Data roaming is the single most common cause of phone bills that are ten times higher than expected. One unanswered background update while your phone is connected to a foreign network can cost real money — and in the UAE, roaming data rates outside the country are among the highest in the region. Learning how to disable data roaming before you travel takes about a minute, and it is the surest way to keep your mobile bill exactly where you expect it.
This guide shows you how to disable data roaming on iPhone and Android phones, what extra settings to turn off so nothing slips through, and how to manage roaming through your UAE carrier (e& or du). It takes five minutes to read and less than a minute to apply.
Quick Answer
To disable data roaming: on iPhone, go to Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data Options and turn off Data Roaming. On Android, go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (or Connections → Mobile Networks), and turn off Data roaming (also called Roaming). Do this before your flight departs, and leave it off until you return to the UAE.
What Data Roaming Actually Does
When your phone connects to a mobile network outside your home country, it is “roaming.” Your UAE SIM — whether e& or du — connects through a foreign partner network, and that foreign network charges your carrier, which charges you. Data roaming is the permission your phone gives itself to use mobile data on those foreign networks. Calls and SMS have their own roaming charges, but data is where bills explode, because apps constantly exchange data in the background without you touching anything.
Turning data roaming off does not turn off your phone. You can still make and receive calls, send SMS, and use Wi-Fi normally. It only blocks mobile data while you are connected to a non-UAE network. If you also want to learn how roaming works in general, read our guide on how mobile roaming works first.
How to Disable Data Roaming on iPhone
- Open Settings and tap Mobile Service (it may say Cellular on some models).
- Tap Mobile Data Options.
- Turn off Data Roaming — the toggle should go grey.
If you use two SIMs (for example, a UAE eSIM plus a local SIM abroad), select the line you want to change under Settings → Mobile Service, then adjust Data Roaming for that specific line. Also check Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data Options → Data Mode and make sure it is not set to anything aggressive, and look for Wi-Fi Assist at the bottom of the Mobile Service screen — when it is on, your iPhone can silently use mobile data even while connected to Wi-Fi. Turn it off while travelling.
How to Disable Data Roaming on Android
The exact menu names vary slightly between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands, but the path is nearly always the same:
- Open Settings and go to Network & Internet (on Samsung: Connections).
- Tap SIMs (or Mobile Networks).
- Turn off Roaming / Data roaming.
On Samsung phones the toggle is under Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Data roaming. On Pixel it is under Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → [your SIM] → Roaming. After you flip the toggle, a small “R” may still appear above your signal bars — that just means you are roaming for calls, not that data is flowing.
Extra Android Settings Worth Changing
- Background data: Under Settings → Network & Internet → Data Saver, turn on Data Saver to restrict apps from using data in the background.
- Automatic downloads: In the Play Store settings, set app updates to “Over Wi-Fi only.”
- Google Photos and cloud backup: Confirm backups are set to Wi-Fi only.
Turn Off These Sneaky Data Drains Too
Disabling data roaming blocks mobile data on foreign networks, but these related settings can still cost you money:
- Background App Refresh (iPhone) — Settings → General → Background App Refresh. Set it to “Wi-Fi only” while abroad.
- Automatic app updates — in the App Store and Play Store, switch updates to Wi-Fi only.
- Location services — some apps upload location data constantly. Review Settings → Privacy → Location Services.
- Cloud photo sync — iCloud, Google Photos, and OneDrive can upload hundreds of megabytes after a day of sightseeing.
- Autoplay video in social apps — most social apps have a “use less data” setting worth enabling before a trip.
To see which apps are actually using data, check our guide on how to check roaming data usage — it helps you spot the culprits before they cost you.
Disabling Data Roaming With Your UAE Carrier
The phone settings above block roaming data at the device level, which is enough for most people. But you can also control roaming at the account level with your UAE carrier:
- e& (Etisalat): the e& UAE app lets you manage roaming add-ons and check whether any roaming bundle is active on your line. You can also visit e& for current roaming information.
- du: the du app has a similar roaming section where you can review active roaming packs. See du for details.
If you have already bought a roaming bundle and want to keep it active, do not disable data roaming — instead, learn how to activate international roaming properly so the bundle covers you. Disabling roaming at the carrier level (for example, asking them to bar roaming entirely) is an option if you never travel and want zero risk, but for most travellers the phone toggle is the simpler and more flexible choice.
Airplane Mode: The Nuclear Option
If you want absolute certainty that nothing will use roaming data — for example, handing your phone to a child on a trip — switch on Airplane Mode and then manually re-enable Wi-Fi. This disconnects you from the foreign mobile network entirely while still letting you use hotel or airport Wi-Fi. Calls and SMS will not work, but neither will any roaming charge. It is also the best option on cruise ships, where satellite roaming rates are exceptionally high.
What Happens After You Turn Data Roaming Off
With data roaming disabled, your phone will show a signal from the foreign network but apps will behave as if there is no internet unless you connect to Wi-Fi. Messaging apps will not receive messages over mobile data, maps will not load new tiles, and email will not refresh. Everything returns to normal the moment you connect to Wi-Fi or return to the UAE. If you need mobile data abroad, the safe alternatives are a local SIM, an eSIM data plan, or pocket Wi-Fi — weigh the options before you fly.
Troubleshooting: Data Roaming Keeps Coming Back On
- Dual SIM confusion: you disabled roaming on one SIM but the phone is using the other line for data. Check which SIM is set as the mobile data default.
- Carrier settings update: occasionally a carrier profile update re-enables roaming toggles. Re-check the setting after any “carrier settings update” prompt.
- Phone restart or reset: a factory reset restores default settings, which usually have data roaming enabled. Always re-check after a reset.
- Travel eSIM installed: if you add a travel eSIM, make sure mobile data is switched to that line and data roaming is enabled only for the travel line, not your UAE line.
The UAE’s telecom regulator, the TDRA, also publishes consumer guidance on mobile services — worth a look if you ever need to dispute a charge with your operator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will I still receive calls and SMS if I disable data roaming?
Yes. Disabling data roaming only blocks mobile internet on foreign networks. Calls and texts still work, though they are billed at standard roaming rates unless you have a bundle.
Does disabling data roaming stop WhatsApp calls?
WhatsApp calls need internet, so they will not work over mobile data while roaming is off. They will work normally on Wi-Fi. Regular phone calls and SMS are unaffected.
Should I disable data roaming before the flight or after landing?
Before the flight. Phones can connect to a foreign network the moment the plane lands — or even while taxiing near a border — so turning it off while still in the UAE is the safest approach.
Is data roaming the same as mobile data?
No. Mobile data is your phone’s internet over cellular networks in general. Data roaming is specifically mobile data used on a network outside your home country. Turning off mobile data entirely also works, but it blocks data in the UAE too — the roaming toggle is the precise tool for travel.
Can my carrier charge me for data if I disabled roaming on my phone?
Generally no — with the toggle off, your phone will not request data from the foreign network. However, always double-check the toggle after software updates, and if you ever see an unexpected charge, review your mobile payment history and contact your operator. Fee disputes follow the same principles as any fee or charge disagreement — keep records of your settings and the bill.
Does turning off data roaming affect my UAE number when I return?
No. When you land back in the UAE, your phone reconnects to your home network and data works normally. You can leave the roaming toggle off permanently — it only takes effect abroad. If you are visiting the UAE as a tourist, the Dubai tourist visa requirements guide is a useful companion read for planning your trip.
The Bottom Line
Disabling data roaming is the single most effective step you can take to avoid a shocking phone bill abroad. It takes seconds on both iPhone and Android, does not affect calls, SMS, or Wi-Fi, and costs nothing. Turn it off before every trip — and if you do want data abroad, buy a roaming bundle or a local SIM deliberately rather than letting background apps decide for you.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.