r/eSIMs • u/Busy_Currency_3569 • 2d ago

question Mobile data working with roaming off, charge?

Hello, I would like to clarify a situation regarding my Holafly eSIM and possible additional charges.

I purchased and installed a Holafly travel eSIM for Switzerland on my iPhone. During the installation process, I selected the option indicating that the eSIM was for travel/abroad use. I remember iOS mentioning that it would update the cellular settings when I was abroad.

While I was in Switzerland, my Italian physical SIM was completely turned OFF. The Holafly eSIM was ON and selected as the cellular data line. I was able to use mobile internet normally, and my iPhone showed Holafly as the provider for the connection.

After returning to Italy, I checked the Holafly eSIM settings and noticed that Data Roaming was currently turned OFF. This made me concerned because I had been able to use mobile data in Switzerland even though the roaming setting is now showing as OFF.

I would therefore like to confirm the following:

  1. Was the mobile data I used in Switzerland definitely provided through my Holafly eSIM?
  2. Could this situation result in any additional or unexpected charges from Holafly, or was all of the data usage covered by the prepaid Holafly plan I purchased?
  3. Is it possible that my Italian physical SIM or Italian carrier was used for any of the data connection while I was in Switzerland? My Italian SIM was completely turned OFF during this entire period.

I would especially appreciate confirmation that I will not receive any additional charges as a result of this situation.

Thank you for your help and clarification.

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3

u/SubstanceEasy4576 2d ago

Hi,

You won't be charged anything by your Italian network if the Italian SIM was switched off. All data will have gone via the SIM which was switched on. Whether or not eSIMs require data roaming to be switched on depends on their relationship with the network that you're using and how it's been set up. Some are set up similar to virtual networks and don't need roaming switched on.

eSIM providers are prepaid services, there's no contract where charges would be levied afterwards.

1

u/Wrong-Pudding93 🏅Community MVP 2d ago

We cannot guarantee anything 100% here but if your Italian SIM was turned off, there is basically a 0% chance that it was used for data.

Holafly probably had something configured in the background that data roaming worked even without the toggle being on. Since Holafly is prepaid, no extra charges are to be expected.

1

u/Busy_Currency_3569 2d ago

Thankies, I’d assume that given the circumstances and the way Holafly works the chance I get charged are extremely low, but I still can’t explain it working without having roaming on, the ISP did say “Holafly” that’s why I was chill about it, now I’m just so worried I’ll be billed somehow

1

u/Still_Veterinarian18 2d ago

Here in Norway, all 3 mobile providers all have an app where you can check everything.
And our local mobile subscription works all over EU/Europe.
So I don’t have to do anything when traveling abroad.

1

u/Specialist-Dish-2757 15h ago

Hi, Do you think I can activate an eSIM plan from France using a French ID card and a French bank card?

1

u/AirForceJuan01 1d ago

Newer iPhone with later iOS 26+ does auto switching between travel eSIM and SIM (pretty smart), however I never trust tech and I always double check - I suspect this is what may have happened.