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eSIM not working abroad? Eight fixes to try

October 11, 2026
2 min read
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GrabaSIM Team
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eSIM not connecting?

Work through these in order; most problems are a single setting

If your travel eSIM shows no signal or no data after you land, the cause is almost always a setting rather than a fault. Work through these fixes in order. Most people are online again by step three.

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Most common causes

  • Data roaming is off for the eSIM line
  • Your phone is still using your home SIM for mobile data
  • The phone is stuck on a network the plan can't use

1. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM

Travel eSIMs connect to partner networks abroad, so data roaming must be on for the eSIM line. On iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service, select the eSIM, then turn on Data Roaming. On Android: open the eSIM's settings under SIMs or SIM manager and turn on Roaming.

2. Set the eSIM for mobile data

Make sure mobile data uses the eSIM, not your home SIM. On iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service, Mobile Data. On Android: Settings, SIMs or SIM manager, Mobile data.

3. Toggle aeroplane mode, then restart

Turn aeroplane mode on for 10 seconds and off again. If that doesn't help, restart your phone. This makes it search for networks afresh.

4. Choose a network manually

Turn off automatic network selection for the eSIM and pick a network from the list. Try another if the first doesn't connect. The partner networks for your plan are shown on the plan page.

5. Check the eSIM line is switched on

On iPhone, tap the eSIM under Mobile Service and check Turn On This Line is enabled. On Android, check the eSIM is toggled on in SIM settings.

6. Check the APN

Most eSIMs set their access point (APN) automatically. If your installation email lists an APN, enter it under the eSIM's mobile network settings.

7. Pause your VPN

Some VPNs and private relay features stop mobile data connecting on a new network. Turn them off, test, then turn them back on.

8. Check you're in a covered country

Make sure the country you're in is listed on your plan. Regional plans list every covered country on the plan page.

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Why This Matters

Don't delete and reinstall the eSIM while troubleshooting. Most eSIMs can only be installed once.

Still not working?

Contact our support team by live chat with your order email and a screenshot of your mobile network settings, and we'll help you get connected.

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