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Not knowing why and when you should turn data roaming on and off on your iPhone can lead to exorbitant charges. Sadly, over 80% of travelers use their phones abroad without realizing how much data roaming costs, according to a Tmobile travel study.
If you use an iPhone while traveling, knowing when to turn data roaming on or off is essential. This guide will show you how data roaming works on iPhone, how to manage it, and the best alternatives to avoid high charges.
Data roaming allows you to connect your phone to a mobile network that is in a region outside your carrier’s coverage area. This normally happens when you’re traveling abroad. Since your mobile provider doesn’t own the network in the country you’re visiting, it connects you to a local carrier — often at a much higher cost.
The purpose of data roaming is to keep your iPhone connected for calls, texts, and mobile data even when you’re outside your regular service area. It’s especially useful for staying connected on the go, accessing maps, or checking emails while abroad.
Keep in mind that roaming charges can vary depending on your data plan, your carrier’s agreements with international networks, and the country you’re visiting.
Below are the steps you should take to turn your iPhone’s data roaming on and off:
Turning this setting off ensures your iPhone won’t use mobile data when you’re abroad, preventing surprise charges. When data roaming is off, your phone will only connect to Wi-Fi networks for Internet access, which is a safer, more cost-effective way to stay online while traveling.
If you do need mobile data abroad, it’s better to turn roaming on only after setting up a roaming plan or getting an eSIM to avoid unexpected fees. Always double-check your settings before your trip to stay in control of your data use.
Data roaming costs can depend on many things: your carrier, how much data you can use, your destination, and so on. Some U.S. providers charge $2 to $10 per MB of data when roaming internationally. Since activities like using Google Maps, checking email, or streaming can use large amounts of data quickly, your bill could climb unexpectedly fast.
Many providers offer international data packages and roaming add-ons that typically cost a specific dollar amount per day, for a certain amount of data. While this is better than per-megabyte pricing, it can still add up over longer trips. If you’re a frequent traveler or visiting multiple countries, you can keep track of how much roaming data you’ve used with iPhone’s current period roaming.
An eSIM, or an embedded SIM, lets you install a local or international data plan right onto your iPhone without needing a physical SIM card. Here are three reliable options worth considering based on coverage and price:
| Provider | Pros | Cons | Price* | |
| Holafly |  | Customizable plan, WhatsApp support for calls and messages | No support for traditional SMS or voice calls, slightly higher prices compared to some competitors | $2.50 unlimited data per day for 30 days |
| Orange |  | Available in more than 100 countries, supports traditional SMS and voice calls, chat support on website | Unsatisfactory customer support, limited plans available | $9.99 for 4GB for 31 days |
| Maya |  | Unlimited plans, available in more than 200 countries, chat support on website | No dedicated app, no support for traditional SMS or voice calls | $8.99 for 5GB for up to 180 days |
*Price varies depending on plan, destination, and other factors.
Once you’ve chosen a provider, activating an eSIM on iPhone is usually straightforward. After purchasing a plan, you’ll receive digital activation details that let you set up your new data plan directly on your phone in just a few minutes.
Most providers will send you a QR code or activation link, which you can use to instantly add the eSIM to your device. Once it’s active, you can switch between your primary SIM and your eSIM through your iPhone’s settings, making it easy to manage both your home and travel data plans without swapping physical cards.
If you’re staying within your home country, you can leave it on. When traveling internationally, it’s safer to turn it off unless you have an active international plan or eSIM to avoid unexpected roaming charges.
Your iPhone connects to a foreign mobile network when you travel outside your home country, allowing you to use calls, texts, and mobile data. Without a roaming plan or eSIM, any data used or texts or calls made while abroad may result in additional charges.
The main purpose of data roaming is to keep your iPhone connected to mobile services like calls, texts, and the Internet when you’re outside your carrier’s coverage area. It makes sure you can stay online, check maps, message, and access apps while traveling internationally.
If you’re traveling within the EU and using an EU-based carrier, roaming is typically free following the “Roam Like at Home” policy. However, if your carrier is based outside the EU, like in the U.S., regular international rates usually apply. Don’t hesitate to check with your carrier before your trip just to be sure.
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From $2.3/week
A reliable eSIM provider for budget travelers
From $2.4/week
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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