How to avoid roaming charges from your home carrier

To avoid roaming charges from your home carrier, use the travel eSIM as your only mobile data line: Data Roaming ON for the eSIM, OFF for your home SIM, and on iPhone turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching. If you do not need your home number, turn the home line off.

Why your home carrier might still charge you

• The home SIM is still selected for mobile data.
• The phone switches data to the home SIM when the eSIM signal is weak or during a call.
• You make or receive calls and texts on your home number abroad. Your home carrier may charge for these, depending on your plan.

Avoid roaming charges on iPhone

1. Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Cellular Data and choose the travel eSIM.
2. On the same screen, turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching.
3. Go back, tap your home line, then Cellular Data Options, and turn off Data Roaming.
4. Tap the travel eSIM and make sure its Data Roaming is on.
5. Optional: if you do not need calls or texts on your home number, tap your home line and turn off Turn On This Line.

Avoid roaming charges on Android

Samsung Galaxy

1. Settings > Connections > SIM manager: under Primary SIM, set Mobile data to the eSIM.
2. Settings > Connections > Mobile networks: make sure Data roaming is on for the eSIM.
3. If your phone offers an option to switch mobile data between SIMs automatically, turn it off.
4. Optional: turn the home SIM off with its switch in SIM manager.

Google Pixel

1. Settings > Network & internet > SIMs: under "Your primary SIMs", set Mobile data to the eSIM.
2. Turn off Data during calls, so data does not move to the home SIM while you are on a call.
3. Tap your home SIM and turn off Roaming. Tap the eSIM and turn Roaming on.
4. Optional: tap the home SIM and turn off Use SIM.

Menu names vary by brand.

Calls and texts on your home number

Keeping the home line on lets you receive calls and SMS, such as bank codes, but your home carrier may charge for them abroad. Check its roaming prices before you go. Your travel eSIM is data only: read WhatsApp, iMessage and bank codes with a data-only eSIM.

Tip: change these settings before you leave, or turn on Airplane Mode on the plane and set things up after landing.

Still not working?

Reply to your order email or write to us through the contact page (support@esimcircle.com). To get a fast answer, include your order number, the eSIM's ICCID, the country and network name your phone shows, and screenshots of the error and of the eSIM's cellular settings. See what to send support for where to find each item.