Start with the basics
Most eSIM issues abroad come from a small number of common causes. Work through these steps in order before trying anything more advanced.
Step 1: Check the correct SIM line is selected
If your phone has both a physical SIM and an eSIM, your phone may be trying to use the wrong line for data. This is the most common reason an eSIM appears not to work abroad.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data)
- Check which line is selected for cellular data
- Make sure your travel eSIM line is selected, not your home SIM
- Consider turning off your home SIM line to avoid roaming charges
On Samsung / Android:
- Go to Settings → Connections → SIM card manager
- Check which SIM is set for mobile data
- Switch to your travel eSIM if needed
Step 2: Confirm data roaming is enabled
Even if your eSIM is installed and active, it will not connect to a foreign network unless data roaming is turned on for the eSIM line.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options
- Toggle Data Roaming ON for your travel eSIM line
On Samsung / Android:
- Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks
- Toggle Data Roaming ON
It is safe to enable data roaming for your travel eSIM — it connects to the included networks. Keep data roaming OFF for your home SIM to avoid charges from your home carrier.
See also: Should data roaming be on with an eSIM?
Step 3: Restart your phone
After changing SIM settings or enabling roaming, restart your phone. A restart forces the phone to re-search for and connect to available networks. This resolves a surprising number of issues.
Step 4: Check mobile data is on
Make sure mobile data is enabled for the eSIM line:
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data (toggle ON)
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Mobile Data (toggle ON)
Step 5: Try network selection
If your phone is not automatically connecting, try selecting a network manually:
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings → Cellular → Network Selection
- Turn off Automatic
- Wait for the list to populate and select a local carrier
On Samsung / Android:
- Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Network Operators
- Turn off auto-select
- Select a local carrier from the list
Step 6: Check APN settings (if needed)
Some eSIMs require specific APN settings to connect. If none of the above steps work, check whether your eSIM provider has specific APN settings:
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Network
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names
Most modern eSIMs configure APN automatically, but some require manual entry. If you are unsure, contact your eSIM provider for the correct APN settings.
Step 7: Verify the eSIM is activated
Check whether your eSIM is actually activated. Some eSIMs require activation after installation, which may take a few minutes. If your eSIM shows as inactive or pending, wait 5–10 minutes and restart your phone.
See also: eSIM activation failed: what to do
Important: Do not delete your eSIM as an early step
If your eSIM is not working, do not delete it from your phone as a troubleshooting step. Deleting an installed eSIM may require you to re-provision it — you may need a new activation code or QR code from your provider. Only delete an eSIM if you have confirmed you can re-install it, or if your provider's support team specifically instructs you to.
When to contact support
If you have worked through all the steps above and your eSIM still has no service, contact your eSIM provider's support team. Provide them with:
- Your phone model and operating system version
- What you see in your cellular settings
- The steps you have already tried
- When you arrived at your destination
BubuTel's Smart Setup assistant can walk you through these troubleshooting steps interactively and help identify the issue.