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How to Keep Your WhatsApp Number While Using an eSIM

Activating a travel eSIM from PrimaSIM does not change the phone number you use in WhatsApp. This means that, unless you manually adjust your settings, you can continue to receive calls/texts within the app on the number linked to your home SIM/virtual SIM. However, there are a few «pitfalls» and details to keep in mind while traveling – we explain them below.

What Will Happen to Your WhatsApp Number After Activating a Travel eSIM?

You will keep the same number that your WhatsApp is registered to. You can choose to keep your first SIM active and use it alongside the travel eSIM or switch it off entirely. Either way, it will not affect how WhatsApp works.

When you buy a PrimaSIM «Mobile Data Only» eSIM without a phone number, you don't need to worry about losing access to your messenger.

What to Do if WhatsApp Requests Number Verification

In rare cases, WhatsApp may ask you to verify your number to access the app, for example after reinstalling it, not using it for a long time, updating your operating system, or opening it on a new device. If this happens while you are abroad with an active travel eSIM, you need to:

  • Make sure your home SIM is turned on and set as the one used for calls and messages. 

iPhone: Go to «Settings» and select «Cellular», then choose «Cellular Plans» and tap your home number to set it as «Default Voice Line».

Android: Open «Settings», go to «Network & Internet», then open «SIM cards». Make sure your home SIM is set for «Calls» and «SMS».

  • Turn on roaming so you can receive the verification code. iPhone: Go to «Cellular Data Options» and turn on «Data Roaming». Android: Open «Mobile network» and turn on «Roaming».
  • In the WhatsApp app request the verification code via SMS or call and enter it.
  • You can leave your first SIM active to get other texts/calls, or turn it off in «Settings».

Conclusion 

You can safely use WhatsApp abroad after activating a travel eSIM. The messenger will still be linked to your main number by default. You also don’t need to keep your main SIM turned on. For calls and chats within the app you will use the mobile data from your travel eSIM. You can read more about WhatsApp data usage in this article.