Your device and apps can use your SIM cards and mobile connectivity (including your Roamless eSIM) for background tasks like OS updates, cloud backups, content downloads, etc. and consume significant amounts of mobile data.
To avoid this unexpected and unintended usage, you need to configure your device settings to make sure certain tasks are only allowed if you have are connected to WiFi and are turned off if you are using mobile data (e.g., your Roamless eSIM)
How to Prevent Unexpected Roamless eSIM Usage on iOS Devices
1. Set your Roamless eSIM to "Low Data Mode" (iOS)
This setting will ensure that your eSIM is not used for iOS background tasks and "system usage" of mobile data is minimized, conserving your Roamless balance
Go to Device Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > scroll down to SIMs > Roamless eSIM > Data Mode
Select "Low Data Mode" from the list
2. Turn off "iCloud Backup while on mobile data"
This setting will ensure that your account is only backed up to iCloud when you're using a WiFi connection, and not when you're using mobile data on your Roamless eSIM, conserving your Roamless balance
Go to Device Settings > Apple Account, iCloud > iCloud Backup
Turn off the toggle "Backup Over Cellular (Mobile) Data"
3. Additional Tips:
Most streaming apps have settings that allows for content download using mobile data
It is recommended that you check these app settings (e.g., Netflix, Spotify) to make sure that you have the desired 'offline mode' or 'content download' settings, turning off mobile data usage as needed
How to Prevent Unexpected Roamless eSIM Usage on Android Devices
1. Enable "Data Saver"
Data Saver feature prevents most apps from using data in the background, helping you conserve mobile data usage. You can also allow specific apps to use data in the background by selecting them in the "Unrestricted data" or "Allow app while Data Saver on" section within the Data Saver settings.
Go to Device Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections) > Data Saver
Turn on Data Saver
Allow Unrestricted Data (Optional)
To let certain apps continue using data in the background, select the "Unrestricted data" or "Allow app while Data Saver on" option.
Select the apps from the list that you want to give unrestricted data access to.
2. Additional Tips:
You might see a small circle icon in your status bar when Data Saver is active
If you can't find the setting, use the search bar at the top of the Settings app and type "Data Saver" to find it quickly
This feature limits background data usage, so the apps you actively use will still have access to data