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Can I Keep My Phone Number While Using an eSIM?

With a travel eSIM, you get affordable internet abroad, but these cards don’t support calls or SMS.
Still, staying connected isn’t a problem. You can keep your main phone number active using a physical or virtual SIM from your home carrier (like Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone, etc.) alongside your eSIM. Just make sure to set your home SIM to calls and SMS only, so you don’t incur data roaming charges. See how to do it on both Android and iOS below.

Please note: roaming calls can come with high additional charges, so unless you have a special plan with your home operator, it’s best not to answer incoming calls. Receiving SMS is usually free, which makes it safe to get important texts like bank codes or OTPs while abroad.

How to Keep Your Phone Number While Using an eSIM on iPhone

To begin, make sure your travel eSIM is up and running, and your regular SIM (linked to your phone number) is active. Then, follow these steps in your iPhone settings:

  1. Run to «Cellular».
  2. You should see two SIMs: your home SIM with your phone number («Primary») and your travel eSIM («Secondary»). Tap on «Secondary», then select «Cellular Data».
  3. Turn off «Allow Cellular Data Switching» — this prevents your phone from using mobile data from your home SIM.
  4. Go back to the «Cellular» menu and tap on your «Primary» SIM.
  5. Disable «Data Roaming» to avoid any roaming charges.
  6. Still in «Cellular», tap «Default Voice Line» and choose your «Primary» SIM.
    This will keep your number active (for calls/texts).

How to Keep Your Phone Number While Using an eSIM on Android 

The initial steps are the same as on iPhone. Open «Settings» and ensure both SIMs are active – both toggles should be switched ON. Then proceed within «Settings»:

  1. Run to «Network & Internet» and choose «SIMs».
  2. Go to «Mobile Data» to set up the Internet.
  3. Select the travel eSIM as the primary option for internet usage.
  4. Turn off «Switch data automatically». 
  5. Return to «SIMs», select your home SIM, and disable «Roaming». This will prevent you from accidentally using the internet from your home card while roaming.
  6. Go to «Calls» and then «SMS», and select your local carrier’s SIM card. This is necessary to save the number for calls/texts.
Faq
Are incoming calls free when using my home operator’s SIM abroad?
No. With most operators like T-Mobile, Elisa, or Vodafone, incoming calls while roaming usually incur charges. However, incoming SMS are generally free.
Does a travel eSIM come with its phone number?
No. Most travel eSIMs – including those from TooSIM – are issued without a phone number. This means you’ll only have your home operator’s number.
Will my phone number stay active if I use an eSIM on any device?
Most modern smartphones support dual SIM functionality (either a physical SIM plus an eSIM or two eSIMs) allowing you to use both simultaneously. However, on older models like Google Pixel 3-6, only one SIM can be active at a time, so the second SIM gets automatically disabled. In such cases, you won’t be able to use the internet via the travel eSIM and receive calls on your home SIM simultaneously.