Starlink Roam: Setting Up Portable Internet on the Move
Starlink Roam (sometimes called Portable) lets you take your dish anywhere within your continent — perfect for RVs, seasonal homes, and travel. Setting it up is similar to Residential, with a few key differences around service location and activation. Here's how to get portable internet working on the move.
Key takeaways
- Roam lets you move your dish anywhere within your continent.
- You update your service location in the app each time you move.
- Roam is deprioritized behind Residential, so speeds may be lower in busy areas.
- Roam is not for in-motion use — the vehicle must be stopped.
Activating Roam
- 1Order the Roam plan through your Starlink account (or switch from Residential in the app).
- 2When you receive the kit, set up the dish and router as you would for Residential.
- 3Open the app and follow the activation prompts — Roam doesn't require a fixed service address.
- 4Set your initial service location to where you'll first use the dish.
Moving your service location
The key Roam workflow is updating your service location each time you move. Starlink uses this to assign you to the right cell and satellites. You can update it before you travel or when you arrive.
- 1In the app, go to Account → Service Location.
- 2Enter or drop a pin at your new location.
- 3Confirm — the dish will re-acquire satellites for the new cell (takes a few minutes).
- 4Run the obstruction scan at the new spot, as sky views differ by location.
You can change your service location as often as you like on Roam. There's no limit, but the dish needs a few minutes to re-acquire each time you move a significant distance.
Roam vs Mobility (in-motion)
Roam is for portable use at stopped locations — you set up the dish, use it, then pack up and move. Mobility is a separate plan for in-motion use on vehicles and boats, requiring the Flat High Performance dish. If you want internet while driving, you need Mobility, not Roam.
| Feature | Roam | Mobility |
|---|---|---|
| Portability | Yes, stopped locations | Yes, in-motion |
| Hardware | Standard dish | Flat High Performance dish |
| Use while driving | No | Yes |
| Priority | Deprioritized vs Residential | Deprioritized vs Residential |
Powering Starlink in an RV
Starlink draws roughly 50–75 watts in normal use, more when Snow Melt activates. For RV and off-grid use, ensure your battery bank and inverter can handle the load. A pure sine wave inverter is recommended — modified sine wave can cause issues with the dish's power supply.
Tips for traveling with Starlink
- Pack the dish and router in protective cases for transit.
- Pre-plan your service location updates before arriving at a new site.
- Carry a spare cable in case of travel damage.
- Test the obstruction scan at each new site before a long stay.
- Be aware that some remote areas may have limited cell coverage — check the Starlink coverage map.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Starlink Roam anywhere?
Can I use Starlink Roam while driving?
How do I change my Starlink service location?
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