eSIM Shows No Service? Quick Fixes to Get Back Online

When your eSIM shows no service or just SOS only, it usually happens at the worst possible time: you’ve just landed, need a ride, and your phone is basically offline. This is one of the most common eSIM travel issues, and it’s usually fixable from your settings in a few minutes.

In this guide, we’ll walk through: quick 2‑minute fixes you can try right now, the most important eSIM and network settings to check, how to figure out if the problem is your phone, the eSIM profile, or the carrier, and what to ask support if nothing works. We’ll also look at how to avoid this on your next trip, and why your choice of travel eSIM provider matters.

Most of the time, a stubborn “eSIM shows no service” issue comes down to a couple of toggles being off, or an eSIM that isn’t properly activated yet. Let’s fix what we can from your side first.

Quick Fixes First – Try These in the Next 2 Minutes

If your eSIM shows no service or SOS only right after landing, try these quick steps before diving into deeper settings.

1. Toggle Airplane Mode ON and OFF
   Turn Airplane Mode on for 10–15 seconds, then turn it off. This forces your phone to search for networks again and often clears short‑term connection glitches.

2. Make Sure Mobile Data Is ON
   Check that mobile data / cellular data is actually enabled. If data is off, your eSIM may show bars but won’t get online, or it can behave like eSIM no signal depending on the device.

3. Enable the Travel eSIM Line and Select It for Data
   If you’re using dual SIM (home SIM + eSIM), your phone may still be using the home SIM for data. Make sure the travel eSIM line is turned on and selected as the data line (details in the settings section below).

4. Restart Your Phone
   Power your phone off completely, wait 10–20 seconds, then turn it back on. A full reboot often fixes eSIM “stuck” states where it keeps showing SOS only even though the network is available.

5. Toggle Data Roaming for the eSIM Line
   Travel eSIMs rely on roaming. If roaming is off for that line, the phone might refuse to connect abroad and stay at No Service. Quickly turn data roaming off and back on for the eSIM (we’ll go deeper on this later).

6. Move to a More Open Area
   In basement malls, parking garages, or deep inside buildings, signal can be weak or zero. Move closer to windows or outside and give it 30–60 seconds to try again.

7. If Nothing Changes, Go Deeper
   If these quick checks don’t change anything, it’s time to look at your device and line settings more carefully, and confirm you’re actually in the right country/region for that eSIM.

If none of those quick fixes worked, the problem might not be a simple glitch. Before diving deeper into device settings, let's confirm you're using the right eSIM in the right place.

Make Sure You Installed the Right eSIM for the Right Country

This sounds obvious, but it trips people up all the time – especially if you bought multiple eSIMs for different destinations.

Some travel eSIMs are single‑country (for example, only Japan), some are regional (for example, all of Europe), and some only start working on specific start dates.

Common scenarios where this happens:

Scenario 1: Still in your home country with a destination‑only eSIM It will usually just show "No Service" until you physically arrive in the covered country.

Scenario 2: Wrong country Using a Japan‑only eSIM while you're in South Korea – it will never connect at all.

Scenario 3: Pre-installed but not yet valid You installed an eSIM 2 weeks before your trip, but it only activates on first connection at destination.

How to verify you have the right eSIM:

1. Open the eSIM provider's app or your confirmation email
2. Look for the "Coverage" or "Supported Countries" section
3. Confirm your current location matches the plan
4. Check "Validity Dates" – some plans only activate after first use in destination

Real example: You're at Bangkok airport and your eSIM shows "No Service." You check your email and realize you accidentally installed the "Japan eSIM" you bought for next month, not the "Thailand eSIM" for this trip. Solution: Delete the wrong eSIM and install the correct Thailand one using the right QR code from your email.

If this is the issue, nothing is actually wrong with your phone. The eSIM simply isn't allowed to connect where you are. In that case, your options are: wait until you reach the covered country, or get a different eSIM/local SIM for your current location.

Check Device & Line Settings – The Usual eSIM “Gotchas”

Most “eSIM not working” cases come down to 1–2 settings: the line isn’t enabled, the phone is still using the wrong SIM for data, or data roaming is off. Let’s sort those out first.

Confirm the eSIM Line Is Enabled and Set Correctly

When you travel with dual SIM, a common setup is:

• Home SIM: calls/SMS, sometimes WhatsApp verification.

• Travel eSIM: mobile data.

If your data line is still set to the home SIM, your travel eSIM can look like it has a connection error even when it’s fine.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data).

2. Under CELLULAR PLANS, find your travel eSIM.

3. Make sure the toggle next to that line is ON.

4. Tap Cellular Data and select the travel eSIM as the data line.

5. (Optional) Under Voice & Data, you can keep your home SIM active for calls/SMS if needed.

On Android (generic steps, names vary by brand):

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections).

2. Tap SIMs or SIM manager.

3. Make sure the travel eSIM is toggled ON.

4. Set it as the SIM for mobile data (Data SIM / Mobile data).

Once the travel eSIM is enabled and set as the data line, give it a minute to try reconnecting. If it still shows No Service, move on to roaming and network selection.

Turn On Data Roaming for the eSIM Line

For a travel eSIM abroad, roaming isn’t optional – it’s required. If data roaming is off for that line, the phone will block it from using foreign networks and you’ll often end up with No Service or a connection that never passes “Searching…”.

For a travel eSIM abroad, roaming isn't optional – it's required. Here's why: Travel eSIMs work by "roaming" on local partner networks in your destination country. Unlike a physical SIM you'd buy locally, your eSIM is technically a foreign SIM that connects through roaming agreements with local carriers. That's why data roaming MUST be turned ON for the eSIM to work abroad.

If data roaming is off for that line, the phone will block it from using foreign networks and you'll often end up with No Service or a connection that never passes "Searching…".

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Cellular → [your travel eSIM].

2. Make sure Turn On This Line is enabled.

3. Turn Data Roaming to ON.

On Android (generic):

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs / Mobile network.

2. Select your travel eSIM.

3. Turn Roaming or Data roaming to ON.

Important note:

• Turning data roaming on for your travel eSIM does not automatically turn roaming on for your home SIM. To be safe:

  • Keep your home SIM’s data turned OFF if you don’t want roaming charges.

  • Only the travel eSIM should have data + roaming enabled.

Sometimes, roaming off shows as bars but no data; in other cases it prevents registration entirely, so you just see No Service. After enabling roaming, wait 30–60 seconds to see if the status changes.

Manually Select a Supported Network

Sometimes automatic network selection picks a carrier your eSIM isn’t allowed to use, or it gets stuck trying to attach. Manually choosing a network can fix eSIM connection error situations.

Before you do this, check your eSIM provider’s instructions or FAQ (via Wi‑Fi if needed) to see if they list preferred partner networks in your destination.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Cellular → Network Selection.

2. Turn Automatic to OFF.

3. Wait for the list of available networks to load.

4. Select one of the supported networks your eSIM provider mentions (or try each major network one by one).

On Android (generic):

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile network (or SIMs, then select your travel eSIM).

2. Tap Network operators or Choose network.

3. Turn off Select automatically if needed.

4. Choose a network from the list, ideally one recommended by your eSIM provider.

If your eSIM plan only supports certain carriers, selecting a different one will keep you on No Service. If none of the available networks work after several tries, the issue might be on the provider side or due to coverage in your location.

[Ảnh: Màn hình lựa chọn mạng thủ công hiển thị danh sách nhà mạng để chọn cho eSIM]
Alt text: Manual network selection screen used to fix eSIM shows no service issue

Check for Carrier Settings / OS Updates

Once in a while, your phone simply needs updated network definitions to talk properly to local carriers, especially after a big iOS or Android update.

On iPhone:

• Carrier settings:

  1. Go to Settings → General → About.

  2. If a pop‑up appears saying Carrier Settings Update, follow the prompts.

• iOS update:

  1. Go to Settings → General → Software Update.

  2. Install any available updates, ideally over Wi‑Fi.

On Android (varies by brand):

1. Go to Settings → System → System update (or Software update).

2. Check and install any available updates.

3. Open Google Play Store, search for Carrier Services, and update it if possible.

Updating carrier settings and the OS won’t fix a completely unactivated eSIM, but it can solve weird eSIM activation process glitches and network registration issues, especially on older or recently updated devices.

Diagnose Where the Problem Really Is (Device vs eSIM vs Carrier)

When an eSIM shows No Service or SOS only, the phone isn’t registered on any network the eSIM is allowed to use. Common causes include roaming being off, the eSIM line being disabled, poor or zero coverage where you are, or the eSIM not being properly activated by the provider. To stop guessing, you want to figure out whether the problem is your device, the local network, or the eSIM/profile itself.

Once you’ve done the quick fixes and basic settings checks, the next step is a bit of controlled testing. Think of it as troubleshooting in three layers: coverage/outage, device hardware/lock, and the eSIM account/profile.

Rule Out Coverage & Local Network Outages

Even the best travel eSIM can’t connect where there’s simply no signal.

Try this:

• Look around and ask: If other people nearby (or your travel buddy) also have poor or zero signal, you’re probably in a dead zone or there’s a local outage.

• Test another SIM if you have one:

  • If your home SIM with roaming enabled, or a local physical SIM, also shows low bars or No Service, it’s not your eSIM – it’s coverage.

• Move to a better location:

  • Go upstairs, closer to windows, or outside. Underground subway platforms, basements, and some thick‑walled buildings are notorious for dropping signal.

• Check carrier status over Wi‑Fi:

  • If you have Wi‑Fi (airport, hotel), search for outage reports or the local carrier’s status page.

In remote or rural areas, it’s completely normal to have 1 bar or no service, regardless of whether you’re using an eSIM or a physical SIM.

Test with a Physical SIM or Another eSIM

Next, you want to find out whether your phone’s radio and SIM slot are working properly, and whether your device is locked to a specific carrier.

Scenario 1: Test with a local physical SIM

If you can:

1. Buy a local physical SIM at the airport or a convenience store.

2. Insert it into your phone and see if it registers on the local network.

• If the physical SIM gets good signal and mobile data on the same phone and in the same spot, your phone hardware is fine. The issue is likely the travel eSIM profile or the provider.

Scenario 2: Test your travel eSIM in another phone

If a friend has a compatible, unlocked phone and your provider allows it:

1. Move or re‑download the eSIM to that other device following your provider’s steps.

2. Check whether it connects there.

If the eSIM also shows No Service in a second phone (with good coverage and correct settings), the problem is almost certainly on the provider’s side.

Quick carrier lock check:

• Many phones are sold locked to one carrier. If your phone is locked to, say, Carrier A, a random overseas data eSIM from Carrier B or a global provider may never work.

• On iPhone, you can usually check under Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. It should say something like No SIM restrictions for fully unlocked devices.

If everything fails (physical SIM, other eSIM, etc.), then you might be dealing with a device issue rather than an eSIM problem.

When to Reset Network Settings

If you’ve checked roaming, line selection, and network choice, and your phone still behaves strangely, a network settings reset is the next step.

What this does:

• Resets Wi‑Fi networks and passwords, Bluetooth pairings, VPNs, and cellular settings back to default.

• It typically does not delete eSIMs, but always read the warning text on‑screen before confirming.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset.

2. Tap Reset Network Settings.

3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

On Android (varies by brand):

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset options (or General management → Reset).

2. Look for Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth or Reset network settings.

3. Confirm and restart your device.

You’ll need to re‑enter Wi‑Fi passwords afterward, but this step can clear out hidden misconfigurations that keep your eSIM stuck at No Service even though everything looks correct.

eSIM Still Shows No Service? Work with Your Provider

If your eSIM still shows No Service after all the steps above, it’s increasingly likely that the problem is on the provider side:

• The plan was never properly activated.

• The eSIM profile is corrupted or incomplete.

• Their system doesn’t recognize your device correctly.

At this point, there’s only so much you can do from the phone. The eSIM or carrier provider is the only one who can re‑provision your line, issue a new eSIM profile, or fix account‑level issues.

What to Ask Your eSIM / Carrier Support

Before contacting support, gather the basics:

• Your order ID or subscription number.

• Device model and OS version (for example, iPhone 13 on iOS 17.4, or Samsung S22 on Android 14).

• Your current location (city/country).

• Screenshots showing No Service / SOS only and relevant settings (data roaming ON, line enabled).

Then ask them directly:

• “Is my eSIM plan activated and live in your system right now?”

• “Which local networks should my eSIM be able to use in this country?”

• “Do you see my device attempting to connect or register on your side?”

• “Can you refresh / reprovision my line or issue a new eSIM profile?”

Many providers can quickly see whether your eSIM ever registered on their network. If they confirm that everything is active and they see attempts from your device, it narrows things back down to coverage or device settings. If they see nothing, the profile or activation is likely the culprit.

Should You Delete and Reinstall the eSIM?

Be careful here.

Do not delete your eSIM profile unless BOTH of these are true:

• The provider explicitly tells you to.

• You have a confirmed way to reinstall it (a new QR code, or a clear re‑download option in their app).

Why this matters:

• Many eSIM providers treat each QR code or profile as single‑use. Once you delete it without having a replacement, you may not be able to install it again, and the provider might treat it as fully used or burned.

• Deleting an eSIM without backup is a quick path from “eSIM shows no service” to “no eSIM at all”.

When reinstalling does make sense:

• Support believes the eSIM profile was corrupted or the installation got interrupted.

• They’ve already issued a fresh QR code or activated a “download again” button in their app.

If you go ahead:

• Remove the old eSIM profile via your phone’s Cellular / SIM settings.

• Then add the new profile by either:

  • Scanning the new QR code your provider gave you, or

  • Using the “Add eSIM” / “Download eSIM” option in their app.

Only do this if you’re sure you can re‑add it.

When It’s Time to Give Up and Replace the eSIM

Sometimes, especially on short trips, the smartest move is to stop wrestling with a broken plan and switch to a working alternative.

Consider replacing your eSIM when:

1. You've exhausted all troubleshooting You've tried: airplane mode, restart, checked all settings, enabled roaming, manually selected networks, and even reset network settings. Nothing worked.

2. Coverage is clearly fine Other travelers around you, or your travel companion, have normal signal and data. The problem is definitely your specific eSIM, not the location.

3. Support is unhelpful or too slow You've contacted your provider and:

• They confirm "everything looks fine on our end" but can't actually fix it
• They promise to "escalate to technical team" but you only have 2-3 days left in the country
• Response time is 24-48 hours and you need connectivity NOW for work/safety

4. The cost of waiting exceeds the eSIM price If you're losing work hours (potentially $50-100/hour for remote workers), missing important bookings, or can't navigate safely, spending $5-15 on a new eSIM beats sitting in a cafe for 2 hours troubleshooting a broken one.

At that point, your realistic options are:

Option A: Buy a local physical SIM at the airport or convenience store ($5-20, works immediately)

Option B: Purchase a new travel eSIM from a different provider with instant activation (if you have WiFi access)

This is where having a curated platform like BitJoy becomes valuable – you can browse and compare multiple providers in one place rather than downloading 5 different apps during an emergency.

How to Avoid “No Service” Next Time (And Why Your eSIM Provider Matters)

After you’ve had one airport‑panic where your eSIM shows no service, you start building habits so it doesn’t happen again. Over a bunch of trips, we’ve found that a mix of pre‑flight checks and picking the right eSIM platform massively reduces surprises.

Pre‑Flight Checklist for Any Travel eSIM

Before your next trip, run through this quick checklist for any provider:

1. Check device eSIM compatibility

   • Make sure your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked (not tied to a single carrier). For iPhone, that typically means iPhone XS or newer; for Android, recent high‑end Samsung/Pixel/others.

2. Install the eSIM profile at home over reliable Wi‑Fi

   • Don’t wait until you’re in the airport line. Install the eSIM while you still have solid Wi‑Fi, so if there’s a problem with the QR code or app, you can fix it calmly.

3. Confirm destination, validity dates, and activation rules

   • Double‑check the countries/regions included, the start and end dates, and whether the plan activates:

     • On first install,

     • Or only when you first connect in the destination.

4. Enable the line once and check settings

   • Turn the eSIM line ON and make sure it appears properly under Cellular / SIMs. It might still show No Service at home, but at least you know it installed correctly.

5. Save instructions offline

   • Screenshot the key steps, the list of supported local networks, and your order details. If you land without Wi‑Fi, you can still follow the setup.

If you’re setting this up for parents or less techy friends, show them exactly how to toggle Airplane Mode, how to check mobile data, and which line to use for data before they travel.

Why Buying Through a Curated Marketplace Like BitJoy Helps

Picking the right eSIM provider reduces how often you run into eSIM no service drama in the first place. That’s where a curated platform like BitJoy comes in.

BitJoy is a global digital travel platform built specifically for travelers who want instant, reliable connectivity without juggling random vendors:

• Instant‑activation eSIMs for 190+ destinations

  • Plans are designed for everything from quick city breaks to long‑term stays.

  • Activation is fully digital and typically takes 2-5 minutes once you've chosen a plan.
    

• Curated coverage and pricing tiers

  • Light & short‑trip plans starting around $2.50 for basic 7‑day usage.

  • Essential and medium packages in the $4–$11 range for 3–10GB.

  • High‑usage and long‑term plans up to 50GB / 180 days, plus unlimited data options.

• AI travel shopping assistant

  • You tell BitJoy where you’re going, for how long, and roughly how you use data.

  • The AI recommends plans that match your actual behavior (remote work vs casual maps/social), so you avoid both “ran out of data too soon” and “overpaid for a huge bundle”.

• Flexible payments, including crypto

  • Pay with cards or a range of cryptocurrencies – ideal if you’re moving between countries or don’t always rely on traditional banks.

• 5-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  

  • BitJoy offers a no‑questions‑asked 100% refund for eSIM purchases made between August 18 and December 31, 2025. If you buy any eSIM during this period, you have 5 days to request a full refund for any reason. That's reassuring if you're trying eSIM for the first time and worried: "What if it doesn't work on my phone?"
    

Because BitJoy sits between travelers and multiple eSIM providers, it can focus on user experience and reliability – not just selling a single carrier’s plan. That helps reduce your chances of landing to another “eSIM shows no service” moment.

Note about BitJoy: While BitJoy is a newer platform compared to established providers like Airalo or Holafly (which have extensive Reddit and forum support communities), it compensates with responsive 24/7 AI support plus human assistance within one business hour. The 5-day money-back guarantee also reduces the risk of trying a newer provider.

 

Quick Provider Comparison for Troubleshooting

When choosing or switching eSIM providers, here's how they compare for reliability:

Provider	Activation Time	Support Response	Refund Policy	Best For
BitJoy	2-5 min	AI 24/7, Human <1hr (Dubai time)	5-day (until Dec 31, 2025)	Crypto users, multi-country travelers
Airalo	2-10 min	24/7 live chat	7-day	Budget-conscious, established community
Holafly	2-5 min	24/7 chat (5-15min response)	No refunds	Heavy data users, unlimited plans
Nomad	5-15 min	Email support (12-24hr)	14-day	Longest refund window

Prices and policies verified December 2025. Always confirm current terms on provider websites.

Why this matters for troubleshooting:

• Faster activation = less time stuck without service
• Better support = quicker resolution when issues occur
• Refund policy = safety net if eSIM doesn't work on your device

Backup Strategy – Always Have a Plan B for Connectivity

If you work remotely, run your business from your backpack, or just hate being offline, a backup plan is non‑negotiable.

A few strategies that work well:

• Keep a secondary low‑cost eSIM ready to activate

  • Have a backup travel eSIM voucher or plan in your BitJoy account that you can spin up if your main eSIM or provider has issues.

• Use a stable long‑term base plan + trip‑specific add‑ons

  • For digital nomads or frequent travelers, a 20GB or 50GB / 30–180‑day BitJoy plan can act as your base layer across multiple countries, then you add lighter country‑specific plans as needed.

  • Unlimited data plans can also be useful if you’re doing heavy video calls or uploads in one region, with the caveat that they may have a FUP (Fair Usage Policy) that slows speeds after a certain point.

• Mix local SIMs and eSIMs

  • In some countries, a cheap local physical SIM might make sense for backup calls/SMS, while your BitJoy eSIM handles data as a more stable, long‑term solution.

With a small amount of planning, you can avoid being completely stuck even if one provider lets you down.

Getting Back Online (and Staying Online) With eSIM

When your eSIM shows no service, it feels like everything stops: no maps, no ride‑hailing, no hotel check‑in emails. Most of the time, though, the fix is fairly simple. Start with the quick checks – Airplane Mode toggle, verifying the eSIM line is enabled and selected for data, restarting your phone – then move on to turning data roaming on, manually selecting a supported network, and updating carrier/OS settings.

From there, diagnose whether the issue is coverage, your device, or the eSIM/profile itself: test a physical SIM, rule out dead zones, and only reset network settings when it’s worth it. If your eSIM still shows No Service after all that, it’s usually a provider‑side problem. Work with their support to confirm activation and, if needed, get a fresh eSIM profile – and don’t delete anything unless you know you can reinstall it.

When a stubborn eSIM or slow support is wasting your trip time, switching to a new plan or provider is often faster than fighting a broken one. For future trips, checking out BitJoy’s travel eSIM plans gives you instant activation, curated networks across 190+ destinations, AI‑based plan recommendations, flexible payments (including crypto), and optional refund windows that make experimenting with eSIMs much less stressful.

Save or bookmark this troubleshooting checklist so the next time you see “esim shows no service”, you know exactly what to do – and how to avoid it on your next flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my eSIM showing "No Service" or "SOS Only"?

This means your phone isn't registered on any allowed network. Common causes include data roaming being off, the eSIM line being disabled, poor coverage, or the provider not activating the eSIM correctly on their end.

What's the first thing to try if my eSIM shows "No Service"?

Try toggling Airplane Mode on for 10–15 seconds and then off. Also, restart your phone. These simple steps often resolve temporary network glitches that can cause your eSIM to show no service.

How do I ensure my eSIM line is enabled and set for data?

On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data, ensure the eSIM line is ON and set as the "Cellular Data" line. On Android, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and toggle the travel eSIM ON, setting it for mobile data usage.

Should I turn on Data Roaming for my travel eSIM?

Yes, for a travel eSIM to work internationally, Data Roaming must be turned ON. This allows your phone to connect to local partner networks in the destination country. Turning it on for your travel eSIM won't affect your home SIM if it's not set for data.

How can I manually select a network for my eSIM if it's not connecting?

Go to your phone's cellular settings, disable automatic network selection, and choose from the list of available networks provided by your eSIM carrier. If your provider has a recommended network, select that one first.

What should I do if my eSIM still shows "No Service" after checking settings?

If all settings are correct and you still have no service, the issue might be with the eSIM activation on your provider's side. Contact your eSIM provider to confirm your plan is active and check for any network issues in your area.

Is it safe to delete and reinstall my eSIM if it's not working?

Only delete and reinstall your eSIM if your provider explicitly instructs you to and provides a new QR code or re-download method. Deleting an eSIM without a valid way to reinstall it can render it unusable permanently.

How can I avoid "No Service" issues on my next trip?

Before your trip, ensure your device is eSIM compatible, install the eSIM profile over Wi-Fi, confirm coverage for your destination, and save provider instructions offline. Consider using a curated marketplace like BitJoy for vetted eSIMs with clear instructions and support.

Why is choosing a trusted marketplace like BitJoy important for eSIMs?

Marketplaces like BitJoy offer curated eSIMs from reliable providers across 190+ destinations, reducing the risk of "No Service" issues. They often feature AI assistants for plan recommendations, flexible payment options (including crypto), and sometimes refund windows for peace of mind.

What's a good backup plan if my eSIM fails during a trip?

Always have a backup. This could be a secondary low-cost travel eSIM ready to activate, a physical local SIM card purchased upon arrival, or a plan from a provider like BitJoy offering robust coverage and support for situations where your primary connection fails.

 

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