BoyertownPR
Level 1 (4 points)
iOS Apps

Q: Using iPhone with multiple SIM cards

I have an iPhone 6 and want to use an international SIM card when I travel abroad. What happens with iMessage as I swap SiM cards? If I was switching SIM cards permanently I would turn off iMessage before turning off the phone to swap the card.  Once I swap the cards i can turn the phone on and turn iMessage back on. This should register the new number with iMessage. Since I only want the new number while I'm abroad, do I just swap the card? Would iMessage then work when I'm abroad with my old number, new number, or won't work? I also need to use the international SIM card from the states every 180 days to keep the card active. I just need to insert the card and send a text. Once I do that I would return to my local SIM card.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Jan 25, 2016 8:27 PM

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BoyertownPR

Q: Using iPhone with multiple SIM cards

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  • by jason269,

    jason269 jason269 Jan 27, 2016 7:34 AM in response to BoyertownPR
    Community Specialists
    Jan 27, 2016 7:34 AM in response to BoyertownPR

    Hi, BoyertownPR.  

     

    Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.  

     

    I understand you have a question regarding iMessage and using this service with an international carrier.  You can use iMessage with another carrier, but will need to remove the old phone number from iMessage.  

     

    Unlink your phone number associated with your Apple ID 

    To unlink your phone number, remove your Apple ID from iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone. Follow these steps: 

    1. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out.
    2. Go to Settings > FaceTime. Tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out.

    This should remove your phone number from other devices using the same Apple ID with iMessage and FaceTime. If the phone number is still available on your other devices after you sign out of iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone, you might need to sign out of iMessage and FaceTime on all of your devices. 

    If you don’t have the iPhone with the number you want to remove, reset your Apple ID password.

     

    Once this is done, insert the new SIM card and you will need to go through the steps below to register the new number with iMessage.  

     

    Get started on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch 

    Sign in to iMessage:

    1. Tap Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.
    2. Tap Use your Apple ID for iMessage. Then sign in with your Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID as your iPhone.
    3. Select the phone number and email addresses that you want to be reached at.

    Sign in to FaceTime:

    1. Tap Settings > FaceTime.
    2. Tap Use your Apple ID for FaceTime. Then sign in with your Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID as your iPhone.
    3. Select the phone number and email addresses that you want to be reached at. 

    After you sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPad or iPod touch, your iPhone will get a notification saying that your Apple ID and iPhone are now being used with iMessage or FaceTime on your iPad or iPod touch. You’ll get a notification for every email address or phone number that you enable on each additional device.

     

     

    Link your iPhone number and Apple ID to use iMessage and FaceTime

     

    Cheers

  • by BoyertownPR,

    BoyertownPR BoyertownPR Jan 27, 2016 9:45 AM in response to jason269
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iOS Apps
    Jan 27, 2016 9:45 AM in response to jason269

    Thank you for the reply. My question is what do I do if I'm going back to my normal SIM card after a couplie of weeks. Also, to keep the international SIM card active I would use it for 5 minutes from home. That might happen once or twice a year. Do I need to go through the process you described both ways? Once before I insert the international SIM and once again before I return to my normal SIM? What happens if I don't do that? Would I not get any iMessages? Would I be better off just turning iMessage off while i use the international SIM?