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iPhone SE (2016) Forward US AT&T number to an eSim number to avoid fees when travelling?

Q

questionwonder

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2013
177
30
I'm looking at getting the new iPhone SE.
I want to use overseas with its dual SIM - eSim capabilities.
I don't wan to purchase AT&T's International plan (pricey). I'd like to purchase an International eSim with a US number (World Sim, One Sim Card)

When I'm overseas, I'll disable roaming so I won't get charged for data fees and from what I've read I won't get charged for incoming text messages, I think? I can return messages with my eSim plan or iMessage when I'm on wifi, so I think I'm ok there, but I want to receive all calls coming from the US to my AT&T line.

Question - If I have my AT&T phone number forward all incoming calls to my eSim number, will I get charged any international fees from AT&T? I think in order to forward calls I have to have the AT&T Sim on right, or can I setup call forwarding and then turn the AT&T line off?
Ex. If I'm in Germany and someone from the US calls my AT&T line and it automatically forwards it to my eSim line, will AT&T charge me because I'm forwarding the incoming call from a network that isn't theirs?

I don't want to return from traveling and have a large bill!
 
Or you could setup a Google Voice number in the US and anywhere in the world you have data you will have a US based number people can use to contact you.

Or join WhatsApp, have your contacts join WhatsApp and connect for free.
 
Steven -
I've tried setting this up with Google voice, but it doesn't accept call forwarding on the same phone, when the phone is disabled when traveling.
ex. I have a GV number and I tried forwarding my AT&T calls to my GV number on the same phone. Doesn't work, goes straight to voicemail. I've read in different forums that GV wasn't created for this, although in the past it had a call forward setting when the phone is off, but that was in the legacy settings of GV. But those settings don't exist anymore, they've been removed.
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cclarke99 said:
You should check out AT&T's International Day Pass, $10/day and uses your plan's allowances.

www.att.com

Get Details About AT&T International Day Pass

Find out how to use your phone or tablet while traveling abroad in over 200 countries.
www.att.com
Click to expand...

But if I get a text or call coming in to voicemail, I get charged the $10. Right?
I can disable data and use a eSim or a burner phone for app data, but if I want to get my calls and text I get multiple a day, so I'd end up spending $10/day x N days traveling. That's not good...
 
questionwonder said:
Steven -
I've tried setting this up with Google voice, but it doesn't accept call forwarding on the same phone, when the phone is disabled when traveling.
ex. I have a GV number and I tried forwarding my AT&T calls to my GV number on the same phone. Doesn't work, goes straight to voicemail. I've read in different forums that GV wasn't created for this, although in the past it had a call forward setting when the phone is off, but that was in the legacy settings of GV. But those settings don't exist anymore, they've been removed.
Click to expand...
Did you try detaching your cell number from the Google Voice in setup (if you have it linked). Then you would receive your calls via the Google Voice app.

Once Google Voice is setup with a US based number - that number does not need to be linked to the GV number. All GV calls would be handled via the GV app.
 
Steven-iphone said:
Personal, I would just keep it simple, give everyone, if possible, your GV number and handle the calls on the GV app.
Click to expand...
I have hundreds of numbers, that's not going to happen.
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Steven-iphone said:
Did you try detaching your cell number from the Google Voice in setup (if you have it linked). Then you would receive your calls via the Google Voice app.

Once Google Voice is setup with a US based number - that number does not need to be linked to the GV number. All GV calls would be handled via the GV app.
Click to expand...
This won't work if it's the same phone and you have the phone disabled while traveling.
Unless you know something I don't know about GV?
 
Last edited:
The objection is to receive phone calls and text messages when not on wifi, and not have to pay AT&T's International plan.
 
questionwonder said:
The objection is to receive phone calls and text messages when not on wifi, and not have to pay AT&T's International plan.
Click to expand...
What I meant was data on the roaming SIM being used as "Wi-Fi" for the AT&T SIM so you don't get hit with roaming charges.
 
Be careful if you enable wi-fi calling while abroad. On T-mobile, the network will switch to cell when the wifi signal is weak, WITHOUT NOTIFYING YOU. So you think you’re getting a free wifi call and you then discover a big bill. It can switch multiple times within one call.
 
I've tried google voice and drawback is texting (you can send but not receive, or vice versa, it's one of these). Without voice and text no good imho.

I switched from AT&T to T-mobile for international, and happy with it, except tmobile very slow in san jose, but for travel much better deal than AT&T when going for a longer trips. AT&T is great for week, but adds up quickly if you travel more than that,

Tried local esim etc.. but pain to give different phone number for people to use depending on local. Nice using same number everywhere. Local esim will always have faster data though,
 
512KRe said:
Be careful if you enable wi-fi calling while abroad. On T-mobile, the network will switch to cell when the wifi signal is weak, WITHOUT NOTIFYING YOU. So you think you’re getting a free wifi call and you then discover a big bill. It can switch multiple times within one call.
Click to expand...

One way around this is to put your phone in airplane mode and then enable wi-fi. Then only wifi calling/texting will work while you are traveling internationally.
 
BruiserB said:
One way around this is to put your phone in airplane mode and then enable wi-fi. Then only wifi calling/texting will work while you are traveling internationally.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I did not know you could do that.
 
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