What Are Roaming Charges?
Roaming charges often happen when your phone connects to a foreign network while traveling. You get billed extra for calls, texts, and data.
Roaming charges are extra fees your mobile provider applies when you use your phone outside your primary network, typically in another country. These fees can apply to calls, text messages, and mobile data. Roaming allows your device to connect to a foreign network, but the convenience comes at a cost.
When Do Roaming Charges Apply?
Roaming charges apply when your phone connects to a network outside your carrier’s coverage area. This usually happens when you're in another country, but in some cases, it can even occur near national borders.
You may be charged for:
- Making or receiving phone calls
- Sending or receiving text messages
- Using mobile data for browsing, apps, email, GPS, or streaming
- Automatic background app activity, like email sync or cloud backup
Even if you don’t actively use your phone, it may still consume data in the background, resulting in roaming fees unless you've disabled mobile data and roaming settings.
Real-Life Roaming Disaster
In 2018, a US family racked up $13,000 in international data charges when their son's iPhone kept syncing data overseas—despite having roaming turned off. Their story highlights how easy it is to get hit with massive fees when background data isn’t fully controlled.
Read the full story on ABC News.
How to Avoid Roaming Charges?
To avoid roaming charges while traveling:
- Turn off data roaming in your phone settings (unless you're using a travel eSIM like Eskimo where you can roam at local rates)
- Use Wi-Fi whenever possible
- Download maps and content before your trip
- Use apps like WhatsApp internationally instead of SMS
- Get a travel SIM or eSIM for local data
These simple steps can help you avoid unexpected charges.
Ask Your Carrier to Disable Roaming Access
For added protection, contact your mobile carrier before your trip and ask them to disable international roaming on your line. This ensures you won’t connect to foreign networks by accident, even if you forget to update your phone’s settings.
How to Avoid Roaming Charges on iPhone?
Steps to avoid roaming charges on iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming and switch it off for your primary SIM card
- Disable Wi-Fi Assist under Settings > Cellular
- Enable Low Data Mode in Cellular Data Options
- Turn off Background App Refresh in Settings > General
- Use iMessage over SMS when on Wi-Fi
- Disable Cellular Data Switching to prevent your iPhone from connecting to your primary SIM or eSIM
For iPhone users, using an eSIM can be the easiest way to get affordable data abroad. Here’s our setup guide for iPhone eSIMs.
How to Avoid Roaming Charges on Android?
Steps to avoid roaming charges on Android (settings might vary):
- Turn off mobile data and data roaming for your Primary SIM card in Network settings, SIM card manager, or SIM Manager
- Use airplane mode and turn Wi-Fi back on
- Disable Allow Cellular Data Switching
- Restrict background data for apps
- Set data usage alerts to track consumption
Just like with iPhone users, using travel eSIM like Eskimo is the perfect way to roam at local rates without having to switch switch SIM cards. Find out how you can easily install Eskimo eSIM on your Android phone.
Best Apps to Avoid Roaming Charges
Apps that help avoid roaming charges:
- WhatsApp: Free international messaging and calls. You can also chat with AI in WhatsApp to lessen Google search data usage.
- Google Maps: Download maps for offline use
- Google Translate: Use offline language packs
- TripIt: Organize travel plans without needing data
- Google Docs: Change settings to offline use and keep your travel itinerary accessible without an internet connection
- YouTube and Netflix: Premium subscription allows you to download videos for offline viewing
Want to stretch your mobile data even further? Check out our guides on reducing data usage on iPhone and reducing data usage on Android.
Data Roaming vs eSIM
Data roaming means your home carrier allows you to access foreign networks while abroad, but often at high daily rates. Some carriers offer international add-ons, but these can still cost $10 per day or more.
An eSIM, on the other hand, gives you a digital SIM profile that connects to a local carrier in your destination. It works independently from your physical SIM, and plans are often prepaid with no surprise fees.
Key differences:
- Roaming charges come from your existing carrier; eSIM lets you shop for cheaper local, regional or global data
- Roaming may require postpaid billing; eSIM is prepaid and transparent with no surprise charges
- Roaming plans are usually limited to calls/texts; eSIM plans are focused on data
- Roaming with carriers can lay dormant until you enter foreign soil; travel eSIMs allow you to make more conscious decisions for your internet needs
Avoid Roaming Charges with an eSIM
Using an eSIM like Eskimo is one of the most effective ways to avoid roaming charges altogether.
What you get with Eskimo eSIM:
- 2-Year validity lets you keep your data balance for future travels
- Data Rollover means you can extend your data plan whenever you get a new plan. Keep your data plans forever!
- Data Transfer makes it easy for you to buy big data plan to share with your family and friends. Get more for less
- One eSIM for 130+ countries. Install once and connect with the right data plan
- Eskimo eSIM doesn't expire
- 24/7 customer support to assist you in-app
eSIMs work in most modern smartphones, including iPhones, Google Pixel, and many Samsung models. Find out if your model is eSIM compatible.
Try Global eSIM for Free with Eskimo
Want to test it out before you commit? Eskimo offers a free eSIM trial with preloaded 500MB global data, no credit card required. Just sign up on an eSIM phone and try eSIM connectivity in our network coverage.
FAQs
What happens if I accidentally leave roaming on?
Your phone may start using data as soon as you arrive abroad, especially for background apps. This can lead to unexpected charges if you're not on a travel plan like Eskimo eSIM.
Will I be charged for receiving texts while roaming?
Generally, receiving text messages (SMS) like OTPs is free while roaming, but sending texts usually incurs charges. Always check with your carrier.
Can I use airplane mode to avoid roaming charges?
Yes. Turning on airplane mode stops all cellular activity. You can still use Wi-Fi while in airplane mode to avoid any roaming charges.
Do I need to remove my SIM card to avoid roaming?
No, you should be safe if you have cancelled any underlying roaming features from your primary carrier. However, removing the SIM card is an extra precaution if you're unsure.
Are roaming charges the same in every country?
No. Roaming fees vary depending on your carrier and the country you're visiting. Some places may have extremely high rates and it typically goes higher in countries with less infrastructure.
Do I get charged if someone calls me while roaming?
Yes. If you answer a call while roaming, you may be charged depending on your carrier.
How can I tell if I’m roaming?
Check for an "R" or "Roaming" icon in your status bar. Use your carrier app for real-time usage updates.
Can I use WhatsApp without roaming?
Yes. WhatsApp works over Wi-Fi.
Can I use iMessage and FaceTime without roaming?
Yes. Both iMessage and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi, so you can use them without triggering roaming charges.
Will roaming charges apply if my phone is off?
No. If your phone is off, it’s not connected to any network. This is easily the most surefire way but it comes at a cost of being disconnected from the online world and other helpful resources for your travel.