Samsung device settings guide

Samsung Data Roaming Settings Guide One UI 6 & 7

Updated June 2026Settings paths tested on Galaxy S24 (One UI 6.1) and S25 (One UI 7.0), June 2026

Samsung Galaxy roaming costs $10/day on AT&T or Verizon the moment your phone connects to a foreign carrier. One wrong tap at the airport and the charge starts. This guide covers the exact settings path, dual-SIM control for eSIM travel, and the Quick Settings tile that puts roaming one tap away.

11 min readUpdated June 2026By The Bill Shock Desk

Samsung roaming — quick answer

To disable data roaming on Samsung Galaxy: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming > toggle OFF. Takes 10 seconds. For dual-SIM travel, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager to disable roaming on your home SIM and enable it on your travel e-SIM independently. Add a Data Roaming tile to Quick Settings for one-tap control at the airport.

June 2026 verifiedTested on Galaxy S24 One UI 6.1 and S25 One UI 7.0Dual-SIM eSIM paths verified on S24 and Z Fold 6Settings paths current as of June 2026 firmware

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Primary settings path

Samsung One UI roaming settings path

Identical on One UI 6 (Galaxy S24) and One UI 7 (Galaxy S25). The path has not changed between versions.

The primary path to data roaming on any Samsung Galaxy running One UI 6 or 7:

Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Data Roaming → toggle OFF

This single toggle controls data roaming for the active SIM. In single-SIM mode, it disables all cellular data on foreign networks. WiFi continues working normally. The phone remains reachable for calls and texts over WiFi Calling if that feature is enabled.

One UI Quick Settings shortcut

Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open the full Quick Settings panel. Long-press the Mobile Data tile to jump directly to Mobile Network settings. This reaches the same Data Roaming toggle in 3 taps instead of navigating through the full Settings menu.

Galaxy S25 Ultra path (One UI 7)

One UI 7 on the Galaxy S25 series introduced a redesigned Settings app with a slightly different visual layout, but the path is unchanged: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming. The toggle appears in the same position within Mobile Networks as in One UI 6. All steps in this guide apply to both S24 and S25 series.

Older Galaxy models (S21, S22, S23)

The settings path is identical on Galaxy S21, S22, and S23 series running One UI 5 and 6. Samsung has kept the Connections > Mobile Networks structure consistent across recent generations. A-series phones (A54, A55) and Z Fold and Flip series use the same path.

One-tap control

Adding the Data Roaming tile to Quick Settings

One pull-down and one tap to disable roaming the moment you land. This tile is not added by default — you must add it manually.

Samsung does not include a Data Roaming tile in the default Quick Settings panel. Adding it takes under 60 seconds and gives you a single tap to disable roaming when landing internationally.

How to add the Data Roaming Quick Settings tile

Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to expand the full Quick Settings panel (the second swipe reveals all tiles and the edit button).
Tap the pencil icon (edit) at the bottom left of the panel.
Scroll through the available tiles. Find “Data Roaming.”
Press and hold the Data Roaming tile and drag it up into the active tiles area at the top.
Tap Done (or the back arrow depending on your One UI version).

The Data Roaming tile now appears in your Quick Settings panel. When roaming is ON, the tile is highlighted in color. When OFF, it is greyed out. A single tap toggles the state for the active data SIM.

Practical use at the airport

Before landing, put your phone in airplane mode. After landing, open Quick Settings. Enable WiFi. Check the Data Roaming tile — confirm it shows as OFF for your home SIM. Only tap it ON when you have an eSIM active and want to enable data for that eSIM. This sequence prevents any accidental carrier day pass activation during the landing process.

Dual-SIM setup

SIM Manager for dual-SIM eSIM travel

Galaxy S21 and newer support one physical SIM plus one eSIM simultaneously. Control roaming, calls, and data independently for each.

Which Samsung phones support eSIM

Galaxy S20 and newer S-series phones support eSIM. Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series (all generations) support eSIM. Select A-series phones support eSIM — A54 and A55 in most markets. Galaxy S25 series supports two eSIM profiles simultaneously on some regional variants. Check your specific model on Samsung's eSIM compatibility page before purchasing a travel eSIM.

How to add a travel eSIM on Samsung

Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager.
Tap “Add eSIM” (or the + button depending on One UI version).
Select “Scan QR code” and scan the code from your eSIM provider (Airalo, Saily, Holafly, or Nomad).
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the eSIM profile. This requires a WiFi connection.
Name the eSIM for easy identification (e.g., “Airalo France”).

Per-SIM roaming control in SIM Manager

After installing the travel eSIM:

Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > tap your home SIM > Mobile Data > Roaming > OFF
Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > tap the travel eSIM > Mobile Data > Roaming > ON
Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Mobile data > select the travel eSIM as the primary data SIM

This configuration routes all data through the travel eSIM. Your home SIM stays active for incoming calls and SMS — useful for two-factor authentication codes from banking and other US services. Keep the home SIM as the default voice line.

Dual-SIM visual confirmation

Samsung's notification bar shows two signal indicators when two SIMs are active. Verify both show signal bars — home SIM for voice, travel eSIM for data. If the travel eSIM shows no signal after activation, go to SIM Manager and confirm it is enabled and set as the mobile data SIM.

Bill shock prevention

Background data restrictions on Samsung

Background data is the primary cause of accidental roaming charges. Apps sync and update when the phone screen is off, triggering carrier day passes without any conscious use.

What triggers accidental roaming charges

When you turn off airplane mode at a foreign airport, every app with background data access immediately checks for updates. Email fetches new messages. iCloud or Google Photos attempts to sync new photos. The Play Store checks for app updates. WhatsApp refreshes status. Each of these background requests uses cellular data. On AT&T or Verizon, the first byte activates a $10 day pass — before you open a single app.

Global background data restriction

The fastest way to restrict all background data on Samsung: Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage > tap the three-dot menu > Restrict background data. This stops background data for all apps on mobile data. Apps only use data when you are actively in them. This is the nuclear option — effective but aggressive.

Per-app background data control

For finer control: Settings > Apps > [select app] > Mobile Data > toggle “Allow background data usage” OFF. The apps most worth restricting for travel:

Google Photos (auto-backup)
Google Drive and Dropbox (auto-sync)
Play Store (automatic updates)
Samsung Galaxy Store (automatic updates)
Gmail, Outlook, and other email clients
YouTube and streaming apps (pre-caching)

Apps to leave unrestricted

Keep background data enabled for: WhatsApp (so you receive messages while not actively in the app), Google Maps (so navigation updates stay current), and your phone dialer (so incoming calls arrive normally). These three apps justify background data access during travel.

Data efficiency

Data Saver mode for travel

Samsung Data Saver restricts background data for all apps except those you explicitly allow. It also extends battery life by reducing background network activity.

How to enable Data Saver

Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data Saver > toggle ON. Data Saver immediately restricts background data for all apps. Apps only access mobile data when you are actively using them in the foreground.

Setting exemptions for critical apps

Within Data Saver settings, tap “Allowed for Data Saver.” Toggle ON for apps that need background access during travel: WhatsApp (messages), Google Maps (navigation updates), your email client (if you need real-time email during business travel). Toggle OFF for everything else.

What Data Saver does not prevent

Data Saver blocks cellular background data. It does not affect WiFi data. Apps you have exempted still use background cellular data. Foreground app use (when the app is actively open on screen) is unrestricted — Data Saver only limits what apps do when you are not looking at them.

Per-app data limits as a backup

For apps that genuinely need background access but should not consume unlimited data, set per-app cellular limits: Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage > tap any app to see its data consumption. Samsung does not offer a per-app hard limit, but the usage view helps identify which apps are consuming the most data so you can decide which to restrict.

Wearable devices

Galaxy Watch roaming limitations

Galaxy Watch LTE does not roam on international networks. Internationally, the watch relies on Bluetooth connection to your phone.

What Galaxy Watch LTE does and does not do internationally

Galaxy Watch 7, Watch Ultra, and Watch FE with LTE can make calls and use data independently from the phone when on a domestic carrier network. This LTE capability does not extend to international roaming. The watch's eSIM is tied to your home carrier's domestic network. Abroad, the watch cannot connect independently to local foreign carrier towers.

How the watch connects abroad

Internationally, Galaxy Watch connects to your Galaxy phone via Bluetooth within approximately 30 meters and uses the phone's data connection. This means:

Notifications, calls (relayed from phone), and health sync all work normally when within Bluetooth range of the phone.
If you leave the phone at the hotel and walk away with the watch, the watch loses connectivity beyond Bluetooth range.
No additional roaming charges are generated by the watch — data flows through the phone's roaming or eSIM plan.

WiFi mode on Galaxy Watch

Galaxy Watch can connect to WiFi networks independently. When connected to hotel or airport WiFi, the watch syncs health data, receives app notifications via WiFi, and accesses Samsung Health cloud features. This works internationally without any carrier involvement. Ensure the watch is connected to a known WiFi network when you want independent connectivity without the phone nearby.

Settings reference

Complete Samsung travel settings paths

All key settings in one table. Bookmark this page or screenshot this table before your trip.

Samsung Galaxy travel settings paths for One UI 6 and 7, verified June 2026
Task	Settings path	Note
Disable data roaming (single SIM)	`Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming > OFF`	Applies to the active SIM
Per-SIM roaming control (dual SIM)	`Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > [tap SIM] > Mobile Data > Roaming`	Control each SIM independently
Add eSIM	`Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM > scan QR code`	Requires WiFi to download profile
Set primary data SIM	`Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Mobile data > select SIM`	Set to travel eSIM when abroad
Enable Data Saver	`Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data Saver > ON`	Blocks background data for most apps
Set data usage limit	`Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage > [SIM] > set limit`	Hard cut-off when limit reached
Restrict app background data	`Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage > [app] > Background data > OFF`	Prevent specific apps from using data in background
Disable auto app updates	`Play Store > Settings > Auto-update apps > Don't auto-update`	Prevents large updates over mobile data

Paths tested on Galaxy S24 (One UI 6.1) and S25 (One UI 7.0), June 2026. Minor UI differences may exist on older models but the navigation structure is consistent.

Pre-travel checklist

Samsung Galaxy pre-travel settings checklist

12 steps. Complete all of them before departure. Each prevents a specific charge or connectivity failure abroad.

Set home SIM data roaming to OFF

Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > [Home SIM] > Roaming: OFF

Set travel eSIM data roaming to ON

Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > [Travel eSIM] > Roaming: ON

Set primary data SIM to travel eSIM

Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Mobile data > [Travel eSIM]

Enable Data Saver, exempt WhatsApp and Maps

Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data Saver > ON > Allowed apps

Disable Play Store auto-updates

Play Store > Settings > Auto-update apps > Don't auto-update

Disable Google Photos auto-backup on mobile data

Photos app > Settings > Backup > Backup over Wi-Fi only

Download offline Google Maps for destination

Google Maps > Profile > Offline maps > Select your own map

Enable WiFi Calling if on eligible carrier

Phone app > Settings > Calling > WiFi Calling > ON

Confirm Galaxy Watch is in Bluetooth tethering mode

Galaxy Wearable app > Watch settings > verify not relying on watch LTE

Add Data Roaming tile to Quick Settings

Swipe down twice > Edit > drag Data Roaming tile to active area

Set mobile data usage alert for eSIM SIM

Settings > Connections > Data usage > [eSIM] > Data warning

Back up phone before departure

Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud or Google backup

FAQ

Samsung roaming settings questions, answered

Where is the data roaming setting on a Samsung Galaxy?

Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming. On One UI 6 and 7 (Galaxy S24 and S25 series), this path is identical. For dual-SIM models, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > tap each SIM > Mobile Data > Roaming to control it per SIM independently.

How do I turn off roaming on my Samsung Galaxy for one SIM only?

Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. Tap your home carrier's SIM and disable Data Roaming. Then tap your travel eSIM and enable Data Roaming. This ensures your home SIM cannot accumulate roaming charges while your travel eSIM provides full data access abroad.

How do I enable Data Saver on my Samsung Galaxy for travel?

Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data Saver > toggle ON. Then tap 'Allowed for Data Saver' and add exceptions for WhatsApp and Google Maps so these critical travel apps continue receiving background data.

Does Samsung Galaxy Watch work for calls internationally?

No, not on its own LTE connection. Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE cellular does not roam on foreign carrier networks. Internationally, the watch connects to your phone via Bluetooth within approximately 30 meters and uses the phone's data connection.

How do I add a roaming toggle to my Samsung Quick Settings?

Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to expand the full Quick Settings panel. Tap the pencil or edit icon. Find 'Data Roaming' in the available tiles list and drag it into your active tiles area. Tap Done. You can now toggle data roaming on and off with a single tap.

Why is my Samsung Galaxy still using data abroad even with roaming off?

WiFi data use continues regardless of roaming settings. If you are connected to hotel or airport WiFi, apps sync over WiFi even with cellular data roaming disabled. To prevent all background data use, enable Data Saver mode and restrict individual apps from background data in Settings > Apps > [app name] > Mobile Data.

About the author

Who wrote this guide

Sarah ChenRoaming Charges Analyst

205 countries6 carriers tracked

Former consumer pricing analyst at J.D. Power covering wireless carrier satisfaction surveys

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