No Internet with a Canary Islands eSIM? Mobile Data Fixes

If your Canary Islands eSIM shows signal but has no internet, the profile has probably connected to a mobile network but the data session is not configured correctly. This is different from an eSIM that shows No Service or cannot register on any network.

The most common causes are the wrong SIM selected for mobile data, disabled Data Roaming, an incorrect APN, automatic switching to the primary SIM or a plan that has expired or used its available data.

Most no-internet problems can be fixed through the phone settings. You should not delete or reinstall the eSIM as an early troubleshooting step because many travel eSIM QR codes are intended for one installation only.

Quick fix: Select the travel eSIM as the preferred mobile data line, enable Data Roaming, disable automatic data switching and set the APN to data.esim. Then turn WiFi off, activate Airplane Mode for approximately 30 seconds and restart the phone if mobile data still does not load.

What Does Signal but No Internet Mean?

Signal bars, a network name or a 4G or 5G symbol usually mean that the eSIM has registered on a local partner network. However, this does not guarantee that the phone has opened a working mobile data connection.

You may experience:

• Signal bars but webpages do not open.
• A local network name without working applications.
• WhatsApp messages remaining unsent.
• Maps showing an offline warning.
• A 4G or 5G symbol but no usable data.
• Mobile data working only when WiFi is connected.
• Some applications loading while others remain offline.

When the eSIM already shows a mobile network, focus on the data line, roaming, APN and plan status rather than network compatibility.

Main Causes of No Mobile Internet

Possible Cause	Typical Result
Wrong SIM selected for data	Phone remains attached to the primary line
Data Roaming disabled	eSIM has signal but cannot open a data session
Incorrect APN	Network appears but websites do not load
Automatic data switching enabled	Phone changes between SIM profiles
Data allowance used	Internet stops or becomes severely limited
Plan expired	Network may remain visible without usable data
Background data consumption	Allowance is used faster than expected
Temporary network session issue	Connection returns after Airplane Mode or restart

Step 1: Turn WiFi Off Before Testing

WiFi can hide a mobile data problem because the phone may continue using the hotel, airport or restaurant network.

1. Turn WiFi off temporarily.
2. Confirm that the travel eSIM remains enabled.
3. Look for a mobile network indicator.
4. Open a webpage that you have not recently visited.
5. Test maps or a messaging application.

If internet stops as soon as WiFi is disabled, continue with the mobile data checks below.

Step 2: Select the Travel eSIM for Mobile Data

An installed and enabled eSIM may not be the line currently used for internet. The phone can still have your primary SIM selected.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select Cellular Data.
4. Choose the line labelled NoveSIM, Travel or Canary Islands.
5. Disable Allow Cellular Data Switching.

On Samsung

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Connections.
3. Select SIM Manager.
4. Under Preferred SIMs, select Mobile Data.
5. Choose the travel eSIM.

On Google Pixel

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Select SIMs.
4. Choose the travel eSIM.
5. Enable Mobile Data.
6. Set it as the preferred data SIM when prompted.

Step 3: Enable Data Roaming

Travel eSIMs normally connect through partner mobile networks. Data Roaming must therefore be enabled on the travel line.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select the travel eSIM.
4. Enable Data Roaming.

On Android:

1. Open the mobile network settings.
2. Select the travel eSIM.
3. Find Roaming or Data Roaming.
4. Enable it.

Keep Data Roaming disabled on your primary SIM unless you intentionally want to use your home operator’s roaming service.

Step 4: Disable Automatic Data Switching

Some dual-SIM phones automatically move mobile data to the primary SIM when the travel line appears weak. This can interrupt the eSIM data session and may create roaming charges.

Disable settings such as:

• Allow Cellular Data Switching.
• Automatic Data Switching.
• Auto Data Switch.
• Switch Mobile Data Automatically.
• Backup Calling.
• Use Mobile Data During Calls.

The exact wording depends on the phone manufacturer and software version.

Step 5: Check the APN

The APN tells the phone how to connect the eSIM to mobile internet. For NoveSIM, the APN is:

data.esim

APN Field	Required Value
Name	NoveSIM
APN	data.esim
Username	Leave blank
Password	Leave blank
Authentication	None or default

Enter data.esim exactly, without spaces before or after the value.

How to Set the APN on iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select the travel eSIM.
4. Select Cellular Data Network when available.
5. Enter data.esim in the Cellular Data APN field.
6. Leave the username and password blank.
7. Return to the previous menu.

The APN menu may be hidden when the eSIM profile configures the setting automatically.

How to Set the APN on Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Mobile Network, Connections or Network & Internet.
3. Select the travel eSIM.
4. Open Access Point Names.
5. Create a new APN.
6. Enter NoveSIM as the name.
7. Enter data.esim as the APN.
8. Leave the username and password blank.
9. Save the APN.
10. Select the new APN from the list.

On Android, creating the APN is not enough. Make sure the new NoveSIM profile is selected after saving it.

Correct Mobile Data Configuration

Setting	Correct Configuration
Travel eSIM	Enabled
Preferred Mobile Data Line	NoveSIM or Travel
Data Roaming on Travel eSIM	Enabled
Primary SIM Data Roaming	Disabled
Automatic Data Switching	Disabled
APN	data.esim

Step 6: Refresh the Mobile Data Session

After correcting the settings, force the phone to establish a new network session.

1. Turn Airplane Mode on.
2. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
3. Turn Airplane Mode off.
4. Wait several minutes.
5. Keep WiFi turned off.
6. Test mobile internet again.

Do not repeatedly switch the eSIM on and off while the phone is trying to reconnect.

Step 7: Restart the Phone

A restart can apply changes to the preferred data line, roaming settings and APN.

After restarting, confirm that:

• The travel eSIM is still enabled.
• It remains selected for mobile data.
• Data Roaming is still enabled.
• The data.esim APN is selected.
• WiFi is off during testing.

Check Whether the Plan Is Active

Mobile internet may not work when the plan has not started, has expired or was purchased for a different destination.

Review:

• The covered destination.
• The activation date.
• The plan validity period.
• The remaining data allowance.
• The order status.
• Whether the eSIM has already connected in the Canary Islands.

If the plan activates on the first supported network connection, allow several minutes after arrival for the system to complete activation.

Check Whether the Data Allowance Is Used

A limited-data plan may stop providing internet when its allowance has been consumed.

Unexpected data use often comes from:

• Cloud photo and video backups.
• Automatic app updates.
• Operating system updates.
• Video streaming.
• Social media autoplay.
• Personal Hotspot use.
• Laptop cloud synchronisation.

Check your NoveSIM account and the phone’s mobile data statistics.

Unlimited-Style Plans and Reduced Speed

Some unlimited-style plans include a fair usage policy. NoveSIM plans may provide 1GB of high-speed data per 24 hours and then continue at reduced speed until the allowance resets.

A reduced-speed connection may appear as if there is no internet when:

• A high-resolution video is loading.
• A large webpage contains many images.
• A video call requires more bandwidth.
• Several hotspot devices are connected.
• Background updates are using the available speed.

Test a lightweight webpage or a simple WhatsApp message before concluding that the connection has stopped completely.

Pause Background Data Activity

Background activity can occupy the mobile connection and make other applications appear offline.

Temporarily pause:

• Google Photos or iCloud backup.
• App Store and Play Store updates.
• Cloud storage synchronisation.
• Podcast downloads.
• Music downloads.
• Automatic video uploads.
• Laptop updates through hotspot.

Then test mobile internet again.

Disable VPN Temporarily

A VPN can prevent applications from loading when its server is unavailable or unstable.

1. Disconnect the VPN.
2. Close the affected application.
3. Open it again.
4. Test a webpage without the VPN.

If internet works after disabling the VPN, reconnect through a different server or leave it off temporarily.

Check Whether Only One App Is Affected

If maps and websites work but one application remains offline, the eSIM connection may be functioning normally.

Try:

• Closing and reopening the application.
• Checking its mobile data permission.
• Disabling Data Saver restrictions for that application.
• Updating it over WiFi.
• Testing another application.

A single application problem should not be treated as a complete eSIM failure.

Check Mobile Data Permissions

Phones can block specific applications from using mobile data.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Scroll through the application list.
4. Enable mobile data for the required application.

On Android:

1. Open the application information page.
2. Select Mobile Data & WiFi or Data Usage.
3. Allow mobile data.
4. Allow background data if required.

Could Local Coverage Be the Cause?

A phone can display weak signal while failing to maintain a stable data session.

Coverage may be less reliable in:

• Volcanic parks.
• Mountain roads.
• Deep ravines.
• Remote beaches.
• Rural inland areas.
• Basements and underground parking.
• Ferries travelling far offshore.

Move outdoors or toward a populated area and test again before changing more settings.

Why Internet May Stop During Island Hopping

The same eSIM can usually remain installed while you travel between Canary Islands, but the mobile data session may be interrupted temporarily.

This can happen:

• During a ferry crossing.
• After arriving at a new port.
• After a domestic flight.
• When the phone changes partner networks.
• When automatic network selection is still scanning.

Use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds after reaching the next island and wait for a new connection.

Should You Change the Network Manually?

Automatic network selection is normally recommended. Manual selection is more relevant when the phone cannot register, not when it already has a strong network signal.

You may test manual selection when:

• The connection remains unavailable in several locations.
• The phone repeatedly changes networks.
• Automatic selection appears stuck.
• A supported network was specified in your plan instructions.

Return to automatic selection if the manually selected network does not provide data.

Do Not Delete the eSIM

Deleting the eSIM is not required to correct mobile data settings. Some travel eSIM QR codes cannot be reused after the first installation.

Before considering removal, confirm:

• The travel profile is enabled.
• It is selected for mobile data.
• Data Roaming is enabled.
• Automatic data switching is disabled.
• The APN is data.esim.
• The plan is active.
• The phone has been restarted.

Only delete the profile when support specifically advises you to do so.

Do Not Reset All Network Settings First

A complete network reset can remove saved WiFi passwords, VPN configurations and other mobile settings. It should not be the first solution.

Try the targeted fixes first:

• Correct the mobile data line.
• Enable roaming.
• Set the APN.
• Refresh with Airplane Mode.
• Restart the phone.
• Check the plan status.

Can You Keep Your Main SIM Active?

Yes. Your primary SIM can normally remain active for calls, SMS and verification codes while the travel eSIM provides mobile data.

Use this setup:

• Travel eSIM for mobile data.
• Primary SIM for calls and SMS when needed.
• Data Roaming enabled only on the travel eSIM.
• Automatic data switching disabled.

Your home operator may charge for calls or SMS while roaming.

Will WhatsApp Work with the Same Number?

Yes. WhatsApp normally keeps the number already registered in the application.

NoveSIM plans are data-only, so they do not usually include a new telephone number, voice minutes or traditional SMS. WhatsApp, Viber and other internet services use the mobile data connection from the eSIM.

What to Send to Support

If the phone continues to show signal without working internet, prepare:

• Your order number.
• Your current island and location.
• Your phone brand and exact model.
• The network name shown on the phone.
• A screenshot of the installed eSIM.
• A screenshot showing the preferred data line.
• A screenshot of Data Roaming.
• A screenshot of the APN.
• The remaining plan validity and data allowance.
• Confirmation that WiFi was disabled during testing.
• Confirmation that Airplane Mode and a restart were tried.

Do not share the complete QR code publicly.

No Internet Troubleshooting Checklist

• Turn WiFi off.
• Confirm that the travel eSIM is enabled.
• Select it for mobile data.
• Enable Data Roaming.
• Disable automatic data switching.
• Set the APN to data.esim.
• Save and select the APN on Android.
• Use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds.
• Restart the phone.
• Check the plan validity.
• Check the remaining data allowance.
• Pause cloud backups and app updates.
• Disable VPN temporarily.
• Test outdoors or in another location.
• Do not delete the eSIM.

Related Articles

• APN Settings for a Canary Islands eSIM
• eSIM Not Working in the Canary Islands
• Canary Islands eSIM Not Connecting
• Slow Internet with a Canary Islands eSIM
• How to Use an eSIM in the Canary Islands

FAQ

Why does my Canary Islands eSIM have signal but no internet?

The wrong SIM may be selected for mobile data, Data Roaming may be disabled or the APN may be missing or incorrect.

What APN should I use?

Use data.esim. Leave the username and password blank unless different settings are specifically supplied.

Why does mobile data work only when WiFi is on?

The phone is probably using WiFi rather than the eSIM. Turn WiFi off and check the preferred mobile data line, roaming and APN.

Do I need to enable Data Roaming?

Yes. Data Roaming normally must be enabled on the travel eSIM because it connects through partner networks.

Should I disable my main SIM?

Not necessarily. Keep it active for calls and SMS if needed, but disable its Data Roaming and automatic data switching.

Can an expired plan still show signal?

Yes. The phone may remain registered on a network even when the plan has expired or has no remaining data.

Why does WhatsApp not work even though I have signal?

Test another internet service first. If nothing loads, check the eSIM data line, roaming and APN. If other services work, check WhatsApp’s mobile data permission.

Should I select a network manually?

Use automatic selection first. Manual selection may help if the phone repeatedly changes networks or the automatic connection is unstable.

Should I delete and reinstall the eSIM?

No. Do not delete it unless support specifically advises you to do so. The installation QR code may not be reusable.

What information should I send to support?

Send your order number, phone model, current island, network name, plan status and screenshots of the eSIM, mobile data, roaming and APN settings.

Final Recommendation

If your Canary Islands eSIM has signal but no internet, start with the mobile data configuration. Select the travel eSIM as the preferred data line, enable Data Roaming, disable automatic switching and confirm that the APN is data.esim.

Refresh the connection with Airplane Mode for approximately 30 seconds, restart the phone and test again with WiFi turned off. Check the remaining data and plan validity before contacting support, and do not delete the eSIM because the QR code may only work once.