Last updated: August 6, 2026
Watching your remaining data shrink while you're abroad is an uneasy feeling. Here's the short answer: if you're staying in the same destination for a few more days, adding data (a top-up) is usually the simplest fix. If your plan doesn't support top-ups, or you're moving on to another country, adding a second eSIM is the more reliable route. Keep in mind that top-up availability differs from plan to plan, and adding data doesn't always extend the number of days you can use it. This guide walks through what to check, in what order, how to decide, and roughly how much data to buy next time so you don't run short again. Rushing through settings while you're stressed can leave you offline for longer than necessary, so take a breath and work through it step by step.
- Staying in the same country? Look at a top-up first
- Top-up availability varies by plan
- Moving to another country? A new eSIM is the safer choice
- Adding data may not add more days
- When in doubt, work backwards from the days you have left
First: are you really out of data?
Slow or missing connectivity isn't always about running out of data. Checking in order can save you from spending money you didn't need to spend.
Check your remaining data in My Account
You can see the remaining data and usage for the eSIM you purchased in My Account. If you still have data left but can't get online, the cause is more likely a setting or a weak signal than an empty plan. If you're nearly out, move on to the top-up vs. new eSIM decision covered later in this article.
One note: the "mobile data usage" figure in your phone's own settings is a running total from whenever the counter last started. Unless you reset it manually, it may still include data from a previous trip, so treat the figure in My Account as the reliable one.
"Slow" doesn't necessarily mean "empty"
Local signal conditions, time-of-day congestion, and whether you're indoors all make a big difference. On subways, in underground shopping areas, in mountainous regions, or inside thick concrete buildings, no plan performs well. Sometimes moving a short distance or stepping outside is enough. Airports, train stations, and busy tourist areas draw a lot of users at once, and speeds tend to dip from late afternoon into the evening.
Device settings can also be the culprit: Low Data Mode is switched on, a VPN app is failing to connect, or data roaming is turned off. Our setup guide covers the settings side in detail.
Using up your data doesn't remove the eSIM
When your data runs out, the connection stops — but the eSIM installed on your device doesn't disappear. If your plan supports top-ups, you can keep using the same eSIM, so please don't delete it in a panic. Once deleted, the same profile often can't be reinstalled. Many people assume "no connection means delete it and start over," but with eSIMs that rarely fixes anything. Treat deletion as a last resort.
Three options when you're short on data
There are broadly three paths, and which one fits comes down to how many days you have left and where you're heading next.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Add data (top-up) | Staying a few more days in the same destination | Not supported on every plan / may not extend your validity period |
| Buy an additional eSIM | Moving to another country / validity is nearly up | You'll need to switch which line your data uses |
| Get by on Wi-Fi | Only a few hours left before you fly or move on | Public Wi-Fi is unreliable and less secure |
If you're leaning on Wi-Fi
With only a few hours to go before your flight, hotel, café, or airport Wi-Fi is a perfectly practical stopgap. Just remember that public networks are often congested and carry security risks. It's wiser to avoid online banking, entering card details, or anything else sensitive, and stick to lighter tasks like checking maps and messages. We also cover network safety and how to think about IP addresses and VPNs in our IP & VPN articles.
Thinking about cost
Price alone won't tell you whether a top-up or a new eSIM is the better move. What you get per gigabyte shifts depending on the country, the data allowance, and the number of days. Adding "just a little" often means running dry again and doing the whole thing twice, so estimate "how many days are left, and how much do I use per day" before you decide. Available plans and terms can differ by country and region, so check the current listings on the comparison page as well.
When a top-up makes sense
If you're staying in the same destination and still have validity left, topping up is the easiest option.
No need to redo your settings
Because you're adding data to the eSIM you're already using, your device settings stay exactly as they are. No switching lines, no installing a new profile. When your connection stops mid-trip, this is the fewest-steps fix — handy when you want to sort it out quickly on the move or at a restaurant table.
Availability depends on the plan
Not every plan can be topped up. Check the details for each plan on the comparison page and the information shown in My Account. If your plan doesn't support it, switch to buying a new eSIM instead.
Do it on Wi-Fi if you can
Once your data is gone, you still need a connection to complete the top-up itself. Handling it somewhere with Wi-Fi — a hotel, a café, an airport — means it won't stall halfway through. It also helps to note down your accommodation's Wi-Fi details in advance and keep offline maps ready, in case you run out while you're out and about.
Adding data doesn't always extend your validity period. If you only have a couple of days left, you may not get through the data you just bought — check the days remaining before you decide.
When a new eSIM is the better call
If any of the following three apply, a new eSIM is more dependable than a top-up.
You're moving to another country or region
Every eSIM covers a defined set of countries and regions. If your next destination isn't included, adding data won't help. Choose a plan that covers where you're going, or a multi-country plan. If you're crossing borders quickly — a multi-stop trip around Europe, say — confirming coverage before you leave saves a lot of scrambling on the road. Our eSIM guide articles cover how to choose by country and region.
You need more data than your remaining days can carry
If you have another week ahead and you watch a lot of video or make video calls, buying a fresh plan sized for those days is clearer than nudging a small amount on, and less likely to leave you stranded again. That's especially true if you have work messages and online meetings to keep up with, or daily video calls with family — build in some headroom.
Your validity is nearly up, or already expired
As a rule, an expired eSIM can't be revived by adding data. In that case, please purchase a new plan. If you're thinking "I still have data, but nothing works," the days may have run out before the gigabytes did. Check both the remaining data and the remaining days in My Account.
How to install a new eSIM (one tap from your setup link)
Installing a new eSIM takes only a few minutes.
The basic flow
Tap the setup link we sent you once, then follow the on-screen prompts to add the eSIM to your device. Turn the line on when you arrive and you're connected. Doing the installation somewhere with Wi-Fi is the safest approach. A scannable code and manual entry details are provided as alternatives if the link-based install doesn't work for you.
You don't have to delete the old eSIM
Your device can hold several eSIMs (how many can be active at once depends on the device). Rather than deleting the old profile, switch the line used for "mobile data" to the new eSIM, and turn on data roaming for that line. If you're keeping your home-country line installed, switching off mobile data for that line helps you avoid unintended usage abroad.
Still not connecting?
Turn airplane mode on and straight back off to make the device search for a signal again. If that doesn't help, see troubleshooting and the setup guide. You can confirm whether your handset is supported via compatible devices. If none of the steps resolve it, reach out through our contact page and our support team will help. Common questions are answered in the FAQ.
How much data to buy so this doesn't happen again
Having a rough benchmark in mind makes choosing a plan much easier next time. The figures below are estimates only — actual usage varies a lot depending on video quality and app settings.
| How you use your phone | Rough daily usage |
|---|---|
| Mostly maps, search, and messaging | About 0.2–0.5 GB |
| Scrolling social media, sending photos | About 0.5–1 GB |
| Watching a lot of video | About 1–3 GB |
| Daily video calls | About 1–3 GB |
Video and video calls burn through data fastest
Automatic photo backups to the cloud and app updates also eat data without you noticing. Setting both to run only on Wi-Fi while you travel cuts consumption considerably. Small adjustments help too: turn off video autoplay, and lower the video quality in your social apps.
Worth doing before you leave
Downloading offline maps for your destination and pre-loading language packs for your translation app are simple steps that meaningfully reduce how much data you use on the ground. We share more ways to keep phone data use down in our articles on cutting phone costs.
When you genuinely can't predict your usage
If you have no idea how much you'll need, a plan you can use without counting gigabytes is worth considering. Note, though, that even plans described as unlimited may reduce speeds after a certain amount of usage, and fair use conditions and tethering availability differ from plan to plan. Check the terms before you choose. See our unlimited plan overview and our articles on unlimited eSIMs for details.
Who each option suits
The decision really hinges on two things: whether your destination changes, and whether you have days left.
A top-up suits you if
You're staying in the same country, you still have plenty of validity left, you'd rather not touch your settings, and you expect to be short by only a few days. It's quick and easy to handle on the spot.
A new eSIM suits you if
You're moving on to the next country, you're low on days, your data needs have changed significantly, your current plan doesn't support top-ups, or your validity has already expired. It takes slightly more effort, but it's dependable and easier to plan around.
If it's a close call
Multiply your remaining nights by the daily estimate above to get the data you actually need. If that number fits within what you can add to your current plan and you have enough days left, top up. If either falls short, buy a new eSIM. For longer stays — studying abroad or an extended trip — our articles by use case are a useful starting point.
What a data-only eSIM can and can't do
Bloomy eSIM is data-only. It does not include a phone number, so voice calls to or from a phone number and SMS messages aren't available. That said, app-based calls that run over data — WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime and similar — work as usual, so staying in touch with family and friends is no problem.
If you need SMS codes sent to a phone number, such as verification from your bank or card issuer back home, plan ahead before you leave: keep your home-country line installed, or switch to an authenticator app or email-based verification. Whether you need a number and SMS at all depends on your situation — if you do, look into options that include a number, or local services at your destination. We go deeper on this in our articles on phone numbers and SMS.
When data stops, app calls stop too
App calls run over data, so once your data is used up they stop working. The more you rely on them to stay in contact, the more headroom you'll want. Travel has a habit of throwing up sudden needs — a changed meeting point, a message to say you've landed.
In summary: the order to check things in
If you remember nothing else, remember the sequence.
- Check your remaining data and remaining days in My Account
- Confirm whether you're staying in the same country or moving on
- If you're staying, check whether your plan supports top-ups
- If it doesn't, if you're short on days, or if you're changing countries, buy a new eSIM
Work down those four points and the decision gets a lot easier, even mid-trip. Losing your connection is stressful, but the eSIM stays on your device, and both topping up and buying again can be done on the spot as long as you have Wi-Fi.
To search by destination, data allowance, and duration, start from the comparison page. You can check the status of anything you've purchased at any time in My Account. Articles to help you prepare for travel or studying abroad are on the blog, and service updates are listed under development updates.
This article reflects information as of August 2026. Plan contents, supported countries, top-up availability, and terms of use are subject to change; please check the latest details on the comparison page before purchasing. All plans are data-only (no phone number, SMS, or voice calls) and subject to a fair use policy. Speeds and connection quality vary with the local networks, your device, and where you are.
