How to Turn Off Data Roaming (iPhone & Android) — 2026 Guide
Data roaming charges are one of the few travel costs that can genuinely surprise you — because they accumulate invisibly, in the background, while you're doing something else entirely. Your phone connects to a foreign carrier's network the moment you land, and unless roaming is off, it starts using data on your behalf: push notifications, email sync, app updates, iCloud backups. You don't need to actively do anything for the bill to start.
Turning off data roaming takes under 30 seconds on any phone. This guide shows you exactly how, on iPhone and Android, and explains what roaming actually is and when you'd want to leave it on.
How to Turn Off Data Roaming on iPhone
iPhone (iOS 16–18): Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming → toggle off. For dual SIM iPhones, do this for each line separately. Takes under 30 seconds.
Open Settings and tap Cellular
On some carriers and regions this may appear as "Mobile Data" rather than "Cellular" — it's the same setting. Tap it to open your cellular configuration.
Tap Cellular Data Options
This opens the submenu that controls how your cellular data behaves. You'll see options including Data Mode and Data Roaming.
Toggle Data Roaming off
The toggle should turn from green to grey. Your phone will now refuse to connect to foreign carrier networks for data — but Wi-Fi still works normally, and calls may still be possible depending on your carrier plan.
For dual SIM iPhones — repeat for each line
Settings → Cellular → tap each SIM listed under "SIMs" → Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming → off. If you're using a travel eSIM for data, keep that line's roaming on and your home SIM's roaming off.
Note on eSIM + physical SIM setups: If you're running a travel eSIM alongside your home SIM, you want roaming OFF on your home line (so it doesn't rack up charges) and your travel eSIM line configured as the active data line. This is the correct dual SIM travel setup.
How to Turn Off Data Roaming on Android
The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer and Android version, but the setting is always within two taps of the main Settings screen.
Samsung Galaxy (One UI)
Open Settings → Connections
On Samsung devices, all network settings live under Connections. Tap it to open.
Tap Mobile Networks
This is where Samsung stores roaming, network mode, and APN settings.
Toggle Data Roaming off
The toggle sits near the top of the Mobile Networks screen. Tap it to disable. Samsung will show a confirmation prompt — confirm to save the setting.
Stock Android / Google Pixel
Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Network
On Pixel and stock Android devices, cellular settings live under Network & Internet. Tap Mobile Network to expand the options.
Toggle Roaming off
Labelled "Roaming" on most stock Android devices. Toggle it off — no confirmation prompt required on most versions.
What Is Data Roaming and What Happens If You Leave It On?
Data roaming is what happens when your phone connects to a foreign carrier's network because your home carrier has a partnership with them. Your phone transmits data through that foreign network, your home carrier gets billed, and passes the charge on to you — often at rates far higher than your domestic plan.
The reason roaming bills shock people is that it's not just what you actively do. With roaming on and no Wi-Fi connected, your phone continues syncing email, downloading app updates, refreshing social media feeds, and backing up to cloud storage — all in the background. The metre is running even if your phone is face-down on a table.
Some specific charges to be aware of:
- Background app refresh — every app that updates in the background uses roaming data
- iCloud or Google Photos — photo backup can start the moment you connect to a network
- Software updates — if a system update was waiting, it may download automatically
- Map caching — maps apps refreshing tiles and live traffic in the background
- Push notifications — most don't use much data, but email attachments downloading do
If roaming is off: your phone will show "No Service" or "Searching" on your home SIM when abroad, but Wi-Fi still works completely normally. You can still receive calls and SMS in some countries via Wi-Fi calling, depending on your carrier's settings.
When Should You Leave Data Roaming On?
There are three situations where leaving roaming on makes sense:
Your carrier includes roaming in your plan. Many modern carrier plans include roaming in specific regions at no extra cost — T-Mobile's international plan, for example, includes data roaming in many countries. Check your plan details before assuming roaming is always expensive.
You're using a travel eSIM. If you've activated a travel eSIM that's designed to roam on local networks in your destination, you need data roaming enabled on that eSIM's line — that's exactly what it uses to connect. In this case, turn roaming off on your home SIM line, and leave it on (or set it as the data line) for your travel eSIM.
Emergency situations. If you're in an area with no Wi-Fi and need to navigate or contact someone urgently, temporary roaming is sometimes the only option. Do it with awareness of the cost — and turn it back off as soon as possible.
Roaming vs Travel eSIM — Which Is Better for Data Abroad?
| Carrier Roaming | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Often high — per MB or daily rate | Fixed plan — pay once, know exactly what you get |
| Speed | May be throttled abroad | Full local network speeds |
| Setup | Automatic — just land and go | Requires setup before travel (5 minutes) |
| Home number | Active on roaming number | Active via home SIM (dual SIM setup) |
| Bill shock risk | High — background data adds up | None — fixed data allowance |
| Best for | Very short trips, or plans with included roaming | Most international travel |
For the majority of international trips, turning off home carrier roaming and activating a travel eSIM is the better approach. You know exactly what you're paying, you get local network speeds, and there's no risk of a surprise bill at the end of the month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off data roaming affect my ability to make calls?
It depends on your carrier and destination. In many countries, voice calls on your home number continue to work via your carrier's roaming voice agreements even with data roaming disabled — they're billed separately. In some countries, your home SIM may show no service at all with data roaming off. Wi-Fi calling (if enabled by your carrier) lets you make and receive calls over Wi-Fi regardless of cellular roaming status.
What's the difference between data roaming and international roaming?
They're often used interchangeably but technically different. International roaming refers to using any carrier service (calls, SMS, or data) on a foreign network. Data roaming specifically refers to mobile data usage while on a foreign network. The toggle in your phone settings controls data roaming — calls and SMS may still route through carrier roaming even when the data roaming toggle is off.
Does turning off data roaming also stop background app activity?
Yes — if there's no Wi-Fi available and data roaming is off, your phone cannot send or receive any mobile data. Apps cannot refresh in the background over cellular. This is one of the main reasons to turn it off proactively rather than reactively: it prevents background sync from starting before you've had a chance to connect to hotel Wi-Fi.
My Data Roaming toggle is greyed out — why?
On iPhone, this happens when Cellular Data is disabled. Go to Settings → Cellular and make sure the main Cellular Data toggle is on — then Data Roaming in Cellular Data Options will become tappable. On Android, the same applies: make sure Mobile Data is enabled first, then the roaming toggle will be accessible.
Should I turn off data roaming before or after I land?
Before. Do it before you board — ideally the night before you travel. Your phone can start connecting to foreign networks before you even leave the aircraft, especially in airports near international borders or during taxiing. Turning it off at home on Wi-Fi ensures you're protected from the moment you land in a new country.
Roaming off — now find the right data plan for your destination.
Compare travel eSIM plans for your trip on RoamPrice. No roaming charges, no surprises — data at a fair price, compared free.