Using lightning-fast 4G or 5G on your favorite Samsung Galaxy phone is normal, eliminating the need for constant Wi-Fi connectivity. Your Galaxy device opens up a world of options, whether watching on the go, downloading files, or staying in touch with family and friends worldwide. Remember to check your carrier's data plan and turn off data roaming before you leave on your next trip.

Those lightning-fast uploads can cost you a lot if you aren't careful. Many travelers don't like paying extra for roaming charges, which can turn a dream trip into a financial nightmare.

Turn off data roaming on your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet

Before you get on the plane, turn off data roaming on your Samsung Galaxy phone. This way, your trips stay cheap, whether in a busy city or on a quiet beach with your Galaxy by your side. Follow the step-by-step tutorial to switch off data roaming on any Samsung phone, including the flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

  1. Launch your phone's Settings app from the home screen.
  2. Navigate to Connections > Mobile Networks.
    Samsung Galaxy Settings screen
    Samsung Galaxy Roaming Settings screen
  3. Tap the blue toggle to turn data roaming off.
    Samsung Galaxy Network Settings screen

This prevents your device from using the built-in 3G, 4G, or 5G connection when connected to a network that's different from the home network. If you want to turn roaming back on, follow the same steps above and turn on the switch.

Turning off data roaming on your SIM card

This may be an issue when using a global SIM card or a local line, as you must use data roaming. If this is the case, use your travel SIM as a secondary one, either in your phone's secondary slot or as an eSIM, and turn off the data connection on your home one. Here's how to do it:

  1. Launch the Samsung Settings app.
  2. Tap Connections > SIM card manager.
  3. Select your travel SIM under Mobile data.
  4. Turn off Auto data switching to prevent your phone from using your home SIM's data when the second one is unavailable.
  5. When you're back home, remove or deactivate the dual SIM mode from the SIM card manager to use your main SIM's data.

With these few easy steps, you're safe from incurring unwanted charges while traveling. You don't have to turn data back on when you're home, as you aren't roaming.

How to find out if your Galaxy phone is roaming

If you're on an international trip and are unsure if data roaming is turned on and working on your Galaxy device, glance at the status bar. Usually, you'll see an R symbol on your cell service icon instead of the usual 4G or 5G. In that case, follow the above steps to deactivate it in your settings to avoid additional charges.

Avoid roaming fees with a few simple taps

Turning off data roaming takes a few steps, but it can be beneficial. A good tip is to turn off data roaming when you travel abroad with your Android phone. This way, you won't use too much data and will save on your phone bill. You can also pick which SIM card you use in different places. This helps you avoid extra fees on the wrong plan by reducing data usage. You can be happy that you're saving money for more fun things and focus on planning your trip using Google's services.