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Question

eSIM issues, won't pick up a network abroad

  • January 2, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 36 views

I recently got a new phone with an eSIM rather than a physical SIM. Both times I have gone abroad (Spain and Ireland) I get the text saying I am in a roaming country but my phone fails to pick up a data network. The phone keeps fluctuating between “no connection” and whichever network it is trying to get on. Not only does this mean I don’t have a data connection when it is the time I most need one but trying to connect all the time drains the battery massively. Everything is fine again once I am back in the UK. Any suggestions please?

3 replies

Lamiya C
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • January 13, 2026

Hi ​@laughingmike ,


Please try the below steps:
 

Check Roaming Settings – Ensure that Data Roaming is enabled in the phone settings while abroad.

Manual Network Selection – Go to Settings → Mobile Network → Network Operators, and try selecting a local network manually instead of automatic.

Restart Phone – Turn the phone off and on again when entering a new country to help the eSIM connect to a local network.

Update Carrier Settings – Check if there are any carrier settings updates available and install them.

Airplane Mode Toggle – Switch Airplane mode on for 10 seconds and then off to refresh network connections.

Check eSIM Profile – Ensure the eSIM is active and correctly installed for international roaming.

Battery Saving – Consider enabling Low Power Mode to reduce battery drain caused by constant network searching.

Contact Support if Needed – If the above steps don’t work, contact iD Mobile support while abroad to check if there are roaming restrictions on the eSIM.

Lamiya


  • Author
  • Active Contributor
  • January 13, 2026

Hi Lamiya,

Thanks for that comprehensive reply. I am not abroad again now until March but will try all those suggestions then.

Thank you very much.


Gemma M
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • January 14, 2026

Hi ​@laughingmike 

 

Thanks for letting us know. If you face any issues again, please let us know and we will be more than happy to assist. 

 

Regards,

 

Gemma M

The iD Mobile Social Media Team