Why eSIM-only iPhone shows no service in Europe and how fix it?

Traveling to Europe with an eSIM-only iPhone should be simple, but seeing a "No Service" error can quickly turn that convenience into a major headache. This error cuts you off from making calls, sending texts, and using mobile data right when you need to navigate, find information, or contact someone.

The problem usually boils down to a few common causes, like device incompatibilities, incorrect account settings, or a faulty eSIM profile.

Thankfully, a step-by-step approach can usually resolve these issues and get your iPhone connected to a local European network.

What are the primary reasons my eSIM-only iPhone shows "No Service" in Europe?

That dreaded "No Service" message on your iPhone in Europe can be traced back to several distinct issues. It's rarely a single point of failure; more often, it's a breakdown in communication between your device, your eSIM, and the local cell networks. From basic compatibility problems and plan errors to simple software glitches, understanding the root cause is the first step toward fixing it. Each factor plays a key role in whether your iPhone can successfully connect to a European carrier.

Understanding device and carrier incompatibility issues

One of the most frequent reasons for a "No Service" error is a basic incompatibility between your iPhone and the European mobile carrier. While modern iPhones (XS and newer) support eSIMs, not all European carriers have fully adopted the technology or may not support activations for foreign devices. Your iPhone might also be locked to your home carrier, which physically prevents it from connecting to any other network.

Even if your phone is unlocked, some European carriers have restrictive roaming agreements or require specific settings updates that your device may not have received, causing the network to reject your phone and leave you with the "No Service" message.

Checking for problems with your eSIM plan and account status

Your connection completely depends on the status of your eSIM plan.

You'll see a "No Service" error if your eSIM plan isn't properly activated, has expired, or has been suspended. Make sure the plan you bought is valid for Europe, as a plan for another region won't work. Sometimes the activation process doesn't complete successfully, leaving the eSIM in an inactive state.

Before you travel, always double-check your account status with your provider to confirm your plan is active and ready for international roaming.

The impact of incorrect network settings and software glitches

Software issues are another frequent—and thankfully, often easy—cause of connection problems. A critical setting that many people miss is Data Roaming, which must be enabled for your iPhone to connect to networks outside your home country. If this is turned off, your device is blocked from using any foreign carrier. Outdated iOS software can also cause problems, as it might have bugs or lack the necessary updates for European networks. Even simple glitches or an interrupted eSIM installation can corrupt network data and stop your iPhone from registering correctly.

Identifying a faulty or improperly installed eSIM profile

Sometimes, the digital eSIM profile itself is the problem. If the installation—usually done by scanning a QR code—was interrupted, the profile can become corrupted. This prevents your device's unique IMEI from being registered with the network, causing authentication to fail. In other cases, the eSIM profile from the carrier might be faulty from the start. It's also worth remembering that some European carriers can take a few minutes to several hours to fully activate a new eSIM. A little patience after installation might be all you need for the service to appear.

How can I fix the "No Service" error on my iPhone step-by-step?

When that "No Service" error pops up, a methodical approach is the best way to fix it quickly. By working through these troubleshooting steps, you can systematically rule out potential causes, from the most basic settings to more advanced fixes. This guide will walk you through each solution, starting with the simplest ones before moving on to things like resetting network settings or reinstalling your eSIM.

Start with the basics: Restart your device and check your settings

Often, the simplest fix works best. Restarting your iPhone can clear temporary software glitches and force it to find a fresh connection with nearby cell towers. Just power your device off, wait about 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it restarts, open your Cellular settings to make sure your eSIM line is turned on. This basic step refreshes the phone's network components and can immediately solve many common connection issues.

Verify your eSIM is active and data roaming is enabled

If your eSIM isn't set up correctly for travel, you're guaranteed to see the "No Service" error. First, go to Settings › Cellular › SIMs and confirm the switch for your travel eSIM is on. If it's off, your iPhone won't even try to use it.

Next, a critical step, you have to enable data roaming. In your Cellular settings, tap your eSIM plan and make sure the Data Roaming toggle is switched on. Your iPhone can't connect to a partner network in Europe without it.

Manually select a local network carrier

Your iPhone is supposed to pick the best network automatically, but this can fail when you're in a foreign country. If you're still stuck with "No Service," try selecting a network manually. Here's how:

• Go to Settings › Cellular › Network Selection
• Tap on your eSIM plan
• Turn off the "Automatic" toggle
• Wait for your iPhone to scan for all available networks
• Select a local carrier from the list that appears

You might have to try a few different carriers from the list before you find one that connects successfully.

Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version

Apple often releases iOS updates with critical bug fixes and new carrier settings that improve network compatibility around the world. An outdated version of iOS could be the reason your eSIM isn't working with European carriers. To check, connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings › General › Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it. This can often resolve underlying software conflicts that are blocking your eSIM from connecting.

Reset your iPhone's network settings

If the easier fixes haven't worked, resetting your network settings can clear out corrupted data or bad configurations causing the "No Service" error. This action erases your current cellular settings, saved Wi-Fi networks, and VPNs, but it won't delete any of your personal data. To do this, go to Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset Network Settings. Your iPhone will restart, and this will often resolve stubborn connectivity issues.

Reinstall your eSIM profile correctly

If nothing else has worked, the eSIM profile itself might be corrupted and need to be reinstalled. First, you have to delete the current profile by going to Settings › Cellular, tapping the problematic eSIM, and selecting "Delete eSIM." Once it's gone, reinstall it by scanning the QR code from your carrier or by entering the details manually. Follow your provider's instructions carefully to ensure the installation finishes without any problems.

What should I do if the basic troubleshooting steps fail?

If you've tried all the standard troubleshooting steps and your iPhone still says "No Service," it's time to get more help. At this point, the problem is likely more complex than a simple setting and may require assistance from your provider or a different connectivity solution. But don't worry—you still have options to get connected while you're in Europe.

Contacting your eSIM provider for direct support

When you can't fix the problem yourself, your eSIM provider is your best resource. Their support team has access to backend systems and can run diagnostics you can't. They can check your account status, confirm your device works with their partner networks in Europe, and look for any blocks on your profile. If needed, they can reset your eSIM on their end or issue a new one entirely. Contacting them directly is the surest way to diagnose and fix account- or network-specific problems.

Checking and manually configuring APN settings if required

The Access Point Name (APN) settings are what your iPhone uses to connect to the internet over a cellular network. While most eSIMs handle this automatically, some budget or data-only plans require you to enter them manually. If you have a cell signal for calls but no data, this is almost certainly the issue. You should contact your eSIM provider and ask for their APN settings, which usually include a name and an APN. You can enter these details in Settings › Cellular › Cellular Data Network.

When to consider a physical SIM card as a reliable alternative

In the rare case that your eSIM-only iPhone won't connect because of an unfixable incompatibility, a physical SIM card is the most reliable backup. Of course, this isn't a direct solution for a strictly eSIM-only model, which underscores the importance of checking compatibility before you travel. However, if you're traveling with someone who has a dual-SIM phone, purchasing a local prepaid physical SIM card upon arrival is a foolproof way to get online. It bypasses any eSIM complexities and gives you a direct, reliable connection to a local network.