You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

glennbtn Author

Level 1

8 points

iMessage and esim

I have an iPhone 12 and am about to spend some time in the USA and my UK carrier no longer includes roaming.

I want to get a data esim. Can I still iMessage as my original number even though the data is going out the esim as it’s easier than trying to get people to contact me a new number.

iPhone 12

Posted on Sep 24, 2022 2:50 AM

Top-ranking reply

SravanKrA

Community+ 2024

Level 10

413,916 points

Posted on Sep 24, 2022 5:03 AM

glennbtn wrote:

Can I still iMessage as my original number even though the data is going out the esim

No.

However, if you leave the SIM (UK) in the UK on another iPhone and keep it switched ON then you can continue to send and receive iMessage and SMS from the same Phone number number using data sim taken from the USA. Read more below...

Yes, it will work. Different State/Country/Continent and different WiFI? No problems

The two devices need not be on the same WiFi.
Even if the devices are across different continents the iMessages will get delivered to all the devices with certain preconditions. You may read below

iMessage works in the following manner.

Phone No. P1, Network Carrier C1, Device D1 (iPhone)
Phone No. P2, Network Carrier C2, Device D2 (iPad with Cellular Service)
Device D3 (Mac)

Following assumptions

All devices D1, D2 & D3 uses the same Apple ID

D1 > Settings > Messages > Text Message Forward > [Both D2 & D3 are enabled]

D1 > Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > P1 is Selected

D2 > Settings > Messages > Text Message Forward > [Both D1 & D3 are enabled]

D2 > Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > P2 is Selected

D3 > Messages > Preferences > iMessage > Start New Conversation from > P1 is Selected

You can send and receive iMessages as follows

Send from P1 using D1 to any other iOS device across the globe. (P1 must remain in the same carrier network of C1 or have international roaming enabled using P1)
Send from P2 using D2 to any other iOS device across the globe. (P2 must remain in the same carrier network of C2 or have international roaming enabled using P2)
Send from P1 using D3 to any other iOS device across the globe. (P1 must remain the same carrier network of C1 or have international roaming enabled using P1)
Device D3 can send and receive iMessage using P1 being anywhere in the globe under any WiFi network but (P1 must remain the same carrier network or have international roaming enabled using P1)
Can send iMessage using Apple ID anytime anywhere any device

In a nutshell

If I have a Phone Number from India on my iPhone and I travel to the USA without international roaming enabled., my iPhone will seize to send messages using the number I had.

But If I leave the iPhone in India (Powered) and travel with my Mac to the USA, I can continue to send and receive iMessages / SMS using the same phone number I had, from the USA. The recipients will receive it as though it is being sent from my Phone number.

I Hope, I have been able to make things clear.

View in context

iMessage and esim

Similar questions