Yes, you can text with an eSIM, but how you text depends on the plan on it. An eSIM with a phone number sends and receives regular SMS, like any SIM card. A data-only travel eSIM has no phone number, so it can't send or receive regular SMS. You can still text over its data with iMessage, WhatsApp, RCS chats and other messaging apps. And if you keep your home line switched on next to the travel eSIM, you can still get texts on your usual number. This guide shows you how each option works and what it can cost.
Can you text with a data-only eSIM?
A regular text message (SMS) goes from one phone number to another over a mobile network. A data-only eSIM gives you mobile internet, but no number. That's why it can't send or receive SMS on its own. Here's what works on a data-only eSIM and what doesn't:
- iMessage: yes. It runs over Wi-Fi or mobile data (Apple: iMessage overview).
- WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger: yes. They only need an internet connection.
- RCS chats: often, but it depends on your phone and carrier (more below).
- Regular SMS and MMS: not on the data-only eSIM itself. You need a line with a phone number for that, like your home SIM or an eSIM with a number.
- SMS codes from your bank or apps: not on the data-only eSIM. They go to the number you registered, usually your home number.
Not sure if your eSIM has a number? Here's how to find your eSIM phone number.
How to text with eSIM data
These options use your travel eSIM's data, not your carrier's SMS service. So they don't count against a texting plan and don't cost roaming fees per message.
iMessage on iPhone
iMessage sends texts, photos and videos to other Apple users over Wi-Fi or mobile data. These messages show up in blue bubbles. Green bubbles are SMS, MMS or RCS, which go through your carrier (Apple: iMessage, RCS and SMS/MMS).
- Go to Settings > Apps > Messages and check that iMessage is on.
- Tap Send & Receive and check that your home number is selected, so people can keep reaching you on it (Apple: Add or remove your phone number in Messages).
- Back in Settings > Apps > Messages, Send as Text Message lets your iPhone send a message as SMS when iMessage isn't available. Turn it off if you want to avoid paid texts abroad (Apple: If you can't send or receive messages).
More on costs: is iMessage free to use abroad?
WhatsApp and other messaging apps
WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and Messenger work over any internet connection, including a data-only eSIM. WhatsApp keeps using your usual number, so your chats stay the same. You only need your home SIM if WhatsApp asks you to verify your number again, because the code comes by SMS or call. Data roaming on your home line can cost money, so keep the travel eSIM as your data line (WhatsApp: About data roaming charges).
RCS chats on Android and iPhone
RCS is the newer version of texting, with typing indicators, read receipts and high-quality photos. On Android, Google Messages sends RCS chats over Wi-Fi or mobile data. You can see how a message will go on the send button. Turn it on in Messages settings > RCS chats (Google: Turn on RCS chats).
On iPhone, RCS needs iOS 18 or later and a carrier that supports RCS on iPhone. RCS is tied to your phone number and carrier, so whether it keeps working while your data comes from a travel eSIM depends on your phone and carrier. Test it before you rely on it.
How to keep texting from your own number
Most phones with eSIM can run two lines at once. That lets you use the travel eSIM for data and keep your home number for texts and calls.
1. Keep your home line on with dual SIM
- iPhone: go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and choose the travel eSIM. Only one line can use cellular data at a time. Both numbers can still send messages (Apple: Use Dual SIM with an eSIM).
- Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and set which SIM is used for calls, texts and mobile data (Google: Use dual SIMs on Pixel).
- Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager and pick your primary SIM for calls, texts and data (Samsung: Use an eSIM).
Then turn off data roaming on your home line, so it can't use data abroad. Need a refresher? See what dual SIM is.
2. Check what your carrier charges for texts abroad
Turning off data roaming doesn't stop SMS. Texts on your home line go through the local network, and your carrier can charge for them. Verizon, for example, charges per text sent and per text received on its international pay-as-you-go rates (Verizon: International pay as you go). Other plans include texting abroad. Check your own plan before you go.
3. Use Wi-Fi Calling to text over Wi-Fi
Apple says you need a cellular connection to send an SMS, but with Wi-Fi Calling on, you can send SMS over Wi-Fi (Apple: If you can't send or receive messages). On iPhone, turn it on in Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling for your home line (Apple: Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling). What it costs depends on your carrier. Verizon, for example, says calls and texts to and from US numbers over Wi-Fi Calling are free on plans with unlimited talk and text. It also says you can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling on an iPhone after you leave the US, so set it up before you fly (Verizon: Wi-Fi Calling FAQs). Some phones can also run Wi-Fi Calling over the travel eSIM's data instead of Wi-Fi, but Apple and Google don't promise this, so don't count on it. More in our guide to Wi-Fi calling.
4. Bank codes and verification texts
Security codes go to the number your bank or app has on file. Keep your home line on so you can receive them. If you turn your home SIM off for the whole trip, you won't get those texts until you turn it back on.
Need a real number for texts? Get an eSIM with a phone number
Most travel eSIMs are data-only. At SimOptions, the Bouygues Telecom plans are the ones with a phone number. They come with a French +33 number, data, and unlimited calls and SMS within Europe. That's useful when people in Europe need to text or call you on a normal number, like a hotel, a tour guide or an Airbnb host.
Keep in mind that calls and texts are included within Europe only, not to US or Canadian numbers. For texts with home, use iMessage, WhatsApp or your home line. More in our guide to Europe eSIMs with a phone number.
Going to Europe for up to a month and want to text locals on a real number? My European eSIM 30GB gives you a French number, calls and SMS within Europe, and 30 GB of data for 30 days.
Data-only eSIM: enough if you text on apps
If you mostly text on iMessage, WhatsApp or RCS chats, a data-only eSIM is all you need, and your home line stays on for SMS. Travelling in North America? These plans keep you online in the USA, Canada or Mexico.
Data-only plans for the USA, Canada and Mexico · Going somewhere else? Find your destination
Tips to avoid surprise texting charges
- Set the travel eSIM as your data line and turn off data roaming on your home line.
- Text on iMessage, WhatsApp or RCS chats when you can. They use data, not SMS.
- Turn off Send as Text Message on iPhone if you don't want messages to fall back to paid SMS.
- Check your carrier's rates for texts sent and received abroad.
- Use Wi-Fi when it's available, and turn on Wi-Fi Calling before you leave.
- Set up WhatsApp and your other apps at home, while you can still get SMS codes for free.
FAQs
Can you text with an eSIM?
Yes. An eSIM with a phone number sends and receives SMS like a regular SIM. A data-only eSIM can't send SMS, but you can text over its data with iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram or RCS chats.
Can a data-only eSIM receive SMS?
No. A data-only eSIM has no phone number, so nobody can send it a regular text. Keep your home line on to receive SMS on your usual number.
How do I send a text message from an eSIM on iPhone?
Open Messages and write as usual. To other Apple users, iMessage sends it over the eSIM's data. To send an SMS, you need a line with a phone number, like your home line or an eSIM with a number. With Dual SIM, you can choose which number you send from.
Is there an SMS-only eSIM?
SimOptions doesn't sell SMS-only eSIMs. If you need SMS on a travel eSIM, the Bouygues Telecom plans include a French number with unlimited SMS and calls within Europe, plus data.
Does an eSIM change my phone number?
No. A travel eSIM is a second line. Your home number stays on your home SIM or eSIM. If the travel eSIM has its own number, you have two numbers on the same phone.
Will I still get bank verification codes abroad?
Yes, if your home line stays on. The codes go to your home number, not to the travel eSIM. Your carrier may charge for texts received abroad, so check your plan.
Can I use WhatsApp with a data-only eSIM?
Yes. WhatsApp keeps working with your usual number over any internet connection, including a data-only eSIM.
Can I text and call with an eSIM?
With a data-only eSIM, you can text and call over apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime. For regular calls and texts, you need a plan with a phone number. Learn more: how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM.