If you're about to cross a border, the first thing you should know is how to deactivate roaming on your cell phone so you don't get a shock on your bill. In this guide, Romi explains step by step and without technical jargon how to turn off data roaming on iPhone and Android (Samsung, Pixel, and Xiaomi), what happens to your apps when you do, and, most importantly, how to stay connected abroad without paying extra.
What is data roaming and why disable it
Data roaming (or data itinerancy) is the function that allows your mobile phone to connect to the internet through a foreign operator's network when you are outside your company's coverage area. In other words: when you land in another country and your phone starts using a local operator's antenna, that is roaming.
The problem is the price. Within the European Union and the European Economic Area, the "roam like at home" principle applies, which allows the use of calls, SMS, and data without surcharges in the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and also Moldova and Ukraine. But outside that area, the bill is not regulated and can skyrocket: a single day checking maps, social media, and messaging can cost you more than your return ticket.
Therefore, when traveling to destinations outside the EU/EEA, it is most sensible to deactivate roaming before taking off. This prevents your phone from connecting to expensive networks on its own while you're not looking. In the following sections, you will see exactly how to do it and, more importantly, how to stay connected. If you want to understand the concept in depth, you have a complete explanation in our guide on what is roaming.
How to disable roaming on iPhone step by step
On the iPhone, the roaming switch is located where mobile data is managed. The path is short and always the same, even if you change iOS versions. Follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Mobile Data (in some countries it appears as "Cellular" or "Cellular Data").
- If you have multiple lines or eSIMs, tap the line you want to manage.
- Tap Mobile Data Options.
- Toggle off the Data Roaming switch.
When the switch is gray and to the left, you have turned it off correctly. From that moment on, your iPhone will not use any foreign mobile network to connect to the internet. However, you will still be able to use hotel, airport, or coffee shop Wi-Fi normally.
Romi's tip: if you want to completely forget about it during the flight and arrival, activate Airplane Mode and then turn on only Wi-Fi. It is the fastest way to cut off any unwanted mobile connection.
Remember that turning off roaming cuts off mobile internet, but not your calls or SMS if your plan covers them. If you want to spend absolutely nothing on the local operator's network, the ideal is to combine it with a data alternative like an eSIM, which you will see below.
How to disable roaming on Android (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi)
On Android, the idea is identical, but the menu name changes depending on the brand. Here is the exact path for the three most common manufacturers in Spain.
Samsung (One UI): Open Settings, go to Connections, tap Mobile networks, and turn off the Data roaming switch.
Google Pixel (stock Android): Open Settings, go to Network & internet, tap Mobile network, and turn off the Roaming switch.
Xiaomi (HyperOS/MIUI): Open Settings, go to SIM cards & mobile networks, tap the SIM you are using, and turn off Data roaming.
To give you an overview of the path, here's a comparison between iPhone and Android:
| Step | iPhone (iOS) | Android |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Settings | Open Settings |
| 2 | Go to Mobile Data | Samsung: Connections / Pixel: Network & internet / Xiaomi: SIM cards & mobile networks |
| 3 | Tap Mobile Data Options | Samsung: Mobile networks / Pixel: Mobile network / Xiaomi: tap your SIM |
| 4 | Turn off Data Roaming | Turn off Data Roaming / Roaming |
In all cases, once the switch is turned off, the phone will stop searching for a mobile network abroad for data, but you will still be able to connect via Wi-Fi without any problems. If you have another brand (Motorola, Oppo, etc.), search for "roaming" in the Settings search bar and you will find the option in seconds. To avoid surprises at any destination, it is advisable to know in advance how to avoid roaming with a clear plan.
Disable background data
Turning off roaming is the main step, but there's a detail that many people forget: background data. This is what apps consume when you're not using them (email syncing, photos uploading to the cloud, notifications arriving). If you ever reactivate data, it's a good idea to keep it under control so you don't use up megabytes unknowingly.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and choose Off or limit it to Wi-Fi only. You can also go to Settings > Mobile Data and disable data access app by app, by scrolling down to the app list.
On Android, the easiest way is to activate Data Saver from Settings > Connections (or Network & Internet) > Data usage. With it activated, apps will not use background data except for those you explicitly authorize. You can also go into each application and restrict its mobile data usage individually.
Doing this gives you an extra layer of peace of mind: even if you activate data for a moment for something specific, no app will start downloading things on its own.
What happens to your apps when you turn off roaming
When you deactivate roaming, your mobile phone stops having internet via the mobile network, but the phone continues to function normally. It's important to understand what changes and what doesn't so you don't get stressed thinking you've broken something.
What will stop working without Wi-Fi: WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time messages, Google Maps in online mode, Instagram, email, Uber, online translators, and any app that needs a connection. All of these will work perfectly as soon as you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
What will always continue to work: traditional calls and SMS (if your plan includes them abroad), the camera, the photo gallery, notes, the calculator, downloaded offline maps, and any content you have saved on your phone.
Practical tip: before traveling, download offline maps of your destination and any series or podcasts you want to watch to your mobile. This way, even if you turn off roaming, you'll have entertainment and navigation without spending a single megabyte.
The major drawback of relying solely on Wi-Fi is that you don't always have it at hand: on the street, on public transport, or while waiting in line for a museum, you'll be without a connection. This is where the solution that truly changes your trip comes in.
How to stay connected without roaming with a travel eSIM
Deactivating roaming avoids surprise bills, but being without internet abroad isn't ideal either. The most convenient and economical solution is a travel eSIM: a digital card that is installed on your mobile without changing your physical SIM or your number, and that gives you local data at a local price.
It works like this: you contract a plan for your destination, you receive a QR code, you scan it, and that's it. With PuraSim the process is really fast, you have the QR in 1 minute and data in 218 destinations starting from $0.85. Since you are using data contracted in advance, you are not incurring expensive roaming charges: your usual bill is untouched and you know exactly how much you are going to pay.
- You keep your main SIM only for important calls and SMS, with roaming turned off.
- You use the eSIM for all your data: maps, social media, messaging, and browsing.
- You can share the connection with your laptop or a companion thanks to the hotspot.
- If any questions arise, you have 24/7 support in Spanish.
In practice, it means having internet wherever you go without relying on Wi-Fi and without any risk of surcharges. If you want to compare options, we explain in depth how to get internet without roaming and also what exactly an eSIM is and how it is installed. Do you have it clear? Choose your eSIM and travel connected from the first minute.
Common mistakes when disabling roaming
Turning off roaming is simple, but there are typical mistakes that ruin your savings. These are the most common and how to avoid them.
- Confusing roaming with mobile data. They are different things: you can have mobile data activated and roaming turned off. Make sure you tap the correct switch.
- Forgetting the second line or eSIM. If you have two SIMs, roaming is configured for each line. Check them all.
- Activating it "just for a moment." Turning on roaming for five minutes in a country outside the EU can be enough for background apps to consume data and for you to be billed.
- Assuming all of Europe is free. "Roam like at home" covers the EU and EEA, but not countries like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Turkey, or Andorra, where surcharges may apply.
- Ignoring the fair use policy. Even within the EU, permanent use abroad can incur charges.
To have a clear map of where you can travel without paying extra, consult our guide on which countries have free roaming.
Frequently asked questions
Does turning off roaming also deactivate Wi-Fi?
No. Roaming only affects the connection through another operator's mobile network. Wi-Fi works completely normally even if you have roaming turned off, so you can continue to connect in hotels, airports, and cafes.
Can I receive calls with roaming deactivated?
Yes. Deactivating data roaming cuts off mobile internet, but calls and SMS are still available if your plan covers them abroad. Keep in mind that these calls outside the EU/EEA may incur costs depending on your operator.
Do I need to turn off roaming if I travel within the European Union?
It's not essential, because within the EU and EEA, "roam like at home" applies without surcharge. Even so, it's advisable to monitor your plan's limit and the fair use policy if you're going to spend a lot of time away.
Does a travel eSIM count as roaming?
No. With an eSIM, you purchase local data in advance at a local price, so you are not using your operator's expensive roaming. Your usual bill is not affected, and you know the price from the beginning.
Where is roaming on my Android if I can't find it?
The menu changes depending on the brand, but it is always within the mobile network settings. The fastest way is to type "roaming" into the search bar of the Settings app and tap the result that appears.
Can I use the eSIM and my normal SIM at the same time?
Yes. That's one of its great advantages: you keep your main SIM for calls and SMS with roaming turned off, and you use the eSIM only for data. Your usual number remains active.
Conclusion
Deactivating roaming is the easiest way to avoid surprise bills when traveling: on iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Data Roaming, and on Android (Samsung, Pixel, or Xiaomi), turn off the roaming switch within the mobile network settings. Add control over background data, and you'll have consumption completely under control. But remember that turning off roaming doesn't mean giving up internet: with a PuraSim eSIM, you stay connected in 218 destinations starting from $0.85, with the QR ready in 1 minute, hotspot, and 24/7 Spanish support. And if you travel in Europe, always review the EU roaming rules to know where you are covered without surcharge.
