How to Turn International Roaming On or Off on iPhone
Last checked: September 2026
To turn international roaming on or off on iPhone, open Settings, tap Mobile Service (UK) or Cellular (US), select your line, then toggle Data Roaming. Turn it off on your home line to avoid charges abroad, and on for a travel eSIM line so it can connect.
Where the roaming setting is
Open Settings, then Mobile Service (UK) or Cellular (US), choose the line, then turn Data Roaming on or off. The exact menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions and countries, so look for the option that lists your mobile plans.
On iPhone, all mobile data controls live in one place. Start at Settings, then tap Mobile Service if your phone is set to UK English, or Cellular if it is set to US English. You will see a list of your lines, such as your home SIM and any eSIM you have added. Tap the line you want to change. On that line's screen, find Data Roaming and use the switch to turn it on or off. If you have more than one line, repeat for each line. The wording of nearby options may vary a little by iOS version and country, but Data Roaming is the switch that matters for using mobile data abroad.
Turning data roaming on
Turn Data Roaming on for a line when you want that line to use mobile data while abroad. With a travel eSIM, turn data roaming on for the eSIM line and off for the home line.
If you have added a travel eSIM, you usually need Data Roaming on for that eSIM line so it can connect to networks in the country you are visiting. At the same time, keep Data Roaming off for your home line so your home plan does not start charging you for data abroad. This split setup is the common way to use a travel eSIM alongside your normal number. If you are not sure which line is which, check the labels under each line in the Mobile Service or Cellular menu. For more on managing two lines, see how to switch between lines.
Turning data roaming off to avoid charges
Data roaming off on the home line stops mobile data being used abroad on that line; calls and texts can still arrive. This is the main way to avoid surprise data charges while travelling.
When Data Roaming is off for a line, that line will not use mobile data while you are outside your home country. However, calls and texts can still arrive on that line, and you may still be charged for them depending on your plan. If you want to block all use, you can also turn the line off entirely, but that means you will not receive calls or texts on it. Many people keep the home line on for calls and texts but with Data Roaming off, and use a travel eSIM for data. To set up a travel eSIM, see how to activate an eSIM on iPhone.
Roaming with two lines
When you have two lines, set Data Roaming per line: on for the travel eSIM, off for the home line. This keeps data on the eSIM and avoids home carrier roaming fees.
With two lines active, iPhone lets you choose which line handles mobile data, calls and texts. In the Mobile Service or Cellular menu, tap Mobile Data and select the line you want to use for data. For travel, choose your eSIM line. Then make sure Data Roaming is on for that eSIM line and off for your home line. You can also set a default voice line for calls and texts. If you want to keep your home number for calls and texts, leave it as the default voice line but with Data Roaming off. For more on how calls, texts and one time passcodes work with a data eSIM, see calls, texts and OTPs on a data eSIM.
Roaming charges from your home carrier
Home carriers often charge a daily fee or per megabyte rate for roaming. Check your carrier's roaming page before you travel so you know what applies to your plan.
Roaming charges vary widely. Some carriers offer daily passes, others charge per megabyte of data used. Calls and texts received abroad may also cost. Because these charges come from your home carrier and not from your eSIM, the only way to know is to check your carrier's own roaming information before you go. If you plan to use a travel eSIM for data, keeping Data Roaming off on your home line is the simplest way to avoid those data charges. For a comparison of typical roaming costs and eSIM options, see roaming vs eSIM costs by carrier.
Wi-Fi calling, where your carrier supports it, lets you make calls over Wi-Fi without using roaming data. You can turn this on in the same Mobile Service or Cellular menu under Wi-Fi Calling. This can be useful when you have Wi-Fi but want to avoid roaming charges for calls.
Questions, answered
How do I turn off international roaming on my iPhone?
Open Settings, tap Mobile Service (UK) or Cellular (US), select your line, then turn Data Roaming off. This stops mobile data being used abroad on that line. Calls and texts can still arrive. Repeat for each line if you have more than one.
How do I enable international roaming on iPhone?
Go to Settings, then Mobile Service (UK) or Cellular (US), choose the line you want to use abroad, and turn Data Roaming on. For a travel eSIM, turn Data Roaming on for the eSIM line and off for your home line to avoid home carrier charges.
Will I be charged if data roaming is off?
With Data Roaming off, that line will not use mobile data abroad, so you avoid data roaming charges on it. Calls and texts can still arrive and may be charged by your home carrier. Check your carrier's roaming page for details.
How do I use a travel eSIM and keep my home SIM active?
Add the eSIM, then in Settings, Mobile Service or Cellular, set Mobile Data to the eSIM line and turn Data Roaming on for it. Turn Data Roaming off for your home line. Keep your home line on for calls and texts if you need them.
Where is the data roaming setting on iPhone?
It is in Settings, under Mobile Service (UK) or Cellular (US). Tap your line, then find Data Roaming. Menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions and countries, but Data Roaming is the switch for using mobile data abroad.