How to Use eSIM Data Abroad & Still Get Home SIM Card SMS

Why You Need Both eSIM Data and Home SIM SMS Abroad

Travellers increasingly rely on eSIMs for fast, flexible mobile data when abroad. But there is one essential requirement: you must still receive home SIM SMS messages for banking logins, email verification, social media recovery, and two‑factor authentication (2FA). Losing access to these messages can lock you out of critical accounts during your trip.

Modern iPhone and Android devices allow you to use eSIM for data while keeping your home SIM active for SMS only, giving you the best of both worlds. Travellers comparing digital options can review our guide to choosing an international eSIM plan, which explains how different features vary when preparing for a trip abroad.

How Your Phone Handles Two SIMs at the Same Time

Most modern smartphones support dual‑SIM setups. This means:

• One SIM can handle mobile data

• The other SIM can handle SMS only

• Both SIMs stay active simultaneously

• eSIM + physical SIM is the most common combination

• SMS reception works even when mobile data and roaming are disabled on the home SIM
  

Critical Rule for both iPhone and Android:

Your home SIM must remain active for SMS/Messages even if all mobile data and roaming settings are turned off. If the SIM is disabled entirely, SMS will not arrive.

Use Your Home SIM for SMS Only

Your home SIM should be used only for:

• Banking SMS codes

• 2FA login messages

• Account recovery PINs

• Verification texts for email or social media

You do not need:

• Mobile data

• Data roaming

• Incoming or outgoing calls

• Outgoing SMS

The home SIM simply stays active in the background to receive essential messages.

Use Your Travel eSIM for Data and Calls

Your travel eSIM should handle:

• Mobile data

• Hotspot/tethering

• VoIP calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, etc.)

• Local or regional calling if included

Travellers comparing options can explore our overview of how different eSIM plans compare, which outlines how various choices differ when travelling internationally.

What You Can Safely Disable on Your Home SIM Card

To avoid unexpected charges, you can safely turn off:

• Data roaming — OFF

• Mobile data — OFF

• Incoming calls — optional

• Outgoing calls — optional

• Outgoing SMS — optional

• Voicemail retrieval — optional
  

Important:

SMS reception still works as long as the home SIM remains active. Do not disable the SIM itself.

How to Configure iPhone Settings

iPhones handle dual‑SIM very reliably. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Mobile Service

2. Select your Home SIM

3. Turn Data Roaming OFF

4. Turn Mobile Data OFF

5. Ensure Turn On This Line is ON

6. Go back and select your eSIM

7. Set Mobile Data to the eSIM

8. Turn Allow Mobile Data Switching OFF

9. Choose your preferred SIM for calls

10. Choose which SIM handles iMessage/FaceTime

11. Confirm both SIMs show signal in the status bar
    

Critical iPhone rule:

As long as “Turn On This Line” is ON for the home SIM, SMS will still arrive even with data and roaming turned off.

How to Configure Android Settings

Android devices give clear control over which SIM handles each function:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs

2. Select your Home SIM

3. Turn Roaming OFF

4. Turn Mobile Data OFF

5. Ensure SIM Enabled is ON

6. Select your eSIM

7. Set Preferred Data SIM to the eSIM

8. Set Preferred SMS SIM to the home SIM

9. Set Preferred Calls SIM as needed

10. Confirm both SIMs show signal
    

Critical Android rule:

Your home SIM must remain “Enabled” and set as the SMS SIM. If disabled, SMS will not arrive.

Things to Keep in Mind While Travelling

• Some apps require SMS codes even if you use app‑based authentication

• Some banks block logins from new countries unless SMS verification succeeds

• eSIMs are ideal for multi‑country trips

• Dual‑SIM phones make this setup effortless

• Airplane mode disables both SIMs unless manually overridden

• Turning off the wrong setting can block SMS

• Some countries require ID to buy a local SIM (if you need a backup)
  

Actions to Take Before You Go Abroad

• Check if your phone supports eSIM

• Install your travel eSIM in advance

• Test that your home SIM still receives SMS

• Disable data roaming on the home SIM

• Set the eSIM as the data line

• Update your banking and email apps

• Save backup login codes if available

• Ensure your phone is unlocked
  

Travellers preparing for a trip can review our guide to comparing eSIM options, which explains how different plans vary by destination.

Actions to Take When You Arrive Abroad

• Confirm the eSIM is active for data

• Confirm the home SIM shows signal

• Test receiving an SMS (optional)

• Ensure data roaming is still OFF on the home SIM

• Check that apps are using the correct data line
  

Actions to Take When You Return Home

• Switch mobile data back to your home SIM

• Re‑enable call settings if needed

• Remove or disable the travel eSIM

• Check that SMS and calls route normally

• Update any apps that used temporary settings
  

Troubleshooting: If You Stop Receiving SMS Codes Abroad

• Check if the home SIM has signal

• Check if airplane mode is on

• Check if the home SIM is disabled

• Check if SMS is set to the wrong SIM (Android)

• Restart the phone

• Check if your bank blocked the login attempt

• Check if your home network blocks roaming SMS in certain countries
  

Useful Links for Travel Connectivity

• Overview of how different eSIM plans compare for international travel

• Guide to choosing an international eSIM when preparing for a trip abroad

• Guide to comparing eSIM, roaming add‑on and SIM card swap options

Written by Karl Drury
Founder and Director of Quick on the Net Limited, specialising in travel technology, comparison tools and user‑first digital experiences for 20+ years.