iPhone XS iMessage/Whatsapp/VVM on eSIM

[tilhas]

Hi

I'll be in Europe for 2 weeks and I'd like to Roam on an eSIM if possible.

If I get an eSim Data Only (or NanoSim with Voice/Data) would my iMessage/Whatsapp/VVM all jump to the active line? I was thinking of going to disable the local cellular carrier completely but keeping the sim inside so it detects the number?

Please advise. I'd like to figure this out before I leave.

 

[MarkX]

iMessage can be linked to your Apple ID via email address so shouldn’t be dependant on a a phone number. WhatsApp however is linked via phone number so if you deactivate or swap the sim for another you will lose the ability to send/receive messages to that account.

 

[tilhas]

iMessage but everyone sends it to my phone# not email. What happens then?

 

[riteshritesh]

iMessage is number specific. If you swap/add/change primary sim number, imessage on your home sim won't get through.

Whatsapp will work. After swapping, when you start WA, it asks if you want to switch over to the new changed sim number. Select no and you will still be active as if on your home number.

 

[tilhas]

for iMessage if I add a secondary cell provider then disable the first (cellular off) would imessage number still work as long as the simcard is inside?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

iMessage is not "number-specific" the way that SMS messaging is. So long as your regular phone number remains registered with iMessage (Settings > Messages > Send & Receive), then you will receive iMessages sent to that number. Using the eSIM does not de-register the primary (physical) SIM.

Your iMessage traffic is sent to the Apple ID account that is signed into iMessage, not your phone number. Whether you use cellular data or wifi, you'll get iMessages, regardless of whether someone is "sending" to your Apple ID email address or your phone number.

 

[tilhas]

PERFECT!

So to confirm. That I'm not losing my mind.

I land in Europe, I activate an eSIM. I then disable my primary simcard? Airplane mode? (My provider will charge me 12$ even if I have the data disabled, so I need it not to connect to work) or I can't do that?


- In Cellular Plans. Can i turn off my Primary SIM and keep imessage? (And it does not try connecting to the network)

 

[TheIntruder]

WhatsApp however is linked via phone number so if you deactivate or swap the sim for another you will lose the ability to send/receive messages to that account.

WhatsApp is a data-based IP service, not a carrier service. Once an account is established, it will still function even when a different SIM is used (though, as noted, it will ask if you want to associate the new number with the account). I've traveled the world using local SIMs and relying on it for group communication with no problems.

People get hung up on the phone number because that's what was simple and expedient to use as the identifier when the service was first created, but it really serves no function other than as a unique ID, and nothing to do with the phone service provider.

As long as the user properly administers the account if/when they do actually switch to a different number, there will be no issues, and the account still functions regardless, in the same way that an email address used to set up an AppleID or myriad other online accounts can change, but not affect the account itself.

 

[tilhas]

UPDATE!
I was able to make my main/local provider give me an eSIM.
So now I have an empty nano-sim slot for a traveling simcard.

So right now I have TURN ON this line (picture below)
Once I get another simcard inside and i click TURN OFF. Would I maintain my iMessage?

 

[Wondercow]

UPDATE!
I was able to make my main/local provider give me an eSIM.
So now I have an empty nano-sim slot for a traveling simcard.

So right now I have TURN ON this line (picture below)
Once I get another simcard inside and i click TURN OFF. Would I maintain my iMessage?

Your iMessages will be delivered to any device that is using your Apple ID. The phone plan, number, location, etc. does not matter as long as you have an internet connection of some kind.

My condolences on using Rogers

 

[tilhas]

Yes but usually. If I took out my sim card and put in a new simcard. The iPhone with automatically deregister the phone# from imessage as a delivery location and only keep my email.

 

[tilhas]

Thank you all. Just wanted to give you an update after my trip.

iMessage & What's app works perfectly. Only issue I have is my caller ID when I came back home is messed up. My phone thinks every call I get is from "spain". The Name Display is acting wonky. I'll need to fix that.