Data Roaming: Why It Must Be On for Your eSIM Line
When people hear the word 'roaming', the first thought is usually extra charges. With GoConnect eSIM plans that's not the case — roaming is simply the technical name for how a phone connects to a network outside its home country, and that cost is already included in the plan price.
In this article we explain why data roaming must be on for an eSIM to work at all, and how to turn it on without worrying about extra costs.
What data roaming actually is
Roaming is the process by which your phone connects to a mobile network that isn't your home carrier's network. When you travel, your phone 'visits' the local network in that country through an agreement between operators.
With GoConnect eSIM plans, the entire plan is essentially designed as a roaming profile for that destination, so having roaming on is a prerequisite, not an optional extra.
Why roaming is off by default
Phone manufacturers keep roaming off by default to protect users from unexpected charges when travelling with their home SIM card. That's a good protection for your home line, but for an eSIM line bought specifically for travel, that protection becomes an obstacle.
How to turn on roaming for the eSIM line
It's important to turn on roaming specifically for the eSIM line, not just mobile data in general. On iPhone go to Settings > Cellular > select the eSIM line > Data Roaming > turn on. On Android the path is similar, through Settings > Network & Internet > SIM/eSIM > Data Roaming.
- Open Settings on your phone
- Find the mobile networks / SIM cards section
- Select the specific eSIM line
- Turn on Data Roaming just for that line
Is roaming charged extra
No. The price of your GoConnect plan includes all the data traffic defined in the plan for your chosen destination. Turning on roaming for the eSIM line doesn't trigger any extra charge — it's just a technical setting without which the network won't recognize that you're allowed to use data.
What if you're travelling through multiple countries
If you bought a regional plan covering several countries, roaming stays on the same way no matter which of the covered countries you're passing through. Just check your dashboard for the exact list of countries included in your plan before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Will I pay more if I turn roaming on?
No, the plan price is fixed and includes all roaming traffic defined by the plan.
Do I need to turn off roaming on my home SIM?
It's not required, but if you want to avoid accidentally using your home plan abroad, you can turn it off while using the eSIM.
Why does my phone still say 'No Service' after turning roaming on?
Wait a couple of minutes or restart the phone; if it persists, check coverage in that area.
Does roaming affect battery life?
Not significantly, the impact is negligible compared to normal mobile data use.