After Your Trip: Should You Delete or Keep a Travel eSIM?
When you get home, your phone may still be set to use the travel eSIM for data. That's harmless once the plan has expired, but it can make your phone look as if it has no internet. This guide covers switching back to your home line, when to delete the travel eSIM, when to keep it, and the one eSIM you should never delete by accident.
Step 1: switch data back to your home line
| Phone | Where |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings › Cellular (or Mobile Service) › Cellular Data › choose your home line |
| Google Pixel | Settings › Network & internet › SIMs › mobile data preference › your home SIM |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings › Connections › SIM manager › Mobile data › your home SIM |
Then make sure calls and texts are set to your home line too, if you changed them. If you'd switched off data roaming on your home SIM while abroad, that doesn't need changing at home.
Step 2: turn off the travel eSIM
Switch the travel eSIM's line off, so the phone stops trying to connect with it. On iPhone, tap the line in Cellular settings and turn off "Turn On This Line". On Android, open the eSIM in SIMs or SIM manager and switch it off.
Keep it or delete it?
| Situation | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| You'll visit the same country or region again and the provider offers top-ups | Keep it, switched off and labelled |
| The plan has expired and top-ups aren't offered | Delete it |
| You have several old travel eSIMs | Delete the ones you won't top up |
| You're selling or giving away the phone | Delete all travel eSIMs first |
Some providers let you add a new plan to the same eSIM, so you skip the installation step next time. Rename it (for example "Japan travel") so you recognise it later.
Before you delete: don't delete your home eSIM
Many phones use an eSIM for the home number too. Deleting your home carrier's eSIM removes your phone number from the phone, and you'd have to ask your carrier to issue a new one. Before deleting anything:
- Check the label and carrier name on the line.
- Look for your own phone number shown under the line.
- If unsure, leave it and ask your carrier.
How to delete a travel eSIM
| Phone | Where |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings › Cellular › tap the travel line › Delete eSIM |
| Google Pixel | Settings › Network & internet › SIMs › tap the eSIM › Erase SIM (or Delete SIM) |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings › Connections › SIM manager › tap the eSIM › Remove |
Deleting a travel eSIM usually can't be undone. Many travel eSIMs can only be installed once, so if there's unused validity or data you might want, keep it instead.
Things to change back after the trip
- Automatic data switching. If you turned it off abroad, you may want it back on at home if you use two home lines.
- Low Data Mode or data saver. Switch it off if you turned it on for the trip.
- Photo backup over cellular. Turn it back on if you disabled it.
- Offline maps. Delete large offline map regions to free storage.
Changing phones
If you buy a new phone, travel eSIMs don't always transfer. Home carrier eSIMs often can be moved with your carrier's help or the phone's transfer tools. Travel eSIMs are usually tied to the original phone. Use up or delete travel eSIMs before switching, and check the new phone is eSIM-capable and unlocked using our phone check guide.
If your home line doesn't work after the trip
Sometimes a home SIM takes a few minutes to reconnect after weeks away. If you have no service on your home line:
- Toggle airplane mode on and off.
- Check the home line is switched on and set for calls and data.
- Restart the phone.
- If it still doesn't connect, contact your home carrier; a SIM can be suspended after long inactivity on some prepaid plans.
Next trip
If you kept the eSIM, check whether the provider offers a top-up for your next destination, and whether the plan's validity rules have changed. Our guide on when validity starts explains what to look for. Installation steps for a fresh eSIM are in our iPhone and Android guides, and the dual-SIM guide explains how to keep your home number for texts while you're away.
FAQ
Will a leftover travel eSIM drain my battery?
A switched-off line uses no meaningful battery. A switched-on line searching for a network can, so turn it off.
Can I reuse a QR code for a travel eSIM?
Usually not. Most QR codes work for one installation only.
Does deleting a travel eSIM cancel my home plan?
No, as long as you delete the travel line and not your home carrier's eSIM.
How many eSIMs can my phone store?
Usually several, though only one or two can be active at the same time.
Do I need to delete the eSIM before selling my phone?
Yes. Use the phone's reset option, which offers to erase eSIMs, and confirm with your carrier about your home line.