It’s one of the most confusing travel moments: you’ve landed, activated your new eSIM, and your phone shows full signal bars. It even says you’re connected! But when you try to open Google Maps or send a message, you get nothing. Zero internet.
Before you spend precious vacation time searching for Wi-Fi to contact support, take a deep breath. This is a very common issue, and the good news is that 90% of the time, it can be fixed in under two minutes by checking three simple settings.
This guide will walk you through the universal checklist that works for almost any travel eSIM. And for your next trip, ensure seamless connectivity from the moment you land with a reliable Yoho Mobile global eSIM plan.
Before You Start: Quick Pre-Checks
Let’s get the absolute basics out of the way first. In your phone’s settings, confirm that:
- Your eSIM line is turned on: Make sure the toggle for your travel eSIM is active.
- Mobile/Cellular Data is enabled for the eSIM: In your data settings, ensure your travel eSIM is selected as the line for mobile data.
- Your device is compatible: This checklist is for solving connection issues, but it can’t fix an incompatible phone. Always confirm your device is on the official eSIM compatible device list before you travel.
The Ultimate 3-Step Checklist to Restore Your eSIM Internet
If the pre-checks are all good, it’s time to dive into the three settings that are the most common culprits for an eSIM showing a connection but having no data.
Step 1: Turn On Data Roaming
This is the number one reason for eSIM data not working. It might sound wrong—you bought a local eSIM to avoid roaming charges, right? But here’s how it works: your travel eSIM is a guest on the local network. For your phone to allow this guest access, the ‘Data Roaming’ setting for your eSIM line must be ON.
Don’t worry, this will not activate roaming on your primary SIM from back home or result in surprise bills. The setting is specific to the eSIM line.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > Cellular > Tap your eSIM > Ensure Data Roaming is toggled ON.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Tap your eSIM > Ensure Roaming is toggled ON.
Step 2: Verify Your APN (Access Point Name) Settings
Think of the APN as the gateway that connects your phone to the internet through the mobile carrier. Usually, your phone configures this automatically upon eSIM activation. However, sometimes it needs to be set manually.
Your eSIM provider will always give you the correct APN details in your purchase confirmation or installation instructions.
- How to check: The path is usually Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network (on iOS) or Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Your eSIM > Access Point Names (on Android).
- What to do: Compare the settings on your phone to the APN provided in your instructions. If it’s blank or incorrect, enter the details manually and save. For Yoho Mobile users, your specific APN is always included in your eSIM setup guide.
Step 3: Manually Select a Supported Network
Sometimes, your phone automatically connects to a local network that has a partnership for calls or texts, but not for data with your eSIM provider. Manually forcing it to connect to a supported network can instantly solve the ‘no internet’ problem.
Again, your eSIM provider’s instructions will list the names of their partner networks in your destination country. For example, if you are traveling in Thailand, the supported networks might be ‘AIS’ or ‘DTAC’.
- How to do it: Go to Settings > Cellular > Your eSIM > Network Selection.
- Action: Turn OFF the Automatic toggle. Your phone will scan for all available networks. This can take a minute or two. Once the list appears, select one of the supported network names from your instructions.
After completing these three steps, try opening a web page. In most cases, your internet will now be working perfectly.
The Yoho Mobile Advantage: Never Feel Disconnected
We believe travel should be about exploration, not troubleshooting. That’s why we’ve designed our service to be as seamless as possible, with support systems to give you peace of mind.
- Effortless Installation: For iOS users, installing a Yoho Mobile eSIM is a breeze. No need to scan a QR code; just tap the ‘Install’ button after purchase, and you’ll be guided through the process in under a minute.
- Peace of Mind with Yoho Care: What if you run out of data or encounter a stubborn issue? With Yoho Care, you’re never left completely stranded. We provide a backup connection for essential needs, ensuring you can always contact support or look up an address.
- Total Flexibility: Avoid future hassle by getting the right plan from the start. Design your own flexible travel eSIM by combining countries, data allowances, and days, so you only pay for what you truly need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does my eSIM say connected but I have no internet?
This usually happens when one of three key settings is incorrect. The most common reasons are that Data Roaming is turned off for your eSIM, the APN (Access Point Name) is not configured correctly, or your phone has automatically connected to an unsupported network. Following the 3-step checklist in this article will typically resolve the issue.
Is it safe to enable data roaming for my travel eSIM? Will my home carrier charge me?
Yes, it is completely safe and necessary. The ‘Data Roaming’ setting is specific to each SIM or eSIM line in your phone. Enabling it for your travel eSIM only allows it to access data on local networks and will not trigger roaming charges from your primary SIM card’s carrier.
How do I find the correct APN for my eSIM on an Android phone?
The exact path can vary slightly by manufacturer, but it is generally found under Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections) > SIMs (or Mobile networks) > Select your eSIM > Access Point Names (APNs). The correct APN details (e.g., name and APN) are always provided by your eSIM carrier in the installation email or app.
What should I do if my problem isn’t solved by this checklist?
If you’ve carefully followed all three steps—enabled roaming, verified the APN, and tried manually selecting all supported networks—and still have no internet, the next step is to restart your phone. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to contact your eSIM provider’s support team for further assistance.
Conclusion
That frustrating feeling of being connected with no internet doesn’t have to ruin your travel plans. By remembering this simple 3-step checklist—Roaming ON, APN Verified, Network Selected—you are now equipped to solve most eSIM data issues yourself, quickly and efficiently.
For your next adventure, travel smarter and with more confidence. Choose a reliable, easy-to-use eSIM from Yoho Mobile. Browse our flexible data plans today and experience connectivity that just works.