Many travelers install an eSIM before a trip, see full signal bars after landing, and still have no usable data. This happens because the phone continues routing mobile data through the home carrier instead of the eSIM. This guide explains the single most common eSIM mistake beginners make abroad and how to fix it reliably in 2026.
Video
Key Takeaways
- Installing an eSIM does not automatically make it the data SIM
- Phones often keep routing data through the home carrier by default
- You must manually assign the eSIM for mobile data
- Restarting the phone is part of the fix
- Most “broken eSIM” cases are default settings issues
Why does my eSIM show signal bars but no internet?
Signal bars only mean the phone is connected to a network. If mobile data is still assigned to your home SIM, the phone won’t actually use the eSIM for internet access.
Does installing an eSIM automatically make it the data SIM?
No. Installing an eSIM only adds it to the phone. You still have to manually select it as the SIM used for mobile data.
Why is my phone still using my home carrier after installing an eSIM?
Phones often keep the original SIM assigned for mobile data by default. Unless you change that setting, data continues routing through the home carrier.
Why does restarting the phone fix many eSIM problems?
Restarting forces the phone to re-register network settings. This helps the device apply the correct data SIM selection and clear cached routing behavior.
Are most eSIM problems caused by bad coverage or a broken eSIM?
No. In most cases, the eSIM is working correctly. The issue is usually a default settings mismatch, not a network failure.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM for an eSIM to work?
No. You can keep your physical SIM installed. You just need to make sure the eSIM is selected for mobile data.
If you’re planning your next trip and want a reliable eSIM that works seamlessly abroad, here are two options popular with travelers today:
Full transparency: These are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep GlobeKit creating free guides — truly grateful for your support!
Structured Explanation
The One Mistake
The most common mistake is assuming that installing an eSIM automatically makes the phone use it for mobile data. Installing an eSIM only adds a new SIM profile. It does not change which SIM handles data.
Why the Phone Shows Signal but No Data
When abroad, the phone can connect to local towers and display signal strength, LTE, or 5G. However, data requests may still be routed through the home carrier. If roaming is disabled or no international plan is active, the phone appears connected but cannot load content.
How SIM Roles Work
Phones assign different roles to SIM profiles: calls, texts, and cellular data. These roles are not reassigned automatically when a new eSIM is installed. Until the data role is changed, apps continue using the home carrier’s APN.
The Correct Fix
The fix requires turning off data on the home SIM, explicitly setting the eSIM as the data SIM, enabling data roaming for the eSIM only, and restarting the phone.
When a Restart Is Required
Restarting refreshes the network handshake and APN routing. Without a restart, the phone may remain attached to the wrong carrier even after settings are changed.
Edge Cases That Can Still Block Data
Issues can occur if old eSIM profiles remain installed, if the phone is not fully unlocked, if APN settings fail to configure automatically, or if airport Wi-Fi blocks activation handshakes.
Full Video Transcript
“The One eSIM Mistake Beginners Make Abroad (2026 Fix)”
Picture this.
You’ve just stepped off a long‑haul flight. The line is crawling toward immigration, and you open your phone to check in with friends or book your ride. Your eSIM shows full bars. It even says 5G. Everything looks perfect.
But when you open messages… nothing loads.
A traveler posted this last week:
“Landed in Bangkok, phone showed 5G, full bars… and zero data. I ended up paying $30 for an airport SIM like a rookie.”
Another shared:
“Installed my eSIM at home, it looked ready. But once I landed, the phone refused to use it. I genuinely thought it was broken.”
These aren’t isolated incidents — they’re happening to beginners every single day.
By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly why it happens, and the exact steps to fix it before you fly.
Here’s the mistake in one sentence: beginners assume that once the eSIM is installed, the phone automatically uses it for data. It doesn’t.
What really happens is this: your phone connects to local towers, shows signal, shows 4G, LTE, or 5G, but still routes all data requests through your home carrier. And because your home carrier doesn’t give you overseas data unless you turn on roaming or buy a $15/day package, your phone ends up in a strange limbo state — connected, but not actually online.
One traveler put it perfectly: “My phone was basically saying: ‘Nice signal you’ve got there… shame I refuse to use it.’”
Your phone assigns roles to each SIM. One SIM handles calls, one handles texts, and one handles cellular data. Installing an eSIM only adds a new profile — it does not become the default for data automatically. It’s like adding a new credit card to your wallet. It’s there, but it’s not the default until you choose it.
Until you manually choose the eSIM for data, your apps continue routing through your home carrier’s gateway, using the home carrier’s APN. It’s not a bug — it’s a safety feature to prevent accidental roaming.
Here’s how to fix it. Turn off your home SIM’s data. This breaks your phone’s attachment to your home carrier. On iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Home SIM → turn off Cellular Data and Data Roaming. On Android, go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Home SIM → turn off Mobile Data.
Then set the eSIM as your primary data SIM. Tell your phone explicitly: use this eSIM for data. Set the eSIM as Cellular Data, Default for Mobile Data, and turn Data Roaming ON for the eSIM only — keep it OFF for your home SIM. (On‑screen text: “Home SIM roaming = expensive surprise bill”).
Restart your phone. Restarting forces a clean network handshake and refreshes APN routing.
Test with something lightweight: Google.com, a WhatsApp text, Apple Maps (non-satellite), or a Fast.com speed test. If these load, you’re online.
If you still have no data, try two toggles: turn Airplane Mode ON, wait three seconds, then turn it OFF. Then temporarily turn off your home SIM entirely. If you’re on iOS 18.2 or newer — or Android 15 or newer — look for the new “Travel Mode” toggle that’s rolling out now through early 2026. It automatically prioritizes your eSIM abroad and does most of this for you.
If problems persist, you may be hitting an edge case. If you have several expired eSIMs saved, delete them; they can cause authentication conflicts. Rare APN issues can occur — Airalo uses “globaldata,” Holafly uses “internet.” If 5G is unstable, switch the eSIM to LTE‑only. Make sure your phone is fully unlocked and ready for foreign networks by checking your IMEI on your carrier’s unlock portal. Dial *#06# to display IMEI and EID; if the phone lacks an EID, it may not support eSIM at all. Airport Wi‑Fi can block activation handshakes, so turn off Wi‑Fi, step outside the terminal, or borrow a hotspot from another traveler.
Before you fly, follow this quick checklist: confirm your phone is unlocked; install your eSIM on home Wi‑Fi; don’t activate early unless required; on arrival, turn off your home SIM’s data; turn on the eSIM’s data roaming; restart once; keep your QR code fom the email stored offline; delete old eSIM profiles; know where your SIM menu is located; and optionally carry a small Xesim adapter as a backup.
The truth is simple: eSIMs aren’t the problem — default phone settings are. Once you understand the one mistake — your phone still routing data through your home carrier — everything else becomes easy.
If this video helped you avoid that airport panic moment, tap like so YouTube knows it’s useful, and subscribe for more fast travel‑tech fixes.
And in the comments — let me know if you’ve ever had an eSIM fail on arrival. Your story might help someone else avoid the same panic.
If you need a reliable eSIM for your trip, check the links in the description — I keep them updated with the best options and deals available.
Safe travels — and I’ll see you in the next one.
Video Chapters
- 00:00 Airport arrival problem
- 01:15 The one eSIM mistake
- 02:45 Why signal appears without data
- 04:05 Step-by-step fix
- 06:20 Edge cases and troubleshooting
- 08:45 Pre-flight checklist
- 09:40 Final takeaway
Once the eSIM is correctly assigned as the data SIM, international mobile data works as expected.
If you’re planning your next trip and want a reliable eSIM that works seamlessly abroad, here are two options popular with travelers today:
Full transparency: These are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep GlobeKit creating free guides — truly grateful for your support!