Why Enabling Data Roaming Matters Before You Travel
Fuse Mobile includes roaming in 130+ countries on its Pulse and Surge plans — but even with roaming built into your plan, your phone will not use mobile data abroad unless data roaming is switched on in your device settings. The toggle is off by default on most phones, which means you could land at your destination, open Google Maps, and find yourself with no connection at all. Takes two minutes to fix; costs nothing. This guide walks you through exactly how to do it on iPhone and Android, plus what to expect if you're using a multi-network eSIM like Fuse.
How to Turn On Data Roaming on iPhone
Standard Steps (Single SIM)
If you have a single SIM or eSIM profile active, enabling data roaming on iPhone is straightforward:
- Open Settings
- Tap Mobile Data (labelled "Cellular" on some older iOS versions)
- Tap Mobile Data Options
- Toggle Data Roaming to on (green)
That's it. Your iPhone will now use mobile data when connected to a network abroad.
iPhone with Multiple eSIM Profiles
If you've installed a Fuse eSIM alongside a physical SIM, or have more than one eSIM profile stored on your device, you'll need to enable data roaming for the correct line:
- Open Settings
- Tap Mobile Data
- Under SIMs, tap the line you want to use for roaming (e.g. your Fuse eSIM)
- Tap Mobile Data Options
- Toggle Data Roaming to on
Also check that your Fuse eSIM is set as the Primary or Default data line. You'll find this under Settings > Mobile Data > Default Voice Line / Mobile Data — select your Fuse profile here so all mobile data routes through it abroad.
A Note on iOS Data Roaming Warnings
When you first enable data roaming, iOS shows a warning about potential charges. If you're on a Fuse Pulse or Surge plan, you can dismiss this confidently — roaming is included in your monthly allowance, with no hidden fees or daily add-ons. The warning is a generic iOS prompt, not specific to your plan.
How to Turn On Data Roaming on Android
Android settings vary by manufacturer, but the general path is consistent across most devices.
Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings
- Tap Connections
- Tap Mobile Networks
- Toggle Data Roaming to on
Google Pixel
- Open Settings
- Tap Network & Internet
- Tap SIMs (or your SIM name)
- Toggle Roaming to on
Other Android Manufacturers (OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc.)
The setting is almost always found under Settings > Mobile Network or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks. If you're struggling to find it, search "roaming" in your phone's Settings search bar — it'll surface the toggle directly.
Android with Multiple SIMs or eSIM Profiles
If your Android device has a physical SIM and a Fuse eSIM installed:
- Navigate to Settings > Mobile Networks (or SIMs)
- Select your Fuse eSIM profile
- Enable Data Roaming for that specific line
- Confirm your Fuse eSIM is set as the preferred data SIM under Mobile Data or Preferred SIM for Data
This ensures your phone routes data through Fuse when you're abroad, rather than falling back to your other SIM.
How Roaming Works with a Fuse Multi-Network eSIM
Fuse is the only UK provider that combines all-four-network coverage — EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2 — with roaming in 130+ countries, all on a single eSIM. Here's what that means in practice when you travel.
Automatic Network Selection Abroad
When you land at your destination, your Fuse eSIM connects automatically to a local partner network. You don't need to open your phone's network settings, search for available networks, or manually select a carrier. The eSIM handles it in the background — the same way it switches between EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2 at home to keep you on the strongest signal.
Four UK networks, one eSIM. No contract.
Get connected to all four UK networks and never worry about signal again.
The only thing you need to do is ensure data roaming is toggled on in your device settings before you travel. Once that's done, the eSIM takes care of everything else.
Which Plans Include Roaming?
Roaming is included on Pulse (10GB, £9.99/mo) and Surge (15GB, £14.99/mo). Both plans let you use your normal monthly data allowance abroad — there are no daily roaming fees, no bolt-ons to buy, and no surprise charges at the end of the month.
Spark (5GB, £5.99/mo) is a UK-only plan and does not include roaming. If you're on Spark and planning to travel, you'll need to upgrade before departure — head to /plans to switch. It takes seconds and your new plan activates immediately.
Not sure whether your destination is covered? Use the Fuse roaming checker to confirm coverage before you go.
Your Pre-Travel Data Roaming Checklist
Run through this before you leave — it takes under five minutes and saves you the frustration of troubleshooting at the airport.
1. Confirm your plan includes roaming in your destination Check the Fuse roaming page to verify your destination is in the 130+ covered countries. If you're on Spark, upgrade to Pulse or Surge at /plans.
2. Enable data roaming in your device settings Follow the steps above for your device. On iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Data Roaming. On Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming.
3. Set your Fuse eSIM as the default data line If you have multiple SIMs or eSIM profiles, make sure Fuse is selected as your preferred data SIM. This prevents your phone from accidentally routing data through a different line.
4. Check your remaining data allowance before departure Log in to the Fuse app to see how much of your monthly allowance you've used. If you're running low, consider whether your trip timing works with your billing cycle — or upgrade to Surge for a larger allowance.
5. Decide on Wi-Fi calling Wi-Fi calling lets you make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi connection rather than the mobile network. While useful in some situations, it can occasionally create confusion about which connection you're using. If you want a clean, straightforward roaming experience, consider disabling Wi-Fi calling before you travel. On iPhone: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. On Android: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling.
Does Airplane Mode Stop Roaming Charges?
Yes — enabling Airplane Mode disables all wireless connections on your phone, including mobile data. This means no roaming charges can accrue while Airplane Mode is on, because your phone isn't connected to any network at all.
However, this also means no calls, texts, or mobile data. It's a useful way to pause connectivity entirely — for example, during a flight — but not a practical way to manage roaming day-to-day.
If you want to use Wi-Fi on a flight without any mobile connectivity, you can enable Airplane Mode and then manually re-enable Wi-Fi. Your mobile data (and any potential roaming) stays off; Wi-Fi works normally.
With a Fuse Pulse or Surge plan, you don't need to use Airplane Mode as a cost-control measure — roaming is included in your plan, so there are no per-day or per-MB charges to worry about. Just leave data roaming on and use your phone as normal.
Troubleshooting: Data Roaming Is On But Not Working
If you've enabled data roaming and your phone still isn't connecting abroad, try these steps:
- Toggle Airplane Mode on, then off — this forces your phone to re-scan for available networks and often resolves connection issues immediately.
- Manually select a network — on iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Network Selection > disable Automatic, then choose a network from the list. On Android: Settings > Mobile Networks > Network Operators > Search. Once connected, re-enable Automatic.
- Restart your phone — a full restart clears any cached network state and prompts a fresh connection.
- Check your APN settings — for eSIM users, APN settings are usually configured automatically. If you're having persistent issues, visit /resources/help for device-specific guidance.
- Confirm your destination is covered — use the Fuse roaming checker to double-check coverage for your specific country.
FAQ
Does data roaming cost extra on Fuse?
Not on Pulse or Surge. Both plans include roaming in 130+ countries as standard — you use your normal monthly data allowance abroad, with no daily fees or surprise charges. Spark is UK-only and does not include roaming.
Do I need to turn on data roaming every time I travel?
Once you've enabled data roaming in your device settings, the toggle stays on unless you or your phone turns it off. It's worth checking it's still enabled before each trip, particularly if you've done a factory reset or updated your iOS/Android version.
Will my Fuse eSIM automatically connect to a network when I land?
Yes. On Pulse and Surge, your Fuse eSIM connects automatically to a local partner network at your destination — no manual network selection needed. Just make sure data roaming is enabled in your settings before you travel.
I'm on Spark. Can I roam?
Spark is a UK-only plan and does not include roaming. To use data abroad, you'll need to upgrade to Pulse or Surge before you travel. You can do this instantly at /plans — there's no contract, and the change takes effect immediately.
Does using Wi-Fi abroad affect my roaming data allowance?
No. Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against your Fuse data allowance. Your monthly data (5GB on Spark, 10GB on Pulse, 15GB on Surge) only decreases when you're using mobile data — either in the UK or abroad on a roaming-enabled plan.
Ready to Travel?
Enabling data roaming takes two minutes, and with a Fuse Pulse or Surge plan, that's all the preparation your phone needs. No daily fees, no roaming bolt-ons, no manual network switching — just your normal allowance working abroad in 130+ countries.
Check whether your destination is covered at fuse mobile's roaming page, or review your plan options at /plans if you need to upgrade before departure.