LATAM Travellers identifies the five most common eSIM mistakes travellers make when visiting Latin America in 2026, from compatibility oversights to activation timing errors, with practical steps to avoid each one.
Last updated: March 2026
The five most common eSIM mistakes travellers make include not checking phone compatibility, buying too little data, and failing to install before departure.
eSIM Travel Mistakes: Quick Facts
- Mistake #1: Not enabling Data Roaming after installation
- Mistake #2: Installing at the airport instead of at home
- Mistake #3: Buying too much or too little data
- Mistake #4: Accidentally deleting the eSIM profile
- Mistake #5: Using a carrier-locked phone
- Fix time: All preventable with 5 minutes of preparation
Why Even Experienced Travellers Make eSIM Mistakes
eSIM technology is straightforward, but small oversights can leave you without data at the worst possible moment. At LATAM Travellers, we have helped thousands of customers stay connected across Latin America, and these five mistakes come up again and again. The good news is that every single one is easy to prevent.
Whether you are a first-time eSIM user or have used them before, this guide will help you avoid the most common pitfalls and ensure your eSIM plan works perfectly from the moment you land.
Mistake #1: Forgetting to Enable Data Roaming
This is the single most common reason eSIMs appear not to work, and it accounts for the majority of support requests at LATAM Travellers. After installing your eSIM, you must enable Data Roaming for that specific line in your phone settings. Without this step, your phone will not connect to local networks abroad.
Many travellers assume that because they purchased a local data plan, Data Roaming does not apply. It does. The eSIM uses roaming agreements with local carriers, so your phone needs Data Roaming enabled to connect.
How to Fix It
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [Your eSIM line] > Turn on Data Roaming
- Android: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > [Your eSIM line] > Enable Roaming
Pro Tip: Enable Data Roaming at home before you leave. It will not cost you anything or consume data until you are actually in the destination country. This way, your eSIM connects automatically when you land.
Mistake #2: Waiting Until the Airport to Install
Installing your eSIM at the airport is risky because airport WiFi is often slow, unreliable, or requires registration that eats into your limited time. We see this frequently with travellers who buy their eSIM days in advance but wait to install it.
The QR code scanning process needs a stable internet connection. If the airport WiFi drops halfway through installation, you may need to start over or contact support while other passengers rush past you to passport control.
How to Avoid It
Install your eSIM the day you purchase it, from the comfort of your home on reliable WiFi. Your eSIM will sit dormant until you activate it in the destination country. There is zero downside to installing early and significant risk to waiting.
Mistake #3: Buying the Wrong Amount of Data
Overbuying wastes money, while underbuying leaves you scrambling for WiFi during your trip. The right amount depends on your travel style, and most people overestimate how much they need.
| Travel Style | Weekly Data Usage | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Light (maps, messaging, email) | 1-2 GB | 1-3 GB plan |
| Moderate (social media, photos, navigation) | 3-5 GB | 5 GB plan |
| Heavy (video calls, streaming, remote work) | 7-15 GB | 10-20 GB plan |
How to Get It Right
Start with a smaller plan. If you are going to Brazil for two weeks and mostly using hotel WiFi, a 5 GB plan is likely plenty. You can always top up with an additional eSIM if you run out. It is cheaper to buy two small plans than one oversized plan you do not use.
Pro Tip: Turn off automatic app updates, cloud photo syncing, and background data on your eSIM line. These background processes can consume several gigabytes without you noticing.
Mistake #4: Accidentally Deleting the eSIM Profile
Unlike physical SIM cards that you can simply re-insert, a deleted eSIM is gone permanently. Each QR code can only be used once. If you delete the eSIM profile from your phone, you will need to purchase a new plan entirely.
This happens more often than you might think. Travellers exploring their phone settings, trying to switch between eSIMs, or cleaning up old profiles sometimes delete the wrong one. On iPhone, the "Remove Cellular Plan" button is uncomfortably close to other settings.
How to Prevent It
- Label your eSIM clearly: "Brazil Trip" or "Mexico Data" rather than the default carrier name
- Never delete an eSIM profile until your trip is completely over and you have no remaining data
- Screenshot your QR code and save it in a separate folder as a reference (though it cannot be re-scanned after first use)
- If travelling to multiple countries, keep all eSIM profiles installed and just switch the active one
Mistake #5: Trying to Use eSIM on a Locked Phone
A carrier-locked phone will reject any third-party eSIM installation, and many travellers do not realise their phone is locked until they try. Carriers often lock phones that are purchased through payment plans or subsidised contracts.
The frustrating part is that you may not get a clear error message. Some phones simply fail to complete the QR code scan, while others show a generic "cannot add plan" error.
How to Check and Fix It
- iPhone: Settings > General > About > Look for "Carrier Lock" (should say "No SIM restrictions")
- Android: Settings > About Phone > SIM Status > Check for carrier lock information
- If locked, contact your carrier and request an unlock. Most carriers will unlock your phone for free if the contract is paid up. This can take 24-72 hours, so do it well before your trip.
Bonus: Three More Mistakes Worth Avoiding
Beyond the top five, these smaller mistakes can also cause headaches during your trip.
- Not restarting your phone after installation: A quick restart can resolve most connection issues. If your eSIM does not connect within a few minutes of landing, restart your phone before contacting support.
- Leaving your home SIM as the default data line: Make sure your eSIM is set as the primary data line when abroad. Otherwise, your phone may try to use your home SIM for data, triggering expensive roaming charges.
- Ignoring your data balance: Check remaining data periodically during your trip. Running out mid-navigation in an unfamiliar city is not ideal. Most phones show data usage in Settings under your eSIM line.
eSIM Troubleshooting Checklist
If your eSIM is not working after landing, run through this checklist before contacting support.
You can also use Meili, our free AI travel planner, to build a custom day-by-day itinerary for your trip.
- Is Data Roaming enabled for your eSIM line? (Settings > Cellular/Mobile)
- Is your eSIM set as the primary data line?
- Have you restarted your phone since installation?
- Are you in an area with mobile coverage?
- Is your phone in Airplane Mode? (Turn it off)
- Try manually selecting a network: Settings > Cellular > Network Selection > Turn off Automatic and select a carrier
If none of these steps work, contact LATAM Travellers support with your order number and a screenshot of your cellular settings. Visit our How We Work page for details on getting help.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall an eSIM if I accidentally delete it?
No. Each eSIM QR code is single-use. Once deleted from your phone, the profile cannot be reinstalled. You would need to purchase a new eSIM plan. This is why labelling your eSIM and being careful in settings is so important.
Will enabling Data Roaming charge me extra?
No. When using an eSIM data plan from LATAM Travellers, enabling Data Roaming simply allows your phone to connect to local networks. You are using your prepaid data allowance, not incurring additional roaming charges. The cost is fixed at whatever you paid for the plan.
How do I know if my eSIM is working correctly?
Check your signal bars and try loading a webpage. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular and verify your eSIM line shows a carrier name and signal. On Android, check Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs. If you see a carrier name and data indicators (4G/LTE), your eSIM is working.
Can I use multiple eSIMs on one phone?
Yes. Most modern phones can store 5-10 eSIM profiles simultaneously. Only one can be active for data at a time, but switching between them takes seconds. This is ideal for multi-country trips across Latin America.
What happens when my eSIM data runs out?
Your data connection stops, but your phone continues to work normally otherwise. You can still use WiFi, make calls on your regular SIM, and receive texts. To restore mobile data, purchase and install a new eSIM plan from LATAM Travellers.
Travel Smart, Stay Connected
Every one of these mistakes is completely preventable with a few minutes of preparation before your trip. Install at home, enable Data Roaming, label your eSIM, and check your phone is unlocked. That is all it takes to have seamless connectivity from the moment you land in Latin America.
Planning Your Trip?
Use Meili, our free AI travel planner, to build a personalised day-by-day itinerary. Tell it your dates, travel style, and priorities — it handles the rest. As a Latin America eSIM specialist, LATAM Travellers focuses exclusively on providing reliable connectivity across the region.
Plan My TripAlso available: Mexico eSIM Plans | Colombia eSIM Plans | Peru eSIM Plans
Latam Travellers is an eSIM retailer. Articles may contain links to our products.