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Knowing how much data you have left is one of those small things that can make a big difference on the road. Whether you’re navigating a new city, sharing photos from a mountaintop, or just keeping in touch with home, staying on top of your balance means no nasty surprises — and no frantic searching for Wi-Fi when you need it most.

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Check Your Data Balance

You can check your remaining data in two ways: straight from the eBanano app, or through your phone’s built-in settings.
The app is the easiest way to see exactly how much data you have left — and when your plan expires.
  1. Open the eBanano app on your phone.
  2. Tap My eSIMs from the home screen.
  3. Tap your active plan to open the plan details.
  4. You’ll see your remaining data and your plan’s expiry date right at the top.
The app updates your balance in real time, so what you see is what you’ve got.
Heading somewhere remote — a national park, a mountain trail, a small island? Check your balance before you go. It’s much easier to top up while you still have a signal!

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Data Usage Tips

Wondering where all your data went? These quick tips will help you stretch every megabyte a little further.
A few simple habits can go a long way:
  • Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) before you leave your hotel’s Wi-Fi.
  • Turn off background app refresh — apps love to quietly update themselves in the background. On iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh. On Android: Settings → Apps → your app → Battery → Background usage.
  • Stream at lower quality — if you’re watching videos on the go, drop the resolution to 480p. You’ll barely notice the difference; your data balance will.
  • Use Wi-Fi whenever it’s available — cafés, hotels, and airports are your friends.
  • Disable auto-play videos in social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Yes — both WhatsApp and iMessage send messages and calls over the internet, so they do use your mobile data when you’re not on Wi-Fi.The good news: text messages use a tiny amount of data (just a few kilobytes each). Voice and video calls use more — roughly 1–3 MB per minute depending on quality.To keep usage low, switch to voice notes or text instead of video calls when you’re on the go.
eBanano plans are data-only. They don’t include traditional phone calls or SMS text messages.For calls and texts, you have two great options:
  • Keep your home SIM active in your phone alongside your eBanano eSIM — your regular number stays reachable for calls and texts.
  • Use internet-based apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, or Signal for messaging and calls over data.
Either way, you’re covered!
eBanano plans are data-only — traditional calls and SMS are not included. Keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts, or use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime over your eBanano data connection.

Top Up Data

Running low? Add more data to your existing plan in just a few taps — no new eSIM needed.

Switching Networks

Learn how to set eBanano as your default data SIM while keeping your home number active.
Last modified on September 11, 2026