eSIM Not Working? Causes, Common Issues, and Quick Fixes — RedDogFish

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2 February 2026

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eSIM Not Working? Causes, Common Issues, and Quick Fixes — RedDogFish

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Why is my eSIM not working?

You bought an eSIM, installed it, landed in another country, but still have no connection. This is an unpleasant situation, but in 90% of cases, it can be resolved in a few minutes. Most problems are not related to malfunctions, but to the specifics of configuring your smartphone for foreign networks.

In this article, we will figure out how to quickly get back online and what to check before you start your trip.

Compatibility check (do this in advance)

Before purchasing an eSIM, it is important to make sure that your smartphone supports eSIM technology. Not all new devices have this feature.

How to check:

Make sure your smartphone is on the list of compatible models on the RedDogFish website.
Or enter the combination *#06# on your smartphone. If the list includes an EID identifier, your phone is ready to work with eSIM.
Check the settings menu. On the iPhone, it's Settings → Cellular. On Android, it's Network & Internet → SIM cards. If there is an “Add eSIM” option, everything is fine.

Important: iPhones sold in mainland China do not support eSIM. In Hong Kong and Macau, eSIM is only available on certain iPhone models. If your iPhone was purchased in one of these countries, be sure to check its compatibility with eSIM before activation.

Data roaming is turned off (the most common reason)

For travel eSim, data transfer is only possible when roaming is turned on. This is a technical feature of working through foreign partners.

Solution: Go to your eSIM settings and turn the “Data Roaming” switch to ON. There will be no additional charges from your main number if you have selected the correct line for data transfer.

Choosing the right line for the Internet

When there are two cards in the phone (main and eSIM), the smartphone may get confused about which one to use for Internet access.

Solution: In the “Mobile Data” section, force your travel eSIM to be the main one for the Internet.

The plan has not been activated or the limit has been exhausted

Restarting is a simple but effective step. After a long flight and changing many communication towers, the phone modem needs a “soft” reset to register correctly in the new region.

If you see a signal but no internet connection, check if your data package has been used up by background app updates.

What not to do

Never delete your eSIM profile if it is not working. Since you cannot rescan the same QR code, you may lose your paid tariff. Any deletion should only be done on the direct instructions of customer support. You can also read the article on what you need to know before deleting your eSIM.

Quick checklist if your eSIM is not working:

Data roaming is enabled.
eSIM is selected for the internet.
You are physically located in the country where the tariff is valid.
The phone was restarted after landing.
You have tried manual network selection.

If these steps do not help, take screenshots of your settings and remaining traffic — this will help support resolve your issue immediately.

eSIMs make international connectivity easier and more affordable — but small issues can still happen. The most common problems travelers face — activation delays, no signal, slow or missing mobile data, disabled profiles, or dual-SIM conflicts — are usually minor and easy to fix. In most cases, the issue comes down to simple things: data roaming turned off, the wrong data line selected, or activating too early — not a serious technical problem.

A bit of preparation and basic troubleshooting go a long way. Double-checking settings, following setup instructions carefully, and restarting your device can sometimes prevent most disruptions and keep you connected — even on multi-country trips.

Stay connected and control your data — wherever you land.

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