What happens when your data runs out
Two different things can leave you without internet: using up the GB, or reaching the end of the days. They don't behave the same way, and it's worth knowing before it happens.
The two limits of your plan
- The GB. When you use them up, the data connection stops. The phone keeps working: your usual line, Wi-Fi and calls on your own number don't depend on the eSIM.
- The days. They start counting when you first connect to a network at your destination, not when you buy or install. When they run out, the plan ends even if you have GB left.
Whichever comes first wins: if you use up the GB on day three of a seven-day plan, the plan runs out of data on day three.
And on “unlimited GB” plans
There you don't run out of internet: each day you get an allowance at full speed and, if you go over it, you keep browsing but more slowly until the next day.
The daily allowance and the speed afterwards depend on the country, and they're written on each destination's page and in the delivery email. We explain it in detail in the guide to fair use and reduced speed.
Can I top up?
We don't currently offer top-ups on an eSIM that's already installed. If you need more data, the way to do it is to buy another plan for the same destination.
- The new purchase arrives by email with its own QR code, just like the first.
- It installs as an extra line; on the phone you choose which one uses data.
- If your phone runs out of room for more eSIMs, you can delete the old one once it's used up. Bear in mind that a deleted eSIM can't be reinstalled.
How to avoid getting there
- Work it out beforehand. A few minutes with the data calculator avoids most nasty surprises.
- Check your usage every now and then in My eSIM, with the email address you used to buy. The operator reports the figure with a delay, so treat it as a guide, not an exact counter.
- Download at the hotel. Offline maps, series and podcasts, on Wi-Fi, before you go out.
- Lower the video quality in the apps that use the most data. It's the setting that saves the most.
- If the trip is long or unpredictable, consider an “unlimited GB” plan: you don't run out, you just slow down.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be charged extra without realising?
No. The plan has a fixed price and, when it's used up, there's simply no more data. There's no overuse billed separately.
My days have run out but I have GB left. Do I get them back?
No: the plan expires by days even if there are unused GB. That's why it's worth matching the length of the plan to your trip.
What if I buy a new plan for the same country?
It works as a separate purchase, with its own QR code and its own days, which start when that line connects.
I've run out of data and can't even open the email
Find some Wi-Fi (hotels, cafes, airports) and buy and install from there. Installing doesn't use the plan's data.
Can I get a refund for what I haven't used?
The terms are in our refund policy. If you have any questions, write to us through the contact page.
Choose a plan with room to spare
Plans from €2.95, delivered instantly by email. Better to have a little extra than to run out halfway.