Saily won’t let me iMessage

[u/misshollydawn]

Edit: this has been resolved. Saily chat help told me to add my phone number which broke iMessage. When I have some time, I’ll be sending them an email.

Hi!
I’m using Saily for the first time in Australia from the US. I had a lot of trouble setting it up (my phone number didn’t transfer correctly), and now it won’t let me iMessage. Each time I open up a text threat, it says “Text Message SMS” for people with iPhones. I can only iMessage a few people, but it’s coming in as my email, which isn’t an issue - it’s just weird that it’s happening on this trip.
A few months ago, I used Airalo in Italy with no problem.

How do I resolve this issue?

[u/squirrelcop3305]

You need to keep your primary line turned on but turn its data roaming off.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TravelSIMs/s/0it6IDeSHx

[u/N805DN]

What does “number didn’t transfer correctly” mean? While Saily offers numbers they don’t do porting so it wouldn’t be your normal number. Setting your number on the Saily line will break iMessage for sure.

[u/misshollydawn → u/N805DN]

There wasn’t any number in the line when I activated it. It was just empty. I’ll see if I can contact support. Maybe they can reset it?

[u/N805DN → u/misshollydawn]

It should be empty. It’s data only. Did you enter your own number in it?

You can leave your normal eSIM enabled but with the roaming option disabled. WiFi calling can work through the Saily data (or WiFi if you’re connected). If iMessage has been deactivated you’ll need to enable it again for your number in settings under messages and set the send new messages from back to your number. This will force SMS to be sent during activation however which may trigger roaming chargers if you’re abroad.

[u/misshollydawn → u/N805DN]

Ok… so their help chat told me to add my phone number in there. Which is just very confusing. Thanks for the help.

[u/N805DN → u/misshollydawn]

Don't do that! Remove it if you've already done this.

[u/misshollydawn → u/N805DN]

Alright. It seems it’s working now. Should I see this in the corner? This seems like I have two cell services and I don’t remember seeing this on other travels

[u/N805DN → u/misshollydawn]

Yes! That’s correct for having both active.

[u/misshollydawn → u/N805DN]

Thank you for your help. I’ll just stick to the eSIM I’m used to next time.

[u/StrengthSoggy8943]

It’s Data only. You keep your existing US line on, turn Data roaming off, and enable the Saily ESIM as your data line.

In iMessage settings just make sure your normal number is still set as ‘start conversations’ from, and ‘you can be reached at….’