Using your travel eSIM alongside your home SIM

Most travellers use your travel eSIM alongside their home SIM or eSIM so they can still receive calls and texts on their home number. iOS and Android handle this slightly differently. Here's what to expect.

iOS — set up dual SIM correctly

• Go to Settings → Cellular.
• You should see both your home line and your travel eSIM listed.
• Tap Cellular Data and choose your travel eSIM as the line for data while you travel.
• Keep your home line set as the default for calls and SMS if you want to keep receiving them.
• Make sure Allow Cellular Data Switching is off, otherwise iOS may pull data from your home line and trigger roaming charges.

Android — set up dual SIM

• Open Settings → Mobile Network or SIM Manager (the exact path varies by manufacturer).
• Set your travel eSIM as the line for mobile data.
• Keep your home SIM for calls and SMS.
• Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid charges.

What about iMessage and WhatsApp?

• iMessage stays linked to your home phone number, regardless of which SIM is active for data. Make sure your home number is checked under Settings → Messages → Send & Receive.
• WhatsApp works over data on whichever line has data active. It stays linked to whatever number you registered it with.

When you get back home

Switch your cellular data line back to your home SIM. You can leave your travel eSIM installed for your next trip if your plan is still valid.

This article doesn't cover:

SIM conflict troubleshooting →Dual-SIM Conflict

Whether your plan supports calls and SMS →Does your travel eSIM support calls and SMS, or just data?