You've landed, switched on your travel eSIM and expected your phone to connect. Instead, the screen says "No Service", "Searching" or "SOS". Or perhaps you have signal bars, but nothing loads.
Before changing random settings, there's one important thing to understand: a phone that cannot connect to a mobile network and a phone that has signal but no internet are experiencing different problems. The correct fix depends on which one you're seeing.
This guide walks through the checks in a sensible order for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and other Android devices. Start with the section that matches your problem, and don't delete your eSIM while troubleshooting.
First: do you have no signal or no internet?
Look at the top of your phone's screen and identify what it's showing.
| What your phone shows | What it usually means | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| No Service or Searching | The selected line hasn't registered on a mobile network | Check the eSIM line, coverage and network selection |
| SOS or Emergency Calls Only | Normal service isn't available on that line, although emergency network access may be possible | Check network registration and supported networks |
| Signal bars or 4G/5G, but no internet | The phone has a cellular connection, but mobile data isn't working | Check the data line, roaming settings and APN |
| Connection worked, then stopped | The plan may have expired, run out of data or lost its network connection | Check plan status and reconnect |
1. Make sure your travel eSIM is switched on
Installing an eSIM doesn't necessarily mean the line is enabled. It's possible to have the profile stored on your phone while the line itself is switched off.
On iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service or Cellular.
- Select your travel eSIM.
- Check that Turn On This Line is enabled.
On Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Go to Connections → SIM manager.
- Find your travel eSIM.
- Make sure its switch is enabled.
On Google Pixel and other Android phones
Look under Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, select the travel eSIM and check that the line is enabled. Menu names vary by manufacturer and Android version.
If the line is already enabled, continue to the next step.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode to reconnect to the network
After a flight, your phone sometimes needs another attempt to register with a local network.
Switch on Airplane Mode, wait approximately 15 seconds, then switch it off. Give your phone a minute or two to search for a supported network.
If it still shows No Service, restart the phone once.
These steps are worth trying because they force a fresh connection attempt without deleting or changing your eSIM configuration.
3. Check that you're in a supported country
A travel eSIM can only connect where its package provides coverage. If the plan is intended to activate on first connection, you may not see a usable mobile network until you reach an included destination. Installing a Thailand eSIM while you're still in the UK, for example, doesn't mean it will connect to a UK mobile network.
If you've just arrived, check that the plan includes your destination and that its validity period hasn't already expired.
For regional eSIMs, don't assume every country in the region is included. A Europe package, for instance, may cover a specific list of destinations rather than every European country.
Also check your physical location. Underground stations, remote areas and some buildings can have limited mobile reception, even when the destination itself is covered.
4. Try selecting a mobile network manually
If your eSIM is enabled, you're in a supported destination and the phone still shows No Service, manual network selection is one of the most useful next steps.
Travel eSIMs often connect through agreements with specific local operators. Your phone's automatic network selection doesn't always register successfully on the first attempt.
Manual network selection on iPhone
- Open Settings → Mobile Service or Cellular.
- Select your travel eSIM.
- Tap Network Selection.
- Turn off Automatic.
- Wait for the available networks to appear.
- Select a network supported by your eSIM provider.
Manual network selection on Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings → Connections → Mobile networks.
- Find Network operators.
- If prompted, select the travel eSIM.
- Turn off automatic selection and wait for the network list.
- Choose one of your provider's supported networks.
On other Android phones, network selection is normally found within the SIM or mobile network settings.
If the first attempt returns "Unable to connect" or "Network unavailable", wait briefly and try the same supported network once more. A second registration attempt can sometimes succeed.
If it still fails, try another network listed by your provider. Don't assume that every network visible in the list is included in your eSIM package.
5. Have signal bars but no internet? Check your mobile data line
If your phone now shows signal but websites and apps still won't load, the next checks are different.
First, make sure your travel eSIM is selected as the line providing mobile data.
On iPhone
Go to Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data (or Cellular Data) and select your travel eSIM.
If you see Allow Mobile Data Switching or Allow Cellular Data Switching, consider turning it off while travelling. This helps prevent your phone from switching mobile data back to your home SIM when coverage changes.
On Samsung Galaxy
Go to Settings → Connections → SIM manager and select your travel eSIM under the preferred SIM for mobile data.
On Google Pixel, open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, select the travel eSIM and check that Mobile data is enabled for that line. On other Android phones, the equivalent setting is called Mobile data, Preferred data SIM or Default SIM for data.
If the phone was still using your home SIM for data, changing this setting may resolve the problem immediately.
6. Enable data roaming on the travel eSIM if required
Many travel eSIMs connect to local networks through roaming agreements. That means data roaming must be enabled on the travel eSIM for mobile internet to work.
This doesn't mean you should enable roaming on every SIM installed on your phone.
On iPhone
- Open Settings → Mobile Service or Cellular.
- Select your travel eSIM.
- Open Mobile Data Options or Cellular Data Options.
- Enable Data Roaming if your eSIM provider requires it.
On Android
Open the mobile network settings for your travel eSIM and look for Data roaming. Enable it according to your provider's installation instructions.
For a prepaid travel eSIM, data usage normally comes from the package you've purchased, subject to the provider's terms. However, your home SIM can still incur roaming charges if it's used separately.
To reduce the risk of unwanted charges, keep your travel eSIM selected for mobile data and check the roaming and automatic data switching settings for your home line.
7. Still have signal but no data? Check the APN
An APN, or Access Point Name, tells your phone how to connect to the mobile data service provided by your operator.
Most travel eSIMs configure this automatically. However, some require a specific APN, and occasionally the correct setting isn't applied during installation.
If your phone has signal but no internet, check the APN supplied by your eSIM provider.
On Samsung Galaxy
Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access Point Names. Make sure you're viewing the APN settings for the travel eSIM where your device provides that option.
On Google Pixel
Look under Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Access Point Names. The exact path can differ between Android versions.
On iPhone
APN settings, when editable, are normally found within the mobile data network settings for the selected line. Some operators and device configurations hide these fields entirely.
Only enter the APN provided for your specific eSIM. Don't copy a random APN from an online forum or another travel provider. Different eSIM packages can require different settings, even when they use the same local network.
If your provider hasn't supplied an APN and the automatic configuration appears incorrect, contact support before changing unrelated network settings.
8. What if the eSIM worked yesterday but stopped today?
A connection that suddenly stops working after several days requires a slightly different approach.
Check the following:
- Data remaining: Have you exhausted the package's allowance?
- Validity: Has the plan reached its expiry date?
- Daily allowance: Does the package have a high-speed limit or fair usage restriction?
- Country coverage: Have you crossed into a country not included in the plan?
- Network registration: Has the phone lost its connection after travelling between areas?
- Data selection: Is the travel eSIM still selected for mobile data?
If the package has expired or run out of data, changing your phone settings won't restore the allowance. You'll need to check whether your provider offers a top-up or replacement package.
If the plan is still valid and has data remaining, try Airplane Mode, a restart and the supported network selection steps above.
9. Should you reset network settings or reinstall the eSIM?
Neither should be your first troubleshooting step.
Resetting network settings can remove saved Wi-Fi networks and other network preferences, depending on your device. It may be useful for persistent configuration problems, but it's worth contacting your eSIM provider first.
Do not delete your travel eSIM unless the provider specifically instructs you to.
Some eSIM profiles can only be downloaded once. If you delete one, the original QR code may no longer work, and you could need a replacement.
10. When should you contact your eSIM provider?
If you've checked the supported destination, enabled the eSIM, tried reconnecting and confirmed the appropriate data settings, it's time to contact support.
Use airport, hotel or another trusted Wi-Fi connection if mobile data isn't working.
To help the provider investigate, have the following information ready:
- Your phone's exact model and operating system version.
- The country and approximate location where you're experiencing the problem.
- Whether the screen shows No Service, SOS, signal bars or 4G/5G without internet.
- The local network you've tried connecting to, if applicable.
- Whether the eSIM has ever worked successfully.
- Your eSIM order reference or other identifier requested by support.
Your provider can check the package's status, supported networks and any service-specific configuration requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my eSIM say No Service after landing?
Your phone may not have registered with a supported local network yet. Check that the eSIM is enabled, confirm destination coverage, toggle Airplane Mode and try manually selecting one of your provider's supported networks.
Why does my eSIM show 4G or 5G but have no internet?
Check that the travel eSIM is selected for mobile data, data roaming is enabled if required and the APN matches your provider's instructions. Also confirm that your plan hasn't expired or run out of data.
Should data roaming be on for a travel eSIM?
Many travel eSIMs require data roaming because they connect through partner networks. Follow the provider's instructions and make sure you're changing the setting for the travel eSIM rather than your home line.
Why does manual network selection say Unable to Connect?
The network may not be supported by your package, registration may have failed temporarily or service may be unavailable in that location. Confirm the supported networks, retry once and try another authorised network if available.
Will resetting network settings delete my eSIM?
A standard network settings reset doesn't normally delete installed eSIM profiles, but reset options differ between devices. Read the confirmation screen carefully and avoid any option that explicitly removes eSIMs or mobile plans.
Can I reinstall my travel eSIM using the same QR code?
Not necessarily. Some activation codes are single-use. Contact the provider before deleting an installed eSIM, even if it currently isn't working.
Related guides
If you are new to travel eSIMs, read our guide to how eSIMs work. If your phone cannot install an eSIM or refuses to connect to a new provider, see our unlocked phone guide. If you need a replacement plan, our eSIM versus roaming versus local SIM comparison explains the alternatives.
Choose an eSIM with suitable coverage before travelling
Not every connection problem can be prevented, but choosing a suitable package helps. Before purchasing, check that the eSIM covers your destination, supports appropriate local networks and includes clear installation instructions.
On eSIM Indexer, you can compare travel eSIM plans from different providers by destination, data allowance, validity and price.
And if your current eSIM isn't connecting, work through the troubleshooting steps before buying another package. The problem may be a setting rather than the plan itself.
Editorial note: Settings vary by phone model, software version and eSIM provider. Use the network and APN details supplied with your particular plan. If the steps above do not resolve the issue, contact your provider before resetting or deleting the eSIM.
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