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I’m having problems roaming abroad

How to fix roaming problems when on holiday

A
Written by Andy Collins
Updated today

If data roaming isn't working while roaming outside of the UK, there's several things you can try to fix the problem - whether it's checking your giffgaff app and plan to your device settings.


Plans, credit and app troubleshooting

  1. Check your destination is covered by giffgaff: Travelling with your phone abroad. If you're in the EU or selected destinations and have a plan, check if you've reached your data limit.

  2. Check your roaming status in the app (EU/Selected destinations only): You can check the status on your Account > Personal details.

  3. Check your balance online: Visit your account on the giffgaff app to check your balance.

  4. Check your roaming settings: Visit call services in your account and check if enabled.

Device troubleshooting

  1. Turn off Airplane mode: Make sure flight mode is disabled because this will disable data roaming.

  2. Restart your phone: Try restarting your device to check if this has resolved the roaming issue.

  3. Enable Mobile data and Data Roaming: Go to your phone's setting app and check if mobile data and data roaming are enabled. The location in settings varies, but it's often found in "Connections" or "Mobile Service".

  4. Try to manually choose an available network: Steps to perform this differ between mobile devices:

    1. iOS:

      1. Go to your Settings app

      2. Then go to Mobile service > Network selection

      3. Choose the network you want to be on

    2. Android:

      1. Go to your Settings app

      2. Then go to Connections > Mobile networks

      3. Choose the network you want to be on

Note: It may take a couple of minutes for the networks to appear after you disable automatic selection.

Still having problems?

Let's check your Access Point Name (APN) settings are correct. An Access Point Name (APN) provides all the details that your device needs to connect to mobile data. To perform this, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your settings app

  2. Visit your network connections, mobile data, or mobile networks

  3. Locate an option called "APN" or "Access Point Names" for giffgaff

If you’re unsure how to perform any of these steps on your phone, ask our friendly community helpers. Make sure to let them know the model and make of your phone.


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