How to Disable Telstra International Day Pass on iPhone

To disable the Telstra International Day Pass, simply send an SMS with the word "STOP" to 1560 or toggle it off within the 'International Roaming' section of the My Telstra app. Once deactivated, you must turn off Data Roaming in your iPhone settings to avoid massive pay-as-you-go charges, or better yet, install a travel eSIM before you board your flight.

The Problem with the Telstra International Day Pass

For many Australians heading off to Bali, Japan, or the UK, the Telstra International Day Pass seems like the easy option. It’s marketed as a simple way to keep your phone working exactly as it does at home. But for $10 a day (or $5 in New Zealand), that convenience comes with a heavy price tag. If you’re away for three weeks, you’re looking at over $200 just to keep your data flowing.

What’s worse is that the Day Pass is often enabled by default. You land in Tokyo, turn off airplane mode to check the address of your hotel, and—bam—Telstra hits you with the daily fee. If you’re a light user who just needs Google Maps or the occasional WhatsApp message, paying ten bucks a day is absolute madness. This is why more savvy travellers are looking for ways to opt out and take control of their connectivity.

Step-by-Step: How to Disable Telstra Day Pass

You have two main ways to kill the Day Pass before it kills your travel budget. It is best to do this while you are still in Australia, but you can technically do it from overseas if you have a Wi-Fi connection.

Method 1: Using the My Telstra App

1. Open the My Telstra app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Services tab at the bottom.
3. Select the mobile number you are taking overseas.
4. Scroll down to the International Roaming section.
5. You will see the International Day Pass listed. Tap on it and select the option to Remove or Disable.
6. Confirm your choice. You should receive a confirmation message shortly after.

Method 2: Via SMS

If you don't have the app or find it clunky, the old-school SMS method is often faster.

1. Open your Messages app.
2. Start a new message to the number 1560.
3. Type the word STOP and hit send.
4. Telstra will send you a reply confirming that the International Day Pass has been removed from your service.

The Danger of "Pay-As-You-Go" Roaming

Here is the catch: once you disable the Day Pass, you aren't necessarily safe. If you leave your Telstra SIM active and turn on "Data Roaming" in your iPhone settings, you will revert to Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) rates. These rates are astronomical. We’re talking several dollars per megabyte. Scrolling through Instagram for five minutes could literally cost you fifty dollars.

To avoid this, you have two choices. You can turn off Data Roaming entirely and rely on dodgy hotel Wi-Fi, or you can switch to a travel eSIM. A travel eSIM allows you to access local networks in places like Thailand (dest:th) or Japan (dest:jp) at local rates, bypassing the Telstra tax entirely.

Switching to a Travel eSIM

An eSIM is a digital version of the plastic SIM card you’ve used for years. Most modern iPhones are compatible with travel eSIMs, allowing you to have two "lines" active at once. You keep your Telstra SIM in for receiving urgent texts (which is usually free), but you set your AussieRoam eSIM as the primary source for all your mobile data.

When you use an AussieRoam eSIM, you aren't paying a daily flat fee. You buy a chunk of data—say 10GB or 20GB—and use it as you please. Our plans are "data only," meaning they don't come with a local phone number, but in the age of WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Messenger, most travellers find they don't need one anyway.

Why Local Networks Matter

One of the biggest advantages of using a dedicated travel eSIM over roaming is the network priority. When you roam with a home carrier, your data is often routed back through Australia before hitting the local towers. This causes "latency" or lag.

If you are hiking Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, you want your maps to load instantly. By using an AussieRoam eSIM in Japan (dest:jp), you connect directly to local giants like NTT Docomo or SoftBank. In the UK (dest:gb), you’ll be tapping into the same high-speed 4G and 5G networks used by the locals in London. Whether you're searching for the best curry houses in Brick Lane or navigating the Tube, the connection is faster and more reliable than traditional roaming.

Comparing the Costs

Feature	Telstra Day Pass	AussieRoam eSIM
Daily Cost	$10 (most countries)	$0 (Prepaid)
Data Limit	Usually 1GB/day	Choose your own (e.g., 10GB/30 days)
Network	Roaming partner	Local high-speed networks
Setup	Automatic (The Trap)	Easy manual setup
Number	Your Aussie Number	Data only (No local number)

Setting Up Your iPhone Before You Fly

The best time to set up your alternative to Telstra is while you’re waiting for your flight at Sydney, Melbourne, or Auckland airport.

1. Purchase your eSIM: Pick a plan for your destination, whether it's Southeast Asia (dest:as-20) or a broader Europe (dest:eu-42) package.
2. Install the eSIM: Use the QR code sent to your email. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.
3. Label your lines: Call your Telstra line "Primary" and your AussieRoam line "Travel."
4. Toggle the Data: Set your "Cellular Data" to use the Travel eSIM. Crucially, ensure "Allow Cellular Data Switching" is turned OFF. This prevents your iPhone from jumping back to Telstra if the eSIM signal gets weak.
5. Turn off Roaming on Telstra: In the Cellular settings, click on your Primary (Telstra) line and ensure "Data Roaming" is toggled off. Then, click on your Travel line and ensure "Data Roaming" is toggled ON.

Coverage Realities: Cities vs. Rural

Whether you are heading to Bali or the backroads of France (dest:fr), coverage varies. In major hubs like Tokyo, Bangkok, or London, you can expect blistering 5G speeds. However, if you're heading into the mountains of Hokkaido or the rural parts of Italy (dest:it), signals can dip.

Because AussieRoam eSIMs partner with the strongest local carriers—like Telkomsel in Indonesia or Orange in Europe—you generally get the best possible coverage available in that region. Telstra's roaming partners are often limited to whoever they have the cheapest wholesale agreement with, which isn't always the best network for the area you're visiting.

Managing Your Data Usage

Since you’ve ditched the $10/day safety net, you’ll want to make your data last. Here’s how to stretch a 10GB plan across a two-week trip:

• Download Offline Maps: Google Maps allows you to download entire cities. This saves heaps of data while navigating.
• Disable Background Refresh: Stop apps like Facebook from eating data while your phone is in your pocket.
• Use Low Data Mode: On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > [Your eSIM] and toggle on "Low Data Mode."
• Wi-Fi for Photos: Set your iCloud or Google Photos to only sync when you’re on Wi-Fi back at the hotel.

The bottom line

Disabling the Telstra International Day Pass is the first step toward a much cheaper holiday. By sending that "STOP" text to 1560, you reclaim control over your mobile bill. Replacing that expensive roaming with a local eSIM ensures you stay connected on the best networks in Japan, Thailand, or Europe without the "bill shock" waiting for you when you land back in Australia. Plan ahead, install your eSIM at the airport, and spend that saved money on an extra round of drinks in Bali instead.