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Why isn't my phone working abroad?

A step by step guide for helping sort out issues whilst outside the UK

Updated over a week ago

ℹ️ What happens when you have data issues abroad?

If you're abroad and can't connect to mobile data, calls, or texts, it usually means something in your roaming setup needs a quick fix. These steps help you check your settings, manually connect to a network, and get back online as soon as possible.


📲 Step by step: Troubleshoot roaming issues abroad

1. Turn on data roaming

  • iOS:

    • Open Settings

    • Tap Mobile Data

    • Tap your Honest SIM

    • Tap Mobile Data Options

    • Turn Data Roaming on

    Android:

    • Open Settings

    • Tap Network & Internet (or Connections)

    • Tap Mobile network

    • Tap your Honest SIM

    • Turn Data roaming on


2. Turn on World Travel (if outside the UK or EU)

  • Open the Honest app

  • Tap SIMs

  • Tap Roaming

  • Tap Rest of World Roaming

  • Turn the toggle on


3. Reset your connection after the airport

  • Once you’re out of the airport:

    • Turn on Airplane mode for 5 minutes

    • Then restart your phone


4. Manually select a network

iOS:

  • Open Settings

  • Tap Mobile Data

  • Tap Network Selection

  • Turn off Automatic

  • Choose one of the available networks

Android:

  • Open Settings

  • Tap Mobile Networks

  • Tap Network Operators

  • Turn off Automatic

  • Choose one of the available networks


5. Check your EU data allowance (if in the EU)

  • Open the Honest app

  • Tap SIMs

  • Tap Roaming

  • Tap EU+ Roaming

  • Check if you’ve used more than 20GB of roaming data


❓What happens next?

Once your settings are right and your phone connects to a local network, roaming should start working again. If you’ve gone over your EU data limit, roaming data will be paused until your allowance resets.

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