How to turn data roaming on or off

What does the data roaming switch do, and when should it be on?

This switch controls whether a line may use mobile data on networks outside its own home network. When it is off, that line will not use data while you are abroad, which protects you from surprise roaming charges. When it is on, the line can use data through whichever partner network it connects to.

The key point: switching roaming on for your home SIM can mean your operator bills you at roaming rates, whereas a travel eSIM needs data roaming on to work, because its profile always runs on networks in the destination country. For background, see our explainer on what data roaming is.

How do I turn data roaming on or off on iPhone?

Go to Settings > Cellular, tap the line you want, then switch Data Roaming. With two lines you do this separately for each one. The menu may be called Mobile Service or Mobile Data depending on your language and iOS version.

1. 1Open the cellular settingsGo to Settings, then tap Cellular (some phones show Mobile Service or Mobile Data).
2. 2Tap the line you wantIf you have more than one line, tap its name in the list, for example your main line or your travel eSIM line.
3. 3Switch Data RoamingTurn the Data Roaming switch on or off for that line. The setting belongs to each line separately and is not shared.
4. 4Choose the cellular data lineGo back to the Cellular screen and set Cellular Data to the line you want to use for data, such as your travel eSIM.

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How do I turn data roaming on or off on Android?

In general, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs (or Mobile network), pick the line, then switch Roaming or Data roaming. Menu names differ by brand and Android version, so yours may not match every word below.

On an Android phone with dual SIM, select the travel eSIM line first and then switch roaming, and check on the same screen that this line is set as the mobile data line.

What should I set when I use a travel eSIM?

Set the eSIM line to data roaming on and as your cellular data line, and set your home SIM line to data roaming off. That way all your data runs through the eSIM plan you bought, not through your home SIM at roaming rates.

More detail on two-SIM settings is in our dual SIM settings explainer and the eSIM install guide.

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How do I check that the settings are correct?

Check three things: the eSIM line has data roaming on, the cellular data line is the eSIM, and the home SIM line has data roaming off. Then turn Wi-Fi off and try loading a web page.

1. Open the cellular or mobile network settings and confirm the eSIM line is selected for mobile data.
2. Check that data roaming is on for the eSIM line and off for the home SIM line.
3. Turn Wi-Fi off and open a website or a maps app. If it loads, mobile data is working.
4. Look at the status bar. You should see signal bars and a network name from the destination country, not your home network.

What if I have no internet after turning data roaming on?

Try the steps below in order; they solve most cases. If it still fails, see our help article on mobile data not working.

1. Check that the eSIM line itself is switched on and is set as the cellular data line.
2. Check that data roaming is on for the eSIM line, not just for the home SIM line.
3. Switch airplane mode on for about 15 seconds, then off, to force a fresh network search.
4. Try choosing the network manually in the network selection menu if the phone has latched onto a network your plan does not cover.
5. Restart the phone and check that your plan has not expired or run out of data.

If you need to choose a network by hand, see our guide on fixing a wrong network. Switching the eSIM on after landing is covered in our guide to activating an eSIM on arrival.

Does turning data roaming off really prevent charges?

For data, it generally helps a great deal, because that line will not use mobile internet abroad. It does not cover everything, though: calls and SMS while roaming may still be charged under your operator's terms, so read your plan and ask your operator.

Our bill shock guide and the help article on avoiding roaming fees cover extra safeguards, such as limiting background data.

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