Iphone 11 dual sim AT&T

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Level 1

8 points

Iphone 11 dual sim AT&T

I just purchased an iPhone 11 (unlocked) and set it up so that my US AT&T number is the eSIM, leaving the physical slot free for my "travel" Costa Rica (Kolbi) sim. Before this purchase, I have been using two phones: my regular iPhone in airplane mode with the wifi on and AT&T Wifi Calling enabled (to be able to receive iMessages and use AT&T Wifi Calling) on my US line and have been using an older iPhone for my Costa Rica sim card.

Is there a setting/ability that I'm not seeing that allows me to put my primary (USA) number in airplane mode, thus preserving it for iMessage, and having the ability to turn on AT&T Wifi calling and have my "travel" number take care of everything else?

This seems like a pretty basic setting but I haven't been able to find a way to do this.

I don't think turning off cellular roaming for my US line alone will do it. As soon as AT&T detects the phone is turned on in the Costa Rica the $10/day charge hits. With my standalone phone, AT&T said it was essential to also put in airplane mode. Is there a way to essentially put just 1 line on the dual sim iPhone 11 in airplane mode and have the 2nd line active?

Praying there is a solution as this is the whole reason I bought a dual sim phone ! Thanks for any help.

iPhone 11

Posted on Nov 15, 2019 7:47 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 15, 2019 7:51 AM in response to glzm

No, it is not possible. Airplane mode is all or nothing. With AT&T the $10 per day charge is only charged if you use the phone on a roaming network for voice, text or data on that day. It is not charged simply because you are out of the country. I do this regularly; just leave roaming off.

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Answer 2

Nov 15, 2019 8:31 AM in response to glzm

Very odd. I was out of the country for 10 days. I used the phone once on the first day. I turned off roaming and I was not charged for any day other than the 1st day. That was in September this year. I was in Paris in 2017 for 2 weeks. I was not charged at all, even though I did not have the phone in Airplane mode, I just had roaming off. And I was able to make and receive Wi-Fi calls, including calls to the US, and was not charged any extra for the entire time I was out of the country.

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Answer 3

glzm Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2019 8:37 AM in response to deggie

Possibly. I was charged $130 the first month I was in Costa Rica even though I had cellular data turned off. I had to argue with AT&T a bunch and eventually they gave me a full credit and told me I also had to keep the phone in Airplane Mode. I wonder if there is a work around?

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Answer 4

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Nov 15, 2019 8:29 AM in response to glzm

You are doing something that is creating a connection or it would not charge you. I have a friend who visits Victoria, Canada yearly and hers works just as Lawrence described it.

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Answer 5

glzm Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2019 8:33 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Could it be an AT&T thing? Lawrence, are you on AT&T?

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Answer 6

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Nov 15, 2019 8:33 AM in response to glzm

My friend I referred to is on AT&T.

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Answer 7

Nov 15, 2019 8:39 AM in response to glzm

Yes, I am on AT&T.

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Answer 8

glzm Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2019 8:27 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Hi Lawrence - thanks for your reply. AT&T still charges me the $10 a day even if I have roaming and cellular data off. They have told me I must have the phone in airplane mode to avoid the $10 a day charge. Argh. Hoping someone has insight into a work around.

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Iphone 11 dual sim AT&T

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