What to do when you’re traveling (Android)

Once you’ve installed your eSIM, make sure your travel eSIM handles data while your primary SIM behaves the way you want.

TL;DR checklist

• Preferred SIM for data → set to your travel eSIM
• Data Roaming (travel eSIM) → ON
• Data Roaming (primary SIM) → OFF
• Decide if you want your primary SIM ON or OFF

Step‑by‑step

1) Select the travel eSIM for data

• Pixel / stock Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Preferred SIM for data → Travel eSIM
• Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Mobile data → Travel eSIM

2) Enable Data Roaming for the travel eSIM

• Pixel / stock Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Travel eSIM → Roaming → ON
• Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Travel eSIM → Data roaming → ON

3) Disable Data Roaming for your primary SIM

• Pixel / stock Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Primary SIM → Roaming → OFF
• Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Primary SIM → Data roaming → OFF

Choose your scenario (Primary SIM ON vs OFF)

Scenario A — Keep your primary SIM ON (most common)

• Pros: You can still get calls, SMS, and 2FA codes on your main number.
• Cons: Your carrier may charge for incoming calls or SMS abroad.
• Settings recap: Preferred SIM for data → Travel eSIM; Data Roaming (travel) → ON; Data Roaming (primary) → OFF

Scenario B — Turn your primary SIM OFF (avoid all roaming charges)

• Pros: Blocks incoming calls/SMS on your main number (no roaming charges).
• Cons: You won’t receive SMS or calls.
• How: Pixel/stock Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Primary SIM → Use SIM → OFF; Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Primary SIM → Turn off