Your Complete Guide to Data Roaming: What it Means & More

Download Article

We answer all of your questions about data roaming in this guide

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: August 12, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

What Data Roaming Means

|

How to Enable or Disable Roaming

|

Data Roaming: On or Off?

|

Data Roaming Alternatives

|

Tips

Have you heard about data roaming but are unsure what it means? Data roaming means you're "roaming" outside of your home data network while using your cell phone. In this article, we'll explain data roaming in-depth, as well as go over how to enable or disable it, whether you should keep roaming on or off, and what alternatives there are for it.

What is Data Roaming?

Data roaming is what happens when you access a cellular network outside of your home network. There are two types of data roaming: Domestic and international. Domestic data roaming usually doesn't incur fees, but international roaming does.

Section 1 of 4:

What Data Roaming Means

Download Article

Your home network is the network of cellular towers owned by your mobile service provider. Any time you connect to a tower that your provider does not own, that's considered data roaming.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
There are two types of data roaming: domestic and international. These two types of data roaming both occur when you connect to a network other than your home network, but have a few differences.
- Domestic data roaming happens when you connect to a tower outside of your home network while you're in your country of residence. In areas where certain cellular providers don't have much service, these providers may work with providers that do have towers in the area to provide coverage to their customers.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
  - Most providers don't charge an extra fee for domestic data roaming, but your data usage might be limited.
  - Domestic data roaming isn't as common as it used to be, but you may still encounter it if you live somewhere very remote.
- International data roaming happens when you connect to a tower outside your home network while traveling overseas. This is the type of data roaming that most people are used to.
  - Unlike domestic data roaming, international data roaming will incur (sometimes quite high) fees from your provider unless you have international roaming included in your plan.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Enable or Disable Roaming

Download Article

1
iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular.
- Tap Cellular Data Options.
- Tap the toggle at the top of the screen to turn data roaming on or off.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2
Android Note: the menus may have different names depending on your Android model.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Connections (Samsung) or Network & internet (Google Pixel).
- Tap Mobile networks (Samsung) or SIMs (Google Pixel).
- Tap the toggle to turn data roaming on or off.

Section 3 of 4:

Data Roaming: On or Off?

Download Article

1
Keep roaming on if you don't travel abroad or you have a roaming plan. If you don't travel internationally, you can keep data roaming on without fear of a huge bill (but always ask your mobile provider first to check if they charge domestic roaming fees). This is especially important if you live in a remote area without great coverage in your home network.
- You can also keep data roaming on if you have an international data roaming plan. Some mobile providers include data roaming in their cellular plans, and others have the ability to add international data roaming for a flat daily charge. Call your provider to ask about this if you plan on traveling abroad and want to use cellular on your phone overseas.
2
Turn it off if you don't have a roaming plan or your phone is dying quickly. If you don't want to get an international roaming plan or your provider doesn't have one, you should keep data roaming off if you're traveling abroad to avoid the expensive fees. You should also turn data roaming off if your phone's battery drains faster than usual, as roaming makes your phone search for cell towers more frequently.
- You should also turn off data roaming if you spend most of your time in an area where your home network has sufficient coverage because it could lead to an expensive surprise if you end up traveling abroad and forget to disable it.

Section 4 of 4:

Data Roaming Alternatives

Download Article

If you have a smartphone, you can use a free Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to the internet to check your email, text, or even place a call (if your phone supports Wi-Fi calling). Most hotels and airports have free Wi-Fi, and many cafes, malls, and other public spaces.
You can purchase a local SIM card in the country you're traveling in or get an international SIM (or eSIM) from your mobile provider. If you opt to get a local SIM, you'll need an unlocked phone (or a phone not tied to any mobile carrier) and a passport. Depending on where you're buying the SIM, you might also need a local address.
If you have multiple internet devices to connect (such as your phone, tablet, and laptop), you can purchase a portable hotspot. These devices will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that you can use with multiple devices.
If you travel to the same international country often, getting a local phone may be more cost-effective. Some countries may offer relatively cheap, contract-free prepaid phones. Some of these phones may also require a SIM card, so check the phone's packaging or ask the seller for more information.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If you're going on a cruise, leaving roaming off is usually recommended while you're docked in your country of residence. This could incur cruise ship roaming fees.^{[4]
X
Research source} Once you leave port, you can enable roaming to use your roaming plan (if you have one) or keep data roaming off and use the ship's Wi-Fi if it's provided.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0