Your eSIM phone number is either a phone number included with your eSIM data package, or an internet phone number you’re using with your eSIM. Some people use their regular phone number for calls and texts, while using an eSIM for data.
If you’re brand-new to using an eSIM for mobile data, you might be wondering ‘What is my eSIM phone number, anyway? I can’t find it!’ That’s because while SIM cards can contain phone numbers, eSIMs do not always come with phone numbers.
But don’t worry, because you don’t need an eSIM phone number in order to call or text while using an eSIM for data.
If your eSIM didn’t come with a phone number, let’s walk through your different options for calling and texting while using an eSIM …
eSIM Phone Number Option #1: Use a calling app
Your eSIM data can support plenty of different calling and texting apps, so this is a great way to stay in touch in a number of scenarios:
* Perfect for people who don’t have a regular phone number/phone plan
* Handy for travelers who don’t want to incur call/text fees while traveling
* Great for people who would like to use a local number in a different city/country
If you’re interested in using a calling app with your eSIM, here are a few popular options to try …
Calling and textings apps you can use with eSIM
* Hushed (our sister app, with low-cost numbers in 300+ area codes)
* FaceTime & iMessage
* Skype
* Zoom
How to use a calling app with eSIM
1. Install and activate your eSIM
2. Open your favorite calling app
3. Your eSIM data will support the connection easily
eSIM Phone Number Option #2: Use social media
Your eSIM data can also support all of your favorite social media apps, and many of those include live voice and/or video calling. There are benefits to using social media to make phone calls with your eSIM:
* You probably already have one of these accounts
* Your contacts are already connected there
If you’re interested in calling with a social media app with your eSIM, here are a few to try …
Social media apps that can make calls with eSIM
* Facebook Messenger
eSIM Phone Number Option #3: Use your regular phone number
Of course, you don’t need to use a secondary calling app or social media app if you’d rather just use your regular phone number. Your eSIM data can power your regular phone number anywhere in the world (by providing a local network connection), and you might find this especially useful:
* Keep your regular phone number active anywhere in the world
* Call and text while traveling internationally (on the number everyone already knows)
* Ideal for people who worry about being unreachable by people back home
If you’d like to call and text using your regular phone number while using eSIM, here’s what you need to know:
1. Make sure your settings are correct
* Leave your primary SIM “on” (to keep your phone number accessible)
* Turn Data Roaming “off” for your primary SIM (so you won’t pay roaming charges)
* Choose your aloSIM as your phone’s only source of data (with Allow Cellular Data Switching “off”)
* Turn Data Roaming “on” for aloSIM (to be connected to the best local network)
2. Understand there may be carrier fees
You won’t pay any roaming charges to use your phone number internationally, because you’ll be using an aloSIM eSIM for all data. However, your carrier back at home still may charge you individual fees for active calls (calls you make, or calls you pick up) and text messages.
These are not fees charged by aloSIM. They’re costs you may see on your next monthly cell phone bill from your carrier. You can figure out these fees ahead of your trip by visiting your carrier’s website and looking for ‘travel data’ or ‘roaming data’ costs.
FAQs: Using your regular phone number with eSIM
How much will I get charged for a phone call?
It varies between carriers, but many people report it’s only about $1.50 per calling minute. You aren’t charged for calls you refuse to answer, so you can always look at your Caller ID and decide whether not or not it seems like worth picking up. You can always choose to (A) not answer calls (if they don’t seem urgent) and/or (B) reach out to that person in another (free) way instead, like sending them a quick iMessage to see what’s up.
How much will I get charged for a text?
Speak with your carrier (or check their website) to see what they charge for texts sent or received internationally. It’s often around 75 cents per text, so these fees would add up much more quickly if you’re using an Android phone. iMessages do not count as texts (as they’re sent over the internet, not via a network), so you will always be able to send and receive free eSIM iMessages.
How do I avoid carrier fees entirely?
The fees are usually low enough that people decide it’s worth it to keep their phone number accessible while they’re away (in case of an emergency), but if you don’t want to be charged anything while you’re away, you absolutely have the option to turn your Primary SIM off. This will temporarily disable your regular phone number so it can’t be used for calling or texting until it’s switched back on.
