Virgin Mobile Abroad Not Working? – Here’s How to Fix

How do you fix Virgin Mobile abroad not working? Let’s see!

Virgin Mobile offers data roaming at no extra cost, but sometimes the feature doesn’t work as expected. If you’re having issues, it means that your phone is not set up for roaming. 

To get your Virgin Mobile to work abroad, ensure data roaming is enabled on your phone and roaming is activated on your Virgin Mobile account. Also, check the network’s coverage in the country you’re visiting.   

Alright, let’s move on to the details of the solutions!

Virgin Mobile Abroad Not Working – 8 Easy Steps to Fix this Issue

Let’s look at some solutions to fix your Virgin Mobile not working abroad problem.

We’ve arranged them from the easiest to the most complex for your convenience. 

#1: Make Sure Your Data Roaming Settings is Enabled on Your Phone

If you encounter a Virgin Mobile data not working abroad problem, the first thing you should do is check your data roaming settings.

Data roaming allows your phone to connect to other networks when you are abroad, so make sure it’s enabled. 

Here’s how to do this:

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Select Cellular Data Options.
4. Turn on the toggle for Data Roaming.

Android

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network & Internet.
3. Select Mobile Network.
4. Tap the SIM card you want to enable data roaming for.
5. Turn on the toggle for Data Roaming.

Note: Enabling data roaming will incur additional charges, depending on your plan.

#2: Activate Roaming on Your Virgin Mobile Account

The next thing you should do is activate roaming on your Virgin Mobile account.

This will allow the network to let you use their services when you’re abroad. Remember, not all plans support roaming, and the charges are very expensive.

Here are the steps to do it:

1. Visit the Virgin Mobile website. 
2. Sign in to your account and click on My Account.
3. Go to Plans & Services.
4. Click on Manage Roaming.
5. Make sure the Roaming toggle is turned on. 
6. Click Save.

Note: If you are travelling outside of the UK, you must secure a travel pass on the same page where you activate roaming. Only then will your roaming be activated. 

Alternatively, call Virgin Mobile customer service to activate roaming on your account.

If these methods don’t work out, you want to look at the other steps below that will allow you to use your phone while you’re abroad.

#3: Get a Valid Travel Pass to Use Virgin Mobile Abroad

As mentioned, you need a valid travel pass to use Virgin Mobile abroad. You’ll be able to get it for a fixed price, which you can then use in countries abroad.

Getting this will help you save money on data roaming charges and avoid unnecessary fees.

To get a travel pass from Virgin Mobile, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Virgin Mobile website. 
2. Sign in to your account and click on My Account.
3. Under Plans & Services, click on Travel Pass.
4. Select the country you are travelling to and the amount of data you need. 
5. Click on the Add to Cart button.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase.

Your travel pass will automatically be activated once you leave the UK.

Pro Tip: Make sure you purchase a travel pass valid for the length of your trip. 

#4: Verify That You Have Enough Credit to Use Data Roaming

You should have enough credit to use data roaming. Otherwise, your data roaming will stop working.

If you’re on a pay-as-you-go plan, you need to have enough credit on your account to pay for the data roaming charges.

Here’s how to do this:

On your phone

1. Open the Virgin Mobile app.
2. Tap on the My Account tab.
3. Scroll down and tap on My Balance.
4. You will see your current balance, including any data allowances.

On the Virgin Mobile Website

1. Go to the Virgin Mobile website.
2. Sign in to your account and click on My Account.
3. Scroll down and click My Balance.
4. You will see your current balance, including any data allowances. 

If you do not have enough credit to use data roaming, you will need to top up your balance.

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Go to the Virgin Mobile website.
2. Sign in to your account and click on My Account.
3. Scroll down and click Top Up.
4. Select the amount you want to top up your account with.
5. Click on the Top Up button. 
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your top up. 

#5: Set the International Roaming Option via Your SIM Toolkit

If you still have a Virgin Mobile not working abroad problem, set the international roaming option through your SIM toolkit.

The SIM toolkit lets you access various services from your network provider, including international roaming. 

To do this, follow these steps:

iPhone or iPad with a Physical SIM

1. Select Settings from your home screen.
2. Tap on Mobile Data.
3. Choose SIM Applications.
4. Tap on Roaming.
5. Tap Select Mode.
6. Select Manual.
7. Tap International.

Android

1. Select Apps from the home screen or swipe to access it.
2. Select the Virgin SIM toolkit option labelled Virgin or Virgin 2.
3. Tap on Roaming.
4. Tap Select Mode.
5. Select Manual.
6. Tap on International.

Pro Tip: After activating International Roaming, restart your phone to ensure the changes take effect. 

#6: Check the Virgin Mobile Coverage in the Country You’re Visiting

Virgin Mobile uses partner networks in other countries to provide data roaming services. However, not all countries have good coverage and compatible networks.

Data roaming won’t work well if there is no available network or the signal is weak.

Here’s how to check the Virgin Mobile coverage in the country you’re visiting:

1. Go to the Virgin Mobile website.
2. Select the country you’re visiting.
3. Scroll down and click on Coverage Map.
4. You will see a map of the country with areas that have Virgin Mobile coverage.
5. Zoom in and out of the map to see specific areas.

Tip: If you travel to a country not listed on the website, contact Virgin Mobile customer service for assistance. 

#7: Update Your Phone’s Carrier Settings

Carrier settings refer to the information your phone uses to connect to your network provider.

Sometimes, they must be changed or updated when travelling abroad, especially if you switch between networks. 

To do this, follow these steps:

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Tap About.
4. You will see Carrier Settings Update Available if there’s an available update.
5. Tap Download and Install.

Android

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Select Mobile Network.
4. Tap Advanced.
5. Choose Carrier Settings.
6. You will see Carrier Settings Update Available if there’s an available update.
7. Tap Update.

If you’re still having trouble updating your carrier settings, contact Virgin Mobile for help. It’s important that you do this regularly to ensure you get the latest features and bug fixes.

Note: Updating your cellular settings fixes problems with your cellular data, WiFi calling, and other features. 

#8: Use Your Phone’s WiFi Calling Feature

WiFi calling lets you make and receive calls over a WiFi network instead of using your cellular network.

It’s a useful feature if you have a poor mobile signal or want to save money on calls. 

However, it prevents your phone from connecting to your mobile network, causing problems with data roaming.

To use your phone’s WiFi calling feature, follow these steps:

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Phone.
3. Select WiFi Calling.
4. Turn on the toggle for WiFi calling.

Android

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Select WiFi Calling.
4. Turn on the toggle for WiFi calling. 

If you don’t see the WiFi calling option, it means your carrier doesn’t offer this feature. Contact Virgin Mobile Support to check and get help so they can sort it out on their end.  

Pro Tip: You must be connected to a WiFi network to use WiFi calling. It is a good option if you have a poor cellular connection in the country you’re visiting.  

Quick Recap

To resolve Virgin Mobile abroad not working, first, confirm data roaming is enabled on your phone and activated in your Virgin Mobile account. Additionally, check the network coverage in your destination country. 

Our blog contains in-depth information about Virgin Mobile. Visit anytime!  

Read Next: Virgin Mobile Not Receiving Calls? – (Fix in Minutes!)