Airalo eSIM not working? Fixes and better alternatives for travelers

Why won’t my Airalo eSIM work?

Before diving into fixes, let’s identify the culprit behind your connectivity issues. While Airalo is usually reliable, several factors could be sabotaging your connection. Most of these issues aren’t unique to Airalo — they’re common problems that can happen with any eSIM provider.

Your device isn’t eSIM compatible

Not all phones support eSIM technology. If you’ve got an iPhone X or older, you’re out of luck — Apple only added eSIM support starting with the XS series.

Are you an Android user? It’s a mixed bag then. Google Pixel 3+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and some newer OnePlus models do support eSIM technology, but many budget phones still don’t have it. You can check our eSIM-compatible devices guide to see if your phone makes the cut.

However, even if your phone supports eSIMs, your carrier might have disabled eSIM features or your device could be carrier locked — this often happens when you purchase a phone bundled with a mobile plan. Make sure your phone is unlocked and can work on any network before proceeding.

You’ve burned through your data allowance

It might sound silly, but you may have used up all of your data allowance without realizing it. Especially if your eSIM had no issues at first, but then suddenly stopped working.

Data can be used up faster than you think because of automatic updates, photo backups, and apps running in the background. So always check if you’ve used all your data before assuming it’s a technical issue.

You have no network coverage

Even the best eSIM providers can’t magically work in dead zones. Airalo partners with local networks, but if you’re in a remote area, underground, or in a building with thick walls, you might be out of luck regardless of which eSIM you’re using. However, sometimes switching between available networks can help.

Your Airalo eSIM expired before activation

Airalo eSIMs must be activated within 30 days of purchase for most destinations, though some plans allow up to 90 days. The activation window starts from your purchase date, not your travel date. According to Airalo’s support, expired eSIMs cannot be reactivated or refunded — you’ll need to purchase a new plan entirely.

Your phone is running on outdated software

Outdated operating systems often lack the necessary updates to handle modern eSIM profiles, leading to connectivity issues. Manufacturers regularly release updates specifically to address eSIM compatibility problems. However, software updates can sometimes cause issues as well. Recent iOS updates have been known to delete eSIM profiles or cause connection interruptions. What you have to do is update your device’s operating system. However, always wait a few days after major releases to monitor user reports for potential eSIM-related problems.

How to fix Airalo eSIM not working issues

Now comes the good part — actually fixing these pesky connection problems. The following solutions tackle the most common Airalo eSIM issues, starting with quick wins that take seconds and progressing to more thorough fixes if needed. Most problems can be resolved with the first few steps, so work through these systematically rather than jump around.

Turn on data roaming and mobile data

This sounds basic, but it’s the number one reason eSIMs show “No Service” — your phone needs explicit permission to use international networks.

Turning roaming on or off only takes a few taps on an iPhone:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Cellular” (or “Mobile service”) > “Cellular/Mobile data options.”

3. Find the “Data roaming” section.

4. Toggle the switch on or off as needed.

If you’re an Android user:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Connections” > “Mobile networks.”

3. Toggle “Data roaming access” on or off.

On other Android devices, the path may be slightly different, but the option will usually appear under “Mobile networks” or “Cellular data settings.”

Restart your device or toggle airplane mode

Simple but surprisingly effective — this method forces your phone to reconnect to available networks.

Try to turn the airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then turn it off. If it doesn’t work, fully restart your device — power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.

Manually select your network carrier

Sometimes your phone gets stuck trying to connect automatically. Manual network selection can solve this immediately.

If you’re an iPhone user:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Cellular.”

3. Select your Airalo eSIM.

4. Tap “Network selection.”

5. Turn off “Automatic.”

6. Choose an available network from the list.

And if you have an Android:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Network & internet.”

3. Tap “Mobile network.”

4. Tap “Network operators.”

5. Select “Search networks” and then choose a network manually.

Check and configure APN settings

If data still isn’t working, your Access Point Name (APN) might need manual configuration. It’s quite easy to solve this problem.

On an iPhone:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Cellular.”

3. Select your eSIM.

4. Open “Cellular data network” to confirm APN settings (an iPhone usually configures this automatically).

If you’re an Android user:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Network & internet.”

3. Tap “Advanced.”

4. Tap “Access Point Names.”

5. Add or edit an APN using the details provided in your Airalo setup instructions.

Reinstall your Airalo eSIM profile

If nothing else works, delete and reinstall your eSIM profile completely. However, you can only do this if you still have the original QR code or eSIM activation details! They’re essential to reinstall or recover your plan.

If you have an iPhone:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Cellular.”

3. Select your eSIM.

4. Tap "Delete eSIM.”

5. Reinstall the eSIM by scanning your original QR code.

If you’re an Android user:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Network & internet.”

3. Tap “SIMs.”

4. Select your eSIM.

5. Tap “Delete.”

6. Scan your original QR code to reinstall the profile.

What to do if you accidentally delete or lose an Airalo eSIM

Uh-oh. Whether you accidentally swiped away your eSIM in settings or your phone took an unexpected swim, losing your Airalo eSIM can feel like a travel nightmare. Unlike physical SIM cards that you can just pop into a new phone, eSIMs are trickier to recover. But don’t panic — you’ve got some options you can try.

If you accidentally deleted your Airalo eSIM

What happens if you delete an eSIM? Here’s the tough truth — Airalo eSIMs typically can’t be reinstalled once deleted. When you delete an eSIM package, you lose access to it entirely and usually need to purchase a new package to regain connectivity.

Your best bet is contacting Airalo support immediately through their in-app chat or emailing them at [email protected] with your account details.

While their official policy states eSIMs can’t be reinstalled, their support team might be able to help depending on your specific situation and how recently the deletion occurred.

Before you delete anything else: Double-check that you actually deleted your eSIM. Sometimes eSIMs appear missing when they’re just disabled.

If you lost your phone with an Airalo eSIM

This one’s even trickier. Airalo eSIMs can only be installed on one device and cannot be transferred to another device.

Contact Airalo support through their website or a friend’s device, since you won’t have access to the app, then provide your account information and explain that you lost your device. You can request a new eSIM — you’ll likely need to purchase a replacement plan since the original cannot be transferred. 

Most carriers, including Airalo, will require you to get a new QR code and activation details for your new device. This essentially means starting fresh with a new eSIM purchase.

Try Saily if your Airalo eSIM is still not working

Sometimes, despite your best troubleshooting efforts, connectivity issues persist. If you’ve tried everything above and your Airalo eSIM is still acting up, it might be time to consider an alternative.

The Saily eSIM app is designed to solve many of the frustrations travelers face with traditional eSIM services. It offers 24/7 live chat support for instant assistance, unlimited data plans in 37 popular destinations, and an auto top-up option that ensures you never lose connection because your data ran out unexpectedly. Saily also provides automatic refunds if an eSIM doesn’t work as expected, reducing risk and hassle. With coverage in over 200 destinations and automatic plan activation, setup is fast and trouble free.

For frequent travelers, the Saily Ultra plan takes things even further. It includes unlimited global data, built-in security features for safer browsing, and 8% back in credits on every purchase — making it ideal for people who want simplicity, protection, and predictable connectivity wherever they go.

If you value reliable customer support, unlimited data plans, and automated features that work in the background, Saily comes out as a compelling alternative when comparing Saily vs. Airalo for your travel connectivity needs.