
Imagine you just landed in a new country 🌎, excited to share your travel photos… But your travel eSIM or international eSIM says “No Service.” 😩
Don’t panic! Sometimes eSIMs need a little help to start working. This guide will show you how to troubleshoot travel eSIM or international eSIM connection issues step by step — all in simple words.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built inside your phone. You don’t need to insert anything — it connects using software.
There are two main types:
Both help you stay online, make calls, and use apps without changing physical SIM cards.
There can be many small reasons your travel eSIM or international eSIM doesn’t connect right away. Here are some common ones:
Don’t worry — all of these can be fixed! Let’s learn how.
Let’s fix it together! Follow these simple steps:
Go to your phone’s Settings → Mobile Data / Cellular → eSIM Plan.
Make sure your travel eSIM or international eSIM line is: ✅ Turned ON ✅ Set as your “Default Data Line”
Sometimes your phone connects to your old SIM by mistake. Turning your eSIM on again helps it reconnect.
When you fly, your phone enters Airplane Mode. After landing, switch it off, wait 10 seconds, and switch it on again.
This helps your phone search for the nearest local network and reconnect automatically.
It sounds simple — but restarting your phone can fix many eSIM problems! When you restart, your phone refreshes its network search and fixes small bugs.
So if your internet isn’t working, just hold the power button and restart your device.
Most international eSIMs need data roaming turned on to connect abroad.
Go to: Settings → Mobile Data → Data Roaming → Turn On
Don’t worry — you won’t be charged extra. This just tells your phone to use your eSIM provider’s global partner networks.
Sometimes your phone can’t automatically find the right network. Here’s how to do it:
iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Network Selection → Turn Off “Automatic” → Pick a local carrier manually.
Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Network Operators → Choose a network manually.
Pick one that matches your eSIM provider’s list (like T-Mobile, Lyca, or Dtac).
Open your eSIM provider’s app (like Commbitz, Airalo, or Holafly). Check if your plan is still active and has data left.
Sometimes you just ran out of data or the plan expired. If that’s the case, top it up or buy a new plan directly in the app.
If your eSIM still doesn’t work, it might be a setup issue.
Here’s how to fix it:
This refreshes your connection and usually solves most problems.
Outdated software can block new network connections.
Go to: Settings → General → Software Update (on iPhone) or Settings → System → Software Update (on Android).
Update it and restart your phone again — now your eSIM should connect smoothly!
If your eSIM connects but the internet is slow, try switching between 4G and 5G networks:
Settings → Cellular → Voice & Data → Select 4G or 5G.
Sometimes one works better than the other, depending on your location.
If you’ve tried everything and it’s still not working — don’t worry! Contact your eSIM provider’s customer support through their app or website.
Most companies like Commbitz, Airalo, and Holafly have 24/7 chat support. They can check your eSIM status and fix the problem in minutes.
Meet Alex. He’s in Japan using an international eSIM. Suddenly, no internet! 😬
Here’s what he did:
Boom 💥 — internet back! Most connection issues are this simple to fix.
✅ Always install your eSIM before your flight while you still have Wi-Fi. ✅ Keep a copy of your QR code or email in case you need to reinstall. ✅ Check your eSIM provider’s country list before you travel. ✅ Turn off old SIMs that may interfere with your eSIM network. ✅ Use trusted providers like Commbitz, Holafly, Airalo, or Ubigi.
So, how to troubleshoot travel eSIM or international eSIM connection issues? It’s easy when you know the steps:
With these tips, your eSIM will keep you connected no matter where you go. 🌍📶
Travel freely, post your adventures, and stay online — because your phone deserves to travel smart too! 💫