Turn on data roaming for your travel eSIM
Turn data roaming on for the travel eSIM only. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → your travel line → Data Roaming. Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming. Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → travel SIM → Roaming.
Do this now
- iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service (Mobile Data on some iPhones) → tap your travel line → turn on Data Roaming.
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → turn on Data roaming for the travel eSIM.
- Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → tap the travel SIM → turn on Roaming.
- Turn data roaming OFF on your home line.
- Restart your phone if data doesn't start within a minute.
Why roaming must be on
Your travel eSIM connects to local partner networks at your destination. To your phone, that counts as roaming, so it blocks data until you allow it. Turning on data roaming for the travel eSIM costs nothing extra: you've already paid for your plan.
Keep it off on your home line
Your home network may charge for roaming. So switch data roaming off on your home SIM and on for the travel eSIM. Your home line can stay on for calls and texts.
iPhone
- Open Settings → Mobile Service (some iPhones show Mobile Data).
- Tap your travel line.
- Turn on Data Roaming.
- Back on the Mobile Service screen, tap Mobile Data and pick your travel line.
Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings → Connections → Mobile networks.
- Turn on Data roaming (pick the travel eSIM if asked).
- In Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Mobile data, choose the travel eSIM.
Google Pixel
- Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs.
- Tap the travel SIM, then turn on Roaming and Mobile data.
Still no data?
Restart your phone, then follow our eSIM not working abroad checklist. Need an APN? See set up the APN.
Will turning on data roaming cost me extra?
Not on the travel eSIM: your plan is already paid. Keep roaming off on your home line to avoid your home network's charges.
Should I turn on roaming before I fly?
Do it when you land. Install at home, then switch roaming on for the travel eSIM on arrival.
