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How to Turn Off Data Roaming on iPhone and Android Easily

Data roaming is one of the easiest ways to rack up unexpected charges when traveling abroad. The moment you land and turn off airplane mode, your phone springs to life—syncing emails, refreshing maps, and updating notifications on a foreign network. Within seconds, you could be burning through data you didn't even know you were using. The good news? Turning off data roaming takes less than a minute and can save you hundreds of dollars in surprise charges. In this guide, we'll explain what data roaming actually is, then show you exactly how to disable it on both iPhone and Android with simple, step-by-step instructions.

What Is Data Roaming? (Quick Explanation for Travelers)

Data roaming happens when your phone connects to a cellular network outside your carrier's normal coverage area to access mobile data. This typically occurs during international travel, though it can also kick in near borders where signals overlap.

Here's how it works: At home, your phone connects to your carrier's own network—say, AT&T or Verizon in the US. When you travel abroad, your phone automatically switches to a partner network in that country. That foreign network allows you to stay connected, but it usually charges significantly more per megabyte, depending on your plan.

At home, your phone connects to your carrier’s own network. Abroad, it connects to a partner network (roaming network). That connection often costs more, depending on your plan.

Important clarification for travelers:

- Data roaming only affects cellular data—it has no impact on Wi‑Fi.
- Turning off data roaming doesn't block Wi‑Fi usage at all.
- Calls and texts may still work abroad, depending on your carrier and plan.

Think of it this way:

- Mobile data = controlled by data roaming settings (can cost money)
- Wi‑Fi = always separate, always free to use

Your phone has two separate ways to access the internet. Cellular data goes through your carrier's network, which can be expensive abroad. Wi‑Fi is free and works anywhere, regardless of your roaming settings. When you disable data roaming, you're simply blocking the expensive option—the free one stays available.

If your goal is simple—avoid surprise charges—turning off data roaming is the safest default before or during a trip.

How to Turn Off Data Roaming on iPhone

Turning off data roaming on an iPhone is straightforward, but the exact menu depends on whether you use one SIM or multiple SIMs.

Steps for iPhone (Single SIM or Single eSIM)

Open Settings
Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data)
Tap Cellular Data Options
Toggle Data Roaming OFF

That’s it. Your iPhone will no longer use cellular data when connected to a foreign network.

If You Use Dual SIM or Dual eSIM

If your iPhone has two lines (for example, a physical SIM + eSIM):

Go to Settings → Cellular
Tap the line you want to manage
Tap Cellular Data Options
Toggle Data Roaming OFF for that specific line

Common mistake: Many travelers accidentally disable roaming on the wrong line. Before making any changes, always verify which line is set as your primary Cellular Data line in Settings → Cellular.

Troubleshooting Tips

If Data Roaming is greyed out, make sure Cellular Data is turned on.
Menu names may vary slightly by iOS version, but the path is always under Cellular.
Changes apply instantly—no restart needed.

How to Turn Off Data Roaming on Android

Android menus vary slightly by brand, but the setting is always under mobile network options.

Samsung Galaxy Devices

Open Settings
Tap Connections
Tap Mobile Networks
Toggle Data Roaming OFF

Other Android Devices (Pixel, stock Android)

Open Settings
Tap Network & Internet
Tap Mobile Network
Toggle Data Roaming OFF

Notes for Android Users

If the toggle is disabled, turn on Mobile Data first.
On dual SIM phones, select the correct SIM before changing roaming settings.
Menu labels may differ slightly, but “Data Roaming” is always clearly named.

What Still Works After You Turn Off Data Roaming?

Turning off data roaming doesn’t make your phone unusable. Here’s what you can and can’t do:

Still works

Wi‑Fi browsing and apps
Messaging apps (WhatsApp, iMessage, Messenger) on Wi‑Fi
Email and cloud sync on Wi‑Fi
Wi‑Fi calling (if enabled)

Does not work

Mobile internet on foreign cellular networks
Background app updates using cellular data
Maps or apps that rely on mobile data without Wi‑Fi

This setting simply blocks cellular data when you're abroad. Everything Wi‑Fi‑based continues to work normally.

Here's why this distinction matters: Your phone essentially has two ways to connect to the internet. Cellular data uses your carrier's network, which costs money abroad—often $2+ per megabyte, or over $2,000 per gigabyte. Wi‑Fi is free and works anywhere. By turning off data roaming, you're only blocking the expensive option while keeping the free one available.

Do You Need to Turn Off Data Roaming If You Use an eSIM?

It depends on which SIM line you're using—and this is where many travelers get confused.

Your primary/home SIM: Should have data roaming OFF (to avoid expensive carrier charges)

Your travel eSIM: Often requires data roaming ON to work properly

Here's a practical example: Imagine you're a US traveler with AT&T as your main carrier, and you've just purchased a travel eSIM for your trip to Thailand. You'll want to:

Turn data roaming OFF on your AT&T line (to avoid their international rates of $2.05/MB)
Keep data roaming ON for your travel eSIM (this is how it connects to Thai networks like AIS or TrueMove)
Set your travel eSIM as the active Cellular Data line

The key is managing each line separately—your phone treats them as two independent connections. Many travelers accidentally disable roaming on the travel eSIM instead of their home SIM, then wonder why their data doesn't work.

Best practice:

Turn off roaming on your main carrier line
Leave roaming enabled only on the eSIM you actively use for data

Always double-check the active data line before toggling settings.

What Happens If You Forget to Turn Off Data Roaming?

This is a very common travel scenario:

This is an extremely common—and expensive—travel scenario:

You land, turn off airplane mode, and your phone immediately springs back to life. Within seconds, Google Maps refreshes your location, emails sync, WhatsApp downloads messages, Instagram updates your feed, and cloud photos start backing up. All of this can happen before you even unlock your phone.

Here's the problem: Because roaming works automatically, data usage starts immediately with no warning. By the time you notice, you may have already burned through 50-100MB—which could mean $100+ in roaming charges depending on your carrier. That's why experienced travelers make it a habit to disable data roaming before boarding their flight or while still connected to airport Wi‑Fi.

Prevention is simple and takes seconds—much easier than dealing with surprises later.

Knowing how to turn off data roaming is a small but essential travel skill. It takes less than a minute on both iPhone and Android, yet it gives you complete control over when your phone uses cellular data abroad. Wi‑Fi continues to work normally, your apps function exactly as before, and you eliminate the stress of surprise charges that can run into hundreds of dollars.

Before your next trip, make this part of your pre-flight checklist:

1. Verify which SIM line is set for cellular data
2. Turn off data roaming on your primary/home carrier line
3. Connect to airport Wi‑Fi to confirm everything still works

Beyond simply disabling roaming, consider these additional steps for worry-free travel connectivity: enable Airplane Mode until you're ready to use your phone, set up Wi‑Fi calling before you leave home, or explore prepaid travel eSIM options that offer fixed data allowances starting around $4-5 for 1GB. For frequent international travelers, a dedicated travel data plan often costs less than a single day of accidental roaming charges.

Simple steps like these make international travel smoother and more affordable from the moment you land.

Before your next trip, make it part of your checklist: check your active SIM, toggle data roaming appropriately, and stay connected on your own terms. Simple steps like this make international travel smoother from the moment you land.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I turn off data roaming on an iPhone?

Open Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, then toggle Data Roaming off. If you use Dual SIM or eSIM, first select the line you want to manage, then disable roaming for that specific line. This prevents unexpected charges when traveling internationally.

How do I turn off data roaming on an Android device?

Open Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks. Disable Data Roaming by toggling the switch. If using a Dual SIM, verify which SIM is active. This prevents extra charges when outside network coverage.

What is data roaming?

Data roaming allows your phone to connect to cellular networks outside your carrier's coverage area, typically when traveling internationally. Your carrier often charges premium rates for this service—sometimes $2+ per megabyte. Disabling data roaming prevents these charges while keeping Wi-Fi access fully functional.

Do you need to turn off data roaming if you use an eSIM?

It depends on which line you're using. Keep data roaming ON for your travel eSIM (it needs this to connect to local networks), but turn it OFF for your primary carrier SIM to avoid expensive roaming charges. Always double-check which line is set as your active Cellular Data line in Settings.

What can I still use if data roaming is off?

Wi-Fi for internet access
Messaging apps on Wi-Fi
Mobile data not available abroad
This ensures connectivity without extra charges.

What happens if you forget to turn off data roaming?

Your phone automatically connects to foreign networks the moment you disable Airplane Mode, potentially racking up charges before you even unlock your screen. Apps sync, maps refresh, and data flows—all at premium international rates. This is why many travelers disable roaming before their flight or immediately upon landing using airport Wi-Fi.

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