Can you use your iPhone in Europe?
Most iPhones are compatible with mobile networks in Europe, so using yours abroad shouldn’t be a problem. The one thing to check is whether your phone is carrier unlocked if you want to use a local SIM or travel eSIM instead of your carrier’s roaming service. To avoid potentially high roaming fees, you can install a Saily eSIM before your trip and use it for mobile data while you’re abroad.
How to prepare your iPhone for travel in Europe
Before you travel, confirm that your iPhone is carrier unlocked and works with the network bands used at your destination — a locked phone won’t accept a local SIM or travel eSIM, and an incompatible one won’t connect properly. If you’re planning to use a travel eSIM, also check that your model supports eSIM technology. All these checks take just a couple of minutes, and catching any issues at home beats discovering you can’t get online after you land.
Check iPhone network compatibility
To use your iPhone in Europe, it needs to be compatible with the mobile networks used at your destination. Because most iPhones support 4G LTE and 5G networks around the world, compatibility usually isn’t an issue. However, if you have an older model, it’s a good idea to check which network bands your iPhone supports before you travel.
You can find your iPhone model by going to “Settings” > “General” > “About,” then compare its supported bands with those used by carriers at your destination. You can also contact your provider to ask if your phone will work in Europe.
It’s also worth checking what service your current provider offers abroad. For example, T-Mobile customers can find out if T-Mobile works in Europe and what roaming options may be available.
Check iPhone carrier lock status
Next, check whether your iPhone is unlocked. When an iPhone is locked, it means it’s tied to a specific service provider. For example, an iPhone may be locked to AT&T or Verizon.
If you want the best experience using your iPhone in Europe, you’ll want an unlocked iPhone. To check whether your iPhone is carrier locked, go to “Settings” > “General” > “About,” then scroll until you see “Carrier lock” or “Network provider lock.”
If your iPhone is unlocked, “No SIM restrictions” will appear next to “Carrier lock.” If you don’t see that message, contact your carrier to confirm whether the phone is locked.
If you bought your iPhone directly from Apple, it’s probably unlocked, although some carrier financing plans may be exceptions. An unlocked phone lets you connect to less expensive local cellular networks when using iPhones internationally.
Check if your iPhone model supports eSIM technology
Before you travel, it’s a good idea to make sure your iPhone supports eSIM technology. Most models from the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR onward include eSIM, although the feature isn’t available on every variant in every region.
You can check your iPhone model in “Settings” > “General” > “About,” then confirm that it appears on your eSIM provider’s compatibility list. You can also check Saily’s list of iPhones with eSIM to confirm compatibility.
Estimate your data roaming needs
Before your trip, it helps to estimate how much mobile data you’re likely to use for essentials like Google Maps, messaging, social media, browsing, and streaming.
Your data needs may vary depending on your itinerary and trip length. Traveling during the best time to visit Europe — typically the busy spring and summer months — can also mean longer days out, more navigation, and more photos, all of which add to your usage. Knowing your expected usage can help you choose the right data plan and avoid paying for more than you need. You can use Saily’s data usage calculator to get a quick estimate.
Estimating your data needs in advance is especially important when traveling in Europe, where international roaming charges from your home carrier can be expensive if your plan doesn’t include sufficient overseas data.
💡 Pro tip: Navigation can be one of the biggest data drains on a trip — checking your typical Apple Maps data usage is a good place to start.
How to use an iPhone in Europe without high roaming charges
You may be able to use your iPhone in Europe without paying standard international roaming rates through your carrier’s roaming plan — but that may not be the best option for everyone. If your plan doesn’t include affordable international roaming, a pocket Wi-Fi device, public Wi-Fi, a local SIM card, or a travel eSIM can all help you use your phone overseas without roaming through your home carrier.
Your best choice will likely depend on how much data you’ll need, where you’re going, and whether you want to keep your existing cell phone number active while you’re gone.
1. Using an international roaming plan from your mobile service provider
A roaming plan is an international add-on or benefit provided by your home carrier. It lets you use your existing SIM and US phone number while connected to European mobile networks. A roaming plan can help you avoid pay-as-you-go roaming charges by giving you a set allowance — either included in your plan or added for a daily or monthly fee. However, the international plan itself may still come with a fee. Before choosing one, check your carrier’s policies and costs for roaming in Europe.
Pros of a roaming plan:
Cons of a roaming plan:
Often more expensive than other options
Possible data limits or daily fees
2. Using pocket Wi-Fi
Pocket Wi-Fi is a portable router that connects to a local cellular network and creates a private Wi-Fi hotspot for all your devices — like your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook — as well as any travel companions who need to get online. Because your phone connects through the pocket Wi-Fi device instead of your carrier’s cellular data network, you can keep data roaming turned off and avoid extra roaming charges.
Pros of pocket Wi-Fi:
Connects multiple devices at once
Works well for families or groups
Cons of pocket Wi-Fi:
Adds another device to carry and charge
May involve rental or delivery fees
3. Using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi lets you connect your iPhone to the internet through networks in public places, for example, at hotels, airports, cafés, and restaurants. On public Wi-Fi, you can skip your carrier’s roaming data entirely — and the charges that come with it.
Pros of public Wi-Fi:
Free to use in most cases
Available in most major European destinations
Cons of public Wi-Fi:
Less secure than private networks
4. Using a local SIM card
A local SIM card is a physical, prepaid card you insert into your iPhone to get mobile service through a carrier in the country you’re visiting. After picking a prepaid plan — usually priced according to how much data you think you’ll need and the length of your trip — you can replace or disable your home SIM and use the local carrier’s data instead. Buying a SIM card for Europe — or a Greek SIM card if you're only island-hopping there — gives you more control over what you pay, which can help you avoid international roaming charges.
Pros of a local SIM card:
Access to local mobile networks
Cons of a local SIM card:
May require finding and buying a SIM after arrival
iPhone must be unlocked and SIM-compatible
💡 Good to know: The iPhone 14 and later models purchased in the US are eSIM only, meaning you won’t be able to use a physical European SIM card for travel if you have one of those models.
5. Using an eSIM
If you’re unfamiliar with what an eSIM is, it’s essentially a digital SIM that lets you add a mobile data plan to a compatible iPhone without a physical SIM card. You can download an eSIM app like Saily before you leave, and your plan activates automatically when you arrive. Using a travel eSIM for mobile data lets you keep data roaming turned off for your primary SIM, helping you curb roaming charges from your home carrier.
Once your travel eSIM is active, select it as your cellular data line and turn off “Allow cellular data switching.” That way, your iPhone won’t fall back on your home SIM for data and trigger expensive roaming fees.
For more information on eSIMs, check out our post on how to get an eSIM online.
Pros of an eSIM:
Cons of an eSIM:
eSIM compatibility required
Typically no local phone number included
Tips and iPhone settings to save money when using your iPhone in Europe
Choosing an affordable way to get online is the biggest step toward avoiding high roaming costs in Europe, but your iPhone settings can help you control data use, too. Before and during your trip, use the following settings to prevent apps and services from using cellular data unnecessarily.
Turn off cellular data to prevent roaming charges
If you plan to rely entirely on Wi-Fi, turning off cellular data is the simplest way to avoid unexpected charges. It prevents your phone and its apps from using the cellular network to connect to the internet.
To turn off your data, go to “Settings” > “Cellular,” then turn off “Cellular data.” You can also scroll down and disable cellular access for individual apps while leaving it available for travel essentials such as maps.
💡 Good to know: If you’re using a travel eSIM, don’t turn off cellular data completely. Instead, set the eSIM as your cellular data line and turn off “Data roaming” for your primary SIM to help avoid charges from your home carrier.
Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi turned on
Another way to prevent accidental roaming is to turn on airplane mode, then turn Wi-Fi back on. Airplane mode disables your cellular connection, while Wi-Fi can be re-enabled separately so you can still use internet-based apps when a Wi-Fi network is available.
Simply turn on “Airplane Mode” in your phone’s Control Center, then tap the Wi-Fi icon and connect to a network. Apps such as messaging services, browsers, and maps can still work over Wi-Fi, and you may still be able to use Wi-Fi calling if your carrier supports it.
Download content before your trip or on Wi-Fi
Downloading content like maps, music, movies, or podcasts in advance reduces the amount of mobile data you’ll need while traveling. Doing so can help you stay within the limits of a prepaid, roaming, or eSIM data plan.
Save the apps, files, and media you think you’ll use frequently, particularly travel essentials like maps and translation packs, before leaving home or while connected to Wi-Fi at your hotel or the airport.
Turn on low data mode
Low data mode reduces the amount of network data your iPhone and its apps use in the background. It pauses automatic updates and backups, reduces streaming quality, and limits background tasks like email fetching and app refreshes, helping a limited travel data allowance last longer.
Go to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular data options,” then turn on “Low data mode.” The exact menu may vary slightly depending on your iPhone and cellular plan.
Turn off automatic downloads and updates
Automatic app downloads and updates can use data without you actively starting them. Preventing them from running over cellular can help preserve your travel data allowance.
You can disable automatic downloads and updates in your App Store settings, or use low data mode, which limits background tasks like these automatically.
Disable background app refresh
The background app refresh feature allows apps to scan for new information even when you aren’t actively using them. Limiting this activity can reduce unnecessary data use while you travel.
Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Background app refresh.” Turn it off completely or set it to “Wi-Fi” so apps only update their content when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network rather than using your travel data.
Monitor your cellular data usage
Tracking cellular data can help you see which apps are using the most data and adjust your habits before you exceed your plan’s allowance.
Go to “Settings” > “Cellular” and scroll down to see data use by app. You can also select “Reset statistics” at the beginning of your trip so the totals reflect only your travel usage.
Check Wi-Fi assist
The Wi-Fi assist functionality can use cellular data when your Wi-Fi connection becomes weak. Wi-Fi assist won’t switch to cellular while you’re roaming, but it can still use your travel eSIM data — so turn it off if you want tighter control.
Go to “Settings” > “Cellular,” scroll down to “Wi-Fi assist,” and turn it off if you want to minimize automatic cellular use.
Why is a Saily eSIM the best way to use your iPhone in Europe to avoid high roaming charges?
A Saily eSIM is a convenient alternative to traditional carrier roaming because you can buy a prepaid data plan before your trip and use it for mobile data instead of your home carrier’s roaming service. Saily’s Europe eSIM covers 35 countries, with plans ranging from 1 GB to 50 GB, plus unlimited options — or you can choose a single-destination plan if you’re only visiting one country. Either way, you can match your plan to your trip length and expected data use.
Your plan will activate automatically when you arrive at your destination. The whole process takes just a few minutes — review how to install eSIM on an iPhone if you want a step-by-step walkthrough. And if you need more data, you can top up through the Saily app rather than finding and installing another SIM. Saily also offers 24/7 customer support and built-in security features, including an ad blocker, web protection, and a virtual location changer.
