Keep Your Home-Country Number for SMS Only While Abroad: Tips for Using It Alongside an eSIM

Last updated: September 23, 2026

When you travel, you probably want to use a travel eSIM such as Bloomy for data. But your bank and card verification codes still arrive by SMS to your home-country number. That leaves many travelers stuck: "If I turn off my main line, I can't get texts. If I leave it on, I might get charged." This guide explains a middle-ground setup. Keep your main line switched on, turn off data roaming for that line only, and let your eSIM handle all mobile data. Your main line then won't run up data roaming charges, and it can still receive SMS. Whether texts actually arrive, and what they cost, depends on your home carrier's terms.

What It Means to Keep Your Main Line "For SMS Only"

In short, your main line has one job: receiving SMS sent to your phone number. Your eSIM handles all data. Dual-SIM phones can stay connected to two lines at once, so you can split the roles like this:

• eSIM (such as Bloomy): data for browsing, maps, social media, WhatsApp and other apps
• Main line (your home carrier): stays on standby to receive SMS sent to your number

If you turn the main line off completely, it can't use data or receive SMS at all. If you won't need verification codes on your trip, turning it off is the simplest option. If you think you'll need to verify logins while you're away, this "receive-only" setup is a better fit.

To learn why eSIM data can end up switching to your main line, and how to review your whole dual-SIM setup, see "Charged on Your Main Line Despite Having an eSIM? How to Review Your Dual-SIM Settings". This article covers only the case where you still want to receive SMS.

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The Recommended Settings at a Glance

How you set each option decides what works and what might cost you. Here's the full picture:

Setting	Recommended	Why
Main line (Turn On This Line)	On	You can't receive SMS if it's off
Main line data roaming	Off	Stops your main line from using data
Line used for mobile data	eSIM	All data goes through your eSIM
Automatic mobile data switching	Off	Stops the phone from falling back to your main line when the eSIM signal is weak
eSIM data roaming	On (follow your plan's instructions)	Many travel eSIMs connect by roaming
Default voice line	Main line (but avoid making calls)	The eSIM is data-only and has no phone number

The setting people miss most often is automatic switching. This feature moves your data to the main line when the eSIM signal gets weak. If it's left on, some setting combinations can still send data over your main line, even with data roaming turned off.

How to Set It Up on iPhone

On iPhone, everything is under Settings > Cellular (called Mobile Data or Mobile Service in some regions). Menu names can vary a little by iOS version and by the labels you've given your lines.

Main line settings

1. Go to Settings > Cellular and tap your main line (for example, "Primary" or "Personal")
2. Check that "Turn On This Line" is on
3. Turn off "Data Roaming"

Data line and automatic switching

1. On the Cellular screen, tap "Cellular Data" and choose your eSIM
2. On the same screen, turn off "Allow Cellular Data Switching"
3. Open your eSIM line and turn on "Data Roaming" if your plan's instructions say to

You may be asked which number to use for iMessage and FaceTime. Both run over data, and that data goes through your eSIM, so choosing your main-line number won't cause data charges on it. However, messages may go out as regular SMS, for example when the other person isn't on an iPhone, and sending SMS from abroad may be charged.

How to Set It Up on Android

Menu names vary by manufacturer and model, but the idea is the same as on iPhone. On most phones, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.

1. Open your main-line SIM and keep "Use SIM" turned on
2. Turn off "Roaming" for your main line
3. Turn on "Mobile data" for the eSIM and turn it off for the main line
4. If you see an option such as "Auto data switch" or "Switch mobile data automatically", turn it off
5. Turn on "Roaming" for the eSIM if your plan's instructions say to

If you can't find a menu, type "roaming" or "SIM" into the search bar at the top of the Settings app.

Things to Know When Keeping SMS On

This setup prevents data charges on your main line. Charges for calls and SMS on your phone number are a separate matter.

• International roaming on your plan: Some plans don't include international roaming or need it turned on before you leave. In that case, SMS won't reach you abroad even with your main line on.
• Be careful about answering or returning calls: Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. For calls you do need to make, use an app like WhatsApp.
• Verification methods other than SMS: Many banks and services let you use an authenticator app or approve logins on a registered device instead of SMS. Check whether you can switch before you leave, so you won't be stuck if a text doesn't arrive.

Bloomy eSIMs are data-only. App calls that run over data, such as WhatsApp, Messenger and FaceTime, work normally on the eSIM. What you can't do is make or receive regular phone calls or SMS, because the eSIM has no phone number. If you need to receive texts sent to your number, keep your main line on as described here or plan another option. For more on phone numbers and SMS, see our phone number & SMS articles.

Who This Setup Is (and Isn't) For

The receive-only setup is handy, but not everyone needs it.

A good fit if you:

• Expect to need SMS verification for banks, cards or other services while you're away
• Want to receive important texts sent to your home-country number, such as booking confirmations
• Have international roaming enabled with your carrier

Not needed if you (turning the main line off is enough):

• Are on a short trip and don't plan to use SMS verification
• Want to avoid calls to your home-country number as much as possible
• Don't have international roaming, or haven't turned it on

Not sure? Ask yourself whether you'll need a text sent to your home-country number during the trip. If nothing comes to mind, turning the main line off is the simpler setup.

What to Check Before You Leave and After You Land

Things go most smoothly if you set everything up before you leave, then check it works when you arrive.

Before you leave

1. Tap the setup link you received once and follow the on-screen steps to add the eSIM (see the setup guide)
2. Turn off data roaming and automatic switching on your main line
3. Check your carrier's international roaming status and its fees for receiving SMS and calls
4. Switch to non-SMS verification where your services offer it

After you land

1. Before turning off airplane mode, check that mobile data is set to your eSIM
2. Turn off airplane mode, then turn on your eSIM line and its data roaming
3. Check that web pages load and that your main line shows signal

Even when your main line is connected, it can take a while to show signal, and SMS may arrive late. Connection quality depends on the local network, your device, your location and how busy the network is. If your eSIM won't connect to data, see troubleshooting connection issues.

Get Your Data Ready with Bloomy

If your eSIM handles all your data, your main line only has to receive texts, so you won't spend the trip worrying about your next phone bill. To find an eSIM for your destination, use the Bloomy eSIM comparison page and filter plans by country, data amount and number of days. Bloomy eSIMs are data-only (no phone number, SMS or calls), and all plans are subject to a fair use policy. Plan details and prices can change, so check the latest information when you buy. For other questions, see our FAQ.

Summary

• To keep receiving SMS, leave your main line on and turn its data roaming off
• Set mobile data to your eSIM and turn off automatic switching
• Ask your carrier about call, forwarding and SMS fees, and whether international roaming is available
• If you don't need SMS, turning the main line off is the simplest option

Use the eSIM for data and the main line for SMS. That way you can still get verification codes and avoid surprise data charges. Take a few minutes to check your settings before you leave, and enjoy your trip.

*This article reflects information as of September 2026. Device menu names and carrier fees and terms may change. For the latest details, check the official information from your device manufacturer and your mobile carrier.