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What are you trying to do? Continue using your main number with iMessage or are you trying to use the local eSIM number for iMessage?

To continue using the main number for iMessage, just leaving your main SIM turned on and activated for iMessage should work.
Thanks. I think I’ve sorted it out. Just want to keep using iMessage like normal. There’s no phone number associated with the local SIM, it’s data only. Keeping my primary sim/number active while switching data to the local SIM, and turning off send as text, seems to have done the trick.
 
Yes, that's what it's called. The hard part is convincing the wireless line to ignore roaming carriers and restrict itself to using the other line's data service. iPhone settings don't have a separate per-line roaming configuration. :-(
I should say, this is a problem with VZW (they enable international roaming and I haven't found a way to disable it). But MVNOs, even some of the post-paid ones, can configure their service for USA-only service and should in theory use wi-fi calling over cellular data when out of country. One of several reasons I'm ditching VZW for an AT&T-network MVNO.
 
I should say, this is a problem with VZW (they enable international roaming and I haven't found a way to disable it). But MVNOs, even some of the post-paid ones, can configure their service for USA-only service and should in theory use wi-fi calling over cellular data when out of country. One of several reasons I'm ditching VZW for an AT&T-network MVNO.
Didn’t realize this was an issue with Verizon. I was actually considering switching to them for a better coverage, I use AT&T currently and I can disable roaming before I leave the US and use my travel eSIM. Works really well never had a single roaming fee and I can still make calls when traveling abroad. Maybe I should just cut to the Chase and switch back to T-Mobile, coverage is so so, but I won’t have to think twice about anything when traveling
 
Hokay...someone will probably have to explain this to me like I am 5 years old.

I currently have a 13PM with the SIM card tray. I wish I could just take the card and put it into a new iPhone (should I decide to upgrade to the 17 this year). If I do upgrade to a new phone though, how would one go about doing this?

Since I am in the US there will be no iPhone 17 with a SIM card tray. So...what do I do? I am guessing I convert my physical SIM to an eSIM. And then when that is done, am I ready to transfer everything from the old phone to the new phone via iCloud? Do I need to do another step (grrrrrr!)?

I am on Verizon, btw. I would rather not have to talk to anyone to get it to work though. Thanks!
 
I currently have a 13PM with the SIM card tray. I wish I could just take the card and put it into a new iPhone (should I decide to upgrade to the 17 this year). If I do upgrade to a new phone though, how would one go about doing this?

Since I am in the US there will be no iPhone 17 with a SIM card tray. So...what do I do? I am guessing I convert my physical SIM to an eSIM. And then when that is done, am I ready to transfer everything from the old phone to the new phone via iCloud? Do I need to do another step (grrrrrr!)?

I am on Verizon, btw. I would rather not have to talk to anyone to get it to work though. Thanks!

It's very easy. No need to convert to eSIM first. The number will transfer to the iPhone 17 eSIM during initial setup. You just have to follow the prompts.
 
It's very easy. No need to convert to eSIM first. The number will transfer to the iPhone 17 eSIM during initial setup. You just have to follow the prompts.

That doesn't seem likely, unless it's documented as a supported method by the network operator.

You're saying Verizon supports this? I wish all our European operators did.
 
That doesn't seem likely, unless it's documented as a supported method by the network operator.

You're saying Verizon supports this? I wish all our European operators did.

eSIM Carrier Activation and eSIM Quick Transfer

Verizon and AT&T have supported this since iPhone 13 or 14 at the latest.

T-Mobile also supports it but I think they might have been later to the game compared to the big 2.

The "Other method" is usually QR codes.
 
Didn’t realize this was an issue with Verizon. I was actually considering switching to them for a better coverage, I use AT&T currently and I can disable roaming before I leave the US and use my travel eSIM. Works really well never had a single roaming fee and I can still make calls when traveling abroad. Maybe I should just cut to the Chase and switch back to T-Mobile, coverage is so so, but I won’t have to think twice about anything when traveling

Do you call AT&T customer service to disable roaming?

I can disable data roaming on iPhone settings but still trigger international day pass when I accidentally make or answer calls on my AT&T line.
 
I should say, this is a problem with VZW (they enable international roaming and I haven't found a way to disable it). But MVNOs, even some of the post-paid ones, can configure their service for USA-only service and should in theory use wi-fi calling over cellular data when out of country. One of several reasons I'm ditching VZW for an AT&T-network MVNO.
Enable WiFi calling before departure and disable roaming and remove sim or put in airplane mode until you can connect with WiFi at destination. When arriving at destination connect to WiFi in airplane mode and select the Verizon number in the cellular settings then select Network Selection and select a service provider that doesn’t operate/connect on the same system as Verizon. Example: while in Thailand my Verizon sim defaults to connect to True network that operates partially on cdma, I change the Network Selection from automatic to the AIS cellular provider which is gsm. This way the phone doesn’t send a signal to Verizon indicating that the phone is abroad and can make and receive WiFi calls through cellular data.
 
Enable WiFi calling before departure and disable roaming and remove sim or put in airplane mode until you can connect with WiFi at destination. When arriving at destination connect to WiFi in airplane mode and select the Verizon number in the cellular settings then select Network Selection and select a service provider that doesn’t operate/connect on the same system as Verizon. Example: while in Thailand my Verizon sim defaults to connect to True network that operates partially on cdma, I change the Network Selection from automatic to the AIS cellular provider which is gsm. This way the phone doesn’t send a signal to Verizon indicating that the phone is abroad and can make and receive WiFi calls through cellular data.

I tried this (manually select a non-roaming partner) but it drained my battery like crazy.
 
Do you call AT&T customer service to disable roaming?

I can disable data roaming on iPhone settings but still trigger international day pass when I accidentally make or answer calls on my AT&T line.
This is my note...
 

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Manual network selection doesn't show up an option on my iPhone on my AT&T eSIM.
Now that you mention it, I believe I had to call AT&T and have that done. I called billing and ask that it be "provisioned" and that "International Care" suggested I call them and have it done
 
Manual network selection doesn't show up an option on my iPhone on my AT&T eSIM.
I'm the opposite - AT&T does show, Verizon doesn't allow/offer network selection.
Note that it's dependent on COUNTRY - i.e. I cannot select carrier in LatAm, but can everywhere else (Europe/Asia).
 
I can disable data roaming on iPhone settings but still trigger international day pass when I accidentally make or answer calls on my AT&T line.
Ditto for me.
My son got (or replied to) a text message on a cruise and we got slammed with 3x roaming / international day pass.
 
Hey guys, I am getting the international version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which has support for one nano-SIM and one eSIM. I’ve read that iPhones can store up to 8 eSIMs, but I’m not sure about simultaneous use on this model.


Can I run two eSIMs at the same time (and leave the nano-SIM slot empty), or is it limited to one eSIM + one nano-SIM active?
 
anyone in UK with O2, what's the e-sim experience like? how easy/diffcult is it to go from physical to esim and transferring esim to a new device?
 
Can I set up a new iPhone using Quick Start and not (attempt to) transfer the eSIMs from the old phone? I'm switching carriers, so I'll set up a new cellular plan on the new iPhone, but I otherwise want to use Quick Start for everything else.
 
Can I set up a new iPhone using Quick Start and not (attempt to) transfer the eSIMs from the old phone? I'm switching carriers, so I'll set up a new cellular plan on the new iPhone, but I otherwise want to use Quick Start for everything else.
Yes no need to transfer from the old phone, you get a choice
 
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