How to turn data roaming on or off on iPhone

Check your plan before you turn it on

Data roaming lets your iPhone use another carrier's network when you are outside your own. That is useful when you travel, but it is also how people get large bills. Some plans include roaming in certain countries, such as Canada and Mexico. Others charge by the day or by the megabyte. Before you leave, check what your plan covers and how much it costs, or ask your carrier. Some carriers sell a day pass for travel.

Roaming when you are still at home

Roaming also matters inside your own country in places where your carrier has no coverage and a partner network takes over. Your plan may or may not include that. If you are not traveling and see a roaming message, turn Data Roaming off and use Wi-Fi.

Dual SIM and eSIM

On a dual SIM iPhone, each line has its own Data Roaming switch. Check the one for the line you use for data. If you use a travel eSIM, the roaming setting for that line works the same way. Your iPhone must be unlocked to use a travel eSIM. See the basics of eSIM for how it works abroad.

Avoid surprise charges

• Turn Data Roaming off when you land if you have not checked your plan, and use hotel or cafe Wi-Fi.
• Use Wi-Fi Calling, if your carrier offers it, instead of cellular calls.
• Check Settings › Cellular for the amount of data used while roaming, if your iPhone shows it.
• Turn Data Roaming off when you come home.

Data roaming is on but nothing works

If your iPhone still has no signal, see an iPhone with no service. For trip planning, read our guides to using your phone in Europe, Canada and Mexico.

What is data roaming on an iPhone?

Roaming means your iPhone is using a network that is not your own carrier's. That usually happens abroad, but it can also happen inside the US, in areas where your carrier relies on a partner network. The Data Roaming switch decides whether your iPhone may use mobile data on those partner networks. With it off, the iPhone can still use Wi-Fi, and calls and texts may still work depending on your plan, but mobile internet stops once you leave your carrier's coverage.

This is why the same switch causes two kinds of complaints: surprise charges when it is on, and no internet when it is off. Your plan decides which one you should worry about, so read the plan details before you change anything.

Should data roaming be on or off?

There is no single right setting. Use the situation to decide:

• At home on a normal plan: leave it off unless your signal is poor and your carrier confirms domestic roaming is free on your plan.
• Abroad with an international plan or pass from your carrier: turn it on, and check that the pass is active before you land.
• Abroad with a travel eSIM: turn roaming on for the travel eSIM line, and turn it off for your home line so it does not run up charges.
• Abroad with no plan at all: keep it off and use Wi-Fi, or buy a local plan first.

Plans change, and carriers treat Canada, Mexico and Europe differently. The guides on using your phone in Canada, Mexico and Europe cover the common carrier options.

How to tell whether you are roaming

Your carrier usually sends a welcome text when you land abroad, and the name shown next to the signal bars changes to a local network. Settings › Cellular can also list data used while roaming on some plans. If you are not sure, open Settings › Cellular and check the carrier name under your line. When in doubt, switch Data Roaming off first and ask your carrier what applies, because a few minutes of video or maps over roaming can cost far more than the same use at home.

Stop individual apps from using mobile data

Instead of turning all mobile data off, you can limit the apps that use the most. Open Settings › Cellular and scroll down to the app list, then switch off the apps you do not need while you travel, such as video, music and cloud backup apps. Turn on Low Data Mode under Cellular Data Options to reduce background use, and turn off Background App Refresh for apps you do not need. These steps help whether you are roaming or just trying to save data.

Data roaming greyed out or missing

If the switch is missing, you may be looking at the wrong line on a dual SIM or eSIM iPhone. Tap Cellular Data Options for the line that actually carries your data. Some prepaid plans and some carriers lock the setting. A work or school profile can also hide it, which you can check under Settings › General › VPN & Device Management. Our guide to what an eSIM is and how it works explains why each eSIM line has its own roaming switch.