Fix no-data issues fast
eSIM APN Settings Guide: Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad
Most eSIMs configure themselves. When yours does not, this guide walks you through the exact fix in under two minutes.
How APN configuration works for travel eSIMs
APN stands for Access Point Name. It is the gateway address your phone uses to connect to mobile data. Physical SIM cards often need manual APN entry. Travel eSIMs are different: the correct APN is embedded in the eSIM profile during installation. In most cases, the moment your phone activates the profile, it already has the right settings.
The four providers covered here all use app-based activation that handles APN automatically. Manual entry is only needed in two situations: your phone wiped its APN table during a software update, or the automatic push failed for a specific carrier in a specific country.
Per-provider setup
APN settings by provider
Airalo
Airalo activates the APN through the eSIM profile automatically. The correct APN value varies by destination: it matches the local carrier Airalo partners with in that country. You do not need to look it up manually before your trip.
If data is not working, open the Airalo app, select your active eSIM, and tap Installation Guide. The guide shows the exact APN string for your plan. Enter it under Settings, Cellular, Cellular Data Network (iPhone) or Settings, Connections, Mobile Networks, Access Point Names (Android).
Airalo covers 200+ countries. Plans start from approximately $4.50/GB. It is the widest-coverage provider of the four.
Holafly
Holafly sells unlimited-only plans and configures the APN automatically on installation. The app configures this automatically for every destination. Holafly does not publish a universal APN string because the value differs per country.
If you see signal but no data, check that data roaming is turned on. Holafly plans use roaming profiles by design, so that toggle must be active. Go to Settings, Cellular, and confirm the Holafly line shows Data Roaming: On.
Holafly covers 160+ destinations at approximately $3.90/day for unlimited data. It includes a 6-month refund policy for unused plans.
Saily
Saily is built by Nord Security and configures the APN automatically when you scan the QR code in the app. The app configures this automatically. Saily integrates NordVPN, which can occasionally conflict with the active APN on older Android devices.
If data fails on Android with Saily and VPN is on, temporarily disable the VPN to confirm the data connection works, then re-enable it. On iPhone, VPN conflicts are rare. Saily covers 200+ destinations from approximately $2.99 to $3.99/GB.
Nomad
Nomad (nomadesim.com) automatically configures the APN through the eSIM profile at installation. The app configures this automatically. Because Nomad uses email-only support, getting the correct APN manually is slower than with other providers.
Before contacting support, check the in-app installation guide for your plan: it lists the carrier name, which you can use to find the APN through the carrier website directly. Nomad covers 200+ countries from approximately $0.74/GB on the cheapest routes. Note: Nomad's unlimited add-on throttles to 1 Mbps after 2 GB per day.
iPhone
How to enter APN settings on iOS
Apple hides the APN field on iPhones that have received the APN automatically through the carrier profile. If you do not see the field, your phone already has the correct setting and no action is needed. If you do see it, follow these steps.
- 1
Open Settings, then Cellular
Tap the eSIM line you want to configure. It will appear as a secondary line if you have a dual-SIM setup.
- 2
Tap Cellular Data Network
If this option is grayed out or missing, the APN was already pushed by the carrier profile. No change is needed.
- 3
Enter the APN value
Tap the APN field under Cellular Data and type the value from your provider app. Leave Username and Password blank unless your provider specifies otherwise.
- 4
Toggle airplane mode
Pull down Control Center, enable airplane mode for five seconds, then disable it. Your phone will re-register on the network with the new APN.
Android
How to enter APN settings on Android
Android menus vary slightly by manufacturer. The paths below apply to stock Android 14 and Samsung One UI 6. Other brands follow the same structure under different menu labels.
- 1
Open Settings, then Connections
On stock Android: Settings, Network and Internet. On Samsung: Settings, Connections. Tap Mobile Networks.
- 2
Select your eSIM line
If your phone has two active lines, confirm you are editing the eSIM line, not your physical SIM. The line name matches what you set during eSIM installation.
- 3
Tap Access Point Names
You will see a list of APN profiles. Tap the plus icon to add a new one rather than editing an existing profile.
- 4
Enter the APN value and save
Type the APN name in the Name field and the APN value in the APN field. Leave all other fields blank unless your provider specifies values. Tap the three-dot menu and select Save.
- 5
Select the new APN and restart
Tap the radio button next to your new APN to activate it. Toggle airplane mode or restart the phone. Data should connect within 30 seconds.
Troubleshooting
No data after install: common fixes
Work through these in order before contacting your provider. Most issues resolve at step one or two.
Signal present, no data connection
Check that Data Roaming is on for the eSIM line. Travel eSIMs use international roaming profiles. Without this toggle, the phone connects to the network but blocks data.
eSIM shows as active but no signal
Confirm the plan start date has passed and the plan has not expired. Check remaining data in the provider app. If the plan is valid, toggle airplane mode to force a new network registration.
Data works on Wi-Fi but not on the eSIM
Go to Settings, Cellular (or Mobile Data) and confirm the eSIM line is selected as the cellular data source. On iPhones with Dual SIM, this setting defaults to the physical SIM.
Data stops mid-trip
Open the provider app and check your data balance. If the plan is exhausted, top up in-app. If data remains, toggle airplane mode to reset the data session. If that fails, restart the phone.
Reset network settings as last resort
iPhone: Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, Reset Network Settings. Android: Settings, General Management, Reset, Reset Network Settings. This clears Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairs but does not delete the eSIM profile.
APN FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to enter APN settings manually for travel eSIMs?
Usually no. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad all push APN settings automatically when you install the eSIM profile. Holafly also auto-configures on most devices. Manual entry is only needed when your phone shows 'No Service' or 'LTE' without a data connection after installing. Try toggling airplane mode first before touching APN settings.
What APN settings do Airalo eSIMs use?
Airalo configures the APN automatically through the eSIM profile. The correct value is set at install time and varies by destination carrier. You do not need to enter it manually. If data stops working, open the Airalo app, go to your active plan, and tap 'Installation Guide' for the carrier-specific APN string for that country.
My eSIM shows signal but no data. What should I check first?
Check these four things in order: (1) data roaming is on in Settings, (2) the eSIM line is set as the data line, (3) airplane mode has been toggled once since install, (4) the eSIM plan is active and has data remaining. If all four are correct and data still fails, manually enter the APN from your provider's in-app installation guide.
Can I reset APN settings without losing my eSIM?
Yes. On iPhone: Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, Reset Network Settings. On Android: Settings, General Management, Reset, Reset Network Settings. Both resets clear saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings but do not delete your eSIM profile. After the reset, re-enable data roaming and select your eSIM as the data line.