Other How Does eSim Work with International Travel?

[solo118]

Long story short, I plan on getting an iPhone XS with T-mobile real soon. I am going to get it with monthly payments, but more than half will be paid by January. I got lucky last year and T-mobile unlocked my phone as I paid a decent portion of it at once.

I plan on traveling for Xmas break, and as always I just put the same prepaid local sim card that I had for years, and remove my t-mobile sim card. Now that eSim is available, can I use both at the same time and ditch the old sim card I have? Does having eSim mean that my phone is technically unlocked with the 2nd sim? Or does my particular prepaid sim card need to be eligible for eSim with this particular carrier?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Vermifuge]

Maybe check out GigSky... You would just keep you regular sim and use GigSky when you travel with your eSIM

https://www.gigsky.com

 

[dontwalkhand]

You can use both at the same time. Now that T-Mobile has that free international roaming stuff, keeping your US number active for work, etc. and use the international plan for 4G, etc.

 

[solo118]

You can use both at the same time. Now that T-Mobile has that free international roaming stuff, keeping your US number active for work, etc. and use the international plan for 4G, etc.

Thanks, so I guess my main question right now is can this prepaid sim card be used as an eSim even if my phone is locked to T-mo. How do I go ahead with using an eSim?

PS- Really rather not keep my T-Mo sim in the phone, I get many scam phone calls per day and as you know even if you do not answer you get charged international fees. The so called free roaming data is slow as heck, which is why I opt for a local prepaid sim card.

 

[nburwell]

PS- Really rather not keep my T-Mo sim in the phone, I get many scam phone calls per day and as you know even if you do not answer you get charged international fees. The so called free roaming data is slow as heck, which is why I opt for a local prepaid sim card.

I really wish the Xs was released earlier since when my wife and I were in Europe for two weeks in September, I carried my X and SE with pre-paid SIM. Internet was slow as heck on my X with T-Mobile SIM, but I was able to still use my number and text friends/family back home using WhatsApp and FB Messenger. I just used my SE for GPS directions/data.

At least with the Xs and GigSky, I don't have to bring two phones with me on future trips abroad.
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How do I go ahead with using an eSim?

According to GigSky's site, you have to download app, create an account and choose the plan you wish to purchase. Although I also think T-Mobile needs to activate eSIM capabilities on their end too - which they aren't doing until later this year.

 

[jayeliyos]

Long story short, I plan on getting an iPhone XS with T-mobile real soon. I am going to get it with monthly payments, but more than half will be paid by January. I got lucky last year and T-mobile unlocked my phone as I paid a decent portion of it at once.

I plan on traveling for Xmas break, and as always I just put the same prepaid local sim card that I had for years, and remove my t-mobile sim card. Now that eSim is available, can I use both at the same time and ditch the old sim card I have? Does having eSim mean that my phone is technically unlocked with the 2nd sim? Or does my particular prepaid sim card need to be eligible for eSim with this particular carrier?

Thanks in advance!

You can check if your local sim is roaming or not roaming, so that you can bring your local sim card in overseas. when i was travelling i use to check if my local sim is roaming so that i can bring it in overseas, and when im trying to call back to my country i use MyLine, they are offering a less call rate internationally, you just download their apps in playstore or or apple store and enjoy their services.

 

[Lyn2012]

But what if, like me, you prefer to have a truly local Sim when you travel, not one of these overpriced multi-country options? The only way at the moment is to make your home Sim the eSim and keep the physical Sim slot for travelling Sims.

 

[JPack]

But what if, like me, you prefer to have a truly local Sim when you travel, not one of these overpriced multi-country options? The only way at the moment is to make your home Sim the eSim and keep the physical Sim slot for travelling Sims.

Short answer, you can't. Not unless you buy the true dual-SIM version of the iPhone. Most domestic and international carriers don't support eSIM.

 

[0970373]

But what if, like me, you prefer to have a truly local Sim when you travel, not one of these overpriced multi-country options? The only way at the moment is to make your home Sim the eSim and keep the physical Sim slot for travelling Sims.

That's correct in theory but as no US carrier supports eSIM right now, you can't do that either. A few got lucky with AT&T before they cut it off but so far, most people are screwed. I actually can't believe some enterprising law firm hasn't started a class action against Apple and the carriers. They seem to sue for everything under the sun.