How to turn data roaming on or off on iPhone, Samsung and Pixel
In short
On an iPhone, data roaming is under Settings → Mobile (on some iPhones: Mobile Data) → your number → Mobile Data Options → Data Roaming. On a Samsung Galaxy, Samsung’s UK guide shows one switch, in Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks. On a Pixel it sits under Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs. With a travel eSIM, set it per line: on for the travel line if your order e-mail says so, your choice for the UK one.
On this page
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You may not need a travel eSIM at all. If your UK plan includes roaming where you are going, turn Data Roaming on for your UK line instead. What roaming is and costs: data roaming explained.
Menu paths below are from the phone makers’ UK pages, checked on 24 October 2026. Menus can differ by model and software version.
Turn data roaming on or off on an iPhone
Apple’s path for a single line is Settings → Mobile (on some iPhones: Mobile Data), turn on Mobile Data, tap Mobile Data Options, then turn on Data Roaming (checked on 24 October 2026, Apple).
With two lines (a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs), add one step. Turn on Mobile Data, tap the number you want to change, then tap Mobile Data Options and turn on Data Roaming.
To turn it off, go to Mobile Data, tap Mobile Data Options and switch the Data Roaming toggle off. Apple says the options differ “depending on your network provider and device”.
Which line carries mobile data is a separate switch. Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data and select the line you want (Apple).
On iOS 26 or later a “Turn On Travel eSIM” notification may appear. Pick “Travel eSIM and Current eSIM” and the travel eSIM carries data. Apple warns “you might still incur roaming fees from your home eSIM”.
Turn data roaming on or off on a Samsung Galaxy
On a Galaxy, Samsung’s UK guide shows one switch: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks, then tap the switch to activate or deactivate Data Roaming (checked on 24 October 2026, Samsung UK).
Samsung’s UK page shows no per-SIM roaming switch, so we print none. Greyed out? Mobile data has to be on first. Samsung’s fix is Settings → Connections → Data usage → Mobile data.
To choose the SIM that carries data, go to Settings → Connections → SIM card manager and pick it under Mobile data (Samsung UK, page of 8 October 2026).
Samsung says menus “may vary depending on the device model and software version”.
Turn data roaming on or off on a Google Pixel
To enable data roaming on a Pixel, go to Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs and tap the Roaming setting. Google describes it as letting “your phone send data over other operators’ networks when you leave an area covered by your operator’s networks” (checked on 24 October 2026, Google).
With more than one SIM, use the tabs at the top of “Mobile network settings” to reach the right line.
For which SIM carries data: in SIMs, turn on Mobile data, then under “Your primary SIMs” choose the SIM for calls, texts and data (Google). A physical SIM plus an eSIM needs a Pixel 3a or later.
Google says “the following options vary by phone and Android version”.
Two lines: roaming on for the eSIM, off for your UK SIM
Set roaming per SIM line: on for the travel eSIM line if your order e-mail says so, your choice for the UK line. Our regional plans are data only (checked on 24 October 2026), so calls and texts stay on the UK number.
| Travel eSIM line | UK line | |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile data | Selected as the data line | Not selected |
| Data Roaming | On, as your order e-mail says | Your choice; off stops mobile data on this line |
| Calls and texts | Data-only plans: none | Stay on the UK number |
Your order e-mail decides the travel eSIM line data roaming setting. Full set-up: install guide; moving a line between phones: eSIM transfer.
Can I turn off roaming to avoid charges?
No, only mobile data on that line. On EE a call you make or a text you send in Europe still makes a charged day “midnight to midnight, UK time”: £2.72 on plans launched from 7 July 2021, rising each year (checked on 24 October 2026, EE price guide). Sky’s Roaming Passport Plus day starts with a call, a text or more than 10MB of data (checked on 24 October 2026, Sky).
What counts as use on each network: how data roaming works.
Network-side switches
Two networks add a step on their side. Before the trip EE asks you to “make sure your device is ready to roam by texting ROAMING to 150”. For Greece and Cyprus, where a phone can pick up a Turkish network, EE adds “To activate EU Roaming, text EUROAM to 150” (checked on 24 October 2026, EE).
VOXI says “If you don’t buy a Pass, or use up your allowances whilst you’re abroad, you won’t be able to use any of your allowances (but will still be able to receive calls and texts)” (checked on 24 October 2026, VOXI). On VOXI, roaming on in the phone does not replace a pass.
Can I turn on roaming once I’m abroad?
Yes. Apple’s UK page on how to turn on data roaming on an iPhone lists the step under “After arrival” (checked on 24 October 2026, Apple). It is a phone setting, so you can change it after you land, with or without Wi-Fi.
The switch itself costs nothing: charges follow use, and each network decides what counts as use.
Set the travel line up before you fly: install at home on Wi-Fi, select the data line, set roaming. Our before you travel checklist lists the rest. A network step such as EE’s ROAMING text also goes before you leave.
Roaming is on but data still doesn’t work
Start with the data line. Apple says an iPhone “can use one mobile data network at a time” (checked on 24 October 2026, Apple). While the UK line carries data, roaming on the travel line does nothing.
Work down this list in order.
- Make sure the travel line is the one selected for mobile data (iPhone: Mobile Data → Mobile Data; Samsung: SIM card manager → Mobile data; Pixel: SIMs → Your primary SIMs).
- Make sure the line is switched on. On an iPhone, open the number under Mobile Service and check that Turn On this Line is enabled (Apple).
- Turn Data Roaming on for the travel line itself. On for the UK line alone does not help.
- Check the APN. Only values from your plan data count, and Apple says “Don’t edit the APN unless directed by your network provider”. The checks are in no signal with an eSIM.
- If you roam on a VOXI UK line, check you bought a pass.
Still nothing: send us your order number and phone model on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How do I activate data roaming on my iPhone?
Open Settings, tap Mobile (on some iPhones: Mobile Data), tap the number, then Mobile Data Options, and turn on Data Roaming. With a single line you skip the number step. Menus depend on your network provider and device.
Why is my roaming data not working on my iPhone?
Usually the travel line is not the one selected for mobile data, or it is switched off. Check both, then that Data Roaming is on for that line. If it still fails, look at the APN with your plan data before changing anything: Apple says not to edit it unless your network provider directs you.
Where is data roaming on iPhone 13?
Under Settings, Mobile or Mobile Data, the number, then Mobile Data Options and Data Roaming. Apple’s UK page gives that one path for one or two lines, and menus depend on your network provider and device. An iPhone 13 can run two eSIMs at once, so tap the line you want to change.
Sources checked: Apple: how to turn on data roaming on an iPhone, travel eSIM and Dual SIM, Dual SIM, checked on 24 October 2026 · Samsung UK: data roaming, mobile data, dual SIM · Google Pixel Help: SIM settings, dual SIM · EE: get ready to roam, EE price guide, 31 March 2026 · Sky Mobile roaming · VOXI: European roaming.
Unfamiliar term? See the eSIM glossary.
Not sure how much data to take? Work it out from your trip length and how you use your phone.