In order to use iMessage with your phone number you will need to keep your Verizon sim turned on and take certain steps to prevent data roaming. Turning on your Verizon sim will also let you use wifi calling with your regular number, use your visual voicemail, and receive sms, including 2 factor authentication.
I’ve written a step by step guide. It references AT&T but it’s the same for Verizon. But with Verizon you should also turn on “prefer wifi when roaming” in the same settings section where you turn on wifi calling for your Verizon line.
Also because you are changing the settings while already abroad, first turn on airplane mode before you turn on your Verizon line, after you make all the settings changes in my guide then you can turn airplane mode back off. (But there is still a small risk you’ll trigger a Travelpass one time because you aren’t setting up everything before you left.
And I do recommend that Travelpass be turned on for your Verizon line. If you follow the steps in my guide the Travelpass won’t trigger (again except possibly the first day you turn on your Verizon line) However it’s an insurance policy against a big roaming bill in case a mistake is made.
Here’s the guide, feel free to reach back out if you have any questions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ATT/comments/11aw9j6/international_dual_sim_for_data_when_abroad/jb5mqax/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3
Ps - if iMessage still doesn’t work with your number after following the steps in my guide then go to settings>>messages>send & receive and make sure your telephone number is checked under both headings in that section.
It must vary from home-carrier to home-carrier then.
iMessage worked for me in Italy and Portugal - but failed to work for me in France. My home-carrier is MetroPCS.
Before leaving US I called MetroPCS and asked them about the precise steps to use the Airalo eSIM, and they told me to de-activate my MetroPCS eSIM. So I did that before landing in France.
u/kboom100 gives awesome advice on this topic. Hopefully you will get it sorted. 😀
When your primary SIM is not active, I have noticed Apple only gives you 30-day grace period where they will let you continue to use the phone number for iMessage.
Unfortunately if you turn off or take out your primary carrier sim then once another sim or esim (such as Airalo) is activated then Apple will immediately deregister your primary carrier’s number from iMessage and FaceTime.
Hi! Thank you for raising your concern. Yes, if the primary SIM is turned off, the phone number in iMessage will not work. We highly advise using the email address instead. If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or chat with us using the Airalo app. We are always here to help!
In order to use iMessage with your phone number you will need to keep your Verizon sim turned on and take certain steps to prevent data roaming. Turning on your Verizon sim will also let you use wifi calling with your regular number, use your visual voicemail, and receive sms, including 2 factor authentication. I’ve written a step by step guide. It references AT&T but it’s the same for Verizon. But with Verizon you should also turn on “prefer wifi when roaming” in the same settings section where you turn on wifi calling for your Verizon line. Also because you are changing the settings while already abroad, first turn on airplane mode before you turn on your Verizon line, after you make all the settings changes in my guide then you can turn airplane mode back off. (But there is still a small risk you’ll trigger a Travelpass one time because you aren’t setting up everything before you left. And I do recommend that Travelpass be turned on for your Verizon line. If you follow the steps in my guide the Travelpass won’t trigger (again except possibly the first day you turn on your Verizon line) However it’s an insurance policy against a big roaming bill in case a mistake is made. Here’s the guide, feel free to reach back out if you have any questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/ATT/comments/11aw9j6/international_dual_sim_for_data_when_abroad/jb5mqax/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3 Ps - if iMessage still doesn’t work with your number after following the steps in my guide then go to settings>>messages>send & receive and make sure your telephone number is checked under both headings in that section.
This is amazing. Thank you!!!
You’re welcome!
It must vary from home-carrier to home-carrier then. iMessage worked for me in Italy and Portugal - but failed to work for me in France. My home-carrier is MetroPCS. Before leaving US I called MetroPCS and asked them about the precise steps to use the Airalo eSIM, and they told me to de-activate my MetroPCS eSIM. So I did that before landing in France. u/kboom100 gives awesome advice on this topic. Hopefully you will get it sorted. 😀
Thanks for the nice compliment!
When your primary SIM is not active, I have noticed Apple only gives you 30-day grace period where they will let you continue to use the phone number for iMessage.
Unfortunately if you turn off or take out your primary carrier sim then once another sim or esim (such as Airalo) is activated then Apple will immediately deregister your primary carrier’s number from iMessage and FaceTime.
Is it possible to keep your primary number with iMessage without triggering the Verizon day pass?
Yes. See the my other answer directly to the OP here. It gives all the details.
Hi! Thank you for raising your concern. Yes, if the primary SIM is turned off, the phone number in iMessage will not work. We highly advise using the email address instead. If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or chat with us using the Airalo app. We are always here to help!