I will be purchasing an eSIM while traveling(yes my iPhone is unlocked). It is a data only plan. My question is can I still use WiFi calling through AT&T via WiFi? Will WiFi calling also work via the prepaid data plan? I don’t want to receive any roaming charges. AT&T isn’t able to answer this. I know you can WiFi call if your on airplane mode and connected to WiFi when outside the US.
iPhone 11 Pro
Thanks. It sounds like you can uses wifi calling via another sim according to according to Apple here https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044. Even when there is no WiFi available. Whether AT&T will let you. I'll find out soon. In theory if I select to use the eSIM for data and disable switching data switching no data should go via the AT&T line. If you don't answer phone calls or send SMS messages when you don't see "AT&T WiFi" I should be fine I guess. Worse comes to worse I get a day pass charge if it doesn't work. I just wish they were a little more clear on this.
That is not true. You have been able to use Wifi calling for like 3 or 4 years now and are able to use your domestic plan Internationally using wifi. Never have gotten charged for WiFi calls back to the US overseas. https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1009432
You should be able to use it for a while. At some point, if you have the AT&T SIM disabled or removed from the phone long enough, you will have to turn it back on and re-authenticate your device with Apple's servers. They use background SMS messages to handle that. Those messages need to come from the number linked to iMessage/FaceTime.
I believe you're misinterpreting that. The reference to WiFi calling means that the carrier supports Voice Over IP.
Either way, one thing you have to keep in mind, if you're using AT&T and are out of the country using WiFi calling, you WILL be charged international calling rates. It's not a free pass to make calls from outside of the coverage area without paying international rates.
Contact your carrier. Have they enabled WiFi Calling?
SMS, MMS, WiFi Call, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Call Merge, Conference Call, Hotspot, Voice Mail (Visual or Normal) all are Carrier Specific features. Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider), the agency that issued the SIM / eSIM to you
Yes I know WiFi calling works fine wile outside the US and you won’t get charged if on airplane mode. It works fine. They can’t seem to answer whether I can use WiFi calling via a 3rd party eSIM or while using an eSIM. Neither can the the prepaid carrier. They’ve said it’s a phone specific setting. The question is If you set the phone to use an eSIM for data, can you still use WiFi calling on the other physical sim and not incur roaming charges? It’s an iPhone specific question. It has nothing to do with the carrier.
Do you happen to know if I can at least still use my AT&T phone number for iMessage and FaceTime then? Or do I stop receiving everything if I switch to that eSIM. The prepaid sim doesn’t even come with a number.
No.
WiFi calling on AT&T while using prepaid eSIM
