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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.
The most common reasons for an Airalo eSIM not working are disabled data roaming or mobile data, incorrect APN settings, and temporary network glitches. Turn on data roaming and mobile data, restart your phone, and check your APN settings, and you’ll be back online in most cases.
Below, we go through all 8 fixes step-by-step. If none of them work, Holafly offers unlimited data plans and 24/7 support in 200+ destinations.
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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 Airalo eSIM is not working:
- 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 Outdated software can lead to a number of issues with your eSIM.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: Why is my Airalo eSIM suddenly not working is nearly always a plan question rather than a phone question. Check whether any data remains on your Airalo plan and whether the validity period has ended. If either has run out, 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.
Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of 23rd July, 2026, and is subject to change.
Airalo eSIM not working: Troubleshooting
Now that you know some of the main reasons for an eSIM not working, let’s do some Airalo eSIM not working troubleshooting. Here are 8 fixes:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 lists the APN in the app under My eSIMs, then your eSIM, then View details. If no APN is shown there, your eSIM is set up automatically and you do not need to change anything.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
What to do if your Airalo eSIM data is not working
- Airalo eSIM not working on Android:
- On Pixel and most stock Android phones, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and confirm the Airalo line is switched on and set as your mobile data preference.
On Samsung Galaxy phones, open Settings > Connections > Mobile networks instead. - Airalo eSIM not working on iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular, confirm the Airalo line is turned on, and set it as your default line for cellular data.
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 included in every plan and Holafly Plans, a monthly eSIM subscription that offers coverage in 170+ destinations with a single plan. All eSIMs also offer 24/7 customer support, so you won’t be left stranded if questions or issues do arise.
To top it off, Holafly stays with you through Always On: 1 GB of built-in backup data that comes with every eSIM plan. Whether on a short trip, long layover, or quick border crossing, you’ll be covered as long as you keep the Holafly eSIM on your device. Simply get any Holafly plan and never install another eSIM again.
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.
FAQs: Airalo eSIM not working
An Airalo eSIM usually doesn’t work because data roaming or mobile data is switched off, the APN settings are wrong, or the plan has no data left. Less often, the phone is carrier-locked or doesn’t support eSIM. Work through the 8 fixes above in order, starting with the roaming toggle.
An activated eSIM with no connection normally points to a settings problem rather than the eSIM itself. Check that the line is turned on, set as your data line, and that data roaming is enabled. If all three are correct, reset your network settings as a last step.
No service normally means your phone hasn’t registered on a local network. Turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds and off again, then select a network manually in your cellular settings. If nothing connects, you may be outside the coverage area for your plan.
Turn on mobile data and data roaming, make sure the Airalo line is active and set as your data line, then check the APN settings against the ones in your activation email. Restart the phone if it still doesn’t connect, and contact Airalo support if the problem continues.
A top-up normally activates on its own if the eSIM is already in use. If it does not, restart your phone and toggle airplane mode on and off to force a reconnection. If there is no top-up option at all, that eSIM is not rechargeable and you will need a new one.
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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.
