Language 
No results found
Airalo eSIM not working? How to troubleshoot and fix it
If your Airalo eSIM isn’t working, make sure data roaming and mobile data are enabled, restart your phone, and make sure the APN settings are correct.
Can’t get your Airalo eSIM to work, or has it stopped working after some time? You can often fix the issue yourself in just a few minutes. This guide covers the main reasons eSIMs stop working and how to troubleshoot them step-by-step.
If you can’t get your Airalo eSIM to work by the end, consider Holafly — a top eSIM provider with unlimited data plans and 24/7 customer support in 200+ destinations.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Why is my Airalo eSIM not working?
Before we start going through troubleshooting steps for an Airalo eSIM that doesn’t work, let’s take a look at some of the main reasons why you may be experiencing issues.
- eSIM not activated properly: Check the SIM card settings on your phone to make sure the eSIM was added and activated properly.
- Phone is carrier-locked: When you buy a phone from the carrier together with your mobile plan, it may be locked to your home carrier’s network. Check if your phone is unlocked before using it abroad.
- Outdated software: If you haven’t updated your phone’s operating system in a while, it might be time to do so. Outdated software can lead to a number of issues with your eSIM.
- No coverage: If you’ve ventured further away from the city or populated areas, the coverage may be too poor for the eSIM to work properly.
- No data remaining: If your eSIM worked fine for a while and suddenly stopped working, check if you’ve got data remaining on your Airalo plan. If you don’t, top up your Airalo eSIM to get back online.
- Incompatible device: While most modern phones are eSIM-compatible, some older models and budget phones don’t support eSIM technology. Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible before trying to use an eSIM.
What to do if your Airalo eSIM data is not working
Now that you know some of the main reasons for an eSIM not working, let’s get to the solutions that can actually get you back online.
Turn on your mobile data and data roaming
Your eSIM requires both mobile data and data roaming to be enabled. Mobile data can typically be toggled from quick settings (swipe down from the top). To turn on data roaming, you’ll need to open your phone’s settings, locate the data roaming option, and make sure it’s enabled.
Turn airplane mode on and off
Toggle airplane mode on, wait 5-10 seconds, then turn it off. This forces your phone to reconnect and can eliminate minor network glitches, and can be one of the fastest ways to get back online.
Restart your phone
By restarting your phone, you reset the network connection and the software on your phone. This can solve any minor issues or temporary errors, allowing you to enjoy a functional eSIM again.
Check your coverage
Poor or no coverage can stop your eSIM from working. Check the signal bars at the top of your screen. If coverage is weak, move to a different location before troubleshooting further.
Update your APN settings
Your APN settings must be correct for the Airalo eSIM to work. While they’re typically set up automatically during the activation process, there may be errors with the settings.
Airalo should send you the correct APN settings in the activation email. Navigate to APN options from your mobile network settings. From there, you’ll be able to check, update, or reset your settings to ensure they’re configured according to Airalo’s guidelines.
Manually select a mobile network
In most cases, your phone will automatically connect to a mobile network in the country you’re visiting. However, sometimes choosing a different network results in a better connection.
In your cellular data settings, locate the network selection menu, disable the automatic selection, then select a different network manually. Try out several different networks to find which one works best for you.
Reset network settings
Resetting your network settings is usually a last resort option. It does fix some eSIM issues that the other troubleshooting steps don’t, but it also deletes all network settings, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and mobile network settings. Therefore, only try this step if you’ve tried all the steps above before.
Here’s how you can reset these settings depending on the type of device you have:
- On iOS, select Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- On Android, select Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, Mobile, and Bluetooth.
Contact the Airalo customer support team
If the steps above don’t solve the problem, reach out to Airalo’s customer support team for further assistance. They’ll be able to inform you about any network or service issues that you can’t fix on your own or suggest alternative troubleshooting steps.
Make sure not to delete your Airalo eSIM until you’ve contacted customer support, as you can’t use the same activation details to activate your eSIM once it’s deleted. Instead, you’d have to request a new eSIM and set up a new eSIM profile from scratch.
Airalo eSIM still not working? Try Holafly instead
Need an eSIM you can rely on? Holafly offers travel eSIMs in 200+ destinations, with unlimited data and 24/7 customer support included in every plan. The eSIM activation process is super simple as well. Scan the QR code, follow the prompts, and you’ll be able to enjoy a stable internet connection within minutes.
For long-term coverage, try Holafly Plans. It’s a monthly eSIM subscription that offers coverage in 170+ destinations with a single plan. Travel freely and stay online for as long as you need, with up to 1 GB of free data per month even after you cancel your subscription, thanks to Always On.
Not sure if Holafly is right for you? Check out our Holafly vs. Airalo blog and compare the two side-by-side.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Plans that may interest you
A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
