I Know This Frustration Firsthand
On my honeymoon in Paris — January 2023 — I landed at Orly Airport with a travel eSIM that refused to connect. My wife and I stood in the arrivals hall for 20 minutes, fighting barely-functional airport WiFi, trying to figure out how to get to our hotel without maps or a ride-hail app. The fix? Data Roaming was toggled off. One tap and everything worked. That experience is exactly why I built AvailSim and why this guide exists — so you don't have to start your trip the way I started my honeymoon.
Quick Fix Checklist
Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, try these three fixes first — they resolve the majority of Holafly issues:
Enable Data Roaming
Settings > Cellular > [Holafly line] > Data Roaming ON. This is the #1 reason Holafly eSIMs don't connect.
Set Holafly as your data line
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select your Holafly eSIM. Make sure it's the active data line, not your home SIM.
Restart your phone
A full power cycle forces the device to re-register with the local carrier network. Toggle Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then off.
Still not working? Read on for detailed fixes organized by problem type.
1. Holafly eSIM Won't Activate
If the QR code won't scan or the eSIM profile won't download, here's what to check:
QR code won't scan
Increase screen brightness on the device displaying the QR code. Ensure you're scanning from Settings(not your camera app) — on iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. On Android: Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM.
You need an internet connection to install
The eSIM profile has to download over the internet. Use WiFi or your existing mobile data — this is why Holafly recommends installing before you travel, while you're on your home WiFi.
Never delete the eSIM profile to “fix” it
Holafly QR codes are single-use. If you delete the eSIM profile from your phone, the plan is permanently invalidated and the QR code cannot be re-scanned. If something goes wrong during installation, contact Holafly support first.
Carrier-locked phone
Phones locked to a carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) may not accept third-party eSIMs. Dial *#06# — if you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM hardware. If installation still fails, your carrier may have locked the eSIM functionality. Contact them to unlock it.
VPN or firewall interference
Disable any VPN, ad blocker, or firewall app before installing the eSIM. These can block the profile download. Re-enable them after installation completes.
2. Holafly Connected But No Data
Your eSIM shows as installed, maybe even shows signal bars, but nothing loads. This is the most common Holafly issue and almost always has a simple fix.
Enable Data Roaming (this is it 90% of the time)
iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [Holafly line] > toggle Data Roaming ON. Android: Settings > Connections > SIM manager > [Holafly line] > Data Roaming ON. Holafly eSIMs connect through partner carriers abroad, which your phone treats as roaming.
Set Holafly as your cellular data line
If your phone is still routing data through your home SIM, nothing will work on the eSIM. iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select the Holafly line. Android: Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Mobile data > select Holafly.
Check the APN setting
Holafly's APN should be set to "Global". It usually auto-configures, but if it didn't: iPhone: Settings > Cellular > [Holafly line] > Cellular Data Network > APN: type "Global". Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names > add APN with name "Holafly" and APN "Global".
Toggle Airplane Mode
Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 30 seconds, turn it off. This forces your phone to re-register on the local network. It's the classic "turn it off and on again" — and it works surprisingly often.
3. Holafly Hotspot Not Working
This catches a lot of travelers off guard. Holafly does support hotspot, but with daily caps that vary by destination.
Holafly Hotspot Limits
- warningTravel eSIM plans cap hotspot at 500 MB to 1 GB per day depending on destination
- check_circleOnce the hotspot cap is reached, tethering stops but phone data continues normally
- check_circleThe hotspot cap resets daily
- infoCheck the “Technical Specs” section on your Holafly plan page for your destination's specific hotspot allowance
If you rely on hotspot for your laptop, 500 MB won't last a single Zoom call. Consider a provider like Breeze (free unlimited hotspot on all plans) or TooSim (free hotspot included) instead. See our Holafly vs Breeze comparison.
4. Holafly Slow Speeds & 5G Issues
Holafly markets “unlimited data,” but there are practical limits you should know about.
Holafly's Fair Use Policy
Holafly officially states they don't throttle, but local network operators may reduce speeds under their own fair use policies. In practice, users consistently report:
- •Speeds may drop after approximately 3–5 GB of daily usage
- •Throttled speeds typically range from 256 Kbps–1 Mbps — usable for messaging, not for streaming or video calls
- •Throttling resets the next day
If 5G isn't working: Not all Holafly plans include 5G, and coverage depends on the local carrier's network. Try switching to LTE manually: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data > LTE. This often provides more stable speeds than hunting for a weak 5G signal.
If you need large data volumes without hidden throttling, providers like Airalo and Breeze offer transparent data caps (e.g., 10 GB, 20 GB, 50 GB) with full speed until the allotment runs out.
5. Holafly iMessage & Calls Not Working
Holafly travel eSIMs are primarily data-only — no local phone number, no traditional SMS, no cellular voice calls. Some European destinations include up to 60 minutes of calls, but most plans are data-only.
Fix iMessage
iMessage defaults to your phone number, which won't work over a data-only eSIM. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, and select your Apple ID email address instead of your phone number. This routes iMessage over data.
Make voice and video calls
Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, or any VoIP app — they all work over Holafly's data connection. Keep your home SIM in the other slot for traditional calls and SMS, but disable its data to avoid roaming charges.
FaceTime not connecting?
Make sure FaceTime is set to use your Holafly eSIM for data. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and confirm the Holafly line is selected. Also check that FaceTime isn't restricted by the local network (some Middle Eastern countries block VoIP).
6. Holafly Not Working on iPhone
iPhone-specific issues and fixes for Holafly eSIM problems. Holafly supports iPhone XS/XR and later (except mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau models).
Check eSIM line is enabled
Settings > Cellular > find your Holafly line > make sure “Turn On This Line” is toggled on. On iPhone 14+ (US models without a SIM tray), both lines are eSIM — make sure you're enabling the right one.
Reset Network Settings
If nothing else works: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This resets WiFi passwords and VPN configurations but can fix stubborn connectivity issues. Your eSIM profile will remain installed.
Known bug: Personal Hotspot disappears after deleting Holafly eSIM
Some iPhone users report that after removing a Holafly eSIM profile, the Personal Hotspot option vanishes entirely from Settings. Fix: Reset Network Settings (above). If that doesn't work, a factory reset may be required. This is an iPhone bug, not a Holafly issue — contact Apple Support if resetting network settings doesn't restore it.
Update iOS
Older iOS versions have known eSIM bugs. Update to the latest version: Settings > General > Software Update. Apple regularly patches eSIM-related issues.
Not sure if your iPhone supports eSIM? Use our compatibility checker to find out.
7. Holafly Not Working on Android
Android devices have a few extra friction points with eSIM installation. Compatible devices include Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+, and most recent flagships.
Scan QR from Settings, not the camera app
A common Android mistake: scanning the QR code with the regular camera app instead of the eSIM settings. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM and scan from there. On Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Download a SIM.
Set APN manually to “Global”
Android phones more often require manual APN configuration. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names > tap +to add a new APN. Set the Name to “Holafly” and APN to Global. Save and select it.
Clear eSIM profile slots
Some Android phones have a limited number of eSIM profile slots. If installation fails with a “maximum profiles” error, you may need to delete an old, unused eSIM profile first. Check Settings > Connections > SIM manager for inactive profiles.
Update your OS
Outdated Android versions cause eSIM compatibility issues. Update to the latest version: Settings > Software update. Samsung and Pixel both regularly patch eSIM bugs.
8. How to Contact Holafly Support
If none of the above fixes work, reach out to Holafly directly. They offer 24/7 support through multiple channels:
+1 (661) 384-8482
Usually fastest response
Live Chat
On esim.holafly.com
Ask for a human if chatbot can't help
help@holafly.com
Include order number + screenshots
Social Media
Instagram or Facebook DMs
Slower but works for follow-ups
Tip: Getting past the chatbot
Holafly's initial support contact is an AI chatbot named “Emma.” It handles basic questions but struggles with technical issues. If your problem is complex, type “speak to agent” or “human agent” to get transferred to a real person.
When to Get a Refund (or Switch Providers)
If your Holafly eSIM genuinely doesn't work after trying all the fixes above, you have options.
Holafly Refund Policy
- check_circleFull refund if the eSIM was never activated (within 6 months of purchase)
- check_circleFull refund if the eSIM is incompatible with your device
- warningCase-by-case if the eSIM was activated but didn't work due to network issues
Email help@holafly.com with your order number and screenshots. Expect 5–10 business days for a response.
Need data right now? Don't wait for a refund to get connected. You can install a second eSIM from another provider while troubleshooting Holafly. Most phones support multiple eSIM profiles. Providers with fast activation:
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