Last updated: June 2026
You land in a new country, power on your phone, and start using it just like you would at home — and before you realize it, the charges have piled up. It's the dreaded "bill shock." The short answer: if you switch data roaming OFF before you leave, you can reliably prevent unexpected data charges abroad. Then, if you still want maps, translation and the like while you're there, it's smart to line up a separate way to get online, such as a travel eSIM or Wi-Fi.
Plenty of travelers feel unsure here — "I don't really understand the settings menu," or "I've heard horror stories about huge bills." This guide starts with a plain explanation of why the charges happen, walks through the exact steps for both iPhone and Android, and then covers how to get online safely once you arrive. You don't need any technical background — by the end, you'll know exactly what to do.
- Why phones rack up big charges abroad
- How to turn data roaming OFF
- How airplane mode differs and when to use it
- How to get online safely while traveling
- Who an eSIM suits, and who's better off with another option
Why do phones rack up such big charges abroad?
The root cause is simple: you keep using your usual home plan while borrowing a foreign network. The plan you use day to day is generally built for connecting on your home network. When you use your phone abroad as-is, it connects by borrowing a local carrier's network — this is called data roaming (international roaming).
Roaming is priced separately from the data you use at home. If maps, video, and automatic app updates run without any changes to your settings, charges build up with every megabyte and can climb to an amount you never expected. That's what people mean by "bill shock." Using your phone with the same casual habits you have at home is the hidden trap.
Ways your phone connects without you noticing
- Opening maps or social apps right after landing to check your location or transit
- Apps and the OS updating or downloading in the background automatically
- Photos and videos uploading to the cloud on their own
- Email and messaging apps constantly pulling in new messages
- Music and video apps using data even when you think you're offline
Even when you feel like you "barely touched" your phone, this automatic background activity quietly adds up — which is a big reason charges abroad are so hard to predict. That's exactly why stopping data before you start using your phone is the surest safeguard.
The most important setting: turn data roaming OFF
The single most reliable step against a surprise bill is switching data roaming OFF. With it off, your phone won't use a local network for data abroad, so you avoid unintended charges. Do it before you leave — while you're still at home — rather than after you arrive, and you'll also dodge that "oops, it was connecting" moment right after landing.
On iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data)
- Open Cellular Data Options
- Turn Data Roaming OFF
On Android
Names vary a little by model and manufacturer, but the flow is roughly the same:
- Open Settings
- Open Network & internet or Connections
- Select Mobile network
- Turn Data roaming OFF
The exact wording and menu layout can differ on your device. If you're unsure how to find the setting, or whether your phone supports eSIM at all, take a look at our compatible devices page and setup guide as well.
Is turning roaming off enough? A few extras worth checking
Turning data roaming off is the core of avoiding charges, but a few quick checks before you leave will give you extra peace of mind. None of this is complicated — it's just a little tidying of your usual settings.
- Temporarily turn off automatic app updates and downloads (large OS and app updates can use a lot of data)
- Set automatic photo and video backups to "Wi-Fi only"
- If you can, download offline maps and translation data before you travel while you're on a reliable connection
With this groundwork done, your data will drain more slowly when you do use a connection abroad, so you can worry less about running out.
How is this different from airplane mode? When to use each
Many people think, "Surely airplane mode keeps me safe?" The short answer: airplane mode does stop charges, but it's a bit inconvenient for everyday use. Airplane mode switches off all your wireless connections at once — mobile data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. That certainly halts data, so it prevents charges, but it also cuts Wi-Fi, which means turning Wi-Fi back on every time you want to use the free network at a hotel or café.
After turning airplane mode on, you can manually switch Wi-Fi back on — that way you avoid mobile charges abroad while still using free Wi-Fi. But where there's no Wi-Fi, you'll have no connection at all, so if you want maps, translation or messaging on the move or outdoors, it's wise to set up a separate option such as the eSIM described below.
| Setting | Charges abroad | Wi-Fi use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data roaming OFF | Prevented | Available | People using Wi-Fi plus a separate connection |
| Airplane mode | Prevented | OK if turned on manually | People who barely use the internet |
| Leave as-is | Charged | Available | Only those already on a travel data plan |
For everyday convenience, the combination of data roaming OFF plus a local connection option strikes a good balance — it stops charges while keeping you online.
But I still want to be online: safe ways to connect
Simply cutting off data leaves you stuck when you actually need maps, translation, messaging or a ride-hailing app on your trip. The practical approach is to turn roaming off and set up another safe way to connect. There are three main options.
1. A travel eSIM
This is a digital SIM you download straight onto your phone. Buy and install it before you leave, and once you arrive you just activate the line to get online. There's no physical SIM card to swap, and you can leave your home SIM in the phone — which makes it easy to handle, even if it's your first time. You can browse eSIMs by country, data amount and number of days on our eSIM comparison page.
2. A pocket Wi-Fi (mobile router)
Here you rent a device and carry it with you. It's easy to share across several people and devices, but you have to pick it up and return it, charge it daily, and carry an extra gadget. It often suits family or group trips.
3. A carrier's international add-on plan
This means signing up for an overseas data add-on from your own mobile carrier. You keep your usual phone number, but pricing, daily caps and supported countries vary by carrier. Always check the latest terms on your carrier's official information before you sign up.
If you're nervous about the settings or worried you might not connect once you're there, it's worth reading our troubleshooting guide in advance so you can stay calm if something comes up.
The three options side by side (quick reference)
To help you weigh things up, here's a summary of each option. Pricing and terms can change, so please check the latest details with each service before signing up.
| Option | Preparation | How light to carry | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Download & set up before departure | Just your phone | Solo travelers, short to long stays, mostly maps & social |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Pick up & return device | An extra device to carry | Families, groups, multiple devices |
| Carrier add-on | Sign up beforehand | Keep your usual number | Those who need calls & SMS on their regular number |
What to know before using an eSIM
eSIMs are light and convenient, but there are a few honest points worth knowing before you buy. Choosing one based on a misunderstanding can lead to a "this isn't what I expected" moment, so let's clear them up here.
It's data only
A travel eSIM like Bloomy is, as a rule, data only. App-based calls that run over data — such as WhatsApp, Messenger and FaceTime — work as usual. What you can't do is make or receive phone-number (voice) calls or send and receive SMS. If you expect to receive calls on your regular number, or need SMS verification codes from your bank or other services, plan ahead — for example, keep your home SIM, or arrange another option alongside the eSIM.
Choose a data amount and number of days
With an eSIM you pick a data allowance and a number of days. If you mostly use maps, social apps and messaging, a smaller plan is a good guide; if you watch a lot of video or use tethering heavily, lean larger. Plan contents, supported countries and pricing may change, so please check the latest details shown at the time of purchase (as of June 2026).
What "unlimited" really means
There are unlimited-style plans for heavy users, but even on an unlimited plan there may be a fair-use policy, reduced speeds after a certain amount of usage, or conditions on tethering. It doesn't mean "flat-out fast, use as much as you like, forever" — keeping that in mind before you buy will help you choose with confidence. You can review the terms on our unlimited plan page.
Which one fits you? (Who it suits, and who it doesn't)
An eSIM suits you if you…
- Want to travel, work or study abroad light, with just your phone
- Want everything prepared before departure and ready the moment you land
- Prefer to avoid swapping SIM cards or carrying a second device
- Mainly use maps, translation, social apps and app-based calls
A regular SIM or another option suits you if you…
- Frequently need calls or SMS verification on your usual phone number abroad
- Want to share one connection across several people and devices (pocket Wi-Fi may fit better)
- Have a phone that doesn't support eSIM (check compatible devices)
There's no single right answer — the best option depends on how you use your phone. When in doubt, turn data roaming OFF first to stop the risk of charges, then pick whatever's closest to your needs, and you'll avoid any big mistakes.
Pre-departure checklist and your next step
- Turned data roaming OFF
- Reviewed automatic app updates, background refresh and automatic backups
- Decided how you'll connect abroad (eSIM / Wi-Fi / carrier add-on)
- If using an eSIM, finished installing it before departure
- Checked whether you'll need phone-number calls or SMS
Once you've prepared this far, the chance of a sudden huge bill abroad is almost gone. If you'd like to find an eSIM for your destination, the eSIM comparison page lets you choose a plan by country, data amount and number of days. You can check your remaining data and QR code for any eSIM you've bought from My Account, and if you'd like to learn more about getting your phone ready for travel, our eSIM guides are a great next read. Connection quality always depends on the local network, your device and the area you're in.
