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User profile for user: travelernow1
travelernow1 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Receiving SMS and MMS texts while traveling using data only

I'll be traveling overseas, purchasing a data-only sim, with some occasional access to wi-fi. I will not have cellular phone access, and I'll make calls using WhatsApp. My present phone provider does not have overseas service. I understand that I'll be able to continue to receive iMessage texts, but I'm unsure if there's a way to receive sms and mms texts. Is there a way to do so, perhaps via iCloud? I have an iphone 13 mini. Thanks!


iPhone 13 mini, iOS 16

Posted on May 15, 2023 11:15 AM

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User profile for user: IdrisSeabright
IdrisSeabright
User level: Level 10
169,415 points

Posted on May 15, 2023 11:34 AM

No, you will not be able to receive SMS or MMS messages. They require a cellular voice capable SIM. It is also possible that, at some point, iMessages will stop working. On an iPhone, iMessage periodically sends an SMS message to the activation server. If it can't send that message, iMessage will deactivate. It always needs to send the message when you originally activate iMessage. It will also try to send it if you haven't been connected to data for a while. I don't really know what, if anything will happen in your situation. But, it's something you should keep in mind.


WhatsApp also used to require that the iPhone have a working cellular number. I don't know if that's changed or, if the fact that you've already activated it will mean it's not a problem. You should consult WhatsApp.

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User profile for user: IdrisSeabright
IdrisSeabright
User level: Level 10
169,415 points

May 15, 2023 11:34 AM in response to travelernow1

No, you will not be able to receive SMS or MMS messages. They require a cellular voice capable SIM. It is also possible that, at some point, iMessages will stop working. On an iPhone, iMessage periodically sends an SMS message to the activation server. If it can't send that message, iMessage will deactivate. It always needs to send the message when you originally activate iMessage. It will also try to send it if you haven't been connected to data for a while. I don't really know what, if anything will happen in your situation. But, it's something you should keep in mind.


WhatsApp also used to require that the iPhone have a working cellular number. I don't know if that's changed or, if the fact that you've already activated it will mean it's not a problem. You should consult WhatsApp.

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Receiving SMS and MMS texts while traveling using data only

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