eSIM thread
Sep 16, 2019 | 2:36 pm
#137
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,772
You can sign up for a T-mobile eSim account easily enough (prepaid).
I just use Google Voice, for the exact same reason (though most of my colleagues only use their mobile phones and don't have any issues). You could also use voip.ms or another VOIP provider.
I just use Google Voice, for the exact same reason (though most of my colleagues only use their mobile phones and don't have any issues). You could also use voip.ms or another VOIP provider.
Sep 16, 2019 | 4:26 pm
#139
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,698
I keep a free sim (freeup mobile, txt/calls only) on my second sim, usable as a throwaway phone # for restaurants etc.
Just note that most phones are dual standby (only one active line for calls or data at once), need to lookup whether second line gets bounced to voicemail or rings if first line has active call
Sep 16, 2019 | 5:51 pm
#141
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,708
You can have both SIMs active for voice calls. You designate one as the default for outgoing calls but you can designate either one to use for a specific call. It will also remember that choice for later, but you can always override it any time.
If you're on a call and another call comes in on the other line, it goes to VM. Is that what you are referring to?
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Sep 16, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Sep 16, 2019 | 6:03 pm
#142
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 23
What you said is correct. What I was referring to is the fact that you cannot be active on a call and receive a call from the other phone number. Instead it goes straight to voicemail.
Per https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044 :
When you're on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail, if you have voicemail set up with your carrier.* However, you won't get a missed-call notification from your secondary number. Call Waiting works for incoming calls on the same phone number.
Per https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044 :
When you're on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail, if you have voicemail set up with your carrier.* However, you won't get a missed-call notification from your secondary number. Call Waiting works for incoming calls on the same phone number.
Sep 16, 2019 | 9:38 pm
#143
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I believe you can also specify in the contact record which line to use for outgoing calls. So your business contacts would use the business SIM and personal contacts the personal SIM.
But in response to the question by the created of this sub thread, I have not used that case, I've only used the eSIM for data only. If I get a chance to mess with it, I will try a variation of that next month, with my T-MO line moved to the eSIM and my German (FONIC) SIM as the physical SIM (and primary for data). Then I can receive calls/texts made to my US T-MO number and use my German number while in Europe.
But in response to the question by the created of this sub thread, I have not used that case, I've only used the eSIM for data only. If I get a chance to mess with it, I will try a variation of that next month, with my T-MO line moved to the eSIM and my German (FONIC) SIM as the physical SIM (and primary for data). Then I can receive calls/texts made to my US T-MO number and use my German number while in Europe.
Sep 17, 2019 | 7:29 am
#144
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 657
I just got back from my first international trip since I got the Esim. It went better than I expected. Got calls on my UK sim from clients. Got calls from home on T-mobile. It was great.
Sep 20, 2019 | 6:31 am
#145
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 575
Last night I went to the AT&T store for my e-Sim activation card to use on my iPhone 11 Pro Max I'll receive today.
They would NOT give me an e-Sim activation # (card) without having the phone I was physically activating with the e-Sim # there. (Since I'm activating my 11 Pro Max, I don't have it.)
They said, "Once you leave the store, if it's not activated immediately it will be deactivated due to fraud risk."
I asked, "So how would it work if AT&T physically mailed me the card?"
(I had called ATT. They said they could mail me the card with the activation # on it, or I could get one at the store.)
They said I'd need to bring in the phone to the store with the card i received in the mail for activation.
They would NOT give me an e-Sim activation # (card) without having the phone I was physically activating with the e-Sim # there. (Since I'm activating my 11 Pro Max, I don't have it.)
They said, "Once you leave the store, if it's not activated immediately it will be deactivated due to fraud risk."
I asked, "So how would it work if AT&T physically mailed me the card?"
(I had called ATT. They said they could mail me the card with the activation # on it, or I could get one at the store.)
They said I'd need to bring in the phone to the store with the card i received in the mail for activation.
Sep 20, 2019 | 6:55 am
#146
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 657
If you are picking up your phone at an Apple store they have the AT&T activation card in the store. If it is being mailed to you it doesn't matter which store you go to.
Sep 20, 2019 | 8:15 pm
#148
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boston
Posts: 249
I've asked a few times in an Apple Store and the reps don't seem to know they have eSIM activation cards?! They automatically tell me to go to the carrier.
Sep 20, 2019 | 8:18 pm
#149
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boston
Posts: 249
Last night I went to the AT&T store for my e-Sim activation card to use on my iPhone 11 Pro Max I'll receive today.
They would NOT give me an e-Sim activation # (card) without having the phone I was physically activating with the e-Sim # there. (Since I'm activating my 11 Pro Max, I don't have it.)
They said, "Once you leave the store, if it's not activated immediately it will be deactivated due to fraud risk."
I asked, "So how would it work if AT&T physically mailed me the card?"
(I had called ATT. They said they could mail me the card with the activation # on it, or I could get one at the store.)
They said I'd need to bring in the phone to the store with the card i received in the mail for activation.
They would NOT give me an e-Sim activation # (card) without having the phone I was physically activating with the e-Sim # there. (Since I'm activating my 11 Pro Max, I don't have it.)
They said, "Once you leave the store, if it's not activated immediately it will be deactivated due to fraud risk."
I asked, "So how would it work if AT&T physically mailed me the card?"
(I had called ATT. They said they could mail me the card with the activation # on it, or I could get one at the store.)
They said I'd need to bring in the phone to the store with the card i received in the mail for activation.
Sep 21, 2019 | 8:32 am
#150
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 575
BINGO. No thought to the the waste of time and gas it puts on their customers.
Last edited by MareLuce; Sep 21, 2019 at 8:38 am