eSIM in Airplane Mode: How It Works and What It's For

You arrive at the airport, turn on your phone and... nothing. Your eSIM isn't connecting. It's one of the most frustrating moments of any trip, especially when you need to contact someone, use Google Maps, or just confirm your hotel reservation. The good news: in the vast majority of cases, the problem can be solved in minutes without needing to call anyone.

In this guide, we'll look, in an organized and straightforward way, at why this happens and how to solve it step by step.

Why your eSIM might not connect abroad

Before panicking, it's worth understanding that an eSIM that doesn't connect abroad almost always fails for one of these technical reasons:

• Data roaming disabled: iOS and Android have this option disabled by default to avoid accidental charges. It's the number one cause.
• Incorrect or blank APN: The network access point is not configured correctly for the local operator.
• Network not selected: The phone has not automatically found the network of the associated operator in that country.
• eSIM not activated as data line: You have two SIMs (physical + eSIM) and the phone is still using the physical SIM for data.
• Plan expired or no data remaining: The purchased plan has expired or the data allowance has run out.
• Country not included in the plan: The eSIM does not have coverage in the current destination.
• Error in profile installation: The profile was downloaded with errors and needs to be reinstalled.

Most of these problems are easily solvable from the phone's settings. Let's look at them in order of probability.

Solution 1 — Check data roaming settings

This is the first step you should check because it's the most common. Data roaming must be active on the eSIM line, not on the main SIM.

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Go to Settings → Mobile Data
2. Make sure "Mobile Data" is enabled
3. Tap on the name of your PuraSim eSIM (not the main line)
4. Activate "Data Roaming"
5. Go back and check that "Mobile Data" points to the PuraSim eSIM and not your Spanish SIM

On Android

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks (may vary by manufacturer)
2. Select the PuraSim eSIM as the active SIM for data
3. Activate "Data Roaming"
4. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → eSIM → activate roaming

After activating roaming, wait 30 to 60 seconds. In most cases, the data icon will appear in the status bar. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2 — Restart the eSIM correctly

If roaming was already activated and the eSIM still has no signal outside of Spain, the next step is a controlled restart of the profile. This forces the phone to reconnect to the network from scratch.

Soft profile restart (without deleting)

1. Go to Settings → Mobile Data (iOS) or SIM Manager (Android)
2. Locate your PuraSim eSIM
3. Deactivate it by tapping the toggle switch
4. Wait 30 full seconds
5. Reactivate it

Full device restart

If the soft restart doesn't work, turn off your phone completely (not just lock screen), wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears the network cache and forces the phone to search for a signal again.

Manual network selection

Sometimes the phone doesn't automatically find the correct operator. You can force it:

1. iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Network Selection → Mobile Network → deactivate "Automatic" → select the available operator with the best signal
2. Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Network Operators → Search networks

After manual selection, re-enable automatic selection. This trick "resets" the network search process and usually works very well.

Solution 3 — Change APN manually

If the previous two solutions haven't worked, the problem might be with the APN (Access Point Name). This is the identifier your phone uses to connect to the operator's data server. If it's misconfigured or blank, there will be no data connection even if you have a signal.

To verify that your eSIM's APN is correct, check your PuraSim purchase confirmation email or your plan's help page. The standard PuraSim APN is:

How to configure APN on iPhone

1. Go to Settings → Mobile Data → [your PuraSim eSIM] → Mobile Data Network
2. In the "APN" field, type the APN we provided
3. Leave Username and Password blank
4. Exit settings (it saves automatically)

Note: On some iPhones with an operator profile installed, this section may appear grayed out. In that case, go directly to Solution 4.

How to configure APN on Android

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names (APN)
2. Tap on the "+" to add a new one or edit the existing one
3. Enter the name and APN
4. Save and select it as the active APN

After saving the APN, toggle airplane mode on and off to force reconnection. In most cases, data will appear in 15-30 seconds.

Do you have an iPhone and are unsure how to activate the eSIM from scratch? Check out our complete guide to eSIM installation and activation on iPhone.

When to contact the provider

If you have completed the three solutions above and your eSIM still isn't connecting, it's time to contact support. There are situations that require technical intervention from the operator's side:

• The plan does not cover your destination: Some eSIM plans have limited coverage. Check the eSIM for Europe collection if you are traveling on the continent, or the coverage section of your specific plan.
• The profile is corrupted: In rare cases, the eSIM profile downloaded during installation has errors. Support can send you a new QR or activate the plan from their side.
• Authentication problem with the local operator: The associated operator at the destination may have a technical issue. Support can redirect you to another compatible operator.
• The plan has expired: If you purchased a limited-duration plan (7, 15, or 30 days) and that time has passed, you will need to top up or purchase a new plan.

To contact PuraSim support from abroad, you need a WiFi connection (at the hotel, cafe, or airport). Once connected, access live chat from the help page for travelers.

Before writing to support, have this information ready: your phone model, iOS/Android version, the country you are in, the name of the operator that appears in the signal bar (even if it says "No service"), and the email address you used to purchase the plan. This greatly speeds up resolution.

You can also review the guide to common eSIM problems to rule out other frequent issues.

How to avoid this problem on future trips

The best solution is prevention. By following these steps before leaving Spain, you minimize the chances of being without a connection at your destination:

1. Install and activate the eSIM in Spain (with WiFi)

Never install the eSIM for the first time when you are already abroad. The profile download process requires a stable connection, and if there are any errors, it's much easier to resolve them from home. Install it at least 24 hours before you fly.

2. Activate data roaming before boarding the plane

Once installed, go to settings and activate roaming on the eSIM line. This way, when you land, your phone will automatically search for a network without you having to do anything.

3. Set the eSIM as the default data line

If you have a physical SIM + eSIM, make sure that the PuraSim eSIM is selected as the data line in the dual SIM menu. Do this before you leave, not at the airport.

4. Save the APN offline

Write down or capture your plan's APN in your phone notes or on paper. If you arrive at your destination and need to configure it manually, you won't be able to access the confirmation email if you don't have data.

5. Check plan coverage in your exact destination

Some travel eSIM plans cover entire countries, but others have limitations in rural areas or with certain operators. Check your plan's coverage on the product page before purchasing. Explore all eSIM plans for travelers available for your destination.

Frequently asked questions

Escrito por Marc González Sáez Fundador de PuraSim y especialista en eSIM y conectividad para viajeros. Lleva años ayudando a viajar conectado por todo el mundo sin pagar de más por el roaming, y prueba personalmente las eSIM en cada destino antes de recomendarlas.