Depending on where you’re traveling, you might want to be weary of the Data Roaming setting on your Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone. You may want to turn it off if you’re traveling to an area where international wireless towers may overcharge your account. You may also want Data Roaming on if you need your phone to access data outside of your wireless carriers network.
You can access the Data Roaming setting by following these steps within the phone menus:
- From the Home screen, swipe up to bring up “Apps“.
- Select the “Settings” icon.
- Choose “Mobile networks“.
- Select the switch on “Data Roaming Access” to toggle it on or off.
- Select “OK” to confirm your selection.
FAQ
Why can’t I access any International networks while Data Roaming is enabled?
You may not have international access enabled on your account. You can usually enable it via your account online, or by contacting your wireless provider.
How do I know when I’m roaming?
A small triangle icon or the letter “R” will appear above the signal strength indicator bars to indicate when you are roaming.
Will this setting affect phone calls?
No. The Data Roaming setting only deals with the connection to the data network. It has nothing to do with the voice network.
Will this setting affect SMS text messages?
No. However, you can set your phone to receive text messages while roaming by opening the “Messaging” app, then selecting “Menu” > “Settings“, then selecting the “Roaming auto retrieve” setting.
Brenner Holloman says
March 15, 2019 at 4:37 pmCannot turn on domestic roaming on galaxy S8. It’s greyed out. No service in “service areas” while traveling. Most inconvenient.
Wendy Coetzer says
February 21, 2019 at 3:24 amData roaming on despite being off on S8 galaxy – Vodacom is service provider – any suggestions?
Mitch Bartlett says
July 26, 2018 at 8:24 pmThere is data roaming and voice roaming. Maybe it’s still voice roaming?
Deborah A Skelton says
July 26, 2018 at 7:57 amI turned off my data on my s8. How is it still roaming?
Kim Swisher says
April 24, 2018 at 1:18 amI Can’t Turn off Roaming On my Samsung galaxy S8+:. The R Is Always There And I Just Want To Play My No WiFi Downloaded Phone Games. Thank You. Sincerely, Kim *
Charles says
April 17, 2018 at 9:11 amIt all depends on your carrier. I have Boost and they only offer 50 mins of voice per cycle when on domestic roaming. It is there in the fine print. Because of this, the data options are greyed out in the phone through the SIM.
tor says
January 24, 2018 at 10:58 amSame here, roaming unavailable.
I am beginning to see a pattern: Samsung simply does not fix bugs on the Galaxy.
Aldus says
November 6, 2017 at 9:15 amI cannot turn on my roaming aim.
Migle says
September 27, 2017 at 11:36 amI have the same issue with Galaxy 8, It is greyed out and it is not possible to turn it on or off. It shows R, but I can’t access internet via my provider. Please advise what to do?
Mike wilson says
September 13, 2017 at 10:25 amIt wont turn on. Its greyed out. Mine (also s8+) is fine but my wifes wont switch on.