No Internet on New Zealand eSIM? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

If your New Zealand eSIM shows no internet connection, the problem is usually caused by a phone setting, activation issue or incorrect mobile data configuration rather than the eSIM itself.

The most common reasons are that the travel eSIM is not selected for Mobile Data, Data Roaming is disabled, the phone is still using the primary SIM, the APN needs adjustment or the device has not connected to a supported network yet.

Quick answer: enable the New Zealand eSIM, select it as your Mobile Data line, turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM, disable Automatic Data Switching and check that the APN is set to data.esim if manual configuration is required. Then turn Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds and restart your phone.

First: Do Not Delete the eSIM

Do not delete your eSIM when mobile data is not working. The QR code used for installation may only work once. Removing the profile can make troubleshooting more difficult.

If the eSIM appears in your phone settings, it is already installed. The next step is checking configuration and network connection.

Quick Checklist When Your New Zealand eSIM Has No Internet

Check	Correct Setting
eSIM status	Enabled
Mobile Data SIM	New Zealand travel eSIM
Data Roaming on travel eSIM	On
Data Roaming on primary SIM	Off
Automatic Data Switching	Off
Network Selection	Automatic
APN	data.esim

1. Check That the eSIM Is Turned On

An eSIM can be installed but disabled. This often happens when travellers install the plan before departure and only activate it after arriving in New Zealand.

iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Mobile Service or Cellular.
3. Select the New Zealand eSIM.
4. Make sure Turn On This Line is enabled.

Samsung Galaxy

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

Google Pixel

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

2. Select the eSIM for Mobile Data

One of the most common reasons for no internet is that the phone still uses the primary SIM for mobile data.

Make sure the New Zealand eSIM is selected as the preferred data line.

iPhone

Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data → Select the travel eSIM.

Android

Settings → SIM Manager or SIMs → Preferred SIM for Mobile Data → Select the travel eSIM.

3. Enable Data Roaming on the Travel eSIM

Travel eSIMs often connect through partner networks, which means Data Roaming must be enabled on the travel eSIM even when you are physically in New Zealand.

Use this configuration:

SIM	Roaming Setting
New Zealand travel eSIM	Enabled
Your home SIM	Disabled

Many users enable the eSIM but forget this setting, resulting in signal bars without internet access.

4. Disable Automatic Data Switching

Dual-SIM phones may automatically switch data back to your main SIM when the eSIM connection becomes weak.

Disable options such as:

• Allow Mobile Data Switching.
• Automatic Data Switching.
• Auto Data Switch.
• Backup Data Connection.

This also reduces the risk of unexpected roaming charges from your home operator.

5. Turn WiFi Off and Test Mobile Data

Sometimes users believe the eSIM works because the phone is connected to hotel, airport or café WiFi.

Test the eSIM properly:

1. Turn WiFi off.
2. Confirm the travel eSIM is selected for Mobile Data.
3. Open a webpage.
4. Open a map application.
5. Send a WhatsApp message.

If the internet works only with WiFi, the issue is with the mobile data configuration.

6. Check the APN Settings

If your phone has mobile signal but no internet, the APN may need to be configured.

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

Save the APN and select it as active.

Do not change MCC, MNC or other advanced settings unless specifically instructed.

7. Toggle Airplane Mode

After changing SIM or APN settings, force the phone to reconnect to the network.

1. Turn Airplane Mode on.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn Airplane Mode off.
4. Wait several minutes.
5. Test mobile data again.

8. Restart Your Phone

A restart can fix temporary network-registration issues after:

• Installing an eSIM.
• Changing Mobile Data settings.
• Moving between countries.
• Switching between SIM profiles.

Restart the phone and wait a few minutes after it reconnects.

9. Leave Network Selection on Automatic

Manual network selection can prevent the eSIM from connecting correctly while travelling around New Zealand.

Use:

Network Selection → Automatic

The phone will search for an available supported network automatically.

10. Confirm Your eSIM Plan Includes New Zealand

An installed eSIM does not automatically mean the plan works in every country.

Check that:

• New Zealand is included in the coverage list.
• The plan has not expired.
• You still have available data.
• The plan has activated correctly.

An old eSIM profile from a previous trip may remain installed but no longer have active data.

11. Check Phone Compatibility

Your device must support eSIM and be unlocked.

Dial:

*#06#

Look for an EID. You can also check for:

• Add eSIM.
• Add Cellular Plan.
• Add Mobile Plan.

A carrier-locked phone may install an eSIM but prevent it from connecting to another provider.

Check New Zealand eSIM compatibility.

12. No Internet During a New Zealand Road Trip

New Zealand has many remote areas where mobile coverage changes quickly.

You may experience limited connectivity in:

• Mountain passes.
• National parks.
• Remote beaches.
• Forests.
• Rural roads.
• Less populated regions.

Before leaving towns:

• Download offline maps.
• Save accommodation details.
• Download important travel information.
• Charge your phone and power bank.

An eSIM cannot provide internet where there is no supported mobile coverage.

What If the eSIM Shows Signal but No Internet?

This usually means the phone is connected to a network but mobile data settings are incorrect.

Check:

• Travel eSIM selected for Mobile Data.
• Data Roaming enabled.
• APN set correctly.
• Automatic Data Switching disabled.
• Plan still active.

What If the eSIM Shows No Service?

No Service usually indicates a network-registration problem.

Check:

• The eSIM is enabled.
• The plan includes New Zealand.
• Network Selection is Automatic.
• You are not in an area without coverage.
• The phone has been restarted.

When to Contact Support

If your New Zealand eSIM still has no internet after completing the steps above, prepare:

• Order number.
• Phone model.
• Current location.
• Screenshot of SIM settings.
• Whether signal bars appear.
• Current APN.
• Error message if available.

Do not share your QR code publicly.

Related New Zealand eSIM Guides

• New Zealand eSIM Plans
• eSIM Not Working in New Zealand
• APN Settings for New Zealand eSIM
• Why Is My eSIM Slow in New Zealand?
• How to Use an eSIM in New Zealand

FAQ

Why does my New Zealand eSIM have no internet?

The most common causes are incorrect Mobile Data selection, disabled Data Roaming, wrong APN settings or the plan not including New Zealand.

Do I need Data Roaming enabled?

Yes. Enable Data Roaming on the travel eSIM. Keep it disabled on your primary SIM.

What APN should I use?

Use data.esim when manual APN configuration is required.

Why does my eSIM show signal but no data?

The phone may be connected to a network but using the wrong SIM for data or missing the correct APN configuration.

Should I delete my eSIM?

No. Keep the eSIM installed while troubleshooting because the QR code may only support one installation.

Can an eSIM work in cities but not rural New Zealand?

Yes. Coverage depends on location, terrain and available mobile infrastructure.

Final Recommendation

If your New Zealand eSIM has no internet, start with the basic settings: enable the eSIM, select it for Mobile Data and turn on Data Roaming for the travel line.

Then disable Automatic Data Switching, check the APN (data.esim when required), toggle Airplane Mode for 30 seconds and restart the phone.

Do not delete the eSIM during troubleshooting. Most connection problems are solved by correcting settings, waiting for network registration or moving to an area with stronger coverage.

Browse New Zealand eSIM plans here.