How to Keep Your Home SIM for SMS While Using International eSIM for Data
📱 The Dual SIM Solution: Perfect for Travelers
When traveling abroad, have you ever faced this dilemma: you need internet access with an international eSIM, but you're worried about missing important SMS messages from your bank, work, or family back home? Maybe it's a verification code, an urgent work notification, or a message from loved ones.
Good news: you don't have to choose between the two. With dual SIM functionality, you can use an international eSIM for data while keeping your home SIM card active for calls and SMS.
This guide will show you exactly how to set up this perfect combination on both iPhone and Android devices.
🤔 Why Use Dual SIM (Home SIM + Travel eSIM)?
✅ Benefits of Dual SIM Setup:
- 📞 Receive SMS & Calls: Get verification codes, banking alerts, and important calls on your home number
- 🌐 Affordable Data: Use local eSIM rates instead of expensive international roaming
- 💰 Save Money: Avoid roaming charges while staying reachable
- 🔐 Two-Factor Authentication: Receive 2FA codes for banking, email, social media
- 👨💼 Work & Personal: Keep work number active while traveling
- 👪 Family Contact: Loved ones can still reach you on your regular number
- 🚫 No Number Change: No need to notify everyone of a temporary number
📱 Understanding Dual SIM Technology
🔍 How Dual SIM Works:
Physical SIM + eSIM = Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS)
Modern smartphones can use two SIM cards simultaneously:
- SIM 1 (Physical): Your home country SIM card (stays in the phone)
- SIM 2 (eSIM): Your travel eSIM (downloaded digitally)
What "Dual Standby" Means:
- ✅ Both SIMs are active at the same time
- ✅ You can receive calls and SMS on both numbers
- ✅ You choose which SIM to use for mobile data
- ✅ You choose which SIM to use for outgoing calls
- ⚠️ Only one SIM can use data at a time (you select which one)
⚙️ Complete Setup Guide: iPhone
📱 iPhone Dual SIM Setup (Step-by-Step)
Prerequisites:
- iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or newer
- iOS 12.1 or later
- Home SIM card already installed in phone
- Travel eSIM purchased and QR code ready
Step 1: Install Your Travel eSIM
- Make sure your physical home SIM is in the phone
- Connect to WiFi
- Go to Settings → Cellular or Mobile Data
- Tap Add Cellular Plan or Add eSIM
- Scan your travel eSIM QR code
- Tap Add Cellular Plan when prompted
- Wait for the eSIM to download and activate
Step 2: Label Your SIMs (Important!)
- After installation, you'll be asked to label your plans
- Label your home SIM: "Home" or "Primary" or your carrier name
- Label your travel eSIM: "Travel" or destination name (e.g., "Japan", "Europe")
- This helps you identify which is which
Step 3: Set Default Line for Cellular Data
- You'll be asked: "Which line would you like to use for Cellular Data?"
- Select your Travel eSIM (the one you just installed)
- Tap Continue
Step 4: Configure Default Line for Calls
- You'll be asked about your default line for calls
- Select your Home SIM (so people calling your regular number reach you)
- Or choose "Ask Every Time" if you want to decide per call
Step 5: Enable Data Roaming for Travel eSIM
- Go to Settings → Cellular
- Tap your Travel eSIM line
- Turn ON "Turn On This Line"
- Turn ON "Data Roaming" (required for international eSIM!)
Step 6: Configure Home SIM Settings
- Go back to Settings → Cellular
- Tap your Home SIM line
- Keep "Turn On This Line" ON (to receive calls/SMS)
- Turn OFF "Data Roaming" (to avoid roaming charges)
- Important: Make sure this line is NOT selected for cellular data
Step 7: Verify Your Setup
- Go to Settings → Cellular
- Check that:
- Cellular Data: Shows your Travel eSIM ✅
- Default Voice Line: Shows your Home SIM ✅
- Both lines show signal bars at the top of screen
🎯 iPhone Quick Settings Summary:
| Setting | Home SIM 🏠 | Travel eSIM ✈️ |
|---|---|---|
| Turn On This Line | ✅ ON | ✅ ON |
| Data Roaming | ❌ OFF | ✅ ON |
| Default for Cellular Data | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Default for Voice Calls | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
⚙️ Complete Setup Guide: Android
🤖 Android Dual SIM Setup (Step-by-Step)
Prerequisites:
- eSIM-compatible Android phone (Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+, etc.)
- Android 9.0 (Pie) or later
- Home SIM card already installed
- Travel eSIM purchased and QR code ready
Step 1: Install Your Travel eSIM
Samsung Galaxy:
- Settings → Connections → SIM card manager
- Tap "Add mobile plan" or "Add eSIM"
- Tap "Scan carrier QR code"
- Scan your travel eSIM QR code
- Tap "Add" and wait for download
Google Pixel:
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
- Tap "Add more" or "+" icon
- Tap "Download a SIM instead?"
- Scan your travel eSIM QR code
- Tap "Download"
Step 2: Name Your SIMs
- After installation, give each SIM a name
- Home SIM: "Home" or "Primary"
- Travel eSIM: "Travel" or destination name
Step 3: Set Mobile Data to Travel eSIM
- Settings → Connections/Network & Internet → SIM card manager/SIMs
- Tap "Mobile data"
- Select your Travel eSIM
Step 4: Enable Data Roaming for Travel eSIM
- In SIM settings, tap your Travel eSIM
- Turn ON Mobile data
- Turn ON Roaming or Data roaming
Step 5: Configure Home SIM
- Tap your Home SIM
- Turn OFF Mobile data (or it will override travel eSIM)
- Turn OFF Roaming (to avoid charges)
- Keep the SIM enabled for calls and SMS
Step 6: Set Preferred SIM for Calls
- In SIM card manager, tap "Calls" or "Phone calls"
- Select your Home SIM
- Or choose "Ask every time"
💡 Important Tips & Best Practices
🎯 Pro Tips for Dual SIM Success:
1. 🔐 Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Your home SIM will receive SMS verification codes normally
- Banking apps, email, social media 2FA all work as usual
- No need to change phone numbers in your accounts
2. 📞 Receiving Calls on Home Number
- Calls to your home number will ring normally
- ⚠️ Warning: Answering calls on your home SIM while abroad may incur roaming charges
- Solution: Let important calls go to voicemail, then call back using WhatsApp/FaceTime
- Or use your carrier's WiFi calling feature if available
3. 💰 Avoiding Roaming Charges
- Keep data roaming OFF on your home SIM
- Don't make outgoing calls on your home SIM (use VoIP instead)
- Receiving SMS is usually free or very cheap
- Check with your home carrier about SMS roaming costs
4. 🌐 WiFi Calling
- Enable WiFi calling on your home SIM if your carrier supports it
- Make/receive calls on home number via WiFi (no roaming charges!)
- iPhone: Settings → Phone → WiFi Calling
- Android: Settings → Connections → WiFi Calling
⚠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues
🔧 Problem: Not Receiving SMS on Home SIM
Solutions:
- ✅ Check that home SIM line is turned ON
- ✅ Restart your phone
- ✅ Check signal strength for home SIM
- ✅ Contact home carrier - some require international SMS activation
🔧 Problem: No Internet on Travel eSIM
Solutions:
- ✅ Verify travel eSIM is set as default for cellular data
- ✅ Check that data roaming is ON for travel eSIM
- ✅ Turn airplane mode ON, wait 10 seconds, turn OFF
- ✅ Restart phone
🔧 Problem: Home SIM Using Data (Roaming Charges!)
Solutions:
- ✅ Turn OFF mobile data for home SIM
- ✅ Turn OFF data roaming for home SIM
- ✅ Double-check default data SIM is set to travel eSIM
💰 Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost (7 days) | SMS Reception | Data Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home SIM + Travel eSIM | Low cost | ✅ Yes | Fast (4G/5G) |
| International Roaming Only | Very expensive | ✅ Yes | Variable |
| Remove Home SIM, Use Only Travel SIM | Low cost | ❌ No | Fast (4G/5G) |
🏆 Winner: Home SIM + Travel eSIM offers the best balance of cost, convenience, and functionality!
🌐 Get Your Travel eSIM
Ready to set up your dual SIM solution? Get your travel eSIM here:
🌏 Popular Destinations
- Japan eSIM Plans - Perfect for dual SIM setup
- Thailand eSIM Plans - Keep your home number active
- Europe eSIM Plans - Works across 30+ countries
🌍 Global Coverage
- Global Unlimited Subscription - Worldwide dual SIM solution
- Asia Regional Plans - Multi-country coverage
✅ All our eSIMs work perfectly with dual SIM setup!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will I be charged for receiving SMS on my home SIM while abroad?
A: Most carriers don't charge for receiving SMS while roaming, but some do. Check with your home carrier. Even if charged, it's usually minimal.
Q: Can I use WhatsApp with both numbers?
A: WhatsApp can only be registered to one number at a time. However, you can use WhatsApp Business for a second number, or use other apps like Telegram which support multiple accounts.
Q: What happens if someone calls my home number while I'm using travel eSIM data?
A: The call will ring normally! Both SIMs are active simultaneously. However, answering may incur roaming charges from your home carrier.
Q: Can I use both SIMs for data at the same time?
A: No. Only one SIM can use mobile data at a time. You choose which one in settings.
Q: Will my home carrier know I'm using a travel eSIM?
A: Your home carrier can see you're roaming, but they don't know you're using another SIM for data. As long as data roaming is OFF on your home SIM, you won't incur data charges.
Q: Do I need to remove my physical SIM to use eSIM?
A: No! That's the beauty of dual SIM. Keep your physical home SIM in the phone and add the eSIM digitally.
📋 Quick Setup Checklist
✅ Dual SIM Setup Checklist:
- ☑️ Home SIM card is in phone
- ☑️ Travel eSIM purchased and QR code ready
- ☑️ Travel eSIM installed
- ☑️ Both SIMs labeled
- ☑️ Travel eSIM set as default for data
- ☑️ Data roaming ON for travel eSIM
- ☑️ Data roaming OFF for home SIM
- ☑️ Home SIM set as default for calls
- ☑️ Both SIMs showing signal
- ☑️ Internet connection tested
- ☑️ SMS reception tested
🌟 Conclusion
Using dual SIM functionality, you can perfectly balance your connectivity needs while traveling internationally: use an affordable travel eSIM for data while keeping your home number active for important SMS and calls.
This setup is simple, economical, and practical, allowing you to enjoy local data rates while never missing important messages from home.
🚀 Get Your Travel eSIM Today
Perfect dual SIM solution = Home number + Travel eSIM
✅ Instant activation • ✅ Stay connected • ✅ Save money
Stay connected, travel smart! 📱🌍✨