Why does my eSIM say 'No Service' abroad?

The most common cause is that data roaming is turned off for the eSIM line. Travel eSIMs work by roaming on local partner networks, so roaming must be ON for the eSIM (and OFF for your home SIM). Toggle airplane mode after enabling it to force a fresh network registration.

Do I need to turn on data roaming for a travel eSIM?

Yes. Travel eSIMs are roaming products, so 'data roaming' must be enabled for the eSIM line. This does not create extra charges on a prepaid eSIM; the plan price is fixed. Keep roaming OFF on your home SIM, which is where expensive surprise charges come from.

How do I fix wrong APN settings on an eSIM?

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [your eSIM] > Cellular Data Network, then enter the APN from your provider's confirmation page. Android: Settings > SIMs > [your eSIM] > Access Point Names, add a new APN with those details. nadanada eSIMs configure the APN automatically, so only touch this if data fails.

Why does my eSIM show signal but no internet?

Signal bars mean the phone registered on a network, but data is not flowing. Check in order: cellular data is set to the eSIM line, data roaming is ON for the eSIM, the APN matches your provider's instructions, and your plan still has data left. A phone restart resolves most stuck data sessions.

Should my travel eSIM be my default line?

Set the eSIM as the cellular DATA line, but keep your home SIM as the default line for calls and SMS so iMessage/WhatsApp and banking texts keep working on your usual number.

What if nothing works?

Contact your eSIM provider's support with your ICCID or order reference. With nadanada, support can check provisioning and remaining data and reissue a plan if something went wrong. Reach out via the support page and include your order details.

eSIM Not Connecting? 9 Fixes That Work (2026)

You installed the eSIM, you landed, and there is no data, maybe even a "No Service" message. That is almost always a settings problem rather than a broken eSIM. Work through these nine fixes in order; the first three solve about 90% of cases.

1. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM

This is the most common cause of an eSIM not working. Travel eSIMs connect by roaming on local partner networks, so roaming must be enabled for the eSIM line:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [your eSIM] > Data Roaming: ON
Android: Settings > SIMs > [your eSIM] > Roaming: ON

Prepaid eSIM data is a fixed price, so "roaming" here does not add charges. (Do the opposite on your home SIM: roaming OFF, or you will get bill shock.)

2. Set the eSIM as your data line

Phones with two SIMs need to know which one provides internet:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select the travel eSIM
Android: Settings > SIMs > Preferred SIM for mobile data > the eSIM

Keep your home SIM as default for calls and texts so banking SMS and WhatsApp keep working.

3. Toggle airplane mode, then restart

After changing either setting above, force a fresh network registration: airplane mode on for 10 seconds, off again. If data still does not start within two minutes, do a full restart. A restart clears stuck modem sessions that toggles cannot.

4. Check you are actually in coverage

Travel eSIMs connect to specific partner networks. Basements, deep building interiors, remote rural areas and mountains can be real dead zones, so step outside or to a window before concluding anything is broken. Regional plans also only cover their region: a Europe plan does not connect in Morocco.

5. Verify the plan has data and validity left

Check your confirmation page or account for remaining data. A plan that hit 0MB or expired looks exactly like a connection failure. With nadanada you can top up an existing eSIM without reinstalling it.

6. Check the APN

The APN (Access Point Name) is the gateway between the network and the internet. nadanada eSIMs configure it automatically, but if data fails with full signal:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [eSIM] > Cellular Data Network
Android: Settings > SIMs > [eSIM] > Access Point Names > add new

Enter the APN exactly as shown on your provider's confirmation/instructions, leave other fields empty, save, select it, restart. For nadanada eSIMs the APN is always data.esim. If you want screenshots-level detail per brand, we wrote a dedicated APN setup guide.

7. Try manual network selection

Automatic selection occasionally latches onto a non-partner network:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [eSIM] > Network Selection > turn Automatic OFF, wait for the list, pick a partner network from your instructions (or try each listed network)
Android: Settings > SIMs > [eSIM] > Network operators > disable auto-select, choose manually

8. Confirm the eSIM line is enabled

This one sounds obvious but comes up a lot after reinstalls: the line itself must be switched on.

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [eSIM] > Turn On This Line
Android: Settings > SIMs > [eSIM] > toggle enabled

Also check for a data limit you may have set during setup (Android: Settings > Network > Data warning & limit).

9. Last resorts

Re-enter via manual details if you suspect a corrupted install (codes are on your confirmation page)
Reset network settings (iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings). This forgets Wi-Fi passwords but preserves the eSIM on current iOS versions
Contact support with your ICCID (how to find it) and a screenshot of your settings

Still planning your trip? nadanada eSIM plans deliver the QR code instantly with no account, and every plan page lists the partner networks for your destination.