Unsure if eSIMs work for your travel?
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    Troubleshooting
    6/21/2025
    Lotsotravel Team
    12 min read

    eSIM Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide for Connection Issues

    Critical Warning

    NEVER REMOVE THE eSIM FROM YOUR DEVICE! If it appears to be malfunctioning, remain calm and follow the instructions below or reach out to us for support.

    Various factors can cause your eSIM to show network connectivity while failing to establish an Internet connection on 4G LTE or 5G networks.

    Typical Issues You Might Encounter:

    • Significantly reduced download and upload performance
    • Signal indicator displays only "E" (Edge) without 4G LTE or 5G connectivity
    • Complete absence of Internet access despite eSIM appearing connected

    Resolution Steps

    1

    Confirm you are within the eSIM coverage zone

    Keep in mind that your eSIM functions exclusively within the designated coverage area you purchased. As an example, a United States eSIM will only establish connections within US borders. While you may install the eSIM profile on your device at any time, network connectivity will only be available once you reach your intended destination.

    2

    Activate Data Roaming

    Data Roaming functionality is essential for your eSIM to establish network connectivity.

    iPhone Settings showing how to enable roaming data for eSIM

    iPhone / iPad (iOS)

    1. Navigate to Settings on your device, then access Cellular (or Mobile/Mobile Service) and choose the eSIM data plan from Cellular Plans. Your eSIM plan might appear as "Secondary" or "Personal."
    2. Ensure Turn On This Line is activated.
    3. Verify that Roaming Data is enabled.

    Samsung Galaxy (Android)

    1. Access Settings and navigate to Connections
    2. Select Mobile Networks
    3. Verify that Data Roaming is enabled

    Google Pixel (Android)

    1. Launch Settings
    2. Select Network and Internet
    3. Choose SIMs, then select your eSIM plan on the subsequent page.
    4. Activate both Data Roaming and Mobile Data.
    3

    Configure your device to utilize the eSIM for cellular data

    iPhone Settings showing how to select eSIM for cellular data

    Apple iOS (iPhone)

    1. Within your device Settings, navigate to Cellular (or Mobile/Mobile Service)
    2. Select Cellular Data (or Mobile Data) at the top to access the menu for choosing your preferred data plan.
    3. Ensure your eSIM is selected. It may be labeled as "Secondary," "Personal," "Travel," or another custom name. In our demonstration, it appears as "Maya eSIM", matching the plan name from the previous screen (Travel).

    Samsung Galaxy (Android)

    1. Open Settings and proceed to Connections
    2. Select SIM Card Manager at the top, then on the following screen choose the eSIM plan for Mobile Data. This configuration instructs your phone to use the eSIM plan for data connectivity.

    Google Pixel (Android)

    1. Open Settings
    2. Select Network and Internet
    3. Choose SIMs, then select your eSIM plan on the following page.
    4

    Android Devices Only - Set Up APN Configuration

    When using an eSIM on Android devices without data connectivity, verify the APN settings using the following procedure:

    1. In your device Settings, navigate to Mobile & Network (Samsung users: go to Settings -> Connections -> Mobile Networks)
    2. Select the eSIM plan, then access Access Point Names
    3. Select Menu, then choose New APN
    4. In the primary field labeled APN, input globaldata. Remove any existing content in username or password fields. Only the APN name is necessary.
    5. Navigate back to the previous screen and choose the newly created APN.
    5

    Refresh the data connection

    Access your device Settings and activate Airplane Mode for 30 seconds, then deactivate it. This action compels your device to reconnect to the cellular network. Allow up to 15 minutes for the eSIM data plan to complete authentication and begin receiving 4G LTE or 5G data services.

    6

    Choose a network manually

    Should resetting the data connection prove unsuccessful, manual network selection may be required. Use the following instructions:

    Apple iOS (iPhone)

    1. Launch Settings
    2. Navigate to Cellular and choose the eSIM data plan from Cellular Plans
    3. Select Network Selection, then on the subsequent screen, disable Automatic. Wait for the available networks list to populate.
    4. Choose an available network manually and monitor the signal status for updates. The signal indicator in the top bar should display "Searching" when selecting a new network.
    5. Once you find a functional network connection, re-enable Automatic.

    Require assistance with network selection? Don't hesitate to contact us if manual network selection is needed, as we can recommend the optimal networks for connection.

    Continuing to Experience Problems?

    If you have completed all these procedures and connectivity issues persist, please contact our support team without hesitation. We are available to assist you in establishing your connection!