eSIM won’t connect when you land: what to check in 5 minutes
It’s almost always a setting, not the eSIM: the line is off, data is going through your own SIM, or data roaming isn’t on. Check in this order, without deleting anything, and within five minutes you’ll know whether that’s it or it needs a closer look.
What shouldn’t I do?
Don’t delete the eSIM. A deleted eSIM can’t be reinstalled with the same QR code, and it’s hardly ever the fix.
And don’t worry if, right after landing, your phone says “No Service” or “Searching”: the first connection to a local network can take a little while. Turn off airplane mode and give it a couple of minutes before you start.
What do I check, and in what order?
From most likely to least. Try opening a web page after each step: as soon as it loads, you’re done.
- The eSIM line is on. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data (on some versions, Mobile Service; in some countries, Cellular), tap the eSIM and turn on Turn On This Line. Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, tap the eSIM and turn on Use SIM. Samsung: in Settings → Connections → SIM manager (on some versions, “SIM card manager”), check that the eSIM is turned on.
- The eSIM is the mobile data line. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data, choose the eSIM. Pixel: in SIMs, Mobile data → the eSIM. Samsung: in SIM manager, Mobile data → the eSIM.
- Data roaming is on for the eSIM. iPhone: the eSIM → Mobile Data Options → Data Roaming. Pixel: the eSIM → Roaming. Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming. This is the most common one: there’s signal but no internet.
- Airplane mode for 15 seconds. Turn it on, wait at least 15 seconds and turn it off: the phone looks for a network again.
- Turn the phone off and on again. On a Pixel, Google recommends powering it off, waiting 30 seconds and turning it back on.
Still not connecting? Then it isn’t one of the usual suspects: the APN, a network chosen manually or a QR code that didn’t install properly. It’s all in troubleshooting, case by case.
What about my usual SIM: do I touch it?
Leave it on so you can receive calls and texts, but with its data roaming off.
If, while checking the above, you see the phone is getting online through your SIM, data is going through it: go back to step 2. And turn off automatic data switching (on iPhone, Allow Mobile Data Switching) so it doesn’t happen again when the eSIM briefly loses signal. Why and how is in data roaming with an eSIM.
Frequently asked questions on arrival
How long does the eSIM take to connect after landing?
It usually connects within a few minutes of turning off airplane mode. If it still has no network after that, start with step 1.
I have signal but no internet. What is it?
Almost always, data roaming is off for the eSIM, or data is set to your own SIM. Those are steps 2 and 3.
Should I delete the eSIM and install it again?
No. A deleted eSIM can’t be reinstalled with the same QR code. Go through the steps on this page and, if that isn’t enough, contact us.
Do I need Wi-Fi to fix it?
Not for these steps: they’re phone settings. You would need it to install a new eSIM, which is why it’s best to install it at home.