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Saily Ultra eSIM not working: Causes and fixes

If your Saily Ultra plan isn't working, there may be a couple of reasons why. Here's how to fix them, along with digital alternatives to look into.

Your Saily Ultra eSIM may not be working for several reasons. Your device might not be compatible, the installation could have gone wrong, the local network might be having issues, or the service might not cover your destination.

In this article, we show you what to do if your Saily Ultra plan stops working. Our guide covers quick fixes and reliable alternatives like Holafly Plans, a monthly eSIM subscription offering unlimited data plans and stronger coverage worldwide.

In this article

1. Check your device’s compatibility

Not every device is eSIM-compatible. This is typically the most common reason for an eSIM not working. Even if a device supports eSIM, certain features like automatic roaming or hotspot sharing might not work correctly on every model.

Therefore, before signing up for any eSIM plan, make sure that your device is:

Compatible with eSIM technology (having a SIM slot is not enough)
Unlocked to operate with any network
Able to connect to foreign networks

Saily’s website has a list of compatible devices, but if you’ve already signed up and suddenly have no connection, you can check directly in your phone’s settings.

If cellular data is not working on iPhone: Settings > Cellular Data > Add Cellular Plan.
If cellular data is not working on Android: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM.

If your phone does not display the option to add a Saily eSIM or appears as “not compatible,” that may be the problem. It’s worth checking if you have an eSIM-compatible phone before purchasing. The good news is that most modern phones are.

2. Check if there was an error during installation or activation

Even if your phone supports eSIM technology, the Saily Ultra plan might fail if the eSIM wasn’t installed properly. Small issues during activation or a weak connection when scanning the QR code can prevent the plan from working without any obvious warning.

Here are some key points to check:

Has the installation process been completed? Check if the Saily profile appears in your phone’s network settings.
Is the plan activated? In many cases, if the Saily eSIM isn’t working, it may be installed but not activated as the main network.
Is there a signal, or does it say “No service”? If you see this message, the plan may not yet be connected to the local network.

To activate an eSIM that hasn’t worked the first time, try restarting your phone. You can also switch airplane mode on and off, manually search for available networks, and check for a pending system update.

If you’re still offline after that, try removing the eSIM and reinstalling it through the Saily app. Make sure you’re connected to a reliable WiFi network throughout the process.

3. Check that your destination is included in the Ultra plan

Saily Ultra provides coverage in over 100 worldwide destinations. While this means that many countries are covered, not everywhere is included in the monthly plan. Your Ultra subscription won’t work if you are in a destination outside of the covered areas.

How can you tell if your destination is covered?

Open the Saily app and check the countries included in your active plan.
Check if your current destination is listed and if there are any associated network restrictions.
Check if the plan requires activating another configuration or secondary network for that country.

If you find out your destination isn’t supported, you’ll need to purchase a separate plan from Saily’s website.

4. Check that you haven’t exceeded your high-speed data limit

If your Saily Ultra plan feels slow or some apps won’t open, it might be because you’ve already used up the 30 GB of high-speed data. Beyond that, the “unlimited” data continues at a slower pace.

Once you’ve used up the 30 GB of high-speed data, the plan stays active but much slower. That’s usually fine for messaging or checking email, but streaming videos, video calls, or using live maps becomes difficult. For many users, it feels almost like having no connection at all. It’s worth checking whether a Saily top-up is possible.

How can you tell if you’ve exceeded your limit?

Open the Saily app and check your total usage for the month.
If it says “30 GB used” and there is no option to recharge, you are browsing at low speed.

5. Check that there are no problems with the local network in the country

Even if your device is compatible, the eSIM is set up correctly, and your destination is covered, the Saily Ultra plan can still fail due to issues with the local network. What does this look like in real life? You might have a signal but extremely slow speeds, or the connection may drop on and off, especially in busy places like airports, train stations, tourist hotspots, or rural areas.

How can you check if the local network is the problem?

Perform a manual search for networks on your device and compare the signal strength of each one.
If you are connected to a weak network, try selecting another one manually (if your plan allows it).
Turn airplane mode on and off or restart your phone to force reconnection.

What should you do if none of this works?

If none of the previous steps solves the problem, the smartest move is to look for a more dependable option. Losing your connection while traveling isn’t just annoying; it can lead to missed bookings, getting lost, or trouble keeping up with work. Check out Saily’s refund policies to see if you’re eligible for one.

In situations like this, Holafly Plans stand out as a reliable choice. One eSIM gives you mobile data in over 170 countries. The Unlimited Plan provides high-speed data all month long, with unlimited hotspot sharing for all of your other devices.

Holafly connects you to fast, local networks, which keeps your internet steady and reliable wherever you travel. Plus, customer support is available 24/7, which is invaluable when you’re far from home and need help immediately.

In short, if nothing you try seems to work, Holafly is the easiest way to get back online without the hassle. Check out our Holafly vs. Saily comparison for a deeper look into both eSIM providers.

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Paula Henderson

Spanish-English Translator

Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍

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