Receiving sms messages with physical SIM while e-sim is activated?

[myka_r]

Hello, I am on EE monthly contract with UK phone and travelling to India soon. To economize I am planning to get an e-sim from a different provider to use for data while abroad and avoid roaming charges. However I am concerned about being able to receive text messages for 2-factor authentication as my e-sim won’t have a phone number associated with it. Will I still be able to receive SMS messages to my UK number when the e-sim is installed?  Thanks in advance for any advice.

[bristolian]

All SIMs have a mobile number associated with them, but if your temporary SIM (physical or electronic is immaterial) as from India, then it will be an Indian number.

Roaming charges are incurred when you make or receive calls, send any text message or use mobile data on foreign networks. Receiving texts is free globally. Thus to avoid any charges - set an unconditional "divert all calls" , and don't send any text messages. You can't use mobile data without purchasing an add-on.

[XRaySpeX]

Just remember to text ROAMING to 150 before you leave UK to ensure the roaming ability is enabled on your account.

[myka_r]

Thanks. So to recap is this correct:

- in order to receive SMS to my physical (EE) sim, I need to have roaming switched on by texting ROAMING to 150

- when my data-only non-EE Indian e-sim is installed, when I turn on 4g/5g on my phone I will be able to access internet/emails/whatsapp etc via the e-sim which will be prepaid. 

- as long as I don’t send SMS messages or make or receive phone calls I won’t incur roaming charges from EE

is my understanding correct? 
thanks again !

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

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@myka_r wrote:

- in order to receive SMS to my physical (EE) sim, I need to have roaming switched on by texting ROAMING to 150

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In order for your phone to connect to foreign networks, you need to enable roaming by texting ROAMING to 150. Access to foreign networks enables coverage abroad.

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@myka_r wrote:

- when my data-only non-EE Indian e-sim is installed, when I turn on 4g/5g on my phone I will be able to access internet/emails/whatsapp etc via the e-sim which will be prepaid. 

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You can choose which SIM is active for mobile data use at any given time.

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@myka_r wrote:

- as long as I don’t send SMS messages or make or receive phone calls I won’t incur roaming charges from EE

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Yes.