Whether you’re stuck at the install screen, landed and can’t connect, or watching your signal bar with a big fat 0 bars, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to fix the most common BNESIM issues.

1. Setup and installation issues

Problems before you’ve even left home? Start here.

eSIM not installing correctly

If the installation stalls…

• Make sure you’re connected to reliable WiFi as you’ll need internet to download the eSIM profile.
• Make sure you have sufficient space on your phone for another eSIM profile. We have hit this error countless times on iOS and it’s not always outlined as the reason for install failure
• Try another installation method. BNESIM allows you to install directly from their app or via QR code. If one isn’t working, try the other.

Device not compatible

Not every phone supports eSIM technology and there’s a few criteria you’ll need to ensure that your phone meets.

1. Your phone must support eSIM. Most recent phones do, regardless of whether they’re iOS or Android. Not sure? Check out our eSIM compatibility checker.
2. Your phone must be unlocked and not tied to your carrier.

Purchased but can’t see your plan

Give it a few minutes, sometimes there’s a short delay with BNESIM, though usually not more than 2-3 minutes. If it doesn’t show, check your email for any notifications.

2. Functionality checklist

Make sure these settings are in place and active.

Data roaming enabled

All eSIMs require data roaming to be switched on to connect to local networks. How do you do that?

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > your BNESIM eSIM profile > Data Roaming ON

Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming ON

Set BNESIM as your data line

Make sure that your BNESIM eSIM profile is set as your preferred provider for data. When using a dual SIM phone, the ideal set up is your BNESIM eSIM for data and your home provider for calls and SMS (though watch out for fees). Check the settings at:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select BNESIM

Android: Settings > SIM cards > Mobile data > select BNESIM

3. Landed but no connection

You’ve arrived, roaming is on, BNESIM is selected, everything looks fine, but…nothing’s happening.

Toggle airplane mode

The oldest trick in the book and really, it often works. Airplane mode on, wait 5 seconds, airplane mode off. It forces your phone to re-scan for local networks.

Check your plan is actually active

Open the BNESIM app and check your plan status. If it says “not activated,” that’s your answer. The airplane mode trick usually fixes it if all settings are correct.

Confirm you have data remaining

Check your balance in the app. If you’ve burned through your allowance, you’ll need to top up.

Note: if WhatsApp is working but nothing else, you’ve likely run out of data. BNESIM keeps WhatsApp alive after your plan expires, but nothing else.

Does your plan cover your country?

This sounds quite obvious but we’ve done it before with a regional plan, oops. Make sure that you have a plan that actually covers the country you’re in.

4. Connected but no internet

Signal bars showing but web pages won’t load? Try these fixes.

Try manual network selection first

Your phone might be stuck on an incompatible carrier. Switch from automatic to manual and try different networks available:

• iPhone: Settings > Cellular > your BNESIM line > Network Selection > toggle off Automatic > pick a different carrier
• Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators > select manually

Try a few options from the list until one gives you internet.

Check your APN settings

APN (Access Point Name) normally configures automatically, but sometimes it doesn’t. If manual network selection didn’t help, this could be the culprit.

You’ll find your specific APN settings within the BNESIM app in the Home tab, with “eSIMs” selected.

iPhone:

1. Settings > Cellular > your BNESIM line > Cellular Data Network
2. Enter the APN shown in the BNESIM app
3. Leave username and password blank
4. Alternatively, download the APN profile directly from apn.bnesim.com

Android:

1. Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names
2. Tap “Add” or the + icon
3. Name: BNESIM
4. APN: enter the value from your BNESIM app
5. Leave everything else blank
6. Save and select this APN

5. Slow or unstable speeds

Connected and technically online, but speeds are crawling along? BNESIM is known for its quick speeds so that’s not right.

Weak network

Try manual network selection (as explained above) and switch to a different carrier. Some networks perform better than others depending on your location.

Data throttling on unlimited plans

On one of BNESIM’s unlimited plans and used a ton of data today? After 3 GB of usage, speeds are limited to 1 Mbps (slow!).

6. BNESIM specific quirks

Check your eSIM profile

BNESIM only recently implemented 1 eSIM for all countries, before that there were different profiles for every plan you purchased. If you have previous BNESIM eSIMs that weren’t labelled properly, things can get confusing. You’ll need to ensure you have the correct country profile active.

Whatsapp works but nothing else

Not a bug, it’s a pretty cool feature. BNESIM allows WhatsApp access after your data runs out. If WhatsApp is the only thing working, your data is exhausted. Top up to restore full connectivity.

7. Customer support: The last resort

When all of the above fails, there’s not much else you can do but to…

Contact BNESIM support

The best way to contact BNESIM support is through the app. Head to

Profile > Help & Support > Live Chat

We have been back and forth with BNESIM support a few times and we timed how long it took for them to come back to us in our last conversation: 3 minutes.

BNESIM’s help center can be found here.

8. Sorted?

Hopefully you’re back online. For more on what BNESIM offers and whether it’s right for your next trip, check out our BNESIM review. And if you’re buying, don’t forget code TRAVELESIMEXPERT for 30% off, full details on our BNESIM coupon page.