You need your bank codes, ride confirmations, and family calls to keep flowing while you’re abroad—but you don’t want a painful roaming bill. Here’s the smarter way: use a travel eSIM for affordable global data and keep your home phone number active for calls and SMS, so your WhatsApp, iMessage, and banking OTPs still work wherever you land.
The challenge: stay reachable without paying for roaming
Most travelers face a tradeoff. If you turn on roaming, you’ll usually get your texts and calls—but data can be expensive and unpredictable. If you buy a local SIM, you often lose your main number. With a travel eSIM, you can split the difference: keep your original physical SIM (or primary eSIM) active for voice/SMS only and run affordable global data on a secondary travel eSIM. That means banking OTPs still arrive, and you can message, map, and hail rides on fast local networks.
The winning setup: travel eSIM for data + your number for calls/SMS
Modern phones support dual SIM (one physical SIM plus one eSIM, or dual eSIMs). This lets you choose one line for cellular data and another for calls/SMS. With OWNES7, you can buy eSIM data for your destination, scan a QR code for instant setup, and keep your primary number live for critical texts and inbound calls—all while avoiding data roaming fees.
What’s happening under the hood
- Your primary line remains registered to your home carrier for calls and SMS, so banks can send one-time passwords (OTPs) to the same number.
- Your OWNES7 travel eSIM handles data: maps, apps, and hotspots run on local networks for fast, cost-effective connectivity.
- With Wi‑Fi Calling enabled on the primary line, some carriers will even deliver SMS/calls over data or Wi‑Fi when there’s no home network coverage—reducing reliance on roaming signal.
Expert insight: For most travelers, the most reliable way to keep OTPs flowing is to leave your home line active for calls/SMS while routing all data over a travel eSIM. Disable data roaming on your primary line to avoid surprise charges.
Step-by-step: set up dual SIM for secure OTPs and everyday travel
Below are general steps. Menu names can vary slightly by device and OS version.
On iPhone (iOS 17/18)
- Install your OWNES7 travel eSIM:
- Purchase your plan and QR code. Then go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM and scan the QR for instant setup.
- Label your lines:
- Settings → Cellular → tap each plan → Label as “Primary” (home number) and “Travel eSIM (OWNES7)”.
- Assign data to the travel eSIM:
- Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → choose “Travel eSIM (OWNES7)”.
- Turn on “Allow Cellular Data Switching” only if you want the phone to use your primary line’s data when the travel eSIM is weak. Most travelers should leave this off.
- Disable data roaming on the primary line:
- Settings → Cellular → Primary → Data Roaming → Off. This avoids accidental roaming data charges.
- Keep calls/SMS on your primary number:
- Settings → Cellular → Default Voice Line → choose Primary.
- Settings → Messages → Send & Receive → ensure your primary number is selected for iMessage (and your Apple ID email if you prefer).
- Enable Wi‑Fi Calling (if supported by your carrier):
- Settings → Cellular → Primary → Wi‑Fi Calling → On. This can help receive calls/SMS over data/Wi‑Fi even without a roaming signal.
- Restart your iPhone if prompted to refresh network registration.
On Android (Pixel/Samsung and similar)
- Install your OWNES7 travel eSIM:
- Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections) → SIMs → Add eSIM → scan the QR for instant activation.
- Label your SIMs for clarity (Primary and Travel eSIM).
- Set the travel eSIM as the data SIM:
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Preferred SIM for mobile data → Travel eSIM (OWNES7).
- Disable data roaming on the primary SIM:
- Open the primary SIM settings → turn Data Roaming off.
- Keep calls/SMS on the primary SIM:
- Preferred SIM for calls → Primary; Preferred SIM for SMS → Primary.
- Enable Wi‑Fi Calling on the primary SIM if available:
- Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Primary → Wi‑Fi Calling → On.
- Reboot your device after changes to ensure proper registration.
WhatsApp, iMessage, and other messaging apps
- WhatsApp: Keep your existing number. When prompted after installing a new eSIM, choose to continue using the same WhatsApp number. Your data will flow via the travel eSIM and your identity remains tied to your home number.
- iMessage/FaceTime: Confirm your primary number is selected in Send & Receive. If iMessage toggles off during SIM changes, re-enable and wait for activation.
- Telegram/Signal: These also stay tied to the original number; make sure the line with that number remains active for verification codes.
Banking OTPs: best practices for reliability and security
- Keep the primary line active for SMS: Do not remove the SIM or disable the line. Most banks still send OTPs via SMS to your registered number.
- Turn off data roaming on the primary line: Prevents costly background data use while preserving SMS/call capability.
- Use strong data coverage for time-sensitive codes: Since apps and logins rely on instant connectivity, let the OWNES7 travel eSIM provide stable global data.
- Enable Wi‑Fi Calling on the primary line (if supported): This can improve delivery of calls/SMS when your home network isn’t reachable.
- Avoid porting or SIM swaps while abroad: Changes to your primary number or SIM profile can delay OTP delivery and increase account risk.
- Check your bank’s backup methods before you fly: Add app-based authenticators or email backups where available to reduce reliance on SMS-only flows.
Cost comparison: Airport SIM vs Roaming vs Travel eSIM + your number
| Option | Data | Keep Home Number | OTP Reliability | Setup | Typical Cost Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport SIM | Local only; good speed | No (you swap SIMs) | Weak (bank texts go to home number) | Physical SIM purchase; time-consuming | Variable; deals vary by country |
| Carrier Roaming | Uses home plan abroad | Yes | Good (same line) | Automatic but can be pricey | Risk of bill shock; day-pass often limited |
| Travel eSIM + Keep Primary for SMS/Calls | Affordable global data with local networks | Yes (primary line stays active) | Strong (primary receives OTPs) | QR activation; instant setup | Predictable; choose plan size you need |
Troubleshooting: not receiving codes or calls?
- Check line status: Ensure your primary line is set for calls/SMS and is not turned off.
- Disable primary data roaming: If left on, unexpected charges may occur—turn it off and confirm data is flowing via the travel eSIM.
- Confirm Wi‑Fi Calling on the primary line: If supported, turn it on to help with inbound SMS/calls when your home signal is weak.
- Carrier SMS policies: Some carriers charge for inbound roaming SMS or require roaming to be enabled to receive messages. If needed, enable roaming for the primary line but keep data roaming off.
- Premium/short-code SMS: Enable “Premium SMS” permissions on Android if your bank uses short codes. On iPhone, keep SMS filtering off temporarily if codes are being misclassified.
- Force network refresh: Toggle Airplane Mode on/off or reboot. On iPhone, Settings → Messages → Send & Receive → reselect your number if it lost registration.
- Bank alternatives: If SMS is delayed, use app-based authentication or request a call-back code when available.
When roaming might still make sense
If you’re taking a very short trip with an unlimited day-pass at a fair price and you need full voice service on your home number, roaming can be convenient. For most multi-country or multi-week trips, however, a travel eSIM delivers far better cost control and performance—especially for heavy data apps like maps, video calls, and cloud backups.
Why travelers choose OWNES7 for this setup
- Instant QR activation: Purchase, scan, and connect in minutes—no stores, no swapping.
- Global coverage: Reliable networks across 137+ countries for smooth roaming-free data.
- Transparent plans: Choose the data amount you need; avoid surprise charges.
- Hotspot and tethering: Keep laptops and tablets online for work on the go.
- Dual SIM friendly: Perfect for keeping your primary number active for calls/SMS and OTPs.
- Responsive support: Travel is unpredictable—our team is here to help when you need it.
Quick planning checklist before you fly
- Verify your phone can use eSIM. Not sure? Check device compatibility.
- Choose your destination or global plan based on your route. Explore global eSIM plans.
- Learn the simple activation steps and dual SIM basics. Learn how eSIM works.
- Prep your authentication backups with your bank (authenticator app or email) just in case.
- Enable Wi‑Fi Calling on your primary line and test receiving an SMS before departure.
FAQ: keeping your number while using a travel eSIM
Will my bank’s OTPs always arrive if I’m not “roaming” for data?
Yes—OTP delivery depends on your primary line being active for SMS/calls. Data roaming can be off. If your carrier requires roaming to receive SMS abroad, enable roaming on the primary line but keep data roaming off to prevent data charges.
Can I receive calls to my home number?
Yes. Your primary line remains available for calls. If you prefer to avoid inbound voice charges, let unknown calls go to voicemail and use data apps for outgoing calls.
Will WhatsApp break when I add a travel eSIM?
No. Keep the same WhatsApp number. Your messages will use the travel eSIM’s data while your account remains tied to your home number.
What if I change phones mid-trip?
Transfer your OWNES7 eSIM per device support and keep your primary line active on the new phone. Recheck your default SIM settings for data/calls/SMS after the move.
Make your phone work like a local—while your number stays “you”
Travel should be seamless. With OWNES7, you get fast local data for everything you do on the road and you keep your home number open for critical calls and codes. No line swaps. No data roaming shocks. Just smooth, secure connectivity wherever you go.
Get your OWNES7 eSIM today for instant activation, reliable travel data, and coverage in over 137+ countries. Explore global eSIM plans. Not sure where to start? Learn how eSIM works, Check device compatibility, or See more travel resources.
