You've installed your travel eSIM, arrived at your destination, and opened your phone's mobile settings.
Then you notice an option called Data Roaming.
Should you turn it on or leave it off?
For many international travel eSIMs, including Figabytes, Data Roaming should be turned on for the travel eSIM.
However, if you're keeping your regular home SIM active, its Data Roaming setting should generally remain off when you want to avoid using your home carrier's international roaming data.
The important detail is that these settings apply to individual mobile lines.
Your travel eSIM and home SIM can have different roaming settings, even when both are active on the same phone.
Understanding this difference can help you stay connected abroad while reducing the risk of unexpected roaming charges.
For a typical Figabytes travel eSIM setup:
Here's how the settings compare:
| Setting | Figabytes Travel eSIM | Home SIM |
|---|---|---|
| SIM enabled | Yes | Optional |
| Mobile data | Selected | Not selected |
| Data Roaming | ON | OFF |
| Calls and SMS | Depends on plan | Available if supported |
| Automatic data switching | Usually OFF | Usually OFF |
| Purpose | Internet abroad | Regular number and communications |
This configuration allows your phone to use the travel eSIM for mobile internet while keeping your existing number available when needed.
Remember that keeping your home SIM active can still result in charges for calls, SMS, or other roaming services, depending on your carrier.
Data roaming allows your phone to access mobile data through a network outside the network normally associated with your mobile subscription.
For example, imagine you live in the UAE and travel to Turkey.
Your UAE mobile carrier may not operate its own cellular network in Turkey.
Instead, it may connect your phone through a Turkish mobile network using a roaming agreement.
This is international roaming.
The same underlying concept can apply to travel eSIMs.
A travel eSIM may use supported partner networks in your destination rather than a network owned directly by the eSIM provider.
Your phone may therefore require Data Roaming to be enabled for that eSIM.
However, the pricing model can be very different from traditional home-carrier roaming.
Travel eSIM providers generally rely on mobile network partnerships to deliver connectivity in different countries.
When you arrive at your destination, your travel eSIM attempts to connect to a supported local network.
Your phone may identify that connection as roaming.
If Data Roaming is disabled for the travel eSIM, your device may prevent mobile data from working over that connection.
This can happen even when:
For this reason, Figabytes generally instructs travelers to enable Data Roaming on the Figabytes line when connecting at their destination.
Turning on roaming for the travel eSIM does not mean you must also enable roaming for your regular SIM.
Turning on the Data Roaming setting does not automatically create a charge.
Charges depend on the mobile plan and the network services you actually use.
For example:
If you enable Data Roaming for your home SIM while traveling, your carrier may charge international roaming rates.
These charges depend on your carrier's pricing, roaming packages, and destination.
If you enable Data Roaming for a prepaid travel eSIM, data usage is generally deducted from the allowance included in your purchased plan.
The plan may have a fixed data allowance, a validity period, or an unlimited-data policy with specific conditions.
The important question is not simply whether Data Roaming is enabled.
It's which SIM is using it.
Generally, yes.
When using a Figabytes travel eSIM at a supported destination, the typical setup is:
Your device should then attempt to connect to a supported network according to the plan's coverage and activation conditions.
If your phone has multiple active SIMs, check the settings for each line separately.
If you want to avoid using your home carrier's international roaming data, generally yes.
Your primary SIM may remain active for your regular phone number while your travel eSIM handles mobile data.
A practical configuration is:
This arrangement can reduce the risk of accidentally using expensive home-carrier roaming data.
However, turning off Data Roaming on your home SIM does not necessarily disable voice roaming or SMS.
Your home carrier may still charge for certain services.
On iPhone, you can manage cellular settings for individual SIM lines.
The exact wording may vary depending on your iPhone model, iOS version, and region.
Go to:
Settings > Cellular
Depending on your region, the menu may be called Mobile Data or Mobile Service.
Under your available SIMs, select the Figabytes line.
Open the relevant cellular data options and turn Data Roaming ON.
Make sure you're changing the setting for Figabytes rather than your home SIM.
Return to Cellular settings.
Select Cellular Data or Mobile Data.
Choose Figabytes.
If you want to prevent your iPhone from automatically switching mobile data between lines, turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching.
Select your primary SIM separately.
Keep its Data Roaming setting OFF if you want to avoid home-carrier roaming data.
Your iPhone is now configured to use Figabytes for mobile data while keeping the home line separate.
Samsung Galaxy devices also support mobile network and SIM management settings.
However, menu options and per-SIM controls vary by device model, software version, and region.
A typical process is:
On some Galaxy models, the roaming control may apply to the selected data SIM rather than appearing as an independent switch for each line.
Confirm which SIM is selected for data before changing the setting.
If your home SIM remains active, review its roaming behavior and carrier charges.
On supported Google Pixel phones:
If you have another SIM installed, check its settings separately.
The exact menu structure may vary depending on your Pixel model and Android version.
Some Dual SIM phones can automatically switch mobile data between active SIMs.
On iPhone, this feature is called Allow Cellular Data Switching.
It can be useful when you want the phone to choose between available mobile connections.
However, when traveling internationally, you may prefer to keep mobile data assigned to your travel eSIM.
For example:
Figabytes is selected for mobile data.
Your home SIM remains active for calls and SMS.
If automatic switching is enabled, your phone may use the other line for data under certain conditions.
Depending on the device, carrier, and roaming configuration, this could create unwanted usage.
For greater control, keep automatic cellular data switching disabled while traveling.
Yes, on compatible Dual SIM devices.
Many modern smartphones support using two mobile lines.
Depending on the device, these may include:
A common travel setup allows you to keep your home SIM active while using Figabytes for mobile data.
This can be helpful if you need your normal phone number for calls, SMS, or verification codes.
However, the exact capabilities depend on your device and carrier.
Often, yes.
If your home SIM remains active and can connect to a supported network abroad, it may continue receiving SMS verification codes.
Meanwhile, your travel eSIM can provide the internet connection used by your banking or authentication apps.
For example:
Your bank sends an OTP to your regular number.
Your home SIM receives the SMS.
Your banking app connects to the internet using your Figabytes eSIM.
Whether receiving SMS abroad is free or chargeable depends on your home carrier.
Normally, yes.
WhatsApp uses an internet connection after your account has been registered.
Switching mobile data to a travel eSIM does not automatically change your registered WhatsApp number.
You can generally continue using your existing WhatsApp account while connecting through Figabytes.
This also applies to many other internet-based messaging services.
This is a common travel eSIM troubleshooting scenario.
Your phone may display 4G, LTE, or 5G but fail to load websites.
Possible causes include:
The first step is to confirm that Figabytes is selected for mobile data and Data Roaming is enabled.
Then check your plan status and remaining data.
If your Figabytes eSIM isn't connecting, follow these steps in order.
Make sure your plan covers the country you're visiting.
Regional and global eSIM plans do not necessarily include every country.
Open your phone's SIM settings.
Check that the Figabytes line is switched on.
If you have multiple SIMs, confirm that your phone is using the Figabytes line for cellular data.
Turn Data Roaming ON for the Figabytes line where required.
Confirm that your plan is active, has remaining data, and has not expired.
Turn Airplane Mode on briefly, then turn it off.
Allow your phone time to reconnect.
A restart may help your device register with an available network.
Some eSIM plans require specific APN settings.
Use the APN details provided with your plan.
Avoid entering unverified APN values.
If mobile data appears connected but websites fail, temporarily disable your VPN where appropriate and test again.
If automatic network selection fails, check whether your provider recommends a specific supported network.
Only select networks included in your plan.
If the problem continues, contact Figabytes support before deleting the eSIM.
No.
Turning off Data Roaming does not normally pause an already activated eSIM plan.
Once the plan's validity period begins, the countdown generally continues according to its terms.
For example, if you activate a seven-day plan and then disable Data Roaming for two days, those two days may still count toward the validity period.
Turning the eSIM off does not necessarily pause the plan either.
Always check your specific plan's activation and expiration rules.
Not always.
Installation and activation are separate processes.
Installing an eSIM means adding the mobile profile to your device.
Activation refers to the conditions under which the associated mobile service or data package becomes usable or begins its validity period.
For many Figabytes plans, installation alone does not start the validity countdown.
The plan may begin when it first connects to a supported network at the destination or according to other plan-specific activation conditions.
This is why installing an eSIM before departure can be convenient.
You can complete the setup while you still have reliable Wi-Fi.
However, always review the activation policy for your particular plan.
Cruise travel requires extra caution.
Travel eSIMs generally connect through supported terrestrial mobile networks.
Near a port or coastline, your phone may be able to connect to a supported land-based network.
Farther offshore, ships may provide maritime cellular services or satellite-based connectivity.
These services are not necessarily included in a standard travel eSIM plan.
If your home SIM connects to a maritime roaming network, charges may be significantly different from ordinary international roaming.
For cruises:
When you return home, review your mobile settings.
A simple process is:
Some Figabytes eSIMs may be eligible for reinstallation.
Deleting an eSIM without checking its status could affect your ability to use it again.
A travel eSIM may require roaming to connect to its supported partner network.
Disabling roaming on every line can prevent the travel eSIM from working.
If you accidentally enable roaming on your home SIM, your carrier may charge for international data usage.
Always check which line you're editing.
Installing a travel eSIM does not automatically guarantee that your phone will use it for mobile data.
Select the correct line manually.
Data Roaming is a network setting.
The actual cost depends on the plan associated with the SIM.
A connection issue may be caused by a setting, network problem, or expired plan.
Deleting the eSIM should not be your first troubleshooting step.
For many travel eSIMs, including Figabytes, Data Roaming should generally be ON for the travel eSIM at your destination. Keep roaming OFF for your home SIM if you want to avoid home-carrier roaming data.
Some travel eSIMs require Data Roaming to connect through supported partner networks. Follow your provider's instructions.
Yes, Figabytes generally instructs travelers to enable Data Roaming on the Figabytes line at their destination.
Enabling the setting alone does not create a charge. Charges depend on your mobile plan and actual usage.
If you're abroad and want to avoid home-carrier roaming data charges, generally keep it OFF.
Yes, on compatible Dual SIM phones. You can often keep your home number available while using the travel eSIM for mobile data.
Often, yes. Your home SIM may continue receiving SMS if it remains active and your carrier supports service abroad.
Yes. Your existing WhatsApp account can generally use mobile data from a travel eSIM without changing its registered number.
If you want strict control over which SIM provides mobile data while traveling, keeping automatic data switching OFF is generally preferable.
Possible causes include disabled Data Roaming, incorrect data-line selection, APN problems, expired plans, exhausted data, or unsupported networks.
No. Disabling Data Roaming does not normally pause an activated plan's validity period.
In many cases, yes. Installation and activation are not always the same event. Check your plan's activation rules.
Only when connecting through a supported network included in your plan. Standard travel eSIMs generally do not cover maritime cellular networks at sea.
No. Mobile data is your phone's cellular internet connection. Data Roaming allows that connection to operate through networks outside the SIM's normal network arrangement.
Data Roaming isn't automatically something you should avoid when traveling.
What matters is which SIM is using it.
For a typical Figabytes travel eSIM setup:
This setup can help your phone connect through supported networks while reducing the risk of unwanted home-carrier roaming data charges.
Before traveling, check your device compatibility, plan coverage, activation rules, and mobile settings.
A few minutes of preparation can make staying connected abroad much simpler.
Editorial review: October 20, 2026
