Yes. Our travel eSIM is data only: there is no phone number, no calls and no SMS. Your usual SIM stays in the phone with your usual number, and WhatsApp keeps working on that number, because your WhatsApp account is tied to your number, not to the line that gives you internet.
Two lines on one phone
With the eSIM installed, the phone has two lines, and each does one job:
- The travel eSIM, for data. Choose it as your mobile data line and turn data roaming on for it.
- Your usual line, for calls and texts. Leave it in and turn its data roaming off so your carrier cannot charge you.
Give the eSIM a name when you install it ("Travel" or the country name) so you can tell the two lines apart at a glance. The exact steps for iPhone and Android are in the installation guide.
WhatsApp keeps your number
WhatsApp works over the internet, so it uses the travel eSIM's data, or wifi when you have it, without changing anything in the app. Your contacts still see you under your usual number.
WhatsApp messages, voice notes, calls and video calls use the eSIM's data:
- A day of messages, voice notes and the odd photo: about 20 MB.
- An hour of WhatsApp video calling: about 340 MB.
To work out the total for your trip, use the data calculator.
Ordinary calls and texts
Ordinary calls and texts do not go through the eSIM, which has no number. They stay on your usual line, with your carrier and its roaming terms. What they cost at your destination is for your carrier to tell you, not us.
Your usual line's data, off
To send all your internet traffic through the travel eSIM, choose it as your mobile data line and turn data roaming off on your usual line. That way your carrier does not charge you for data, and your number stays active for calls and texts.
There are more answers in the FAQ.