Why is my eSIM internet so slow and how can I fix it?

If your eSIM is working but your internet speed feels unusually slow, several factors may be affecting your eSIM's connection speed.

Network congestion (many people using the same network at once)
Carrier prioritization (local carriers may give priority to their own users)
Local signal strength and coverage
Device configuration or outdated software
If you're on an Unlimited package: your speed is reduced (throttled) once you've used 3GB within a 24-hour period. This 3GB allowance resets every 24 hours, counted from your activation time - this is expected behavior for Unlimited packages, not a connection fault.

To improve your connection, try following our troubleshooting steps. They might differ depending on whether you’re using the new Airalo or the public Airalo.

How do I know which version of the app I'm using?

If the app asks you to set up your device once and add packages, you are using the new Airalo. Simply open the Packages tab (formerly "My eSIMs") to complete setup, and after that, whenever you add a new package for your desired destination, it will be added to that same device automatically - no new eSIM needed.
If the app shows individual eSIM installation instructions for each purchase and the My eSIMs tab instead of Packages, you are likely using the public Airalo.

How can I fix slow internet speed?

You can take the following steps to fix slow internet speed - check if the speed improves after each step.

Step 1: Check if you're on a throttled Unlimited package

If your package is an Unlimited plan, keep in mind that your speed is reduced once you reach 3GB of usage within a 24-hour period, counted from your activation time. The full-speed allowance resets automatically every 24 hours, so if you've been using a lot of data, some slowdown until the next reset is expected fair-usage throttling rather than an issue to fix.

Step 2: Check the coverage area

Make sure you're in the country or region your eSIM is meant to work in. For example, a France eSIM will only work while you're in France.

Step 3: Reset your mobile connection

Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it off. This forces your phone to reconnect to the local network.

Step 4: Restart your device

Turn your device off completely, wait for a minute, and turn it back on. This refreshes your network connection and helps resolve temporary issues.

Step 5: Manually select a network

If automatic network selection is enabled, try turning it off and manually selecting one of the supported networks. If your plan supports multiple networks, test each one to see which offers better performance.

If you're using the new Airalo: open the Packages tab, select your package, and to see the exact network-selection steps for your device.
If you're using the public Airalo: go to My eSIMs, select your eSIM, and tap View Details to find the supported networks listed under the network section.

Step 6: Switch to 3G (if supported)

If your eSIM and device support 3G, try switching to 3G only mode temporarily. This helps improve network stability in areas where 4G, 5G, or LTE coverage is weak or unstable. Once your connection stabilizes, you can switch back to 4G or higher networks.

Step 7: Reset your network

Resetting your network settings can improve slow speed by clearing out outdated or conflicting configurations, such as Wi-Fi networks, VPNs, or incorrect APN settings, that may affect your connection. This gives your device a fresh start to reconnect to the mobile network properly, often resulting in better speed and more stable performance.

Important: This step will reset all your network settings, including:

Saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords
VPN configurations
APN (Access Point Name) settings

Please note, you should only reset your network if you're comfortable reentering all of the listed settings.

Step 8: Update your device

Make sure your phone uses the latest software version available..

Note: Before updating your device's software, make sure you have a recent backup of your data. This will help protect your personal information in case anything goes wrong during the update.

What other device settings should I check?

Data roaming

Some eSIMs require you to turn on data roaming - you can do this from your device settings.

If you're using the new Airalo: check the Get connected steps on your Package Details screen if data roaming is required for your package.
If you're using the public Airalo: open My eSIMs, select your eSIM, and tap View Details. Under Ready to use your eSIM > Connect to a Network > How to connect, you'll see whether data roaming is required for your eSIM.

For iOS devices, you can turn on data roaming for individual SIMs - make sure it's turned off for your primary SIM to avoid roaming charges.

For Android devices, data roaming usually applies to all SIMs in use - make sure you have your primary SIM turned off to avoid roaming charges.

APN (Access Point Name)

Some eSIMs require you to enter a specific Access Point Name, or APN, into your device settings.

If you're using the new Airalo: your APN is set automatically. If you have no internet access, check that the APN for your Airalo line is set to Automatic - if it isn't, set it manually to globalapn.
If you're using the public Airalo: you can find this in the installation instructions in the app - in many cases, the APN is set automatically. If it's not set automatically, follow these steps: go to My eSIMs → select your eSIM → View details → Ready to use your eSIM → Connect to a network → How to connect to copy and paste the APN.

If you have any more questions or require further assistance, please reach out to our support team - we're available 24/7 and always happy to help.