Why Data Roaming Must Be On for Your eSIM (and Costs Nothing Extra)
Why “Data Roaming” must be on for your travel eSIM, why it should stay off on your main line, and how to remove any risk of extra charges.
Contents
The most common mistake when installing an eSIM is leaving data roaming off. The result: the phone sees a network, but there is no internet. Here is the logic behind the setting and how to use it safely.
Why must it be on?
Travel eSIMs usually connect to the local network by roaming from a “home network”. Technically, your phone sees this as roaming, so no data connection is established unless data roaming is on for the eSIM line.
Will I be charged extra?
No. You prepaid your eSIM plan; having roaming on does not create an extra bill. When the plan runs out, data simply stops, with no surprise charges.
What about the main line?
The real risk is your main line. If data roaming stays on for your home carrier’s line and the phone uses data from it, international roaming rates may apply.
| Line | Data roaming | Mobile data |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | On | Selected |
| Main line (home number) | Off | Not selected |
Where to find it
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [line name] > Data Roaming
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Data roaming
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > [line] > Roaming
Frequently asked questions
Data roaming is on, but I still have no internet.
Check that the eSIM is selected as the mobile data line, then toggle airplane mode. For more steps, see our troubleshooting guide.
What should I do when I get home?
Switch mobile data back to your main line. You do not need to delete the travel eSIM; you can simply turn it off.
