One of the biggest anxieties for modern travelers is an age-old question with a tech twist: How do you get affordable, high-speed data abroad without losing access to your primary phone number? You need data for maps, ride-sharing, and social media, but you can’t risk missing important calls or critical 2-factor authentication (2FA) texts from your bank on your home number.
The solution is simpler than you think. By leveraging the dual SIM capability in your phone, a data-only eSIM allows you to have the best of both worlds. This guide will explain exactly how it works and show you how to set it up for seamless, stress-free travel.
Ready to ditch expensive roaming fees for good? Explore Yoho Mobile’s flexible eSIM plans and stay connected effortlessly on your next adventure.
What Exactly is a Data-Only eSIM?
A data-only eSIM is a digital SIM card that provides your device with internet access without giving it a new, local phone number. Think of it as a dedicated internet pass for your phone. You install it digitally, and it works alongside your primary physical SIM card.
This is the key: your phone can use the Yoho Mobile eSIM for all its data needs—like browsing, using apps, and video calls—while keeping your primary SIM card active to handle its original job: making and receiving calls and SMS messages on your regular number.
The Dual SIM Advantage: Using Your eSIM and Home SIM Together
Most modern smartphones are “Dual SIM, Dual Standby” (DSDS). This technology, explained by industry standards from organizations like the GSMA, allows your phone to have two SIMs active at the same time. They can’t both be used for a call simultaneously, but they can both be ‘on’ and ready to receive calls or texts.
This setup is perfect for travelers:
- Your Primary SIM: Remains active for incoming calls and essential SMS messages, like bank verification codes.
- Your Yoho Mobile eSIM: Takes over all the heavy lifting for mobile data at affordable, local rates, saving you from expensive international roaming charges.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use an eSIM for Data and Primary SIM for Calls
Getting this perfect travel setup is easy. Here’s a simple, three-step guide on the best settings for dual SIM travel.
Step 1: Pre-Travel Checklist
Before you purchase a plan, make two quick checks:
- eSIM Compatibility: Ensure your device supports eSIM technology. You can check our comprehensive eSIM compatible device list.
- Unlocked Phone: Your phone must be ‘carrier-unlocked’ to use an eSIM from another provider. If you bought your phone directly from the manufacturer (like Apple or Samsung), it’s likely unlocked. If it’s from a carrier, you may need to contact them to unlock it.
Step 2: Install Your Yoho Mobile eSIM
Once you’ve purchased the perfect plan for your destination, like an eSIM for a trip to Japan, it’s time to install it.
- For iOS users, it’s incredibly simple. After purchase, you don’t need to scan a QR code. Just tap the ‘Install’ button in our app or email, and your iPhone will guide you through a direct, one-minute installation.
- For Android users, you can easily install the eSIM by scanning the provided QR code or entering the activation details manually.
Step 3: Configure Your Phone’s Settings (The Important Part!)
This is where you tell your phone how to use each SIM. The process is slightly different for iOS and Android, but the principle is the same.
For iPhone Users:
- Go to Settings > Cellular.
- You will see both your SIMs. It’s helpful to label them (e.g., ‘Primary’ and ‘Travel Data’).
- Tap on Cellular Data and select your Yoho Mobile eSIM.
- Tap on Default Voice Line and select your Primary line. This ensures all non-app calls and texts are routed through your home number.
For Android Users (Settings may vary slightly by manufacturer):
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.
- Select your Yoho Mobile eSIM and ensure it’s turned on.
- In the main SIMs menu, set the preference for Mobile Data to your Yoho Mobile eSIM.
- Set the preference for Calls and SMS to your Primary SIM.
Avoiding Bill Shock: How to Prevent Roaming Charges
Now that your phone is using the eSIM for data, there’s one final, crucial step to avoid any surprise fees from your home carrier: turn off data roaming on your primary line.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular > Primary SIM and make sure the Data Roaming toggle is OFF.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Primary SIM and turn the Roaming toggle OFF.
By doing this, you guarantee your phone will not use your expensive home data plan. While receiving SMS is typically free worldwide (perfect for 2FA!), making or answering calls on your primary number may still incur voice roaming charges. For a detailed guide on this, check out an external resource like the FCC’s guide to international roaming. Always confirm voice and text roaming rates with your home provider before you travel.
Stay Connected Your Way with Yoho Mobile
Choosing the right eSIM provider makes all the difference. At Yoho Mobile, we focus on flexibility and peace of mind.
- Flexible, Customizable Plans: Planning a multi-country trip in Europe? You don’t need multiple plans. Build a single, flexible data plan that covers your entire itinerary, so you only pay for what you need.
- Yoho Care for Peace of Mind: Worried about your data running out unexpectedly while you’re navigating a new city? With Yoho Care, you’re never left stranded. It provides a safety net of basic connectivity, so you can always access maps or send an emergency message.
- Try Before You Go: Still unsure? Test our service with zero risk. Get a free trial eSIM and see how easy it is to stay connected with Yoho Mobile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make regular phone calls with a data-only eSIM?
No, a data-only eSIM does not come with a phone number for making traditional calls. However, you can use the eSIM’s data to make calls through Voice over IP (VoIP) apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, Skype, or Google Voice, which is often cheaper and more convenient.
How do I receive 2FA texts abroad with a data eSIM?
This is the primary benefit of the dual SIM setup! By keeping your primary line active for calls and SMS (as explained in our guide) and ensuring it has roaming service enabled by your home carrier, you will continue to receive all SMS messages, including 2FA codes, just as you would at home. Receiving SMS is usually free.
Will using a data-only eSIM drain my phone’s battery faster?
Using two SIMs can have a very minor impact on battery life compared to one, but modern phones are highly optimized for it. The effect is generally negligible and far outweighed by the cost savings and convenience. You’re unlikely to notice a significant difference in your daily battery performance.
What happens if I use up my eSIM data?
You can easily purchase a top-up or a new plan directly from the Yoho Mobile website or app, anytime and anywhere. And if you have our Yoho Care service, you won’t be completely cut off, as it provides a low-speed data connection for essential needs.
Conclusion
Traveling internationally no longer means choosing between staying connected and keeping your phone number. With a data-only eSIM from Yoho Mobile, you get the best of both worlds: affordable, high-speed internet access on the go, while your primary number remains active for those all-important calls and texts. It’s the modern, smart, and stress-free way to travel.
Ready to experience seamless global connectivity? Browse Yoho Mobile’s eSIM plans today and unlock a better way to travel.