Other Switching out the sim when traveling abroad

[DoubleFlyaway]

I’m about to be in Europe for three weeks, and it’s cheaper to get a prepaid sim than to pay Verizon 10 bucks a day for TravelPass. So, when I have that sim in, I should be able to get iMessages, but not SMS, right? Is there any way to forward US calls/voicemails to the new number? Maybe by using a Google phone number or something? Or do I need to still get TravelPass occasionally to check my messages?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

There seems to be some pretty good information here: https://www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/iphone-abroad/

I don't know Verizon well enough, but can't you check your messages when in a wifi zone? Or maybe on a Verizon website (via wifi)? Note this: https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/828489

If you have time to proactively communicate to those from whom you really need to get VM messages while there, set up a Google Voice number and advise them to use it during your time out of the country. Then you can access VM and texts via GV from anywhere you can get internet access. The Europe SIM data should make it possible to open a web browser, log into GV and thus access it anytime, even if there is no WIFI available.

Skype also has international numbers & plans for voice & texting. You might be able to do the same via Skype.

Verizon call-forwarding info: https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/how-to-use-call-forwarding/ Set that up and forward to the GV or Skype number?

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

There seems to be some pretty good information here: https://www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/iphone-abroad/

I don't know Verizon well enough, but can't you check your messages when in a wifi zone? Or maybe on a Verizon website (via wifi)? Note this: https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/828489

If you have time to proactively communicate to those from whom you really need to get VM messages while there, set up a Google Voice number and advise them to use it during your time out of the country. Then you can access VM and texts via GV from anywhere you can get internet access. The Europe SIM data should make it possible to open a web browser, log into GV and thus access it anytime, even if there is no WIFI available.

Skype also has international numbers & plans for voice & texting. You might be able to do the same via Skype.

Verizon call-forwarding info: https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/how-to-use-call-forwarding/ Set that up and forward to the GV or Skype number?

Thanks! It looks like I still have an old Google Voice number, so I’m playing around with that.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Yes, I would try to get as much as what you want working with that well before the trip as a kind of test-before-I-go effort. Then, you'll have a clear sense of what works and doesn't and can set up your "I'm going to be out of the country" message accordingly. Good luck!

 

[Vermifuge]

Google voice still requires (I believe) an actual phone number when forwarding calls. Do the travel SIMs in Europe allow voice and data or just data? My only experience is SE Asia and only residents are allowed to have phone numbers. The only available options for a tourist are data only plans. So SMS / MMS & Calling really are not possible (usually™). You can still use the app to check voice mail and view MMS/SMS received by google voice.

I agree though the Verizon plan is BS and local sims are a better deal.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

You can get voice too. In fact, in Malta, where I go frequently, but I am finally going to get a sim, the data amounts are TINY on the prepaid plans. They’re mostly just phone and SMS (and like 100MB or something ridiculous). But you can add separate prepaid data— like 3 gigs for 15 Euros that is good for 4 weeks. Definitely better than 10 dollars a day, plus how nowadays Verizon throttles your data speed if you use more than 500 MB— I think that’s what the limit was— in a day.
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Google voice still requires (I believe) an actual phone number when forwarding calls. Do the travel SIMs in Europe allow voice and data or just data? My only experience is SE Asia and only residents are allowed to have phone numbers. The only available options for a tourist are data only plans. So SMS / MMS & Calling really are not possible (usually™). You can still use the app to check voice mail and view MMS/SMS received by google voice.

I agree though the Verizon plan is BS and local sims are a better deal.

I am trying having Verizon call forward to Google Voice when I don’t answer calls. Though I suppose I don’t know what happens if the phones s completely “off” (actually on, but with a different sim), but I assumed that would count as not answering, for the purpose of call forwarding. So far this morning, I’ve gotten one call that kind of flashed briefly on my ipad (not even my iPhone), but then nothing at Google Voice... so that’s concerning.

 

[Vermifuge]

You can get voice too. In fact, in Malta, where I go frequently, but I am finally going to get a sim, the data amounts are TINY on the prepaid plans. They’re mostly just phone and SMS (and like 100MB or something ridiculous). But you can add separate prepaid data— like 3 gigs for 15 Euros that is good for 4 weeks. Definitely better than 10 dollars a day, plus how nowadays Verizon throttles your data speed if you use more than 500 MB— I think that’s what the limit was— in a day.
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I am trying having Verizon call forward to Google Voice when I don’t answer calls. Though I suppose I don’t know what happens if the phones s completely “off” (actually on, but with a different sim), but I assumed that would count as not answering, for the purpose of call forwarding. So far this morning, I’ve gotten one call that kind of flashed briefly on my ipad (not even my iPhone), but then nothing at Google Voice... so that’s concerning.

whats the name of the sim provider / service?

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

whats the name of the sim provider / service?

Vodafone

 

[rui no onna]

I’m about to be in Europe for three weeks, and it’s cheaper to get a prepaid sim than to pay Verizon 10 bucks a day for TravelPass. So, when I have that sim in, I should be able to get iMessages, but not SMS, right? Is there any way to forward US calls/voicemails to the new number? Maybe by using a Google phone number or something? Or do I need to still get TravelPass occasionally to check my messages?

Do note that if you switch SIM cards, your iMessage number will be the number on the new SIM and not your US number. SMS will work with Send as SMS enabled (again using new local number).

This is why I use a separate phone (unlocked older iPhone) for local SIM when traveling. I just disable data roaming on the US iPhone and tether it a couple of times a day to the local iPhone. Anyway, roaming rates for SMS aren't too expensive. It's data roaming that kills you.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Do note that if you switch SIM cards, your iMessage number will be the number on the new SIM and not your US number. SMS will work with Send as SMS enabled (again using new local number).

This is why I use a separate phone (unlocked older iPhone) for local SIM when traveling. I just disable data roaming on the US iPhone and tether it a couple of times a day to the local iPhone. Anyway, roaming rates for SMS aren't too expensive. It's data roaming that kills you.

But if iMessage is connected to my email address, I’ll still get iMessages, right?

 

[rui no onna]

But if iMessage is connected to my email address, I’ll still get iMessages, right?

Maybe?

My parents are in the Philippines right now and they're having issues with iMessage activation even when they tried selecting use iCloud account for iMessage. Absolutely no hiccups on the iPad though. We couldn't figure out why it wouldn't activate on the iPhone and it's hard to help them troubleshoot when I'm 7,000 miles away so ended up just using Viber (similar to WhatsApp).

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Maybe?

My parents are in the Philippines right now and they're having issues with iMessage activation even when they tried selecting use iCloud account for iMessage. Absolutely no hiccups on the iPad though. We couldn't figure out why it wouldn't activate on the iPhone and it's hard to help them troubleshoot when I'm 7,000 miles away so ended up just using Viber (similar to WhatsApp).

In he past, I haven’t had a problem with iMessage on days when I have kept my phone to WiFi only while in Malta, to avoid paying the ten dollars to Verizon every single day.

 

[C DM]

In he past, I haven’t had a problem with iMessage on days when I have kept my phone to WiFi only while in Malta, to avoid paying the ten dollars to Verizon every single day.

Verizon offers WiFi calling as well, so when you are on WiFi you can use that (it's basically like being at home). Verizon also has Message+ app which allows to send and receive SMS/MMS using your regular number but through data essentially, and it supports calls too these days as I recall. You might want to look at that.
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I am trying having Verizon call forward to Google Voice when I don’t answer calls. Though I suppose I don’t know what happens if the phones s completely “off” (actually on, but with a different sim), but I assumed that would count as not answering, for the purpose of call forwarding. So far this morning, I’ve gotten one call that kind of flashed briefly on my ipad (not even my iPhone), but then nothing at Google Voice... so that’s concerning.

Forearding to Google Voice is basically using it for voicemail--people could leave you a voicemail that you can then check via the Google Voice app or website (or get it via email).