Travel tips… How to keep your phone number active for iMessage while using a travel SIM

General Forum
1

So, here’s the deal: If you’re traveling and want to avoid roaming charges while using a travel SIM or eSIM, you can follow these steps to keep your phone number active for iMessage and FaceTime. The idea is to disable your primary SIM to prevent those pesky charges.

If you don’t turn off your primary SIM, your phone will still search for a signal, which can drain your battery. So, let’s explore how to keep your phone number active without that hassle.

  1. Go to settings > cellular > [your primary SIM] > SIM pin.
  2. Set up a SIM pin (check your carrier for the default pin; for Verizon, it’s 1111).
  3. Restart your phone and tap cancel when asked for the pin. This way, you can disable your SIM while keeping your number available for iMessage and FaceTime without the battery drain from searching for a signal.
2

Wouldn’t it be better if we could set airplane mode per line? That way, we could silence our second line after hours without messing with iMessage and FaceTime settings.

3

Ozzie said:
Wouldn’t it be better if we could set airplane mode per line? That way, we could silence our second line after hours without messing with iMessage and FaceTime settings.

I totally agree. It would be great if things worked the way we want without having to find workarounds.

4

Ozzie said:
Wouldn’t it be better if we could set airplane mode per line? That way, we could silence our second line after hours without messing with iMessage and FaceTime settings.

Yeah, I noticed you can’t turn off both lines. Airplane mode is the only option.

5

You could also lock the primary SIM to your home network using manual selection. It’ll show no service in the new country and route calls through the other provider as Wi-Fi calls.

6

Corwin said:
You could also lock the primary SIM to your home network using manual selection. It’ll show no service in the new country and route calls through the other provider as Wi-Fi calls.

I don’t get why you were downvoted. I use this method a lot when I travel. Check this step-by-step guide if anyone is interested. [Link]

7

Corwin said:
You could also lock the primary SIM to your home network using manual selection. It’ll show no service in the new country and route calls through the other provider as Wi-Fi calls.

This method seems better than messing with the SIM pin. Forgetting the pin can be a hassle.

8

Thanks for the info, this is really helpful.

9

If I set a SIM PIN on my unlocked iPhone for my primary carrier, will it lock the iPhone to that carrier?

10

Micah said:
If I set a SIM PIN on my unlocked iPhone for my primary carrier, will it lock the iPhone to that carrier?

Nope, it’s just a security feature. Your device won’t be locked to a carrier. Just remember your pin; otherwise, you’ll need a new SIM.

11

What does cellular mean for users outside the US?

12

Parker said:
What does cellular mean for users outside the US?

It means mobile.

13

Parker said:
What does cellular mean for users outside the US?

Red celular in Spanish.

14

I hate those iMessage bugs while traveling! It’s frustrating not being able to use my phone correctly.

15

Isn’t it better to use your Apple ID for iMessage instead of your SIM number?

16

Clay said:
Isn’t it better to use your Apple ID for iMessage instead of your SIM number?

What if someone doesn’t have your Apple ID? Then it won’t work.

17

Emerson said:

Clay said:
Isn’t it better to use your Apple ID for iMessage instead of your SIM number?

What if someone doesn’t have your Apple ID? Then it won’t work.

Just share your Apple ID like you would your phone number.

18

Do you only get roaming charges if someone calls you? What about text messages? In my country, receiving texts abroad is free.

19

Kai said:
Do you only get roaming charges if someone calls you? What about text messages? In my country, receiving texts abroad is free.

For you, the battery saving is probably the main perk. But the active SIM will drain your battery while searching for service.

20

@Orion
It doesn’t really drain my battery much. I always have another SIM from another country in my phone.