Last updated: September 19, 2026
When you start using a travel eSIM abroad, one question comes up again and again: should you switch off your home-country line entirely, or is it enough to just turn off data roaming? Both settings exist to protect you from unexpected roaming charges, but they differ in one important way: whether you can still receive calls and SMS on your home-country number. In short, if you want to keep receiving calls and texts on your home number while you travel, turn off data roaming only. If you don't need them and want the simplest possible setup, turning off the whole line is the cleaner option.
- If in doubt, turning off data roaming only is the safer choice
- Turning off the line entirely means no calls and no SMS
- Turning off roaming only keeps calls coming in, but watch for inbound call charges
- On iPhone, also turn off "Allow Cellular Data Switching"
- After changing settings, confirm your eSIM is actually carrying your data
What's the difference between turning off the line and turning off data roaming?
Put simply, turning off your home line disables that SIM altogether, while turning off data roaming keeps the line active but blocks mobile data over foreign networks. They sound similar, but the impact on calls, SMS, and your bill is different.
Turning off your home line
This means disabling the SIM you use at home (physical SIM or eSIM) on your device. Because the line is inactive, your phone never connects to a foreign network with it, so there's no mobile data, and you also won't receive calls or SMS on that number. It suits travelers who want to remove any worry about charges on their home line in one step, or who don't expect to be reached on their home number while abroad.
Turning off data roaming
This keeps the line active but stops it from using mobile data on foreign networks. Since the line stays live, calls and SMS to your home-country number still reach you (wherever there's coverage). Keep in mind, though, that many carriers charge for receiving calls while abroad, depending on the destination, so "reachable" doesn't always mean "free".
Either way, your internet runs on the eSIM
Whichever option you choose, everything you do online abroad (maps, search, social media, WhatsApp, and so on) runs over your travel eSIM's data. The home-line setting only decides what happens to your home-country SIM; it doesn't directly affect the eSIM.
Comparison: calls, SMS, cost, and effort
| What to compare | Home line turned off | Data roaming turned off only |
|---|---|---|
| Calls to your home-country number | Not received | Received (inbound calls may be charged) |
| SMS | Not received | Received (conditions vary by carrier) |
| Accidental data roaming | Very unlikely | Generally prevented (on iPhone, also turn off "Allow Cellular Data Switching") |
| Setup effort | Simple: one toggle for the line | A few more items to check |
| What to do when you get home | Turn the home line back on | Usually nothing to change |
| Best for | No need for calls/SMS, long stays, wanting to rule out home-line charges | Wanting to receive calls and texts from family or work |
Note: Charges for inbound calls and the conditions for receiving SMS depend on your home carrier and your destination. Check your carrier's official information before you leave (as of September 2026).
Which should you choose? Who each option suits
If you're unsure, turning off data roaming only is the safe default. It keeps you reachable on your home number while still making it easy to avoid a large data bill. From there, pick whichever fits your situation.
"Data roaming off only" is a good fit if you:
- May receive calls or SMS on your home-country number from family, work, or school
- Want to stay reachable on your home number throughout your trip
- Are on a short trip and prefer not to change many settings
"Home line off" is a good fit if you:
- Don't need calls or SMS on your home number while abroad
- Are studying abroad or staying long-term and want to rule out home-line charges in one step
- Prefer as few settings to manage as possible
"Home line off" is not a good fit if you:
- Expect SMS messages on your home number while abroad, such as verification codes (they won't arrive while the line is off)
- Have agreed to be reachable for emergencies on your home number
Bloomy eSIM is data-only, so the eSIM itself can't make or receive regular phone calls or SMS. App-based calling that runs over data, such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime, works as usual. If you need calls or SMS on your home-country number, keep your home line active with data roaming turned off.
Where to find the settings on iPhone and Android
Both settings live under "Cellular" (or "Mobile Network"), and you switch them per line. Here's roughly where to look; for the exact order of steps, see the related guide linked below.
iPhone
- Turn the home line on or off: Settings → Cellular → select your home line → toggle "Turn On This Line" off
- Turn data roaming on or off: On that same line's screen, toggle "Data Roaming" off
- Also check: Under Cellular → Cellular Data, set the travel eSIM as the data line, and turn off "Allow Cellular Data Switching" (if left on, your phone may fall back to your home line's data when the eSIM signal is weak)
Android
- Menu names vary by manufacturer and OS version. Typically it's Settings → Network & internet → SIMs (or Mobile network) → select your home line
- Turn the home line on or off: Toggle the "Use SIM" switch (or similar) off
- Turn data roaming on or off: Toggle the "Roaming" switch (or similar) off
- Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line to be safe
For the actual order of steps (activate the eSIM first, or turn off the home line first?) and the common hiccups after switching, see How to turn off your home line while using an eSIM abroad, which walks through it screen by screen.
Pre-departure checklist to avoid surprise charges
Get these two things right and you're unlikely to run into trouble: your mobile data line is set to the travel eSIM, and data roaming on your home line is off. Run through the list below before you leave.
- You've purchased a travel eSIM plan and added it to your device by tapping the setup link you received
- Your mobile data line is set to the travel eSIM
- Your home line is either turned off or has data roaming turned off
- On iPhone, "Allow Cellular Data Switching" is off
- If you're keeping your home line active, you've checked your carrier's inbound call charges and SMS conditions abroad
- You remember (or have noted) what to switch back when you return, such as turning the home line on
If you arrive abroad with your home line still active, your carrier may send you an SMS about roaming options. With data roaming off, that message by itself doesn't mean you're being charged for data, but check your carrier's official information for details on any roaming packages and their terms.
What Bloomy eSIM offers
Bloomy eSIM is a data-only eSIM service with plans you can match to your destination, data amount, and trip length. Setup is a single tap on the link you receive, followed by on-screen prompts, and you turn the line on once you arrive. Our guides are written to make the home-line question easy to sort out after purchase.
- Looking for a plan for your destination? Filter by country, data, and duration on the eSIM comparison page
- Want to see the setup process ahead of time? Read the setup guide
- Can't connect on arrival? Work through the troubleshooting steps in order
- Other questions are covered in our FAQ
Summary: unsure? Turn off data roaming only; don't need calls? Turn off the line
When using an eSIM abroad, both approaches to your home line (turning it off entirely or turning off data roaming only) help you avoid unexpected data charges. The difference is whether calls and SMS to your home-country number still reach you. If you want them, turn off data roaming only (and keep inbound call charges in mind); if you don't, turn off the line. In both cases, make sure your mobile data line is set to the travel eSIM.
You can find the exact switching order and post-setup checks in How to turn off your home line: steps and cautions. Once you're ready, head to the comparison page to pick a plan for your destination.
Note: This article reflects information as of September 2026. Setting names on your device and your carrier's rates and terms may change; check your device manufacturer's and carrier's official pages for the latest details. Bloomy eSIM is data-only (no phone number, voice calls, or SMS) and is subject to a fair usage policy. Data speeds and reliability vary depending on the local network, your device, coverage area, and congestion.
