One of the primary reasons people use Airalo is to avoid roaming charges from their primary mobile providers. The following information will help you avoid roaming charges when you’re using an eSIM abroad.

When do roaming charges occur?

Roaming charges occur when you travel outside the coverage area included in a mobile plan. You can check with your provider to learn which locations are covered by your plan.

How can I avoid roaming charges?

If you have physical SIM card for your primary plan, the easiest way to avoid roaming charges is to remove the SIM from your device before traveling outside of its coverage area. This way the SIM can't connect to any networks. Otherwise, you can avoid roaming charges by adjusting specific settings in your device.

Here’s a quick checklist to avoid roaming charges:

1. Enable airplane mode before leaving your coverage area
2. Disable your primary SIM
3. Turn off data roaming for your primary SIM, if possible
4. Prevent mobile data switching on your device

Beyond adjusting device settings, the following can help you avoid unwanted roaming charges:

• Check the billing section for your primary mobile provider to see if you're incurring any roaming charges.
• Track your eSIM's usage in the Airalo app to make sure it's using data.
• Use apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal for calls and messages that don’t require a mobile network.

How can I enable airplane mode?

Enabling airplane mode — or flight mode — ensures your device won’t connect to any mobile network. Turn this on before leaving your primary coverage area to ensure your primary SIM does not connect to any networks abroad.

How to enable airplane mode on iOS devices

1. Go to Settings.
2. Enable Airplane Mode.

How to enable airplane mode on Android devices

1. Go to Settings.

2. Select Network & internet.

3. Enable Airplane mode.

When can I disable Airplane Mode?

Keep Airplane mode enabled until you're ready to use your eSIM — make sure you've disabled your primary SIM, data roaming (if possible), and cellular data switching.

How can I disable my primary SIM?

Your primary SIM is the one you regularly use — it may also be an eSIM.

To disable your primary SIM, you’ll need to adjust a few settings in your device.

How to disable your primary SIM on iOS devices

1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
2. Select your primary SIM.
3. Disable Turn On This Line.

Note, Cellular may be Mobile Data for certain regions.

How to disable your primary SIM on Android devices

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIM cards.
2. Deactivate your primary SIM.

How can I turn off data roaming for my primary SIM?

Turning off data roaming ensures that your SIM does not use data outside of its coverage area. You can turn off data roaming by adjusting a few settings in your device.

How to disable data roaming for your primary SIM on iOS devices

1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
2. Select your primary SIM.
3. Disable Data Roaming.

Note, Cellular may be Mobile Data for certain regions.

Can I disable data roaming for my primary SIM on Android devices?

Unfortunately, Android users can't disable data roaming for a specific SIM — data roaming applies to all SIMs that are in use.

Because some eSIMs require data roaming to use, you'll need to make sure your primary SIM is disabled to avoid roaming fees.

If your eSIM does not require data roaming to use, you can disable data roaming by doing the following:

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > Roaming. 
2. Disable roaming.

How can I prevent mobile data switching?

Preventing mobile data switching ensures your device does not switch between available SIMs to connect to a network. You can adjust a few settings to ensure you only use one SIM at a time.

How to disable mobile data switching on iOS

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. 
2. Select your purchased eSIM as the default data line.
3. Disable Allow Cellular Data Switching.

How to disable mobile data switching on Android

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIM cards > Mobile data. 
2. Choose your Airalo eSIM.

If you have any questions or need additional information, you can always reach out to our support team. We’re available 24/7 and always happy to help.