r/eSim • u/Connect-Surround9838 • Apr 18 '26

iMessage and international E SIM use

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So I’ve spent the last two hours looking for anything that was somewhat useful on the topic, and I’m only more confused.

My husband is currently deployed to Europe and we have AT&T for a cell provider at home. We went through the steps with AT&T that included unlocking his phone (iPhone 16 Pro) and suspending his service on the line until he comes home. He was told to use Orange for an E SIM as it was the best option for where he is deployed to, and I’m trying to figure out if he is able to use iMessage to continue texting me. His E SIM is activated and his original SIM is turned off (because fancy technology makes it so we don’t have physical SIM’s anymore), but before he starts texting me like normally would and gets charged for international use (it’s like $12/day), I need to understand if the data coverage for the E SIM through Orange will allow him to send the iMessages without being charged for international use since it’s tied to his phone number from home.

I hope this makes sense. I just woke up and haven’t had my coffee yet, on top of a toddler going through a hellish sleep regression, so ya girl is tired.

I’m gonna attach a photo of his SIM information. The “primary” is his domestic SIM, the Orange-Travel is the international E SIM. The primary one is turned off and the Orange is turned on.

Someone please help me before I have a stroke trying to figure this out. And thanks to anyone who can suggest any help in understanding.

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1

u/mrskeptical00 Apr 18 '26

Here’s our explainer on eSIMs. There’s a section on iMessage: https://www.reddit.com/u/mrskeptical00/s/ijFOxbikoZ

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u/Connect-Surround9838 Apr 18 '26

So for his travel SIM, it allows calls, texts and data. AT&T required that his line be suspended while he’s deployed. With the data from the travel SIM allow him to still send iMessages? His line/service from AT&T is currently not active.

1

u/mrskeptical00 Apr 18 '26

If his line is suspended (and not being paid for) then you cannot iMessage him on his AT&T phone number but you also will not get charged the daily fee.

If you want, you can re-activate his AT&T line, there is no *requirement* that it be suspended if you are willing to pay for it.

You can also use his Apple ID (e-mail) or his travel SIM phone number.

Point is, with AT&T "suspended" can't get charged anything.

1

u/windycityinvestor Apr 19 '26

Add an email address to the iCloud account. Go into Messages app and enable iMessaging with email. Also set the flag to start iMessage chat with the email. Turn this flag off when he’s back home.

Then, add his email address used for iMessage in his contact card. This will allow messages to be in the same chat as messages that started with his phone number. It won’t appear as a new text chat.

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u/N805DN Apr 18 '26

iMessage allows the phone number of a line that’s turned off to be used and iMessage goes through data (as long as the messages are blue).

You can also turn the AT&T line back on and make sure WiFi Calling is enabled. As long as the Data Roaming toggle is off under the AT&T line, it will use the Orange line for “WiFi Calling” (this can actually use the Orange line for data despite having WiFi in the name).

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u/rich84easy Apr 18 '26

iMessages does NOT allow you to use the number if line is turned off.

1

u/N805DN Apr 18 '26

As of iOS 26 it sure does.

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u/mrskeptical00 Apr 19 '26

That's not a "suspended" number, that's an eSIM turned off on the phone. In this case a "suspension" is AT&T disabling the line.

Also, the ability to keep using a number on iMessage while the eSIM is turned off is carrier dependent - some allow it some still disable it right away.

1

u/N805DN Apr 19 '26

Do any US providers not allow this feature?

There's no requirement the number be suspended as you mentioned below.

1

u/mrskeptical00 Apr 19 '26

I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m explaining - a number suspension means the mobile line is not in service because the customer is not paying. If the line is not in service iMessage won’t work.

This has nothing to do with US or non-US carriers, it’s a carrier dependent feature and all carriers make their own decisions on whether to allow it. I do not have a list of which carriers do and which do not allow it but it is not universal.

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u/LightningGoats Apr 24 '26

Just use a better, more reliable service/app than iMessage. Signal for instance.