URL: https://esimgo.ae/help/esim-no-signal/
Source: eSIM Go (esimgo.ae)
Author: Nadezhda Semenova, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Trippy travel service, https://esimgo.ae/author/
Updated: 15 Oct 2026

# eSIM not working abroad: no signal or no internet after you land

For an eSIM not working abroad, run five checks in this order: Data Roaming on the eSIM line, the eSIM as your mobile data line, the network picked by hand, a restart with flight mode, then the APN. If all five fail, email support@esimgo.ae. Our eSIMs are for use outside the UAE; they do not provide service in the UAE, and the plan starts on first connection in the destination (15 Oct 2026), so "no service" at home is normal. Install before you fly; it connects when you land.

## First: data roaming on the eSIM line

Start here: turn Data Roaming on for the eSIM line itself, not only for the phone. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular, tap the eSIM line, then Cellular Data Options, then Data Roaming (Apple Support UAE, 15 Oct 2026). Setup for both lines: [data roaming on the eSIM line](/how-to-install-esim/#data-roaming).

On Android, open the settings for the eSIM line (Samsung starts at Settings > Connections; Pixel at Settings > Network & internet > SIMs) and turn on its roaming switch. We have no verified path to that switch on every model. We have not checked OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO or vivo.

The settings are per line. Leave data roaming off on your UAE line; that does not stop the eSIM. Without a roaming pack, e& (Etisalat), du and Virgin Mobile block mobile data abroad anyway (15 Oct 2026). No service on your UAE number abroad? Ask your operator. One r/dubai commenter (5 Dec 2019) wrote: "there's no signal for my etisalat number. I tried to connect to omantel and ooredoo but failed." That is one person's experience, about a UAE line, not an eSIM.

## Pick the eSIM as your mobile data line

With two lines, the phone uses one for mobile data. Choose the eSIM: on iPhone, Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data; on a Pixel, Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, then under "Your primary SIMs" tap Mobile data (Apple Support UAE and Pixel Help, 15 Oct 2026).

On [most Samsung Galaxy phones](/esim-samsung/) only one eSIM can be active at a time (Samsung UAE, 15 Oct 2026). If your UAE line is also an eSIM, open SIM manager and check which one is on. Install steps are in the [iPhone guide](/how-to-install-esim/iphone/) and the [Android guide](/how-to-install-esim/android/).

## Choose the network manually

If the eSIM shows no bars, switch off automatic network selection on the eSIM line and choose the network your plan lists. Our catalogue lists these networks (15 Oct 2026).

| Destination | Network in our catalogue |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Zain |
| Oman | Omantel |
| Qatar | Vodafone |
| Kuwait | Zain, STC |
| Bahrain | STC, Batelco |
| Turkey | Turk Telekom |
| Bangladesh | Grameenphone |
| Philippines | Smart |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog, Hutchison |
| Egypt | Vodafone |
| Nepal | Ncell |
| Thailand | True, AIS |

The India and Pakistan plan pages show the network on the date you buy, so we do not print it here. Look for a network selection option in the eSIM line's settings; menu names differ by brand. If a row lists two networks, try the other one. We promise no coverage; check it for your city before you go.

## Restart, flight mode, and the APN

Restart the phone, then switch flight mode on for **10 seconds** and off. If there is still no internet, [check the APN](/help/apn-settings/). On iPhone it is automatic for every plan except Colombia, Panama and Venezuela. On Android it is manual for **107** of **348** products in our catalogue (15 Oct 2026).

Android manual APN includes Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, the USA and Nepal. It is automatic on both systems for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Egypt, the UK, Thailand and Georgia. On Samsung the screen is Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names; other brands name it differently. We do not print APN values here: email support@esimgo.ae for the one that fits your plan.

## Still nothing: contact support

If the eSIM still has no signal or no internet, email support@esimgo.ae or write to us on WhatsApp from the [contact page](/contact/). Send the country, the phone model and a screenshot of the eSIM line. If the eSIM has not connected to any network, you can get a refund within **30 days** of purchase.

Don't delete the eSIM to retry. We have no confirmed answer on reinstalling it: turn the line off instead, and ask support before you reinstall. See also [Help](/help/).

## FAQ

### Why does my eSIM show no service after I land?

Check four things in order: Data Roaming on the eSIM line, the eSIM as the mobile data line, the network picked by hand, then a restart with flight mode on for 10 seconds. Our eSIMs start on first connection in the destination and do not provide service in the UAE.

### My eSIM is connected but there is no internet. What now?

Choose the eSIM as the mobile data line and turn Data Roaming on for it. If that does not help, check the APN. It is manual on Android for 107 of 348 products in our catalogue, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, the USA and Nepal (15 Oct 2026).

### Do I need to turn on data roaming for the eSIM?

Yes. Turn Data Roaming on for the eSIM line only. Leave data roaming off on your UAE line: without a roaming pack, e&, du and Virgin Mobile block mobile data abroad anyway (15 Oct 2026).

### How do I contact support if the eSIM still does not work?

Email support@esimgo.ae or write to us on WhatsApp from the contact page. Send the country, the phone model and a screenshot of the eSIM line. If the eSIM has not connected to any network, you can get a refund within 30 days of purchase.

## Sources

- Apple Support UAE, [Cellular settings](https://support.apple.com/en-ae/118669): support.apple.com/en-ae/118669 (15 Oct 2026)
- Samsung UAE, [eSIM and SIM manager](https://www.samsung.com/ae/support/mobile-devices/how-to-set-up-an-esim-and-nano-sim-card-on-your-galaxy-device/): samsung.com/ae/support/mobile-devices/how-to-set-up-an-esim-and-nano-sim-card-on-your-galaxy-device/ (15 Oct 2026)
- Google Pixel Help, [eSIM](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/9449293?hl=en): support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/9449293 (15 Oct 2026)
- e&, [standard roaming rates](https://www.eand.ae/en/c/mobile/standard-roaming-rates.html): eand.ae/en/c/mobile/standard-roaming-rates.html (15 Oct 2026)
- du, [roaming FAQ](https://www.du.ae/personal/mobile/roaming): du.ae/personal/mobile/roaming (15 Oct 2026)
- Virgin Mobile UAE, [country rates](https://www.virginmobile.ae/country-rates/): virginmobile.ae/country-rates/ (15 Oct 2026)
- r/dubai, [comment thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/dubai/comments/e6cp3j/): reddit.com/r/dubai/comments/e6cp3j/ (5 Dec 2019)