Wi-Fi Calling Abroad with a Data-Only eSIM: How It Works and What It Costs
By Fei Pan
Head of Partnerships
Yes, you can use both. Keep your home line on and turn on Wi-Fi Calling for calls and texts on your usual number, and let the travel eSIM handle your data. What it costs depends on your carrier: Verizon says calls back to the US over Wi-Fi Calling are free when you're outside the US, and calls to other countries are charged at international long distance rates.
How the setup works
Your phone runs two lines side by side. The travel eSIM gives you mobile data, and your home line keeps your number. Apple notes that if you choose to use both lines, your travel eSIM is used for data, but you might still incur roaming fees from your home line, so the settings below matter.
Skylano's travel eSIMs are data-only: none of Skylano's plans include voice calls or SMS, and all of them allow hotspot sharing. Calls on your number go through your home line.
Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular.
- If your iPhone has more than one line, choose your home line.
- Tap Wi-Fi Calling and turn on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone.
- Tap Enable. You might need to enter or confirm your address for emergency services.
Do this before you leave. Verizon says that on iPhone, Wi-Fi Calling has to be turned on while connected to the Verizon network in the US, and it can't be activated after you leave the country.
On Android, the Wi-Fi Calling switch sits in different menus depending on the brand, so check your phone's call or network settings, or ask your carrier.
What Wi-Fi Calling costs abroad
| Verizon Wi-Fi Calling, when you're outside the US | Charge |
|---|---|
| Calls back to the US | Free |
| Calls to any other country | Your international long distance plan, or pay-as-you-go rates if you don't have one |
Verizon also says a voice prompt reminds you that international charges may apply when you place an international call over Wi-Fi Calling. Don't count on TravelPass to cover these calls: Verizon's TravelPass FAQ says Wi-Fi Calling isn't part of TravelPass, and Wi-Fi calls to any country other than the US are billed at international long distance rates whether or not you have an international travel plan. For AT&T, T-Mobile and other carriers, check your carrier's Wi-Fi Calling page for current charges.
Avoid paying for a roaming day by accident
Turn off data roaming on your home line so it doesn't use cellular data abroad. On Verizon, a 24-hour TravelPass session starts automatically when you make or answer a call, send a text or use data in a TravelPass country, and background data such as app refreshes and email syncing can start one too. Keeping data roaming off on your home line and using the travel eSIM for data helps you avoid that.
For setting up two lines in the first place, see Can I keep my original number while using an eSIM?.
Related guides
- Need to receive verification codes on a data-only eSIM? Read Can you call and message with a data-only eSIM?
- What a Skylano eSIM includes: calls, SMS and hotspot
- Traveling from the US to Europe? See Western Europe eSIM plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, side by side. The travel eSIM handles your data, and your home line keeps your number for calls and texts over Wi-Fi Calling. Turn Wi-Fi Calling on before you leave.
View full guideIt depends on your carrier. Verizon says calls back to the US over Wi-Fi Calling are free when you're outside the US, and calls to other countries are charged at international long distance rates.
View full guideOn a Verizon iPhone, no. Verizon says Wi-Fi Calling has to be turned on while connected to its network in the US and can't be activated after you leave the country.
View full guideIt can. Apple notes you might still incur roaming fees from your home line when both lines are on, so turn off data roaming on your home line.
View full guideKeep your number, use travel data
Use your main SIM for essentials and Skylano eSIM for mobile data abroad.
Keep reading
Can I Keep My Original Number While Using an eSIM?
If your device supports Dual SIM, you can usually keep your original number while using Skylano eSIM for data.
Can You Call and Message With a Data-Only eSIM?
Most travel eSIMs focus on mobile data and may not include traditional calls or SMS, but they support internet-based apps.
Does Skylano eSIM Include Calls, SMS and Hotspot?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only. Hotspot availability depends on the plan, local network, and device settings.