M1 roaming: Coverage, plans, and pricing

M1 roaming allows Singapore customers to stay connected overseas using their existing mobile number. With roaming passes and data add-ons available for different destinations, travellers can choose an option based on their trip length, destination, and data needs.

In this guide, you’ll learn how M1 international roaming works, what it costs, which countries are covered, and how to activate it before your trip. Plus, we’ll explore an alternative to standard roaming: Holafly’s unlimited eSIM for seamless travel connectivity in 200+ destinations.

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What is M1 roaming?

M1 roaming allows customers to use mobile data, calls, and SMS overseas through partner networks. Available destinations and roaming options depend on the selected plan or add-on.

Depending on your plan type, your roaming experience will differ:

• Postpaid users: Billed monthly, with roaming available through add-ons like Data Passport, Daily Unlimited Data Roaming, or pay-per-use rates.
• Prepaid users: Pay in advance and activate roaming via short-term data packs or by topping up roaming credit.

Some postpaid plans, like Bespoke Flexi and Bespoke SIM-only, come with built-in roaming data, for example, 2GB in Malaysia and Indonesia. You may not need an additional roaming add-on unless you’re travelling to other countries or need more data.

M1 roaming countries

M1 roaming coverage varies depending on the roaming option selected. You can choose destination-specific passes, regional roaming plans, or pay-per-use roaming access where available.

Some key destinations supported by M1 include:

• M1 roaming in China
• M1 roaming in Japan
• M1 roaming in Malaysia
• M1 roaming in Europe
• M1 roaming in APAC

M1 groups countries into different roaming zones, depending on your plan type. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Tip: Always check your plan type to confirm which roaming passes are compatible. Not all M1 roaming plans are available to prepaid users.

M1 roaming plans: Types and pricing

M1 provides international roaming options for both prepaid and postpaid users. Some plans include free roaming in select countries, while others let you add data packs for more coverage or flexibility. All prices below are in Singapore Dollars (SGD).

Prepaid Add-ons Users

Using an M1 prepaid SIM? You can stay connected abroad by topping up with a roaming pack or one-time data bundle via the M1 Prepaid App. These packs are valid for specific durations and are ideal for casual travellers who prefer a no-contract solution.

Not sure how much data you’ll need abroad? To avoid unexpected roaming charges while travelling, calculate your data usage, check your plan’s roaming inclusions, and track your usage in the SIMBA app.

Prepaid pay-per-use roaming

If you’re using an M1 prepaid SIM card without a roaming add-on, any data, call, or SMS usage abroad will be billed at pay-as-you-go rates, and these can climb quickly depending on where you’re travelling.

Let’s say you’re a prepaid user from Singapore heading to Australia and forget to activate a roaming pack. Here’s what it could cost you:

• Just opening Google Maps or checking emails could use up 1MB of data.
• At $0.058 per 10KB, that’s nearly $6 per MB, and your balance could disappear fast.

Here are some sample rates to illustrate:

Note: Call charges vary for incoming calls, calls to Singapore, international calls, and local calls.

Rates are charged in small blocks (e.g., per 10KB), and background apps using mobile data or even minor browsing can consume more than you think. 

To avoid these high fees, it’s best to activate a data pack or consider a prepaid eSIM for unlimited usage at a flat rate.

Postpaid add-ons

M1 postpaid users can choose roaming add-ons with fixed data or daily quotas, ideal for both short trips and regional travel, helping manage costs easily.

Note: “Use local data bundle” means your regular monthly data allowance can be used while roaming in those countries. Add-on bundles in excess of 15GB will be charged at $12.22/GB.

Postpaid pay-as-you-go

If you’re roaming abroad without activating an M1 roaming pass, your usage will be billed at pay-per-use rates, and these can be extremely high.

If you use pay-per-use roaming without an active roaming pass, data roaming charges are billed at the prevailing rates for your destination and can become expensive. Even light data usage, such as background app activity or using maps, can quickly add up. 

For example:

• Malaysia, Thailand, China, or Japan: $0.02 per 1MB
• UK, France, Italy, or the Netherlands: $0.03 per 1MB

Even minimal data use, like background app refresh, can trigger significant charges. To avoid bill shock, always activate a data passport or consider an unlimited eSIM like Holafly when travelling beyond your plan’s coverage zones.

How to activate M1 roaming

Activating M1 international roaming is quick and easy using your mobile app or a simple dial code.

Postpaid users

To activate roaming on your M1 postpaid plan:

1. Open the My M1+ App
2. Navigate to Roaming
3. Select your travel destination
4. Tap Activate

Prepaid users

For M1 prepaid users, follow these steps:

1. Open the M1 Prepaid App or dial #100*81#
2. In your phone settings, enable the following:
   
   1. Local Data
   2. Data Roaming
   3. Network Lock

How to avoid M1 roaming charges

Roaming fees can quickly add up if you’re not careful with your usage while travelling overseas. Here are a few simple ways to stay in control and keep costs down:

• Monitor your data usage through the My M1+ app
• Disable background apps and automatic updates while roaming
• Use Wi-Fi for data-heavy tasks like streaming or uploading files
• Turn on Airplane Mode when you’re not using your phone
• Buy the right add-on (e.g. the M1 $15 Data Passport) before your trip or top up as needed
• Consider an unlimited eSIM, like Holafly, for worry-free roaming at a fixed cost

An unlimited data alternative to M1 roaming: Holafly

While M1 offers a range of international roaming options for prepaid and postpaid customers, roaming costs can add up, especially if you travel without a roaming pass or visit multiple regions.

For travellers who mainly need mobile data, Holafly offers a simple and predictable way to stay connected. Holafly eSIMs include unlimited data in 200+ destinations, flexible plan durations, 5G speeds where available, and 24/7 customer support.

Whether you choose a Holafly daily eSIM or a monthly plan, you’ll also benefit from the Always On feature, which provides 1 GB of monthly backup data at no extra cost once your eSIM validity runs out. Simply keep your eSIM installed to enjoy instant internet access when you need it most.

Explore Holafly eSIM plans to find a data option that suits your next trip.

Whichever option you choose, make sure it aligns with your travel style, but if you want to skip roaming complexities altogether, Holafly’s unlimited eSIMs offer a hassle-free way to stay connected abroad.

Get connected from anywhere

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Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of July 28, 2026, and is subject to change.

Want more roaming choices from Singapore telcos? Check out our reviews of these alternatives to M1 roaming and Holafly eSIM:

• Singtel roaming
• StarHub roaming
• SIMBA roaming
• GOMO roaming
• Giga roaming
• Eight roaming
• MyRepublic roaming

Plans that may interest you

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Violet Lee

SEO Content Specialist

Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.

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