|
| Packages catalogue | Identical to Production | Real purchasable packages |
| Orders | Simulated — no real eSIM is provisioned | Real — eSIMs are provisioned and delivered |
| eSIMs (ICCIDs) | A test ICCID is returned; it can’t be installed or activated on a device | A real ICCID is returned; it can be installed and activated |
| Balance and billing | No balance deduction or financial impact | Real charges are applied to your account balance |
| Usage data | Returns mock/simulated data for testing the API response structure | Returns real usage data from the carrier |
| Refunds | Simulated — refund objects are returned but no real refund is processed | Real refund processing |
| eSIM vouchers | Returns a mocked voucher code — no real voucher is created | Real voucher codes are generated |
| eSIM sharing | Simulated — share links and emails are generated with test URLs | Real share links and installation instructions are sent |
| Webhooks/Notifications | Webhook notification settings will not work on Sandbox mode — both opt-in/out endpoints are still available. | Webhook configuration and notification settings functional as per documentation. |
Package catalog#
The package catalog available through the Partner API is identical in both Sandbox and Production modes. You will see the same packages, pricing, data allowances, and validity periods regardless of which mode you are operating in.Important: The packages available on the Airalo Partner API differ from those on the www.airalo.com platform. Packages requiring eKYC verification are excluded from the Partner API. If you compare packages between www.airalo.com and your Partner API integration, you will see differences — this is expected and by design.
Orders in Sandbox mode#
The order is processed and a response is returned in the same format as Production.
A test ICCID is included in the response — this eSIM isn’t real and can’t be installed or activated on any device.
No balance is deducted from your account.
The order is stored separately from Production orders and won’t appear in your Production order history.
Usage data in Sandbox mode#
You can call the usage endpoint with a test ICCID returned from a Sandbox order. The API will return a response in the standard usage format, but the data values are simulated and don’t reflect real carrier usage.This is useful for testing how your application handles and displays usage information.Testing error scenarios#
Sandbox mode provides special test package IDs that simulate specific error conditions. Use these from the submit order endpoint, to verify your integration handles errors and service interruptions:| Test Package ID | Simulated error |
|---|
test-insufficient-balance-7days-1gb | Insufficient balance error |
test-maintenance-mode-7days-1gb | Maintenance mode error |
test-disabled-top-up-7days-1gb | Top up disabled error |
test-not-enough-7days-1gb | Not enough inventory error |
test-out-of-stock-7days-1gb | Out of stock / invalid inventory error |
Testing async/future order statuses#
If you use future orders endpoint, you can test different order status outcomes using the below test package slugs:| Test Package ID | Resulting order status |
|---|
test-create-pending-future-order-7days-1gb | Order remains in Pending status |
test-create-retry-future-order-7days-1gb | Order enters Retry status |
test-create-failed-future-order-7days-1gb | Order enters Failed status |
Any other (non-test) package ID submitted as a future order will process normally and complete.Transitioning to Production#
Switching to Production is a one way street, and it is not supported neither recommended to go back to Sandbox mode after switching to Production mode.Once you have validated your integration in Sandbox mode:2.
Submit a Production access request.
3.
Once approved, switch your configuration to Production mode.
4.
All subsequent API requests will process real orders, provision real eSIMs, and deduct from your account balance.
Rate limiting#
All incoming requests per client_id are rate limited to 50 requests per 1 minute in Sandbox mode. Once the company is switched to Production mode, this rate limitation is lifted automatically.Summary#
Sandbox and Production share the same package catalog and same API credentials.
Sandbox orders are simulated — no real eSIMs, no real charges, no real usage data.
Use test package IDs to simulate error scenarios and validate your error handling.
Production is the only mode where real eSIMs are issued after an order is made.
Modified at 2026-04-29 07:46:10
