To keep your home line from using roaming data while you travel, turn off Data Roaming on the home line, choose the travel eSIM for mobile data, and disable automatic data switching if you want data to stay on that line. Do not automatically turn off roaming on the travel eSIM: some travel plans require it. These settings are separate for each line.
Which settings should you change before you travel?
- Select your travel eSIM for mobile data. This makes it the line your phone uses for cellular internet.
- Turn off Data Roaming on your home line if you want to prevent that line from using roaming data.
- Set Data Roaming on the travel eSIM according to its provider. Some plans require roaming to be on for the travel line to connect.
- Disable automatic data switching if you want to keep data on the selected travel line rather than let the phone switch lines automatically.
Roaming settings apply per line, so turning off roaming on your home line does not turn it off on the travel eSIM. Menu names and behavior vary by phone, operating-system version, carrier, and plan.
How to set up an iPhone
- Open Settings > Cellular (or Cellular Data), tap Cellular Data, and select the travel eSIM as the data line. Apple says that when both lines are in use, the travel eSIM is used for data, but the home eSIM may still incur roaming fees. Apple’s international eSIM instructions explain the setup.
- Return to Settings > Cellular, select the home line, open its cellular data options, and turn Data Roaming off if your goal is to stop that line from using roaming data. On a dual-SIM iPhone, select the specific number before changing its roaming option. Apple defines data roaming as internet access over a cellular data network outside your carrier’s coverage. See Apple’s explanation of cellular data roaming options.
- Select the travel eSIM in Cellular settings and set its Data Roaming option as its provider directs. For example, Cellcom’s simLOCAL setup guide tells its customers to enable roaming on that travel eSIM. Cellcom’s guide also recommends turning off Allow Cellular Data Switching for its setup.
- If you want data to remain on the travel eSIM, turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching when that option is available. This is a way to avoid automatic data changes, not a universal requirement for every carrier or plan.
You do not have to turn off the entire home line just to stop it using roaming data. If you want to receive calls or texts on your home number, you may choose to leave it on, but charges can depend on your carrier’s terms and how you use the line.
How to set up a Google Pixel
- Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, choose the travel eSIM as the preferred SIM for Mobile data, and confirm it is the selected data SIM. Google says only one SIM can be the default data SIM at a time.
- In the same SIM settings, turn off Automatic data switching if you want to prevent data from moving away from the selected travel line. On some Pixel configurations, dual-SIM features depend on this setting, so choose based on whether you prioritize keeping data on the travel line or using those features. See Google’s Pixel dual-SIM instructions.
- Open the home SIM’s settings and turn off its data-roaming option if you want to block that line from using roaming data. Then check the travel SIM separately and set roaming as its provider requires.
Pixel steps and features are not universal across Android. Google notes that some instructions apply only to Android 11 and later, and dual-SIM and two-active-eSIM support depend on the Pixel model and carrier. Google lists Pixel 7 and later for two eSIM profiles when the carrier supports them. For eSIM eligibility and activation information, see Google’s eSIM guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Ultra-Fast 5G & Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7】Powered by Qualcomm Dragonwing MBB Gen 3 (X72), delivers up to 4.67 Gbps 5G download and tri-band Wi-Fi 7 at 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 2882 Mbps (5 GHz) + 5765 Mbps (6 GHz) — supports up to 64 connected devices for lag-free 4K streaming, gaming, and Zoom/Teams meetings.
- 【Built-in eSIM + Dual Nano-SIM with Dual Standby Support】No SIM lock — flexibly switch between the onboard eSIM and two physical nano-SIM slots for convenient carrier access while traveling. Access regional and global eSIM data plans for North America and Europe directly on the device with easy QR-code top-up support, or import your own eSIM for flexible connectivity on the go. Enjoy one-tap carrier connection with seamless SIM and eSIM switching directly from the 2.8" touchscreen (eSIM uses one SIM position when activated). Zero SIM swaps, zero local SIM hunting on international trips.
- 【2.5G Ethernet + 10 Gbps USB-C】Built for pro setups: 2.5 Gbps Ethernet WAN/LAN port for wired backhaul, plus a 10 Gbps USB-C port for tethering, OTG storage and external NAS sync — ideal for content creators offloading 4K/8K footage and remote workers in hotels, Airbnbs, and co-working spaces.
- 【Quad-Path Multi-WAN Failover】Run 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi Repeater, USB Tethering and 5G Cellular at the same time — if any one link drops, traffic auto-routes to the next in seconds. Built for pop-up retail POS, food trucks, trade-show booths and live media that cannot afford a single second of downtime.
- 【13.5h Battery + 30W PD Fast Charging】Up to 13.5 hours of untethered freedom on a single charge from the built-in 5150 mAh battery — 30W PD/PPS USB-C fast charge refills to full in roughly 1.3 hours, so a coffee break is enough to get you back online for the rest of the day.
What about other Android phones?
There is no single menu path that works on every Android phone. Look in Settings for SIMs, SIM manager, or Mobile networks, then set the travel eSIM as the mobile-data line. Find the home line’s roaming setting and turn it off if you want to prevent roaming data on that line. Check the travel eSIM’s roaming setting separately and follow its provider’s instructions.
If your phone offers Data Switching or Automatic Data Switching, turn it off when you want data to remain on the selected travel SIM. Labels and available features differ by device and carrier. Cellcom’s simLOCAL guide gives SIM manager and Mobile Networks examples, but those routes are not guaranteed to match every Android phone.
Rank #2
- WIFI 7 SPEEDS UP TO 3.6 GBPS, ANYWHERE YOU GO: Powered by a 5G or 4G cellular connection, M7 delivers fast, reliable WiFi 7 performance. Real-world speeds depend on carrier network, signal strength, location, and connected devices
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- POWERFUL BUILT IN SECURITY - includes firewall protection, WPA3 encryption, and automatic firmware updates help protect your data when using public WiFi
- CONNECT UP TO 32 DEVICES AND FREE UP YOUR PHONE: A dedicated hotspot outperforms phone tethering. Connect laptops, tablets, and smart devices simultaneously while keeping your phone free
Will these settings prevent every roaming charge?
No. Turning off Data Roaming on the home line addresses that line’s roaming data; it does not establish that calls, SMS, Wi-Fi calling, or other home-line use will be free. Apple warns that a home eSIM may still incur roaming fees when both lines are used, and says roaming terms depend on the carrier and plan. Before departure, check with your home carrier about voice, messages, data, roaming passes, and any plan-specific allowances. See Apple’s international eSIM guidance and roaming-options guidance.
A prepaid eSIM from an international carrier can be activated at your destination to avoid home-carrier roaming charges, according to Google’s eSIM information. That depends on device and carrier compatibility, destination coverage, and the plan’s terms; it is not a guarantee that all use of your home line is free. A travel eSIM may also connect only after you arrive, so check its activation timing with the provider.
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Rank #3
- Ultra-Fast 4G LTE with Global Coverage: The Linklan eSIM mobile hotspot offers 4G LTE Cat 6 connectivity, supporting 30+ global frequency bands. Enjoy seamless roaming in over 180 countries and regions for international business travel and global journeys. With speeds up to 300Mbps via dual-band WiFi, it ensures smooth performance for business, video calls, and high-definition entertainment
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- Versatile Connectivity for Various Environments: The Linklan portable eSIM device offers both 4G-to-WiFi and 4G-to-WAN/LAN modes, with an integrated SIM card slot for maximum flexibility. Its single-band 2.4GHz frequency is compatible with multiple mainstream LTE bands, ensuring stable and reliable connections in a wide range of environments such as homes, offices, cars, and RVs
- Flexible Lifetime Data Plans for Ultimate Convenience: Linklan eSIM devices offer flexible lifetime data plans with options billed by GB, day, or month-no contract or credit card verification required. Enjoy lower costs compared to mainstream operators. Easily manage your data usage, signal strength, and connected devices through the app, ensuring secure and efficient network access. A worry-free solution for all your global connectivity needs
Check these items before leaving
- The phone and carrier support the travel eSIM and the intended dual-SIM configuration.
- The travel eSIM is selected for mobile data.
- The home line’s Data Roaming setting is off if you want to block roaming data on that line.
- The travel line’s Data Roaming setting matches the travel plan’s instructions.
- Automatic data switching is set according to whether you want data fixed to the travel line.
- Your home carrier has confirmed how calls, texts, Wi-Fi calling, and any roaming pass are billed.
- You know when the travel eSIM activates and whether it requires arrival at the destination to connect.
With iOS 26 and later, Apple says an iPhone using a travel eSIM may automatically turn that eSIM off and turn the home SIM back on when you return, depending on the country or region. If you do not receive a notification, Apple advises confirming that the primary line is on. See Apple’s travel eSIM instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Rank #4
- 【Perfect Internet Solution for Travel】: Mudi is the perfect companion for travellers, offering a portable Wi-Fi hotspot with 4G LTE connectivity with a sim card slot, 300Mbps (2.4G) + 433Mbps (5G) Combined Wi-Fi Speed networking.
- 【Work or Play Securely】: Mudi's powerful built-in OpenVPN, WireGuard support, and customized DNS server guarantee your online security. Set up and connect with 30+ VPN servers easily and access your files securely from remote locations.
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- 【Take it Anywhere】: Mudi's compact size of 5.7 in* 3.1 in* 0.9 in and lightweight 285g design makes the perfect travel companion. With its built-in 7000mAh battery, it offers up to 8 hours of usage, providing reliable connectivity wherever you go.
- 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENSIBILITY】DDR2 128MB RAM, 16MB NOR Flash and 128MB NAND Flash, Max. 1 TB MicroSD, USB 2.0 port.
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