Using mobile phone eSIM feature to have multiple SIM cards while traveling

One of the best things I ever discovered for travelers.

It’s amazing how many people don’t know this is possible. It’ll change your life!

What is the DUAL SIM feature?

It’s the ability to have 2 SIM cards in one phone. Some cellphones have this option. And it obviously allows many benefits for you:

• Have 2 numbers in one phone. Such as a personal and a business. Or a home number, and local number.
• So you can keep switching out the local SIM as you travel from one country to another. (Necessary for fast internet since many companies don’t offer international plans, or at least not cheap.)
• Still have your home number for longtime friends and family to contact you. Also use your home number as a permanent WHATSAPP number that never changes.
• You can make and receive PHONE CALLS from both numbers.
• You can make and receive SMS messages from both numbers.

What is the eSIM feature?

It’s the ability program an electronic SIM card to your phone. Basically, the phone carrier can program the eSIM to connect to your phone…so you can don’t even have to install a physical SIM card.

Benefits of eSIM:

• Your phone can have multiple SIM’s despite having only one physical SIM card slot. This is the case for my iPhone, which only has 1 physical SIM slot. I program my (USA) home number as eSIM, and then use the physical slot for local SIM cards.
• Depending on the phone model, you can have up to like 10 eSIM’s on your phone. (So yes, that’s like having 10 phone numbers on your phone.) It’s awesome!
• Can (theoretically) install a SIM without having to purchase a physical SIM card…which saves you time from going to a store, or ordering online and waiting for delivery. I say “theoretically” because many countries will not allow foreigners to activate a SIM card without them seeing your passport in person.

How to set up eSIM?

• Call the mobile carrier company customer support, or go into one of their stores. Tell them you want to use eSIM function. (Of course, I assume you already looked up info online to see they already have that feature.)
• They’ll have you remove your physical SIM and maybe do some steps. Then your eSIM is working and now your physical SIM card slot is available for another physical SIM!