Heard stories about someone using their phone abroad as usual and getting hit with a bill far bigger than expected? More often than not, the culprit is the carrier's data roaming being left on without the traveler realizing it. This article walks you through turning data roaming off before you leave and getting online with a local eSIM instead, step by step for both iPhone and Android. The short version: keep your carrier's roaming off and let the eSIM handle your data, and you can stay connected abroad while avoiding unintended charges.
- What turning off data roaming actually does
- How to switch on iPhone
- How to switch on Android
- How to set your eSIM as the line for data
- What to check after switching
What changes when you turn off data roaming?
Data roaming is the feature that connects your home carrier's line to a partner network abroad so you can use data. It's convenient, but if you use it without checking the rate structure, your costs can be hard to predict. Turning it off stops your carrier line from using data abroad, so you can cleanly route your internet through an eSIM you've added instead.
Roaming isn't a bad thing in itself. For short stints, or with a flat-rate international plan, it can be handy. For how roaming and a dedicated eSIM compare on cost and convenience, see Carrier roaming vs. a dedicated eSIM: which is the better deal?, which breaks it down by scenario. If you're weighing the cost side, reading that first makes the decision easier. This article focuses purely on the hands-on steps once you've decided to go with an eSIM.
A travel eSIM like Bloomy is generally data-only. You can't make or receive calls on a phone number (voice calls) or use SMS, but app-based calls that run over data — WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime and the like — work as usual. If you need a phone number or SMS verification, it's worth also looking into keeping a number active for incoming use, or pairing this with a service that includes a number.
The big picture (get the flow first)
Grasping the overall flow before you dive in saves confusion. It breaks down into three main steps.
| Step | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Add the eSIM before you leave (one tap on the setup link you receive) | Get your local line ready |
| 2 | Turn off data roaming on your carrier line | Prevent unintended carrier data use |
| 3 | Set your mobile data line to the eSIM | Use the internet via the eSIM |
To add the eSIM, just tap the setup link you receive and follow the on-screen prompts. Scanning anything is usually unnecessary — think of the QR code and manual setup as fallbacks for when the link won't open. You don't need to actually start using the line until you've arrived at your destination.
How to turn off data roaming and switch on iPhone
In short, on iPhone you can turn data on or off per line from Cellular in the Settings app. Here's the order:
- Open Settings → Cellular
- Select your carrier line (primary line) and turn Data Roaming off
- Under "Cellular Data," switch the line in use to the eSIM you added
- After you arrive, turn the eSIM line on, and enable Data Roaming for it if your plan calls for it (follow your plan's instructions)
The key point is that you can hold separate settings for your carrier line and your eSIM line. That makes it easy to keep your home number available for incoming calls and SMS while routing only data through the eSIM. Some travel eSIMs are designed to connect to local networks via roaming, so it's safest to set the eSIM's roaming option exactly as your plan instructs.
How to turn off data roaming and switch on Android
Android follows the same idea — you set data per SIM (line). The names and locations vary a little by device and OS version, so if you can't find an option, searching "roaming" within Settings is the quickest route.
- Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs (or "Mobile network")
- Select your carrier line and turn Roaming off
- Under "Mobile data," set the line in use to the eSIM you added
- On arrival, turn on data for the eSIM line and complete any settings as instructed
On some devices, the APN (connection settings) may not populate automatically. If it doesn't seem to connect, restarting, toggling airplane mode, or reselecting the line can sometimes help. For more detailed fixes, see Troubleshooting connection issues.
Who this approach suits — and who it doesn't
This switch-over method works better for some people than others. Checking whether it fits you ahead of time means no scrambling once you're abroad.
A good fit if you
- Want to curb unintended carrier data use and keep your costs predictable
- Mainly use data, and apps like WhatsApp are enough to stay in touch
- Want to keep your home number available for incoming calls
This alone may not be enough if you
- Frequently need phone-number calls or SMS verification while abroad (consider an additional option)
- Use a device that doesn't support eSIM (check device compatibility first)
- Need a number kept active at all times, e.g. for work
What to check after switching
Once setup is done, a quick check of the following on the ground gives peace of mind.
- Whether the signal indicator at the top of the screen shows a local network
- Whether you can open a web page and use data
- Whether your carrier roaming is still off (and hasn't switched back on)
- Whether you have a sense of your remaining allowance (data and days)
Data allowance, length of use and supported countries vary by plan and can change. Checking the latest details at the time of purchase, and before you use the plan, helps you avoid coming up short or paying for more than you need. (This reflects the general process as of June 2026; for the latest steps, please also check the official guidance from your device maker and each provider.)
Remember the split — "roaming off, data on the eSIM" — and the logic stays the same even if you change phones. When in doubt, searching "roaming" within the Settings app is the shortcut.
To find an eSIM that fits where you're headed, the eSIM comparison page lets you check plans by country, data allowance and number of days. If anything about setup or conditions is unclear, our FAQ is there to help.
