Canary Islands eSIM Not Connecting? Network and Signal Fixes

If your Canary Islands eSIM is not connecting, the phone is usually failing to register on a supported mobile network. You may see No Service, Searching, Emergency Calls Only or an empty signal indicator even though the eSIM profile is already installed.

This problem is different from having signal but no internet. When an eSIM is not connecting, the priority is to make the phone recognise the travel line and register it on an available partner network. The most important checks are whether the eSIM is enabled, Data Roaming is turned on, automatic network selection is working and the phone is in an area with usable coverage.

Network registration may take several minutes after landing, leaving Airplane Mode, restarting the device or arriving on another island. Avoid deleting the eSIM while the phone is still trying to connect because many travel eSIM QR codes are intended for one installation only.

Quick fix: Enable the travel eSIM, select it for mobile data, turn on Data Roaming and keep automatic network selection enabled. Activate Airplane Mode for approximately 30 seconds, turn it off and wait several minutes. If the eSIM still shows No Service, restart the phone and try manual network selection.

What Does eSIM Not Connecting Mean?

An eSIM is not connecting when the profile exists on the phone but cannot register on a mobile network.

Common signs include:

• No Service.
• Searching for Network.
• Emergency Calls Only.
• No signal bars for the travel line.
• A crossed-out mobile network icon.
• The travel eSIM remaining inactive after arrival.
• No local or partner network name appearing.

If signal bars and a network name are already visible but mobile data does not load, the issue is more likely related to the preferred data line, roaming configuration or APN.

Why a Canary Islands eSIM May Not Connect

The most common causes are:

• The travel eSIM is installed but switched off.
• The phone has not arrived in the covered destination.
• Data Roaming is disabled.
• The phone has not completed network registration.
• Automatic network selection is stuck.
• The phone is in a weak-coverage location.
• The device is carrier-locked.
• The plan has not started or has expired.
• The exact phone model does not fully support eSIM.
• The QR code was previously installed on another device.

Connection Checklist

Connection Check	Required Status
Travel eSIM profile	Visible and enabled
Current destination	Inside covered Canary Islands area
Preferred mobile data line	NoveSIM or Travel
Data Roaming	Enabled on travel eSIM
Network Selection	Automatic initially
Primary SIM roaming	Disabled
Automatic data switching	Disabled

Confirm That the eSIM Is Installed

Open the phone’s SIM settings and look for the travel profile. It may be labelled NoveSIM, Travel, Canary Islands, Secondary or by a network name.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Look for the travel eSIM under SIMs.

On Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Connections, Network & Internet or Mobile Network.
3. Open SIM Manager or SIMs.
4. Look for the travel profile.

If the eSIM appears, it is already installed. Do not scan the QR code again.

Confirm That You Have Arrived in the Canary Islands

A destination eSIM may not connect before reaching its supported coverage area. Seeing No Service in your home country can be normal.

After arrival, confirm that:

• The phone is no longer in Airplane Mode.
• The travel line is enabled.
• You are not relying only on airport WiFi.
• The selected plan includes the Canary Islands.
• The activation date or validity period has started.

The first connection can take several minutes, particularly inside an airport terminal or immediately after landing.

Enable the Travel eSIM

An installed profile can remain disabled until you turn it on manually.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select the travel eSIM.
4. Enable Turn On This Line.

On Samsung

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Connections.
3. Select SIM Manager.
4. Enable the travel eSIM.

On Google Pixel

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Select SIMs.
4. Select the travel eSIM.
5. Enable Use SIM.

Select the eSIM for Mobile Data

Although the main issue is network connection, selecting the travel eSIM as the preferred data line helps ensure that the phone activates and uses the correct profile.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select Cellular Data.
4. Choose the travel eSIM.
5. Disable Allow Cellular Data Switching.

On Android:

1. Open the SIM settings.
2. Select Mobile Data or Preferred Data SIM.
3. Choose the travel eSIM.
4. Disable automatic data switching.

Enable Data Roaming

A travel eSIM normally connects through partner mobile networks, so Data Roaming must be enabled on the travel line.

On iPhone:

1. Open the travel eSIM settings.
2. Enable Data Roaming.

On Android:

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

Keep roaming disabled on your primary SIM to reduce the risk of charges from your home operator.

Use Airplane Mode to Refresh the Connection

Airplane Mode forces the phone to disconnect from all mobile networks and begin a new registration attempt.

1. Turn Airplane Mode on.
2. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
3. Turn Airplane Mode off.
4. Keep the phone unlocked.
5. Wait several minutes for a network name or signal bars.

Do not switch settings repeatedly during this period. The phone may need time to scan and authenticate on a partner network.

Restart the Phone

If Airplane Mode does not restore the connection, restart the device.

A restart can help after:

• Enabling the travel eSIM.
• Changing the preferred data line.
• Turning on Data Roaming.
• Arriving from another country.
• Moving between islands.
• Changing network selection settings.

After the restart, wait several minutes before assuming that the connection has failed.

Keep Automatic Network Selection Enabled First

Automatic network selection is normally the best starting point because it allows the phone to identify an available supported partner network.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select the travel eSIM.
4. Select Network Selection.
5. Enable Automatic.

On Android:

1. Open the travel eSIM settings.
2. Select Network Operators or Choose Network.
3. Enable automatic selection.

Wait several minutes after enabling automatic selection because the initial network scan may take time.

Try Manual Network Selection

If the phone still shows No Service after the basic steps, manual network selection can force a fresh scan.

Manual Network Selection on iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Cellular or Mobile Service.
3. Select the travel eSIM.
4. Select Network Selection.
5. Turn off Automatic.
6. Wait for available networks to appear.
7. Select a supported network.
8. Wait for registration.

Manual Network Selection on Android

1. Open the travel eSIM settings.
2. Select Network Operators or Choose Network.
3. Turn off automatic selection.
4. Wait for the scan to finish.
5. Select a supported network.
6. Wait for the phone to register.

If the selected network does not work, return to automatic selection before trying another supported option.

Move to an Area with Better Signal

Coverage in the Canary Islands is generally strongest in cities, resorts, airports, ports and along main roads. The eSIM may struggle to register in locations where mobile signal is weak.

Possible weak-coverage areas include:

• Mountain roads.
• Volcanic parks.
• Deep ravines.
• Remote beaches.
• Rural inland areas.
• Underground parking areas.
• Large reinforced buildings.
• Ferry routes far from the coastline.

Move outdoors or toward a populated area before changing additional settings.

Why the eSIM May Not Connect at the Airport

Airport terminals can interfere with mobile reception because of the building structure, underground areas or congestion immediately after multiple flights arrive.

Try:

• Moving closer to a window.
• Leaving the terminal building.
• Turning Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds.
• Restarting the phone.
• Waiting until you reach the airport pickup area.

Do not delete the eSIM simply because it does not connect immediately inside the terminal.

Why the eSIM May Stop Connecting Between Islands

During island hopping, the phone may temporarily lose network registration while travelling offshore or after arriving on another island.

This commonly happens:

• During ferry crossings.
• After a domestic flight.
• When leaving Airplane Mode.
• When moving into the coverage area of another network.
• When automatic network selection is still scanning.

Keep the same eSIM installed. Use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds and wait for the phone to reconnect after reaching the new island.

Check the Plan Status

The eSIM may not connect if the plan has not started, has expired or was purchased for a different destination.

Check:

• The plan name.
• The covered destination.
• The activation date.
• The validity period.
• The order status.
• Whether the profile was installed successfully.

If the plan starts on the first supported network connection, it should normally activate after registration in the Canary Islands.

Check Whether the Phone Is Carrier-Locked

A carrier-locked phone may support eSIM technology but refuse to connect using a travel profile.

Check Carrier Lock on iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Select About.
4. Find Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock.

The expected status is No SIM restrictions.

Check Carrier Lock on Android

Android phones do not always show a clear status. Contact the original operator or test a SIM from another network.

NoveSIM cannot remove a carrier lock from a device.

Check eSIM Compatibility

Dial:

*#06#

Look for an EID. Its presence usually confirms that the phone contains eSIM hardware.

You should also check:

• The exact phone model.
• The regional version.
• The country of purchase.
• Whether third-party eSIM profiles are supported.
• Whether another eSIM slot is available.

What If the Phone Shows a Network but Does Not Load Data?

If signal bars or a network name appear, the eSIM has connected to a mobile network. The remaining issue is probably mobile data configuration rather than registration.

Check:

• The travel eSIM is selected for mobile data.
• Data Roaming is enabled.
• Automatic data switching is disabled.
• The APN is set to data.esim.

APN Field	Value
Name	NoveSIM
APN	data.esim
Username	Leave blank
Password	Leave blank

Do Not Delete the eSIM

Deleting the eSIM is not a recommended connection fix. Some travel eSIM QR codes can only be installed once.

If you remove the profile, the original QR code may no longer work and replacement installation details may be required.

Before considering deletion, complete all of these checks:

• Enable the travel line.
• Select it for mobile data.
• Enable Data Roaming.
• Disable automatic data switching.
• Use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds.
• Restart the phone.
• Try automatic network selection.
• Try manual network selection.
• Move to an area with stronger coverage.

Do Not Reset Network Settings Too Early

A network settings reset removes saved WiFi networks, passwords, VPN settings and other mobile configurations. It should not be the first troubleshooting step.

Before resetting anything, confirm:

• The eSIM is enabled.
• The correct data line is selected.
• Roaming is on.
• Network selection has been tested.
• The phone has been restarted.
• You are in a suitable coverage area.

Use a network reset only when specifically recommended for your device or support case.

Can the Main SIM Prevent the eSIM from Connecting?

The primary SIM does not normally block the travel eSIM, but certain dual-SIM settings can create confusion.

To simplify the setup:

• Select the travel eSIM for mobile data.
• Disable automatic data switching.
• Keep Data Roaming off on the primary SIM.
• Temporarily disable the primary SIM only as a diagnostic step if necessary.

You can turn the primary SIM back on after the travel eSIM connects.

Will WhatsApp Work After the eSIM Connects?

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

NoveSIM plans are data-only, so they do not normally include a new phone number, voice minutes or traditional SMS. WhatsApp, Viber and other internet calling services can use the eSIM’s mobile data connection.

What Information Should You Send to Support?

If the eSIM still cannot connect, prepare clear information before contacting support.

• Your order number.
• The island and exact area where you are located.
• Your phone brand and exact model.
• Whether the phone shows No Service, Searching or Emergency Calls Only.
• A screenshot showing the installed eSIM.
• A screenshot of Data Roaming.
• A screenshot of Network Selection.
• The names of networks visible during a manual scan.
• Confirmation that Airplane Mode and a restart were tried.
• Confirmation that the eSIM has not been deleted.

Do not publish your QR code or complete device identifiers in public support channels.

Connection Troubleshooting Order

Step	Action
1	Confirm the eSIM is installed and enabled
2	Confirm you are in the covered destination
3	Select the eSIM for mobile data
4	Enable Data Roaming
5	Disable automatic data switching
6	Use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds
7	Restart the phone
8	Try automatic and manual network selection
9	Move to an area with stronger signal
10	Contact support without deleting the eSIM

Related Articles

• eSIM Not Working in the Canary Islands
• How to Use an eSIM in the Canary Islands
• How to Activate a Canary Islands eSIM
• Canary Islands eSIM for iPhone
• Canary Islands eSIM for Android

FAQ

Why is my Canary Islands eSIM not connecting?

The travel line may be disabled, Data Roaming may be off, the phone may not have completed network registration or you may be in an area with weak coverage.

Why does my eSIM show No Service?

No Service means the phone has not registered on a supported network. Enable the line and roaming, use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds and restart the device.

How long should an eSIM take to connect after landing?

It may connect within a few minutes, but registration can take longer inside an airport terminal or immediately after leaving Airplane Mode.

Should network selection be automatic?

Yes. Start with automatic selection. Use manual network selection only when the phone remains unable to register.

Should I turn on Data Roaming?

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

Can the eSIM lose connection during a ferry crossing?

Yes. Signal may disappear when the ferry travels far from the coastline. The phone should reconnect as it approaches the next island.

Why does the eSIM connect outdoors but not inside my hotel?

Building materials, lower floors and interior rooms can weaken mobile signal. Move closer to a window or outside to test the connection.

Should I delete and reinstall the eSIM?

No. Do not delete it unless support specifically advises you to do so. Many QR codes are intended for one installation.

What if the eSIM connects to a network but internet still does not work?

Select the travel eSIM for mobile data, enable roaming and check that the APN is set to data.esim.

What should I send to support?

Send your order number, exact phone model, current island, connection status, screenshots of the eSIM and roaming settings, and the networks visible during a manual scan.

Final Recommendation

If your Canary Islands eSIM is not connecting, focus first on mobile network registration. Confirm that the travel profile is enabled, select it for mobile data, turn on Data Roaming and keep automatic network selection active.

Use Airplane Mode for approximately 30 seconds, restart the phone and test the connection outdoors or in a populated area. Try manual network selection only when automatic registration fails, and do not delete the eSIM while troubleshooting because the QR code may not be reusable.