eSim cell service in Europe?

[WinniWoman]

The green icon on your phone w/the white "caption" icon is where you are sending text messages to and from.
When you send receive messages w/someone who has an iphone note that color of their messages is BLUE. That means your phone is sending and receiving via iMessage - unique to Apple and can be sent / received w/o any cell service.

Some of your messages have a green background. These are going to or from people who do NOT have an iphone. You need cell service to receive these. They are being sent via SMS. If you are in Europe and turn off your cell service you wouldn't be able to message them or receive messages from them.

Wow! Thanks! I never realized that all these years! Lol!

 

[DaveNV]

Airalo worked great for us in Europe, and then again last month in Costa Rica. Big thumbs up.

Dave

 

[Brett]

If you have an iPhone - you can FaceTime anyone with an iPhone - no charge. Any other phone, use WhatsApp - no charge for FaceTiming and texting.

We used our TMobile (check with your provider) for me and my husband has a Samsun Android (?) - We had unlimited texting with anyone and .25 cents per minute for any other calls if needed. We used texting and calls with WhatsApp the whole time and FaceTime with anyone with iPhone. Except for my husband and kids/don't know who has iPhone or Android) so for a few cousins, I just sent a text.

I'm also evaluating internet and cell phone options for a trip to Europe in April. Currently looking at the TMobile plans for my Samsung Android

 

[WinniWoman]

Airalo worked great for us in Europe, and then again last month in Costa Rica. Big thumbs up.

Dave

Yup. Worked well for us too though we rarely used it. I still have plenty of minutes left on my plan with them that I can actually use in the states, though I have no use for . They expire in one year.

 

[EZ-ED]

Years ago we had a Verizon plan and when planning an overseas trip signed up with Verizon's service overseas for I think $100. Never could get it to work. Now when traveling overseas I use my my cellphone without any additional sim or e-sim cards. When we arrive in any country a message pops on my cell saying "Welcome to Greece" or Welcome to any of over 200 countries. Anyone from the US just dials my regular number and it will ring through and they don't know I'm traveling. If I want to call the US I just add 01 to the US number I'm calling and it rings through to the US. Inbound calls to my cell is covered under my plan. In bound texts are covered. Outbound cell texts are .20 as I recall. Cell data is $10 per GB which is what I pay at home. I've just read through a lot of hoops TUG travelers jump through to be in communication with home and I'm glad I found an easier way.

 

[DaveNV]

Years ago we had a Verizon plan and when planning an overseas trip signed up with Verizon's service overseas for I think $100. Never could get it to work. Now when traveling overseas I use my my cellphone without any additional sim or e-sim cards. When we arrive in any country a message pops on my cell saying "Welcome to Greece" or Welcome to any of over 200 countries. Anyone from the US just dials my regular number and it will ring through and they don't know I'm traveling. If I want to call the US I just add 01 to the US number I'm calling and it rings through to the US. Inbound calls to my cell is covered under my plan. In bound texts are covered. Outbound cell texts are .20 as I recall. Cell data is $10 per GB which is what I pay at home. I've just read through a lot of hoops TUG travelers jump through to be in communication with home and I'm glad I found an easier way.

Not all carriers offer service outside the country. Sounds like you have one that does.

Dave

 

[TheHolleys87]

I’m resurrecting this thread because in May we’re traveling to London for three days and then to Paris for a 7-day cruise on the Seine to Normandy and back, and I’m interested in using eSIMs rather than paying AT&T $18 a day for 2 phones.

But in Settings our iPhone 16s say “Carrier Lock” - does that mean we can’t install an eSIM from another company, e.g. Airalo? Or does that just complicate installation?

If we can install eSIMs, they’ll connect us to cellular data that we can use to access the internet e.g. to read email, look at Google Maps, use iMessage and WhatsApp, etc., right? Our phones can handle WiFi calling - will eSIMs do that too?

Thanks for helping me sort this out!

 

[Brett]

I’m resurrecting this thread because in May we’re traveling to London for three days and then to Paris for a 7-day cruise on the Seine to Normandy and back, and I’m interested in using eSIMs rather than paying AT&T $18 a day for 2 phones.

But in Settings our iPhone 16s say “Carrier Lock” - does that mean we can’t install an eSIM from another company, e.g. Airalo? Or does that just complicate installation?

If we can install eSIMs, they’ll connect us to cellular data that we can use to access the internet e.g. to read email, look at Google Maps, use iMessage and WhatsApp, etc., right? Our phones can handle WiFi calling - will eSIMs do that too?

Thanks for helping me sort this out!

I believe your phone can support esims so Airalo would work. (but do a search)
I used T-mobile's intl plan in the past but in the future I think I'll use an international esim plan like Airalo

 

[TolmiePeak]

Mint Mobile has pretty good international plans. $20 for 10 days. My phone worked in Japan just likes it works in the US. No messing around with esims.

 

[stonebroke]

We have AT&T and our phones are not paid for so they remain locked until they are so I was not able to access the ESIM last fall. Check with your provider if you are still paying for your phones.

 

[Ken555]

I believe T-Mobile is the only major US carrier which permits use of foreign esims even when the phone is locked.

Yet another reason to avoid buying a locked phone.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Yes, I've done some more research, and it's clear I can't install an Airalo eSIM on my locked iPhone. Bummer! I'll have to investigate further AT&T's international service, in particular the cost when covering multiple devices.

 

[Cornell]

I’m resurrecting this thread because in May we’re traveling to London for three days and then to Paris for a 7-day cruise on the Seine to Normandy and back, and I’m interested in using eSIMs rather than paying AT&T $18 a day for 2 phones.

But in Settings our iPhone 16s say “Carrier Lock” - does that mean we can’t install an eSIM from another company, e.g. Airalo? Or does that just complicate installation?

If we can install eSIMs, they’ll connect us to cellular data that we can use to access the internet e.g. to read email, look at Google Maps, use iMessage and WhatsApp, etc., right? Our phones can handle WiFi calling - will eSIMs do that too?

Thanks for helping me sort this out!

The things you are describing that you want to do (WiFi calling , iMessage, read email, etc) can all be done using Wifi. Maybe you can make due w/o ever using cellular service.

 

[PigsDad]

I believe T-Mobile is the only major US carrier which permits use of foreign esims even when the phone is locked.

Yet another reason to avoid buying a locked phone.

And I would say most people would not need an eSIM when traveling to Europe if they had Tmobile, since Tmobile gives you free data and texting abroad. Since retiring 4 years ago, we have traveled to 15+ countries, and our Tmobile service has been great and has met all our needs.

Kurt

 

[TolmiePeak]

I'm with Ken. Avoid buying locked cell phones from the carriers. You are generally far better off buying an unlocked phone and then getting cell service from one of the resellers.

 

[geist1223]

Just in case you have not used WIFI calling. When you are on WIFI make sure WIFI Calling is turned on. Put Fone in Airplane Mode. Make call.

 

[TheHolleys87]

The things you are describing that you want to do (WiFi calling , iMessage, read email, etc) can all be done using Wifi. Maybe you can make do w/o ever using cellular service.

Unfortunately a number of our excursions will take us away from WiFi for 10-12 hours at a time, and we don't want to be out of touch with home for that length of time. We at least need to be able to get text messages from family and push notifications from our alarm system.

I'm with Ken. Avoid buying locked cell phones from the carriers. You are generally far better off buying an unlocked phone and then getting cell service from one of the resellers.

Again unfortunately, that horse left the barn for us long ago!

 

[TolmiePeak]

Unfortunately a number of our excursions will take us away from WiFi for 10-12 hours at a time, and we don't want to be out of touch with home for that length of time. We at least need to be able to get text messages from family and push notifications from our alarm system.

Again unfortunately, that horse left the barn for us long ago!

Just wait until your contract is up and then switch carriers to get a better deal. Mint Mobile is $180 per year.

 

[Ken555]

And I would say most people would not need an eSIM when traveling to Europe if they had Tmobile, since Tmobile gives you free data and texting abroad. Since retiring 4 years ago, we have traveled to 15+ countries, and our Tmobile service has been great and has met all our needs.

Kurt

Yes, I did that years ago but the data speed was so slow I had to buy a sim. I believe they now offer faster options if you're on a higher tier plan, which is great. And, they still offer the option for a local sim, so you do have choice if needed.

 

[Ken555]

Just wait until your contract is up and then switch carriers to get a better deal. Mint Mobile is $180 per year.

Mint is good - I was with them for a couple of years - but last year switched to USMobile. The benefits with USMobile include more data (they have less expensive unlimited plans and their premium plan includes cell service for a Watch) and the option to choose ATT, Verizon, or T-Mobile connections - you're not locked into T-Mobile as you are with Mint. The cool part of this is that you can even change which provider you are using quickly if you're in an area where one has better coverage than another (though I wouldn't recommend doing that unless it's for a day or two at minimum in that area). I don't know any other carrier which has that particular feature, and while I haven't needed to use it yet, it's a nice to have and didn't cost me anything extra.

Also, I switched my parents phones to USMobile instead of Mint and am saving about 50% of the cost. USMobile has a 2Gb data plan with unlimited calling/texting for $96 per year.

 

[Ken555]

Yes, I've done some more research, and it's clear I can't install an Airalo eSIM on my locked iPhone. Bummer! I'll have to investigate further AT&T's international service, in particular the cost when covering multiple devices.

Perhaps it's time to just buyout the phone from AT&T. You'll pay for it anyway over time.

 

[PigsDad]

Yes, I did that years ago but the data speed was so slow I had to buy a sim. I believe they now offer faster options if you're on a higher tier plan, which is great. And, they still offer the option for a local sim, so you do have choice if needed.

It's probably changed over the years. I can say that the minimum we get is 3G speeds, and Europe is almost always 5G or 4G LTE in most places.

Kurt

 

[Ken555]

It's probably changed over the years. I can say that the minimum we get is 3G speeds, and Europe is almost always 5G or 4G LTE in most places.

Kurt

Correct. It used to be 2G (<128k) speeds, which is glacially slow and sufficient for me to want to hit my head against a 1000-year-old wall while walking around Europe... so I bought a SIM.

 

[Ken555]

By the way, I still have a KeepGo eSIM that I bought 3+ years ago. They changed their offer, and now data never expires. I have two eSIMs with them, but the main one I use is their "Corvus" plan, which covers a list of European countries. It's easy to use, and since the data never expires—including the fact that it previously required at least a $3 top-up every year to extend the data for another year—it's a great long-term option for those of us who travel to the same region repeatedly. And once it's set up, it's set up—arrive in the country, turn on the eSIM, and you're done, without needing to configure a new eSIM for each trip.