International roaming can make staying connected abroad unexpectedly expensive.

Your phone may continue using mobile data in the background for applications, cloud synchronization, email, social media, maps, and other services even when you're not actively using your phone.

A travel eSIM can provide an alternative way to stay connected abroad. Instead of relying entirely on your home mobile carrier's international roaming service, you can purchase a dedicated travel data plan for your destination.

With eSIMLLY, travelers can choose travel eSIM plans across 160+ countries, with different data allowances and validity periods depending on the destination.

The key is to configure your phone correctly so that your eSIMLLY travel eSIM handles mobile data instead of your regular SIM's roaming data.

Explore eSIMLLY travel eSIM plans

What Are International Roaming Charges?

International roaming occurs when your regular mobile carrier connects your phone to a network outside your home country.

For example, suppose your regular SIM is from India and you travel to Japan.

Your Indian mobile carrier may allow your SIM to connect to a Japanese network through a roaming agreement.

Depending on your carrier and plan, you may be charged for:

• Mobile data

• Outgoing calls

• Incoming calls

• SMS

• Other roaming services

The exact charges depend on your home carrier and roaming package.

This is why checking your carrier's international roaming terms before travelling is important.

Why Can Roaming Become Expensive?

One of the biggest problems with roaming is that your phone can consume mobile data without you actively realizing it.

For example, your phone may automatically use data for:

• App updates

• Email synchronization

• Cloud backups

• Photo uploads

• Social media

• Maps

• Weather apps

• Notifications

• Background applications

If your regular SIM is using international roaming data, these activities can potentially contribute to roaming charges.

A travel eSIM gives you another option: use a dedicated prepaid travel-data allowance instead.

How Can a Travel eSIM Help Avoid Roaming Charges?

A travel eSIM can be used as a separate mobile-data line.

Instead of selecting your regular SIM as the mobile-data line while abroad, you can select your travel eSIM.

For example:

Regular SIM → Your existing number

eSIMLLY → Travel mobile data

Your phone then uses the eSIMLLY plan for internet access rather than your regular SIM's roaming data, assuming the settings are configured correctly.

This can help you control your mobile-data spending while travelling.

How to Avoid Roaming Charges With eSIMLLY

There are several important steps to follow.

1. Buy Your eSIMLLY Plan Before Travelling

Start by selecting the country or region you are visiting.

eSIMLLY provides travel eSIM coverage across 160+ countries, with different plans depending on the destination.

Choose a plan based on:

• Destination

• Trip duration

• Expected data usage

• Data allowance

• Validity period

Explore eSIMLLY destinations and plans

2. Install Your eSIM Before Your Trip

Installing your travel eSIM before departure can make the transition easier.

You can generally install the eSIM while connected to your home Wi-Fi.

This means you don't have to search for Wi-Fi or a physical SIM immediately after landing.

eSIMLLY provides installation instructions for supported devices.

View the eSIMLLY installation guide

3. Keep Your Regular SIM Installed

You don't necessarily need to remove your physical SIM.

On compatible dual-SIM devices, you can keep your normal SIM installed and add eSIMLLY as another line.

For example:

Primary SIM: Your regular number

Travel: eSIMLLY

This allows you to continue using your existing number while using eSIMLLY for travel data.

4. Select eSIMLLY as Your Mobile-Data Line

This is one of the most important steps.

When you arrive at your destination, open your phone's cellular/mobile network settings.

Select eSIMLLY as the line used for mobile data.

Your phone should then use the eSIMLLY plan for internet connectivity.

You can use the data connection for:

• Google Maps

• WhatsApp

• Email

• Social media

• Web browsing

• Travel apps

• Ride-hailing apps

• Translation apps

5. Turn Off Data Roaming on Your Regular SIM

If your goal is to avoid your home carrier's roaming data charges, review the data-roaming settings for your regular SIM.

On many phones, you can separately control data roaming for each SIM.

A common setup is:

Regular SIM: Data roaming off

eSIMLLY: Follow the roaming settings required by the eSIMLLY plan

This prevents your primary SIM from being selected for roaming data when you don't want it to be.

Always follow your device and eSIMLLY plan instructions because settings differ between phones.

6. Disable Automatic Mobile Data Switching

Some smartphones have features that can automatically switch mobile-data lines if the preferred connection becomes unavailable.

This can be useful in some situations, but it can also cause your phone to use your regular SIM's roaming data.

If you're specifically trying to avoid roaming charges, check your phone's settings for options related to:

• Mobile data switching

• Automatic data switching

• Cellular data switching

• Backup mobile data

If enabled, consider disabling the feature during international travel.

7. Monitor Which SIM Is Using Data

Don't assume that installing an eSIM automatically means your phone is using it for all mobile data.

After arriving abroad, check your phone settings.

Make sure:

Mobile data → eSIMLLY

rather than:

Mobile data → Regular SIM

This small setting can make a significant difference when travelling internationally.

8. Check Your Regular Carrier's Roaming Policy

A travel eSIM doesn't automatically cancel your home carrier's roaming service.

Your regular SIM remains subject to the terms of your carrier.

Before travelling, check:

• International roaming rates

• Incoming call charges

• Outgoing call charges

• SMS charges

• Data roaming charges

• International roaming packages

• Supported destinations

This is particularly important if you plan to keep your regular SIM active for calls or SMS.

Can You Keep Your Regular Number While Using eSIMLLY?

Yes, on compatible dual-SIM devices.

You can keep your regular SIM installed and use eSIMLLY for mobile data.

For example:

Regular SIM

• Existing number

• Calls

• SMS

• OTPs where roaming is supported

eSIMLLY

• Mobile data

• WhatsApp

• Google Maps

• Email

• Social media

• Travel apps

This allows you to stay connected without needing to replace your existing SIM.

However, carrier charges may apply to services used through your regular SIM while abroad.

Can You Receive OTPs Without Using Roaming Data?

Potentially, yes, depending on your carrier and device configuration.

If you keep your regular SIM active and your carrier supports international SMS roaming, you may still receive SMS messages such as verification codes.

At the same time, you can use eSIMLLY as your mobile-data line.

This can be useful for:

• Banking

• Email accounts

• Social media

• Two-factor authentication

• Travel services

However, SMS availability and charges depend on your home carrier.

Can You Receive Calls on Your Regular SIM While Using eSIMLLY?

Potentially, yes, if your carrier supports international roaming in your destination.

However, receiving or making traditional cellular calls abroad may incur roaming charges depending on your carrier.

Using eSIMLLY for mobile data does not automatically make calls or SMS on your regular SIM free.

If you want to avoid roaming costs entirely, review your carrier's international roaming settings and terms before deciding whether to keep the regular line active.

Can You Use WhatsApp Instead of Roaming Calls?

If WhatsApp calling is available in your destination, you can use your eSIMLLY mobile data connection for internet-based WhatsApp calls.

For example:

Regular SIM: Existing phone number

eSIMLLY: Mobile data

WhatsApp: Uses eSIMLLY data

This can be useful for staying in contact with friends, family, and colleagues while travelling.

WhatsApp calls consume mobile data, so make sure your eSIMLLY plan includes enough data for your expected usage.

Can You Use Google Maps Without Roaming?

Yes.

Google Maps can use eSIMLLY mobile data instead of your regular SIM's roaming data.

A typical setup is:

Regular SIM → Data roaming off

eSIMLLY → Mobile data on

Google Maps → Uses eSIMLLY

You can also download offline maps before travelling as an additional backup.

Can You Use Social Media Without Roaming?

Yes.

Applications such as:

• Instagram

• Facebook

• X

• TikTok

• LinkedIn

can use eSIMLLY mobile data when the eSIM is selected as your mobile-data line.

However, social media can consume significant amounts of data, particularly when watching or uploading videos.

If you're using a smaller eSIMLLY plan, monitor your data usage.

Can You Use Email Without Roaming?

Yes.

Your email applications can use eSIMLLY mobile data.

You can:

• Read emails

• Send emails

• Download attachments

• Respond to messages

• Access business accounts

If you work while travelling, an eSIMLLY data plan can help you remain connected without relying on your home SIM's roaming data.

How Much Data Should You Buy to Avoid Roaming?

The amount of eSIM data you need depends on your usage.

Light usage

If you mainly use:

• WhatsApp messages

• Google Maps

• Email

• Occasional browsing

a smaller plan may be enough.

Moderate usage

If you regularly use:

• Social media

• Navigation

• Ride-hailing apps

• Music streaming

• Video calls

• Web browsing

consider a medium-sized plan.

Heavy usage

If you frequently use:

• Video streaming

• Video calls

• Social media

• Remote work

• Cloud services

• Hotspot

you may want a larger plan.

eSIMLLY offers different data allowances depending on the destination, so you can choose a plan based on your expected usage.

eSIMLLY Plans for Avoiding Roaming Charges

eSIMLLY provides travel eSIM coverage across 160+ countries.

Depending on your destination, available plans can include different combinations of:

• 1 GB

• 2 GB

• 3 GB

• 5 GB

• 10 GB

• 20 GB

Validity periods can include:

• 7 days

• 15 days

• 30 days

The available plans and prices depend on the destination.

This means you can choose a travel plan based on your actual trip instead of relying entirely on your home carrier's roaming package.

Example: Avoiding Roaming Charges in Japan

Suppose you normally use an Indian SIM and are travelling to Japan for 15 days.

Instead of using your Indian SIM for mobile data throughout the trip, you can:

Before departure

Purchase a Japan eSIMLLY plan.

Before boarding

Install the eSIM.

After landing

Set:

Mobile data → eSIMLLY

and configure your regular SIM's data-roaming settings according to your needs.

During your trip

Use eSIMLLY for:

• Google Maps

• WhatsApp

• Translation

• Social media

• Email

• Travel apps

Your regular SIM can remain installed for the services you still need from your home number.

Check eSIMLLY Japan plans

Example: Avoiding Roaming Charges in Singapore

For a trip to Singapore, you can purchase an eSIMLLY Singapore plan and use it as your mobile-data line.

This allows you to use:

• Google Maps

• WhatsApp

• Ride-hailing applications

• Email

• Social media

• Web browsing

without relying on your regular SIM's mobile-data roaming.

Check eSIMLLY Singapore plans

Example: Avoiding Roaming Charges in France

If you're travelling to France, you can use an eSIMLLY France plan for mobile data.

Your regular SIM can remain installed while eSIMLLY handles your travel data.

This can be useful for navigation, communication, travel bookings, and other online services.

Check eSIMLLY France plans

What About a Multi-Country Trip?

A multi-country trip is another situation where a travel eSIM can be convenient.

For example, imagine a trip covering:

France → Germany → Italy → Spain

Instead of purchasing a separate physical SIM every time you cross a border, you can choose an appropriate eSIMLLY destination or regional plan where available.

This can simplify your mobile-data setup.

You can keep your regular SIM installed and use the travel eSIM for mobile data throughout the supported itinerary.

How to Prepare Your Phone Before an International Trip

Before leaving home, complete these steps.

1. Check eSIM compatibility

Make sure your phone supports eSIM.

Check compatibility with eSIMLLY

2. Check whether your phone is carrier-unlocked

A carrier-locked phone may restrict which eSIMs can be installed or used.

3. Purchase your eSIMLLY plan

Select your destination and appropriate data allowance.

4. Install your eSIM

Install it while connected to reliable Wi-Fi.

Follow the eSIMLLY installation guide

5. Label the eSIM

Use a name such as Travel or eSIMLLY.

6. Keep your regular SIM

You don't necessarily need to remove it.

7. Review data-roaming settings

Check your regular SIM's roaming settings.

8. Disable automatic data switching if necessary

This can help prevent your phone from unexpectedly moving back to your regular SIM for mobile data.

What Should You Do When You Land?

Once you arrive at your destination:

1. Turn on your phone.

2. Make sure the eSIMLLY line is enabled.

3. Select eSIMLLY for mobile data.

4. Follow the plan-specific roaming/APN instructions if required.

5. Check that the phone connects to a supported network.

6. Test Google Maps or another internet application.

7. Confirm that your regular SIM isn't being used for mobile data.

Once everything is working, you can use your eSIMLLY connection throughout the trip.

What Should You Do When You Return Home?

When you return home, you can switch your mobile-data line back to your regular SIM.

You can also disable the travel eSIM if you no longer need it.

Your normal SIM can then become your primary mobile-data line again.

The exact process depends on your smartphone.

Can a Travel eSIM Completely Eliminate Roaming Charges?

Not necessarily.

A travel eSIM can help you avoid mobile-data roaming charges by providing a separate travel-data connection.

However, if you keep your regular SIM active abroad, you may still incur charges for services such as:

• Traditional calls

• Outgoing calls

• Incoming calls

• SMS

• Other carrier services

These depend entirely on your home carrier.

Therefore, a travel eSIM should be viewed as a way to control your travel mobile-data costs, not as an automatic cancellation of all roaming charges.

Travel eSIM vs International Roaming

The important difference is that a travel eSIM gives you a separate data plan specifically for your trip.

How eSIMLLY Helps Travelers Stay Connected

eSIMLLY provides travel eSIM plans across 160+ countries, allowing travelers to choose mobile data for their destination.

Depending on the destination, you can find:

• Short-term plans

• Longer-validity plans

• Smaller data packages

• Larger data packages

• Country-specific plans

• Regional options where available

This gives you flexibility to select a plan according to your itinerary and expected data usage.

Why Use eSIMLLY Instead of Relying Entirely on Roaming?

The main benefit is control.

With a dedicated travel eSIM, you can decide:

Where you're travelling

How much data you need

How long you need it

Which line handles mobile data

Instead of automatically allowing your regular SIM to use mobile data abroad, you can configure eSIMLLY as your travel-data connection.

This can make your international connectivity easier to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I avoid expensive roaming charges while travelling?

Use a dedicated travel eSIM such as eSIMLLY for mobile data, select it as your phone's mobile-data line, and review the roaming settings for your regular SIM.

Can I keep my regular SIM while using eSIMLLY?

Yes, on compatible dual-SIM devices.

Should I turn off my regular SIM?

Not necessarily. You can often keep it active for your existing number while using eSIMLLY for data. Your decision should depend on the services you need and your carrier's roaming charges.

Should I turn off data roaming on my regular SIM?

If you want to prevent your regular SIM from using roaming data, review and configure its data-roaming setting accordingly.

Can I use eSIMLLY for WhatsApp?

Yes. WhatsApp can use eSIMLLY mobile data for messaging and internet-based voice/video calls where available.

Can I use Google Maps with eSIMLLY?

Yes. Google Maps can use the eSIMLLY mobile-data connection.

Can I receive OTPs on my regular SIM while using eSIMLLY?

Potentially, if your carrier supports international SMS roaming. Carrier terms and charges may apply.

Can I make regular calls using my normal SIM while abroad?

Potentially, if your carrier supports roaming in your destination. Roaming charges may apply.

How many countries does eSIMLLY cover?

eSIMLLY currently provides travel eSIM coverage across 160+ countries.

What happens if my eSIMLLY data runs out?

Depending on the destination and plan, you may be able to purchase additional data or another plan. You can also use Wi-Fi where available.

Do I need to remove my physical SIM?

No. Compatible dual-SIM devices can keep the physical SIM installed while using eSIMLLY.

Final Thoughts

The simplest way to avoid unexpected mobile-data roaming charges while travelling is to plan your connectivity before you leave.

With a compatible phone, you can:

Keep your regular SIM → Keep your existing number

Add eSIMLLY → Use it for travel data

Disable unnecessary roaming data → Reduce the risk of unexpected data charges

Use WhatsApp → Stay connected through internet-based calls and messages

Use Google Maps → Navigate using eSIMLLY mobile data

Monitor your data → Stay within your chosen travel plan

eSIMLLY provides travel eSIM coverage across 160+ countries, with different data allowances and validity periods depending on the destination.

Whether you're travelling to Japan, Singapore, France, Thailand, the United States, Australia, or another supported destination, you can choose an eSIMLLY plan and use it as your dedicated travel-data connection.

Keep your regular number. Use eSIMLLY for travel data. Take control of your connectivity and avoid relying entirely on expensive roaming data.

Explore eSIMLLY travel eSIM plans