Can I use eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes. Most eSIM phones are dual SIM, so keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and set the travel eSIM as the mobile data line in your phone settings.
Do this now
- Name the travel line Travel under Mobile Plan Label on iPhone.
- Open Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data on iPhone and choose the travel line.
- Turn Data Roaming on for the travel line and off for the home line.
- Set mobile data to the travel eSIM in SIM manager on Samsung, or SIMs on Pixel.
- Set Calls and Texts to your home SIM, so your number still gets texts.
- Turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching on iPhone so data never falls back to home.
- Open your eSIM page and check the usage meter is moving.
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM together?
Yes. Most eSIM phones are dual SIM, so both lines can sit in the phone at once. Keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and use the travel eSIM for mobile data. Only one line can be the default for data, so pick the travel one.
Which line should I set for data?
Set the travel eSIM as the data line, and turn Data Roaming on for it. Turn Data Roaming off on your home line.
- iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data → choose the travel line. Turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching, so the phone never falls back to your home line for data.
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Mobile data → the travel eSIM. Set Calls and Text messages to your home SIM.
- Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → under primary SIMs, set Mobile data to the travel SIM. Set Calls and Texts to your home SIM.
How do I tell the two lines apart?
Give the travel line a clear name. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Service → tap the line → Mobile Plan Label, then type "Travel".
Will I still get texts on my home number?
Yes. Keep your home SIM in the phone so texts to your number still arrive. The travel eSIM is data only, so there is no phone number or calls on it. Call and message over data with WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps. Read how to keep WhatsApp and your home number.
How do I check the travel eSIM is in use?
Open your eSIM page from the eSIM email, or your account if signed in. It shows the usage meter, data left, expiry date and status.
What to do next
Once it's set, top up from your eSIM page on plans that allow it. If data still runs on your home line, check Allow Mobile Data Switching first. If you have more than one eSIM, read how multiple eSIMs work. For anything still stuck, contact us with your order number and phone model.
Can my phone use two lines for data at once?
No. Only one line can be the default for mobile data at a time. Your home SIM can stay on for calls and texts while the travel eSIM handles data.
Will the travel eSIM stop my home number working?
No. Keep your home SIM in the phone, and texts to your number still arrive. The travel eSIM carries data only, so it doesn't use your number at all.
Do I need to remove my home SIM?
No. Keep it in the phone for calls and texts. Turn Data Roaming off on the home line and on for the travel eSIM, so data uses the travel line.
