# Using Dual-SIM iPhone while traveling overseas **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 22, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212 "2023-02-22T22:10:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212/1 "2023-02-22T22:10:51Z")
Normally, when I traveled to another country from the USA, I would get a local SIM card (either in advance or at the arrival airport) and swap it with my US-based SIM for the duration of my trip to avoid roaming charges/lousy service from my US-based carrier. I finally learned (many years into their existence) about E-SIM cards. Basically, a virtual, software SIM card that behaves like a physical one. And that, if you have a physical card in the SIM slot, allows you to have a phone with two numbers operating more or less simultaneously. And luckily, my current iPhone model allegedly has both physical and E-SIM capability. This would be great for future trips. I’d love to have a local SIM to use at my destination AND be able to receive the odd call on my US-based number—and ESPECIALLY receive texts, like those 2-factor verification texts for all my US-based accounts and services. So, has anyone here used a dual-SIM phone in this manner before? What are the tricks and drawbacks I should be aware of? How do you ensure that you get incoming calls/texts on your US-based number while using the travel SIM for most of the data, etc.? What about roaming charges, coverage issues for the US-based SIM? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212/2 "2023-02-22T22:18:15Z")
I do it all the time on my iPhone 12. I’ve got a physical SIM from my provider here in Canada and then I get an eSIM when I am travelling. I turn data roaming off on my Canadian SIM and forward the number to a VOIP line. Incoming SMS messages are free for me even when roaming. Note that many pay-as-you-go eSIMs are data only and do not have a phone number for voice or texts. Last summer I was in Croatia and used an [Orange France](https://travel.orange.com/en/) so I could have a local number. I am heading to Italy in 2 weeks and will just get an [Ubigi Data Only eSIM](https://www.ubigi.com/). At 10GB for $15 vs. the $15/day my provider charges, it’s a no-brainer. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212/3 "2023-02-22T22:26:21Z")
I use physical Orange SIMs whenever I go to France/Europe. It was when I saw today that they offer E-SIMs that I started to look into it more. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212/4 "2023-02-22T22:28:14Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > I turn data roaming off on my Canadian SIM and forward the number to a VOIP line. Incoming SMS messages are free for me even when roaming. What VOIP line are you using? Seems like this would be a 3rd thing I’d need to coordinate… I’d also need to check Verizon’s policy on incoming texts while roaming… ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212/5 "2023-02-22T22:35:08Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > What VOIP line are you using? Seems like this would be a 3rd thing I’d need to coordinate… I use Teams at work, so I just forward the number there. Take a look at something like Google Voice, it’s free for personal use. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dual-sim-iphone-while-traveling-overseas/980212/6 "2023-02-24T03:22:49Z")
Looks like [Verizon charges](https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/pay-as-you-go#pricing-data) $0.05 (USD) per received text, which is fine … so long as nobody send me photos or videos, which presumably might trigger data rates.