Data-Only eSIM: Calls, WhatsApp and Your Phone Number

Di question wey pipo dey ask pass about travel eSIM no even concern data. Na about phone number: e go change? WhatsApp go still work? Bank text message go still enta? Di answer depend on one phrase wey you go see for most travel eSIMs, including HelloSIM own: data-only. Once you understand wetin e mean, to set up your phone so dat evritin go continue to work no hard at all.

Wetin "data-only" mean

Data-only eSIM dey give your phone mobile internet connection and notin else. E no dey come wit local phone number, so e no fit make or receive normal phone calls or SMS text messages.

E fit sound like limitation, but for real life e no dey usually be wahala, for two reasons:

• Almost evritin wey you dey do wit phone abroad dey run on internet: maps, email, browsing, ride and booking apps, social media, and most calls and messages.
• Your normal SIM no dey go anywhere. Dem dey add data-only eSIM as second line, so your usual number go still dey active beside am.

For oda words, you no dey change your phone number for travel number. You dey add data connection to di number wey you get already.

Calls and messages on internet

When data-only eSIM dey give you connection, calls and messages dey work through internet apps exactly as dem dey work on Wi-Fi for house:

• WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber for messages, voice calls and video calls.
• FaceTime and iMessage between Apple devices.
• Video meeting apps for work calls.

Di pesin wey you dey call no need do anytin different. Dem go see your usual account and pick am normal. Voice calls no dey use plenti data, but video calls dey use much more, so if you plan to dey do video call go house regularly, choose plan size wey go carry am. Rule of thumb wey go help: light use na around 1 GB per week, regular use 3–5 GB, and heavy use wey include plenti video 10 GB or more.

Wetin data-only eSIM no fit do na to ring normal phone number through your phone own dialler. For dat one, you go use your home SIM, or calling app wey fit call phone numbers.

WhatsApp, iMessage and your number

WhatsApp dey tied to your usual phone number, and data-only eSIM no dey change anytin about am. WhatsApp no send which line dey supply di internet; e just dey use any connection wey dey. Your chats, groups and contacts go remain exactly as dem be, and you no need register again.

iMessage and FaceTime for iPhone dey work di same way. When you add eSIM, di iPhone fit ask which line to use for iMessage and FaceTime. Choose your usual number, and messages go continue to come from and go to dat number while di eSIM dey provide di data.

How to keep your number for SMS codes

Di one tin wey internet apps no fit replace na di normal SMS. Banks, card companies, airlines and plenti apps dey send one-time verification codes by text to your usual number, and you fit need one for bad time, like when you dey pay for sometin online abroad.

Na why you suppose keep your home SIM on while you dey travel:

• Leave di home line active so e fit receive calls and texts.
• Keep data roaming off for di home line, so e no go use your home network data.
• Check your home tariff to know how much incoming calls and texts dey cost abroad, becos e dey change by network and destination.

Becos data-only eSIM dey sidon beside your own SIM instead of to replace am, dose codes go continue to land where you dey expect dem.

How to set up dual SIM

Most eSIM phones fit use two lines at once. Di aim na to give each line one clear work: home SIM for calls and texts, travel eSIM for data.

For iPhone, once you don install di eSIM (Settings → Mobile Data or Cellular → Add eSIM):

1. 1Give di lines clear labels, like "Home" and "Travel".
2. 2Set your default line for calls and texts to your home number.
3. 3Set Mobile Data to di travel eSIM.
4. 4When you land, on Data Roaming for di travel eSIM line, and off am for di home line.
5. 5Tink about to off "Allow Mobile Data Switching", so di phone no go try fall back to your home line data.

For Android, once you don add di eSIM (Network & internet → SIMs for Pixel-style menus, Connections → SIM manager for Samsung):

1. 1Set di preferred SIM for calls and SMS to your home SIM.
2. 2Set di preferred SIM for mobile data to di travel eSIM.
3. 3On roaming for di eSIM line and leave am off for di home line. Menu names dey change by brand.

Roaming must dey on for di eSIM line or e no go connect for where you dey go; wit prepaid data, dis one no dey add any charge. Di plan days dey start wit dat first connection abroad, no be di day wey you install am.

How to avoid surprise charges for your home line

Dual SIM dey safe as long as each line stay for im lane. Di mistake wey pipo dey make pass na to leave data roaming on for di home SIM, wey go let apps quietly use your home network data abroad. Home networks dey often charge dat one per day or per megabyte, depending on di tariff, so check before you go.

Your network fit also charge you to answer calls on your home number abroad. If you no want take dat risk, tell friends and family make dem call you on WhatsApp or FaceTime instead, wey dey use di eSIM data.

When data-only no be di correct fit

Data-only eSIM dey cover most pipo wey dey travel, but no be every situation. If you need local phone number, for example so dat local landlord, employer or delivery service fit call or text you on number for dat kontri, data-only eSIM no go give you one. Your handset must also fit use eSIM and e must dey carrier-unlocked.

For evritin else, e dey do di work. HelloSIM plans dey cover 190+ destinations, from single kontris to regions and Global plan, and if you need more data, you fit top up di eSIM wey you get already from your account, di app or di Check / Top up page. Questions about your setup fit go to [email protected] or to di live chat inside di HelloSIM app.