Data Roaming: on or off?
When not travelling abroad, should Data Roaming be set on or off?
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)
It doesn't matter if you are within range of your carrier (AT&T) but if you leave the country you should turn it off.
The Apple Support Community will permanently close on November 20, 2026. Starting today, the site will no longer accept new posts and is available in a read-only state.
You can continue to find trusted guidance and support on the official Apple Support site.
We want to thank the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products.
The Apple Support Community will permanently close on November 20, 2026. Starting today, the site will no longer accept new posts and is available in a read-only state.
You can continue to find trusted guidance and support on the official Apple Support site.
We want to thank the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products.
10 replies
Off.
Data roaming applies only when roaming internationally.
Data roaming applies only when roaming internationally.
Thanks. I was just hoping this might have been a nifty roundabout way to get a stronger signal. Oh well...
Having international data roaming off does NOT prevent you from being charged for using Edge network for data transfer. I had mine turned off while in the caribbean but was still charged for using data. Apple needs to make a way for us to turn off the phone functions (calling and data), but leave wifi and the other functions usable (ipod, safari, notes, etc). I thought the international data roaming OFF function was their answer to the issue, but it definitely did not solve my problem.
I believe the "airplane" setting will do what you want; i.e., let you use the iPhone as a self-contained, hand-held computer.
Airplane mode is no good if you want to make / receive calls but not get charged an arm and a leg for international data roaming.
I turned data roaming off on a recent overseas trip and had a $860 bill for data usage alone when I got back.
Not impressed.
I turned data roaming off on a recent overseas trip and had a $860 bill for data usage alone when I got back.
Not impressed.
but should be work also if you're in the same country, isn't it ?
JakeP wrote:
When not travelling abroad, should Data Roaming be set on or off?
I always have mine set to OFF. You don't need it in your own country.
yes i know but unfortunately this work only when you're abroad.
i'd like to have this functionality ALSO where'm at home.
i've, in fact, the choice to use another carrier, here, in my country, for free voice, but data are not allowed.
disable roaming data NOT works for that, iPhone should have a list of ntional carriers and in the same country not consider roaming with other carriers a true roaming.
hope is clearer now
i'd like to have this functionality ALSO where'm at home.
i've, in fact, the choice to use another carrier, here, in my country, for free voice, but data are not allowed.
disable roaming data NOT works for that, iPhone should have a list of ntional carriers and in the same country not consider roaming with other carriers a true roaming.
hope is clearer now
I absolutely agree with you, *ROAMING is so called roaming off
..._its not really off*_ FYI there are iPhone owners like you & me with $4000 bill.
This is stealing! Gouging in your pockets, make client's pay like this is not (APPLE.) *As a Conclusion* Apple must fix this (if roaming is OFF then it must not get any data). +Must not retrieve data if email and/or browser wasn't used, why pay for it?+
In Canada I called my carrier (Fido) they can not help me on this, however they are willing to work it out if it happens. I was advised to remove my email accounts, take Battery out *(if you can)* of *leave your iPhone at home!* else you will be billed in $$$$
This is stealing! Gouging in your pockets, make client's pay like this is not (APPLE.) *As a Conclusion* Apple must fix this (if roaming is OFF then it must not get any data). +Must not retrieve data if email and/or browser wasn't used, why pay for it?+
In Canada I called my carrier (Fido) they can not help me on this, however they are willing to work it out if it happens. I was advised to remove my email accounts, take Battery out *(if you can)* of *leave your iPhone at home!* else you will be billed in $$$$
Data Roaming: on or off?