Can I use an eSIM for international travel on my AT&T iPhone 16?

Jay Nungesser wrote:

This is my first time traveling with my new phone. I know that iPhone 15/16 have dual eSIM capabilities to swap to an international eSIM when traveling internationally.

But I was told by an AT&T rep that if your iPhone is still being paid off, using an international eSIM will "lock your phone" (their words) and will automatically incur $3/minute roaming charges.

This seems ridiculous but as I'm new to using international eSIMs I wanted to check with the community here.

Just to be clear.

If you have the iPhone financed by AT&T and its still being paid off to them, then its likely it is locked to them, and you won't be able to use a sim form a different provider.

If you are paying the iPhone to Apple, or your credit card, then it should not really be locked to AT&T and as such can use a SIM card from any carrier.

Using a sim from another carrier if it's being paid off to AT&T will not lock the iPhone in any way, that is just fear mongering by the AT&T rep. It simply won't work.

If you are paying it off to AT&T, and as such is still locked to them, then your only option is their international roaming package.

Jay Nungesser wrote:

ATT offers a $10/day international plan that covers roaming charges. They're saying that that's the only way to use an ATT phone internationally and that they don't allow use of the dual eSIM -- but that's just one rep saying that.

That is correct. It is not possible for you to use a non-AT&T eSIM until the phone is paid off and you’ve had it unlocked by AT&T.

Jay Nungesser wrote:

ATT offers a $10/day international plan that covers roaming charges.

Actually it appears to be $12 per day.

AT&T International Day Pass® Stay connected while you’re abroad

I believe Limnos is exactly right - because your iPhone is carrier locked due to your still paying it off, your choices are this plan or roaming.

Contact ATT again. Most companies have special international rates where you pay a supplement for a period of time to get additional roaming capability.

However, I could see where if you have a carrier locked iPhone that they would restrict usage of another SIM. Otherwise there would be nothing stopping somebody from buying a locked phone at a discount rate, then just using a SIM card from a competitor offering a lower rate.

Jay Nungesser wrote:

According to multiple AT&T reps, you can only use eSIMs for international data if your phone is unlocked.

Phones that are under contract cannot make use of the multiple eSIM function.

That verifies what I was saying in the first reply to your original question.

Hmmm… it went up a few bucks… still not bad.

KiltedTim wrote:

Hmmm… it went up a few bucks… still not bad.

Exactly. I would think that would still represent a very small amount of the international travel expense.