How to Enable Calling and Texting on your eSIM (Wi-Fi Calling)

Okay, this content explains how users can use their regular phone number for calls and texts over the eSIM's data connection via Wi-Fi Calling, and how messaging apps work automatically. This is a valuable benefit to highlight!

Let's rephrase this content, combining the explanations and presenting the instructions clearly.

Using Your Regular Number for Calls and Texts with Your ESIMI eSIM

Want to use your regular phone number for calls and texts while traveling without incurring huge roaming fees? With your ESIMI eSIM providing the internet connection, you can often do this via Wi-Fi Calling (VoIP), if your home carrier supports this feature.

When Wi-Fi Calling is enabled on your phone and your primary carrier supports it, your calls and texts will use your phone's internet connection (provided by the eSIM) instead of connecting directly to expensive local cellular networks for voice/SMS. This means you can make and receive calls and send/receive SMS using your usual number at no extra roaming cost, as it goes over data.  

Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and others linked to your phone number will also automatically use the ESIMI eSIM data connection for sending and receiving messages and calls within those apps – no extra setup is needed for them! Adding a ESIMI eSIM will not change your WhatsApp number or similar app accounts.  

Enabling Wi-Fi Calling (VoIP) on iPhone

If your primary carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling, here are the steps to enable it on your iPhone to use over your eSIM data:

(Note: The exact location or wording for settings may vary slightly depending on your iOS version or carrier.)

  1. Open your iPhone's Settings.

  2. Tap on Cellular (or Mobile Data / Mobile Service).

  3. Make sure your Default Voice Line is set to your Primary line (the line with your regular phone number).

  4. Under the Cellular Plans section, tap to select your Primary line (your regular phone number).

  5. On the next screen for your Primary line settings, ensure the toggle for Turn On This Line is set to ON.

  6. Look for the Wi-Fi Calling option and toggle it to ON.

  7. While you're here, double-check that Data Roaming is set to OFF for your Primary line to avoid accidental roaming charges from your home carrier.

(This section is followed by a visual walkthrough with screenshots, starting by navigating to Settings > Cellular and tapping on your Primary line.)

Example: Starting the Wi-Fi Calling Setup on iPhone (Visual Guide Intro)

(This text introduces the visual guide accompanying the steps above)

Below is a visual walkthrough showing the initial steps for enabling Wi-Fi Calling on an iPhone. Begin by navigating to Settings > Cellular and tapping on your Primary line (your regular phone number). (Note: The Cellular section might be labeled Mobile or Mobile Service on your device.)

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Using Your Primary Number & Understanding Roaming Charges

Your ESIMI eSIM plan provides mobile data, which enables several convenient communication options using your regular phone number.

Using Wi-Fi Calling: If your home mobile carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling (VoIP) and you have it enabled on your device, your calls and texts made with your primary phone number will use the internet connection provided by your ESIMI eSIM. When Wi-Fi Calling is active, you will typically see an indicator like "[Carrier Name] Wi-Fi" in your phone's status bar. This allows you to use your usual number for calls and texts without connecting directly to expensive local cellular networks for voice/SMS, essentially using data instead.

No Local Phone Number Included: Please note that ESIMI eSIM plans are data-only and do not include a local phone number. Calls and texts using your regular number rely on features like Wi-Fi Calling supported by your home carrier.

Avoiding Roaming Charges: Our ESIMI eSIM data plans are designed to serve as a cost-effective alternative to expensive traditional data roaming plans from your home carrier.

  • Roaming Data Charges: If your ESIMI eSIM is correctly installed, set as the mobile data source, and importantly, Data Roaming is turned OFF on your primary/home SIM card, you should not incur roaming data charges from your home carrier.

  • International Call/SMS Charges: While Wi-Fi Calling uses data, some home carriers may still have policies that apply charges for international calls or texts made/received even when using Wi-Fi Calling abroad. This is not common, but it can happen depending on your specific home plan and carrier's terms.

Always Check with Your Home Carrier:

ESIMI provides the data connection, but we do not control your home mobile plan or your home carrier's billing policies. It is always best practice to contact your primary mobile carrier before you travel to confirm their specific policies regarding Wi-Fi Calling usage abroad and whether any charges (especially for calls or SMS) might apply, even when using it over a separate data connection like your ESIMI eSIM.