Coming home from a trip or a work assignment only to find a phone bill that climbed into the hundreds of dollars—that kind of “bill shock” worries a lot of travelers, and it’s natural to feel unsure about simply taking your usual phone abroad. Here’s the short answer: if you turn off “data roaming” before you leave, you can largely prevent the surprise charges that pile up without you realizing it. From there, if you still want to get online while you’re away, it helps to set up a separate connectivity option—such as an eSIM—where the cost is fixed in advance. This guide walks through why bills can get so high, how to turn roaming off on different devices, how to choose connectivity you can rely on, and the steps and things to watch for when using an eSIM—explained simply, even if it’s your first time (as of June 2026).
- Why high bills happen abroad
- How to turn off data roaming
- Why turning it off alone isn’t enough
- How to choose connectivity you can rely on
- The steps and things to watch for when using an eSIM
Why using your phone as-is abroad can lead to a high bill
In most cases, the culprit is “data roaming.” When you’re abroad, your own carrier’s network usually doesn’t reach you, so your phone connects to the internet by borrowing a local carrier’s network instead. That’s data roaming, and it’s billed at international rates that are separate from your usual home plan. Once you understand how it works, it becomes clearer which setting to switch off.
The tricky part is that data can keep flowing in the background even when you don’t feel like you’re “using” anything. Map location services, automatic photo or cloud backups, app updates, autoplaying videos on social media, incoming email—these can all keep transferring data even while the screen is idle. International pay-as-you-go rates can be high per unit, and these small bits of traffic add up into a bill you didn’t expect.
Some plans offer a daily-capped roaming package, but the covered countries, conditions, and daily price vary by contract. It’s worth checking your own carrier’s latest information before you travel to understand exactly how your plan is charged abroad. Relying on outdated information is how people end up in the wrong country for coverage, or paying a higher rate than they assumed.
First things first: how to turn off data roaming
The surest way to avoid a high bill is to turn off data roaming before you arrive at your destination. We recommend taking care of this while you’re still at home, before you leave. The steps by device are below (the exact labels vary a little by model and OS version).
On iPhone
Go to “Settings” → “Cellular (or Mobile Data)” → “Cellular Data Options” → and switch “Data Roaming” off. For extra peace of mind, also turn off “Cellular Data” itself for any line you’re not using. If you have more than one line installed, double-check which line’s roaming you’ve turned off.
On Android (Pixel and others)
Go to “Settings” → “Network & internet” → “SIMs (Mobile network)” → and switch “Roaming” off. Labels differ by manufacturer, so look for the word “Roaming” as your cue. On some models, a roaming toggle also appears in the quick settings you reach by swiping down from the top of the screen.
Airplane mode alone isn’t a reliable safeguard—if you accidentally switch it off while abroad, data can start flowing. Turning off data roaming itself is the more dependable approach. For the overall setup flow, see our setup guide as well.
Turning roaming off alone leaves you with one inconvenience
Turning off data roaming eases the worry about your bill, but now you can’t get online at all at your destination. Looking up directions on a map, finding a restaurant or shop, using a translation app, calling a ride, messaging family—the times you most need the internet are often exactly when you’re traveling. If you can only connect where there’s Wi-Fi, you’ll feel the gaps while you’re on the move, outdoors, or on the subway or a bus.
Especially in a country you’re visiting for the first time, or where you’re less confident with the language, the simple reassurance of being able to look something up anytime makes the trip lighter. That’s why—to “avoid the high bill while still getting online with peace of mind”—it helps to set up a separate connectivity option with a price that’s fixed in advance. If you want to find the right data amount, country, and number of days for you, getting a sense of your options early on the eSIM comparison page makes pre-departure prep much easier.
How to choose connectivity that avoids high bills
Here’s a clear overview of the main ways to get online at your destination. There’s no single “right” answer—the trick is choosing what fits your travel style, group size, and length of stay.
| Option | Who it suits | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM | People with a compatible device who want easy setup | Check device compatibility in advance; generally data-only |
| Local SIM (physical) | Long stays where you also want a local number | Buying and swapping on arrival; keeping your original SIM safe |
| Travel Wi-Fi router | Multiple people or devices sharing one connection | Carrying and charging the device; pickup and return |
| Carrier roaming package | People who want to keep their usual number | Check the daily price and covered countries in advance |
Among these, an eSIM has the advantage that—on a compatible device—there’s no card to swap, and you can prepare online before you leave. Because the price is set in advance, there’s less worry about a high bill from overuse. For a short trip, an eSIM is the easy choice; for a long stay of several months or more where you also want a local number, a local SIM; for sharing devices across a family or group, a Wi-Fi router—thinking in terms of length of stay and number of people makes the decision easier. To start, check whether your device supports eSIM on the compatible devices page.
How using an eSIM works (it’s not complicated)
“eSIM” can sound complicated, but the flow is simple. With Bloomy, it works like this:
- Before you leave, confirm your device is compatible and buy a plan
- Tap the setup link you receive once, and the eSIM is added by following the on-screen prompts
- When you arrive, turn on the line for the eSIM you added and start using it
If it doesn’t add successfully, a QR code or manual setup may be available as a fallback, but the basic flow is a single tap on the setup link you received. Getting it ready before departure, when you have time to spare, means no scrambling on the day. Also, leaving your original line’s data roaming turned off means you’ll use only the eSIM at your destination, with no worry about being charged for two connections at once. The detailed steps are gathered in our setup guide.
Things to keep in mind with a data-only eSIM (numbers and SMS)
Bloomy plans are data-only by design. This is a common point of confusion, so we’ll be straightforward about it. App-based calls that use data—such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime—work just as they always have. What you can’t do is make or receive voice calls over a phone number, and receive SMS sent to a phone number. It’s not that “you can’t make calls at all.” You can stay in touch with family and friends through the messaging apps you already use, just as before.
On the other hand, a phone number may still be needed for things like SMS verification codes from banks and various services, or when a local shop or hotel contacts you by phone. If you have something like that planned, it’s worth also considering a way to keep your usual number (such as a carrier roaming package) or another option that supports a number and SMS. For preparing around numbers and SMS, our phone number & SMS category is a helpful reference.
What to watch for when choosing an unlimited plan
If you expect to use a lot—watching plenty of video, or tethering several devices—an unlimited-type plan can be an option too. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t mean “use as much as you want with no conditions whatsoever.” A fair-use policy may apply, where speeds ease off after a certain amount of usage, and whether tethering is allowed can differ by plan. Speeds also depend on the local network conditions, the area, and congestion at busy times.
While this type suits long sessions or times when you’d rather not think about your data amount, these conditions can change, so it’s worth confirming the latest details before you buy. If your usual travel mostly involves maps, looking things up, social media, and app-based calls, a standard plan with a set data amount is often plenty—there’s no need to force yourself into a pricier plan.
What to do if you can’t connect or feel unsure on location
If you’ve set everything up but still can’t connect, don’t panic—check these in order: ① Is the eSIM line turned on? ② If your eSIM plan is treated as roaming, is that line’s data roaming still left off (follow your plan’s instructions)? ③ Toggle airplane mode on and off once to re-acquire the signal. ④ Restart your device. Most “can’t connect” issues are solved by one of these four. If that still doesn’t resolve it, the detailed steps are gathered on our connection troubleshooting page. When you’re stuck, you can also reach out through our contact page.
Find the plan that fits you with Bloomy
If your goal is “avoid the high bill, but still use the internet normally on location,” you can choose a plan by your destination, the data amount you need, and the number of days. You can check data guidelines and supported countries on the eSIM comparison page, and reading our eSIM guide alongside it covers preparing your phone for travel overall, easing pre-departure worries. The actual plans, prices, and conditions available can vary by country and data amount and are subject to change, so please check the latest details before purchasing.
