If your eSIM is installed but data still isn't flowing, your account page now shows a short list of the first three things to try. You can check them yourself in under a minute, comparing your screen against the list right there on the spot.
Adding the eSIM itself takes a single tap on the setup link. But when data doesn't start after you land, it's very often just one switch left untouched in your phone's settings. We've moved that first step into your account page so it's waiting for you when you need it.
What's new
On the card for each purchased eSIM in your account page, a small hint now appears — but only when it looks like data hasn't started yet. It lists three things, and nothing more.
- Turn on Data Roaming
- Set Mobile Data to use this eSIM
- Turn Airplane Mode on, then straight back off
One action per line, no long explanations. Step-by-step instructions with screenshots and a link to support sit quietly underneath. The hint doesn't show up if your data is already working. It also stays hidden if you've removed the profile from your device, since the advice wouldn't apply in that case.
Why we added it
When we traced back the "it won't connect" messages we receive, most of them came down to a single setting still switched off on the device. Right after landing, it's hard to know where to look — you're in a hurry, the airport is unfamiliar, and if there's no Wi-Fi you can't exactly look it up.
We already had a setup guide and a support page, but you had to go find them. The better place for that information is directly in front of you, only when you need it. This update is really about relocation more than new content.
A closer look: what each step actually does
Following instructions is easier when you know what they're for. Each of the three steps does something different.
1. Data roaming — the switch that lets you use a network abroad
Roaming means using a network other than the one you have a contract with. A travel eSIM connects through partner networks in the country you're visiting, so if this switch is off on your device, nothing happens — even when the eSIM is installed correctly. Plenty of people keep roaming turned off on their home-country line to avoid surprise charges, then travel without changing it. To be clear: you only need to turn roaming on for the eSIM line you purchased, not for your home line.
2. Choosing which line carries your data
Once you add the eSIM, your phone is holding two lines at once: your home-country line and the travel eSIM. The device uses just one of them for data, and if that's still set to your home line, the eSIM simply sits there waiting. Switch it over to the eSIM and data starts.
3. Airplane mode on and off — a quick reconnect
Even after you change a setting, your phone may still be holding on to older connection information. Turning airplane mode on and immediately off makes the device search for a signal again. It's faster and gentler than a full restart, and you can do it anywhere.
Split the work: before you fly, and after you land
As a rule of thumb, tap the setup link and install the eSIM before you leave, while you still have Wi-Fi. Leave turning the line on until you've arrived. Dividing it that way keeps things simple. Activation timing can differ by plan, though, so do check the instructions we send after purchase. You can also confirm things ahead of time on our device compatibility page and in the setup guide.
The details we cared about
What took the longest was getting the size and the tone right. Our first version said too much and ended up looking like a warning notice. So we cut the paragraphs down to one action per line, then made the box and the text a step smaller and a shade lighter. It matters that this never competes with the things you actually came to check, like your remaining data or your active status.
We were careful with the wording too, keeping technical terms out of it wherever we could. The hint is available in English and in the other languages supported in your account page.
What's next
We're still working on what to show when these three steps don't solve it — device makers label these settings differently, for one thing. We'll also keep revising the wording as we learn more about the situations people actually run into.
Related pages
- My Account: check the status and remaining data of your purchased eSIMs
- Setup Guide: installation steps with screenshots (iPhone and Android)
- Troubleshooting: what to do if the three steps don't fix it
- eSIM Guide: the basics, for first-time users
This article reflects our service as of August 2026, and display conditions and screens may change. Please note that Bloomy eSIMs are data-only: they do not include a phone number, SMS, or voice calls, so you'll keep using your existing apps for messaging and calls over data. A fair use policy applies, and connection speed and coverage vary depending on the local partner network, your device, and where you are.
