Your eSIM says "Network Not Available", "No Service" or "Searching"? It means your phone can't connect to a mobile network with that eSIM right now. The eSIM itself is usually fine. Most of the time, a setting is the cause: Data Roaming is off on a travel eSIM, the line is switched off, or your phone is stuck on the wrong network. This guide gives you 7 ways to fix "eSIM network not available" on iPhone and Android, in the order to try them, plus what to check if you're using a travel eSIM abroad.
What does "eSIM network not available" mean?
Your eSIM is installed, but your phone can't register on a network with it. Depending on your phone and where you look, you may see "Network not available", "No network", "No Service", "Searching" or, on Samsung, "Emergency calls only". Apple says that "No Service" or "Searching" means your device isn't connected to a cellular network (Apple: If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching). Samsung lists an eSIM that isn't activated, or a SIM problem, among the reasons for "Emergency calls only" (Samsung: Emergency calls only).
The good news: it's rarely a broken eSIM. Work through the fixes below before you delete anything.
Why is my eSIM network not available?
The usual causes are:
- Data Roaming is off. Travel eSIMs usually connect to local partner networks as a roaming SIM, so they need roaming turned on.
- The eSIM line is turned off, or another line is chosen for mobile data.
- Your phone is stuck on a network your plan doesn't use, often after a manual network choice.
- Outdated software or carrier settings.
- A wrong or missing APN on some travel eSIMs. This one usually gives you signal but no data.
- The plan isn't active, has expired or doesn't cover where you are.
- A problem with your account or the network, like an outage, an unpaid bill or a blocked phone. Only your carrier can check this.
If your eSIM never finished installing or activating, that's a different problem. Read how to fix an eSIM that isn't activating.
7 ways to fix "eSIM network not available"
Try these in order. After each step, wait a minute and check if signal bars or a network name appear. On iPhone, the menu is called Cellular, Mobile Service or Mobile Data depending on your region. The steps are the same.
1. Turn Airplane Mode on and off, then restart
Turn on Airplane Mode, leave it on for at least 15 seconds, then turn it off. This makes your phone search for networks again (Apple). Still "Network Not Available"? Restart your phone. On a Pixel, Google suggests powering off, waiting 30 seconds and turning it back on (Pixel Help: fix mobile connectivity).
2. Make sure the eSIM line is on
An installed eSIM can be switched off, and then it never looks for a network.
- iPhone: go to Settings > Cellular, tap the eSIM and check that Turn On This Line is on.
- Samsung: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager and turn the eSIM on.
- Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the eSIM and turn on Use SIM.
Using a travel eSIM for data? Also pick it as your mobile data line: on iPhone in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling). On iOS 26 and later, depending on your region, your iPhone can switch a travel eSIM off when you get home, so check it's on again before your next trip.
3. Turn on Data Roaming for your travel eSIM
This is the most common fix abroad. A travel eSIM with roaming off often shows "No Service" or has no data, even in a country your plan covers.
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular, tap the travel eSIM, then Cellular Data Options and turn on Data Roaming (Apple: data roaming options).
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Data roaming (Samsung: data roaming).
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the eSIM and turn on Roaming (Pixel Help: mobile networks).
Keep Data Roaming off on your home line if you don't want roaming charges from your home carrier. More on the correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
4. Set network selection to automatic, or pick a network manually
If you once chose a network by hand, your phone may keep trying it even when it's out of reach. That's a classic cause of "network not available".
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular, tap the eSIM, then Network Selection and turn on Automatic.
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators and turn on Select automatically (Samsung: connection options).
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the eSIM and turn on Automatically select network.
Already on automatic and still nothing? Turn automatic off, wait for the list of networks and pick one that your plan lists as a partner network. Google suggests trying the networks one by one until one connects, and turning automatic selection back on when you move on or get home (Google Fi Help: international service).
5. Update your phone and carrier settings
- iPhone: install the latest iOS in Settings > General > Software Update. Then connect to Wi-Fi and open Settings > General > About. If a carrier settings update is available, you'll see an option to install it. Your current version shows next to Carrier in the eSIM section (Apple).
- Samsung: Settings > Software update > Download and install.
- Pixel: Settings > System > Software updates.
On iOS 18 or later, the Apple Support app can also run extra diagnostics.
6. Check the APN (travel eSIMs)
If you have signal bars but no data, the APN may be wrong. Only change it if your eSIM provider gives you an APN. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap the eSIM, then Cellular Data Network. Apple warns that a wrong APN can cut your data, so don't edit it unless your carrier tells you to (Apple: View and edit your APN). On Android, it's under Access Point Names in your mobile network or SIM settings. Here's what an APN is and how to change it.
7. Reset network settings
Keep this as your last step before contacting support, because it wipes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
- iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Your eSIMs stay installed. Delete All eSIMs is a separate option in the same menu, so don't tap it. Apple also says a network reset may turn Data Roaming off, so check it again afterwards (Apple: reset iPhone settings).
- Samsung: Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings (Samsung: mobile data issues).
- Pixel: Settings > System > Reset options > Reset mobile network settings (Pixel Help).
Don't confuse this with a factory reset, which can remove your eSIM. See how to reset an iPhone without losing your eSIM.
eSIM network not available on a travel eSIM? Check your plan
If the settings are right and your travel eSIM still says "network not available", check the plan itself:
- Are you in a covered country? A travel eSIM only connects in the countries listed in your plan. Before you land, it's normal to see "No Service".
- Has the plan started? Some travel eSIMs only connect once you arrive in a covered country. At SimOptions, the validity starts when the eSIM is downloaded and activated on your phone.
- Is there data and validity left? When a plan expires or the data runs out, the eSIM stays on your phone but stops connecting.
- Is coverage weak where you are? Indoors, underground or far from towns, move to a spot with better signal and try again.
- Is your phone unlocked? A phone locked to your home carrier can't use another provider's eSIM. Read what a carrier-locked phone means.
Has your eSIM stopped working in the middle of a trip? Read what to do when your eSIM stops working abroad.
Heading to Europe? This data-only plan covers the countries listed on its page and installs from an email QR code, so you can set it up on Wi-Fi before you fly and switch on Data Roaming when you land.
Travelling in North America instead? Pick the data-only eSIM for your destination and install it before you leave.
USA, Canada and Mexico plans shown · data-only eSIMs, no phone number · Find the eSIM for your destination
eSIM says "No Service" or "Phone not allowed"?
"No Service" is the same problem with a different label: work through the 7 fixes above. If your home eSIM in the US, UK, Canada or Australia suddenly says "No Service" at home, Apple suggests asking your carrier to check that your account is active, that there's no outage in your area, and that your phone isn't blocked (Apple).
"Phone not allowed" usually means the network is refusing your phone or your line. Settings on your phone won't fix that. Contact your carrier or eSIM provider and ask them to check it.
For other messages, like "SIM not provisioned" or "SIM not supported", see eSIM not working? How to fix it.
When to contact your carrier or eSIM provider
Contact them if you've tried all 7 fixes and your eSIM network is still not available. Don't delete the eSIM first: Apple says that if you erase an eSIM, you'll need to contact your carrier to get a new one (Apple: Erase an eSIM). To get help faster, have this ready:
- the exact message, or a screenshot of it,
- your order number for a travel eSIM, or your phone number for your home line,
- your phone model and software version,
- your EID: on iPhone in Settings > General > About, on Android usually in Settings > About phone,
- the country and city you're in, and what you've already tried.
Bought your eSIM from SimOptions? Check our help center or contact our support team.
FAQs
What does "eSIM network not available" mean?
Your eSIM is installed, but your phone can't connect to a mobile network with it. It's usually a setting, like Data Roaming being off or the eSIM line being switched off, not a broken eSIM.
Why does my eSIM say network not available?
The most common reasons are Data Roaming turned off on a travel eSIM, the eSIM line switched off, a manually chosen network that's out of reach, outdated software, or a plan that isn't active or doesn't cover where you are.
How do I fix eSIM network not available on iPhone?
Toggle Airplane Mode and restart. Then in Settings > Cellular, tap the eSIM: turn on the line, turn on Data Roaming in Cellular Data Options if you're abroad, and set Network Selection to Automatic. Then update iOS and your carrier settings.
Why does my eSIM say No Service?
"No Service" means your phone isn't connected to a cellular network. Try the same fixes as for "network not available". If it happens at home on your main line, ask your carrier to check your account and any outages.
Does resetting network settings delete my eSIM?
No, not on iPhone. Apple lists Delete All eSIMs as a separate option. A network reset removes saved Wi-Fi networks and may turn Data Roaming off, so turn it back on afterwards.
Should I delete my eSIM and install it again?
Only if your carrier or eSIM provider tells you to. Many eSIMs can't be reinstalled from the same QR code, so you may need a new one. Try the 7 fixes first.