Wondering why Vodafone Roaming not working when you’re abroad?
It’s simple. Vodafone provides roaming services for when you’re out of your country under specific requirements.
Do you need to meet those requirements to be able to use the roaming services in this guide, we’re going to unwrap everything that you need to know!
When Vodafone Roaming is not working, we have to restart our device and enable Data Roaming through the settings. In case that doesn’t help, then “International Roaming” is not enabled through the MyVodafone app.
Let’s next learn more about how Vodafone Roaming works!
Data Roaming Not Working Vodafone – Why?
There are a couple of reasons why Vodafone Roaming won’t work for you when you’re abroad.
There are also several factors and requirements to be able to use the roaming so let’s take a quick look at ALL possibilities:
- Vodafone Mobile has to be Restarted upon arrival
- Data Roaming has to be enabled in the Settings
- The “International Roaming” have to be set up in MyVodafone
- The APN settings should be manually configured (if not automatically)
- You need to be in a supported roaming country by Vodafone!
Besides all of this, your device might take up to 30 minutes to connect to the network when you arrive so be patient.
In addition, check whether the Airplane or DND modes are activated on your device if you were taking a plane to arrive.
When you’re ready with the inspection, let’s jump into the solution!
How To Fix When Vodafone Roaming Not Working?
To understand why the Vodafone roaming is not working, we need to inspect ALL possibilities one by one.
Luckily, we’ve managed to discover a working solution for any type of situation so keep reading to start using your Vodafone Roaming.
Let’s jump right in!
Solution #1 Restart Your Device!
When you have prepaid roaming Vodafone services, you’ll be able to perform calls, texts and surf the internet.
The very first step when you arrive abroad is to perform a restart on your Vodafone mobile to refresh the cellular services.
- Simply turn OFF and ON your mobile device!
This should refresh the cellular connection and you’ll be able to use the roaming. In case you can’t call, text or go online, perhaps the feature is disabled.
Let’s jump to the next solution!
Solution #2 Enable Data Roaming
On every smart device tablet or smartphone, there is a Roaming menu, from where you can toggle ON/OFF the Data Roaming.
When this feature is disabled, you won’t be able to use your Vodafone mobile to call, text or surf the internet when you’re abroad.
Enable Data Roaming on Android:
- Go to Settings.
- From there select Network & Internet.
- Navigate to Mobile Network.
- Toggle ON the Data Roaming.
- Confirm and Save your selection.
Enable Data Roaming on iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Cellular, Cellular Data or Mobile Data
- Navigate to the Options.
- From there turn ON Data Roaming.
In addition, enable any other available settings, provided by Vodafone.
Your device might not immediately connect so, perform another restart when the Data Roaming is enabled.
Tip: In case the Data Roaming is enabled, toggle OFF and ON the feature!
Solution #3 Activate “International Roaming”
In case the Vodafone international roaming not working when you’re abroad, perhaps your Vodafone plan does not have the feature set up.
Luckily, we can sign-up for the service through the application (MyVodafone), so let’s learn how?
Alert: Enable the Cellular Data on your device and disable the WiFi.
- Open the MyVodafone app.
- Tap on the International Roaming tab.
- Choose the postpaid option.
- Insert the registered number.
- Choose the country you’re in.
- Press Activate to generate OTP.
- Use the OTP to carry out the payment.
When you’re ready, if the Vodafone roaming is still not working, again restart your device.
After the reboot, you should be able to call, text and use your cellular data to surf the internet.
In case the problem is persistent, let’s check and configure the APN settings next!
Solution #4 Re-Insert Vodafone SIM
Sometimes when we can’t connect to the Vodafone roaming services all we need to do is reinsert the SIM card to reset the connection.
All you need to do is find a thin and sharp object to be able to eject the SIM card tray from your device.
- Simply, reinsert the Vodafone SIM card and enter your PIN code!
That should be enough to reset the cellular connection and enable your Vodafone Roaming when you’re in a foreign country.
It’s important to make sure that the card is being inserted the correct way and that you’re receiving reception.
Tip: To optimise the Vodafone reception coverage, move outside!
Solution #5 Configure The Vodafone APN Settings
When you’re abroad, your device will not always automatically connect to the closest mast, and in such cases, we need to manually correct the APN settings.
This will reset the networking settings on our device and help us connect with the carrier’s roaming services.
- Find the APN at Settings > Mobile Networks > SIM > Access Point Names.
When you’re there, tap on “Add New APN” and configure this way:
- Name – Vodafone
- Password & Username – wap
- MMS Port – 8799
- APN type – internet+mmps
- APN – wap.vodafone.co.uk
- MMS Proxy – 212.183.137.12
- Authentication type – PAP
You can leave the rest of the settings blank, as they are by default. Then you need to save the newly created APN and perform a restart on your device.
When you’re ready the roaming should now be activated. In case the issue persists, jump to the next step!
Solution #6 Select Network “Automatically”
When you arrive abroad, is to select the cellular network automatically since sometimes your device will remain connected to the weaker one.
Some networks could provide more stable connections than others.
When you’re closer to a stronger network your device might not be connected.
- On your Vodafone mobile device, reach into Settings > Mobile Networks.
Make sure that “Automatic” is selected and perform another restart on your device.
When your phone turns on, you’ll notice that reception is now being received.
You can check the indicator on the top of your device’s screen.
Tip: On iPhones, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Network Selection > Automatic.
Solution #7 Check Vodafone Roaming Countries
To use roaming with Vodafone, it depends on where you are.
In some countries you can Pay As You Go, meaning that you will individually pay for each call, text or kilobyte of data.
However, most of the world is supported by the “$5 Vodafone Roaming”, which means that you’re only paying $5 per day to use unlimited roaming in more than 80+ countries.
| $5 Roaming | Asia, Europe, Canada, Central America, South America |
| Pay As You Go Roaming | Greenland, Ecuador, Venezuela Costa Rica, Algeria, Morocco Algeria, Niger, Libya, Egypt Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali Madagascar, Afghanistan |
| No Vodafone Roaming | Sudan, Gabon, Somalia, Syria Australia, Cuba, West Sahara |
Sadly, there are a few places in the world where Vodafone does not provide roaming services, and you check them in the above table.
If you happen to be located in one of these destinations, you won’t be able to use your Vodafone services.
Note: Your device has to be in reception for the Vodafone Roaming to work!
Need Professional Help?
When things continue to fail, you can dial *199* to contact a Vodafone representative to activate the roaming for you.
Perhaps something is wrong with your account or the payment couldn’t go through.
Whatever it is, with a bit of professional help, your Vodafone roaming will be activated.
Quick Recap:
Thus, the Vodafone roaming is not working because the Data Roaming setting is not enabled on your device or because the “international roaming” is not set up. We’ve also learned that we need to check the supported Vodafone roaming countries beforehand!
Wrapping Up:
Now that we’ve learned why Vodafone Roaming not working and how to solve the problem in a matter of minutes, we’re ready to call, text and surf online.
What’s important is to keep our device in reception at all times, to avoid cellular outages. Good Luck!
To discover more about Vodafone service troubleshooting, check our solution blog!
Read Next: Vodafone Mobile WiFi Connected But No Internet?
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.