Your eSIM stopped working abroad and your phone shows "No Service", or you have signal bars but no data? Don't panic. In most cases it's a setting, not a broken eSIM. Check that the eSIM line is on, that Data Roaming is on for your travel eSIM and that it's chosen for mobile data. Then check you still have data left, toggle Airplane Mode and restart your phone. This guide shows you what to do, step by step, when your eSIM is not working abroad, on iPhone and Android, and who to contact if nothing helps.
Why does an eSIM stop working abroad?
These are the most common reasons a travel eSIM stops working abroad:
- Data Roaming is off for the travel eSIM. Travel eSIMs usually connect to local partner networks as a roaming SIM, so they need roaming on.
- The wrong line is used for mobile data. On a dual SIM phone, only one line can use mobile data at a time.
- Your data is used up or the plan has expired. The eSIM stays on your phone but stops connecting.
- The country isn't covered by your plan, or your phone is stuck on a network your plan doesn't use.
- Settings changed: a wrong APN, a wrong date and time, or a network reset that turned Data Roaming off.
- The eSIM was deleted. Once removed, you usually need a new one from your provider.
The on-the-spot checklist: what to do first
Go through these five checks in order. After each one, look for signal bars and try to open a web page. Depending on your region, the iPhone menu is called Cellular or Mobile Service. The steps are the same.
1. Toggle Airplane Mode
Turn Airplane Mode on, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it off. Your phone then searches for a network again. Apple suggests at least 15 seconds (Apple: No Service or Searching).
2. Turn on the eSIM, Data Roaming and mobile data
This fixes most travel eSIMs that won't connect.
- iPhone: go to Settings > Cellular and tap your travel eSIM. Check that Turn On This Line is on. Then tap Cellular Data Options and turn on Data Roaming (Apple: Data Roaming). Back in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data, choose the travel eSIM (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling). On iOS 26 and later, you may also see a Turn On Travel eSIM notification when you land. Tap it to switch.
- Samsung Galaxy: in Settings > Connections > SIM manager, turn the eSIM on and set Mobile data to it. Then turn on Data Roaming in Settings > Connections > Mobile networks. If the switch is greyed out, turn on mobile data first (Samsung: data roaming).
- Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the travel eSIM and turn on Use SIM, Mobile data and Roaming (Pixel Help: mobile network settings).
Keep Data Roaming off on your home line, so your home carrier can't charge you for roaming. More details in our guide to the correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
3. Check your data balance and validity
Your eSIM may be fine and simply out of data. Maps, video and photo backups use a lot more than you think. Check what's left in your provider's app or website. Bought from SimOptions? Enter your order number and email on our Check Usage & Top Up page. Also check the end date: when the validity runs out, the eSIM stops working, even with data left. Some plans can be topped up, others can't. You'll find more tips on checking your data usage on iPhone.
4. Choose a network manually
Your phone may be stuck on a network your plan doesn't use. Check your plan details for the partner networks in that country, then pick one:
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular, tap the travel eSIM, then Network Selection. Turn off Automatic and choose a network.
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators. Turn off Select automatically and choose a network.
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the travel eSIM, turn off Automatically select network and pick one (Google Fi Help: international service).
Wait a minute for the phone to register. If it fails, try another network. If you move on to another area or country, turn Automatic back on: a network you picked by hand drops out when it's out of reach.
5. Restart your phone
Switch your phone off completely, wait 30 seconds and switch it back on. Locking the screen isn't enough. Then check the steps above again, because some settings can change after a restart.
Seeing "SOS" or "SOS only" in the status bar? Here's how to fix SOS only on an iPhone. If your phone says no network is available, see eSIM network not available.
If the quick fixes fail: deeper checks
1. Check the date, time and updates
Apple recommends turning on Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time when you can't connect abroad (Apple). On Wi-Fi, install any iOS or Android update. On iPhone, also go to Settings > General > About: if a carrier settings update is offered, install it (Apple).
2. Check the APN
The APN (access point name) tells your phone how to reach the internet on your plan. Most travel eSIMs set it on their own. Only change it if your eSIM provider gives you an APN:
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular, tap the travel eSIM, then Cellular Data Network. Apple warns that a wrong APN can cut your data, and some carriers don't let you edit it (Apple: View and edit your APN).
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names.
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the travel eSIM, then Access point names.
Learn more about what an APN is and how to change it.
3. Reset network settings, if you need to
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. It doesn't delete your eSIMs, but it removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and may turn Data Roaming off, so turn it back on afterwards. Don't tap Delete All eSIMs in the same menu (Apple: reset iPhone settings). On Samsung, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. Do this on Wi-Fi you can rejoin, like your hotel's.
4. Don't delete and reinstall the eSIM on your own
It's tempting to remove the eSIM and scan the QR code again. Don't, unless your provider tells you to. Apple says that if you erase an eSIM, you'll need to contact your carrier to get a new one (Apple: Erase an eSIM). Many QR codes only work once. With SimOptions, whether an eSIM can be scanned again depends on the eSIM you bought, so ask our support team first.
Need more device-specific fixes? Read our full guide: eSIM not working? Fixes for iPhone, Samsung and Pixel. If your eSIM never connected in the first place, see why an eSIM is not activating and how to fix it.
What happens if your eSIM doesn't work in a country?
If none of the fixes work, your eSIM stays on your phone, but you can't use it for data in that country. Here's what you can do:
- Check the coverage list. Make sure the country, and the area you're in, is covered by your plan. Some regional plans don't include every nearby country.
- Use Wi-Fi to get help. Hotel, café and airport Wi-Fi let you contact support, check your plan and message people. Here's how to get free Wi-Fi anywhere, and whether hotel Wi-Fi is safe.
- Keep your home line for calls and texts. Your home SIM still works if it has roaming. Check your home carrier's roaming prices before you turn its data on.
- Install a new eSIM. If your plan doesn't cover the country, or your data has run out and can't be topped up, you can buy a new eSIM and install it over Wi-Fi, even abroad. Your phone needs an internet connection to download it.
Need a backup eSIM in Europe? This data-only plan installs from the QR code in your email, so you can set it up on hotel Wi-Fi and be back online in minutes.
Travelling outside Europe? Pick a data-only eSIM for where you are now, then turn on Data Roaming for it after you install it.
USA, Asia and Middle East plans shown · data-only eSIMs, no phone number · Find the eSIM for your destination
Who to contact when your travel eSIM stops working
Contact the company that sold you the eSIM first, not the local network. They can see your plan, your data balance and whether the eSIM is active. Do it over Wi-Fi, by chat or email. To get help faster, have this ready:
- your order number and the email you used to buy the eSIM,
- the country and city you're in,
- the exact message on your screen, or a screenshot,
- your phone model and software version,
- your eSIM's ICCID or your phone's EID, if they ask. On iPhone you'll find them in Settings > General > About, on Android usually in Settings > About phone,
- the steps you've already tried.
Bought your eSIM from SimOptions? Check our help center or contact our support team with your order number. If your eSIM can't be activated because of a technical problem on our side or the network's side, you can ask for a refund or a replacement. A plan that ran out of data, an incompatible phone or a change of plans isn't covered.
FAQs
What happens if my travel eSIM doesn't work in a country?
The eSIM stays on your phone, but you can't use its data there. First check that the country is covered by your plan, then go through the checklist above: Data Roaming on, travel eSIM chosen for mobile data, data left, network picked manually. If it still doesn't work, contact your eSIM provider over Wi-Fi.
What are the most common reasons a travel eSIM stops working abroad?
Data Roaming turned off for the travel eSIM, the wrong line chosen for mobile data, data used up or an expired plan, a country your plan doesn't cover, or the phone stuck on a network your plan doesn't use.
What do I do if my eSIM suddenly loses all data abroad?
Check your remaining data and the end date first. If you still have data left, toggle Airplane Mode, check that Data Roaming and mobile data are on for the travel eSIM, and restart your phone. If you've used it all, top up if your plan allows it, or install a new eSIM over Wi-Fi.
Can I activate an eSIM in another country?
Yes. You can install a travel eSIM after you arrive, as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi to download it. A SimOptions eSIM activates right away if you're already at your destination.
Can I get a refund if my travel eSIM stops working abroad?
It depends on the provider and on the cause. At SimOptions, you can ask for a refund or a replacement if the eSIM can't be activated because of a technical problem on our side or the network's side. Contact support with your order number. Running out of data or an incompatible phone doesn't qualify.
Who should I contact first if my travel eSIM fails?
The company you bought the eSIM from. They can check your plan and the network. Contact them by chat or email over Wi-Fi, and keep your order number and a screenshot of any error ready.
Should I delete my eSIM and install it again?
Only if your provider tells you to. Once deleted, you often need a new eSIM, because many QR codes only work once.
Does resetting network settings delete my eSIM?
Not on iPhone: Reset Network Settings keeps your eSIMs, but it may turn Data Roaming off, so check it afterwards. Only Delete All eSIMs or erasing your phone removes them.