Voice Calls and SMS with esimple

esimple is data-only. There's no phone number attached to your eSIM, no minutes, no SMS allowance. That's a deliberate choice — it keeps plans cheap and avoids the regulatory tangle of issuing local numbers in every country.

Here's how to handle calls, texts, and verification codes anyway.

What works perfectly over data

Anything that runs over the internet works the same as it does at home:

• WhatsApp — calls and messages.
• FaceTime — audio and video.
• iMessage — between Apple devices.
• Signal, Telegram, Messenger, WeChat, Line, Viber — all fine.
• Google Meet, Zoom, Teams — fine.

For most travellers this covers everything they actually need. Your friends and family don't notice you're abroad.

Receiving verification codes (the SMS problem)

Banks, two-factor authentication, airline check-in — many systems still send codes by SMS. Two options:

Option 1 — keep your home SIM active alongside esimple

This is the standard setup and the one we recommend. Your home SIM stays in the phone (or as your other eSIM line), receives texts and calls normally, and you have data roaming off on it so it doesn't cost you anything. Texts and incoming calls don't use data roaming — your home carrier delivers them as part of their basic service in most countries.

See Dual-SIM setup for the exact toggles.

Option 2 — switch to app-based codes before you leave

For anything important (bank logins, email, work accounts), move 2FA from SMS to an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, Microsoft Authenticator) before your trip. These generate codes offline, no SMS needed. Worth doing anyway — authenticator apps are more secure than SMS.

Option 3 — eSIM with a number (not us, today)

If you genuinely need a local number for the country you're visiting — to receive calls from a local hotel, a tour operator, a delivery service — some providers offer eSIMs that include a local number. esimple doesn't, today. If this matters for your trip, it's worth pairing esimple data with a separate "local number" service for the specific country.

When you really need to make a phone call

• WhatsApp / FaceTime / Signal to the other person if they're reachable that way.
• Skype credit lets you call regular landlines and mobiles over data. Cheap, works anywhere.
• Google Voice (US numbers only) places calls over data.

These all need a working data connection — which is exactly what esimple provides.

What if I need an SMS-receivable number for something quick?

A few app-based services let you rent a short-lived number for receiving SMS verifications (Hushed, TextNow, others). Useful for a one-time signup. We don't endorse a specific one — they come and go — but search "virtual SMS number" if you need it.

If you're not sure whether your trip will need real voice/SMS capability, email support@esimple.ai with what you're trying to do and we'll point you to the right setup.