US E-SIM and International SIM Question

CyberNinja

Hello All,

I have a question and maybe someone in the same boat as I am and can answer it. I have two SIMs, one is a German SIM (Physical), and the other is a US AT&T E-Sim. I live in Germany and mainly use the German SIM until I go back to the States and need to use the AT&T SIM. I want to know if I can keep the US SIM active with "Roaming" and "Mobile Data" settings disabled to actually prevent international charges. I also have it set to Wi-Fi calling if I need to call any US numbers. I just noticed a "R" still by the data bars even when these two settings are disabled, and I wonder if it is actually disabling all communication. I do not have an international plan with the US number.

DaRon

Hi there,

please keep in mind: when you disable roaming, you disable 2G/3G/4G/5G data services only. So, you still can use voice services and "WiFi Calling" with your AT&T SIM but you also have to keep in mind, that you might be charged when using WiFi calling when dialling non-us numbers (https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1401809/)

The "R" indicates only, that you are roaming (either voice only or voice and data).
if you do not have a plan allowing you roaming (not even voice) you shouldn't be able to attach to any cellular network at all.

in this case: the "R" could also be your german SIM. e.g. some MVNOs require to have roaming enabled on the german SIM. Or if you use "national roaming" which allows german SIMs to attach in the competitors network.

CyberNinja

DaRon

the "R" could also be your German SIM: So, I turned off the German SIM and activated the US SIM to test this and it is in fact the US SIM that has the "R". So, this means that I can in fact get charged for having the SIM active at all?

"you might be charged when using WiFi calling when dialing non-us numbers": I will only be calling US numbers with Wifi calling so this shouldn't be an issue?

The main reason for all of this is I want to find a workaround. I found out that keeping the SIM off and turning it on will not let recent text messages come through even though on the other person's side it shows it sent.