eSIM Not Working? Fix It in Five Minutes

Short answer: nine times out of ten, a travel eSIM that will not connect is missing one of three things — data roaming is off for that line, the line is not selected for mobile data, or the phone has not been given a moment to find a network after landing. Work down this list in order and do not delete the eSIM.

Rule zero: do not delete the eSIM

A deleted eSIM profile usually cannot be reinstalled. The QR code is single-use, and the profile lives on the phone, not in the cloud. If something is wrong, toggle, restart and check settings — deleting is the one action that turns a five-minute fix into a lost plan.

The checklist, in order

1. Is data roaming on for the travel line?

This is the cause of most "my eSIM does not work" messages. A travel eSIM connects by roaming onto a local network, so roaming must be enabled on that line.

• iPhone: Settings, Cellular (or Mobile Data), tap the travel plan's line, turn on Data Roaming.
• Android: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, select the travel eSIM, turn on Roaming.

Leave roaming off on your home line. That combination is the whole trick: your home line for calls and SMS, the eSIM for data.

2. Is the eSIM selected for mobile data?

Having the line enabled is not the same as using it for data. On iPhone, Settings, Cellular, Cellular Data, and pick the travel plan. On Android, choose the eSIM as the mobile data SIM.

3. Have you actually arrived?

Most travel plans only connect once you are in the destination country, and validity starts at first connection. On the ground, give it two or three minutes — a phone that has just come out of airplane mode after a long flight can take a while to scan.

4. Turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then off

This forces a fresh network scan and fixes a surprising share of cases. If that does not work, restart the phone.

5. Select a network manually

If the phone is stuck, choose an operator by hand: Settings, Cellular, Network Selection, turn off Automatic, and pick a supported local network from the list. If the first one fails, try the next. Switch back to Automatic afterwards.

6. Check the APN

Most plans set this automatically, but if data still will not pass with a signal showing, compare the APN in the line's settings against the one in your activation email. A single wrong character stops data cold.

7. Check the plan still has data and validity left

Obvious, and it does happen — especially on day 8 of a 7-day plan. Check your remaining balance and expiry before assuming something is broken.

Symptom-by-symptom

• "No service" on the travel line — roaming off, or the phone has not found a network yet. Steps 1, 4 and 5.
• Signal bars but no data — wrong line selected for data, APN issue, or the allowance is used up. Steps 2, 6 and 7.
• Works, then stops after a few days — plan expired or data exhausted. Step 7.
• QR code will not scan — the profile may already be installed, or the code has been used. Check the line list before trying again.
• Everything works but you are being billed by your home carrier — mobile data is still on for the home line. Turn it off.

Before you fly, so none of this happens

1. Check the phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Check your device
2. Install the profile at home on Wi-Fi, and leave the line switched off.
3. Screenshot the activation email, including the APN. It is useful offline.
4. Read the install walkthrough once so the settings screens are familiar. How to install an eSIM

Frequently asked questions

Why does my eSIM say "no service"?

Almost always because data roaming is off for that line, or because the phone has not yet found a partner network in the country. Enable roaming for the travel line, then toggle airplane mode.

Can I reinstall an eSIM if I delete it?

Usually not. eSIM QR codes are single-use and the profile is stored on the device. Never delete a working profile to troubleshoot.

Does an eSIM work before I arrive in the country?

Generally no. Most travel plans activate on first connection to a network in the destination, which is why the line shows nothing at home. That is normal, not a fault.

My eSIM works but my home SIM stopped receiving texts. Why?

Check that the home line is still enabled — it needs to be on, with its mobile data off, to keep receiving SMS. Disabling the line entirely stops texts.

Do I need to turn on data roaming even with an eSIM?

Yes, for the travel eSIM line. That line is roaming by design. The one to keep off is your home line.

Read the full install guide