Using a dual SIM phone abroad

instantsunshine

Hi All,

I've a mobile that is dual SIM but not dual e-SIM.

Is it possible to buy a pre paid SIM when arriving abroad and just insert that in the second SIM slot then disabling the first slot ?

TIA

oldernonethewiser

Yes, before eSIMs a number of phones had dual SIM slots and you could choose which one to use.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680557/using-a-dual-sim-phone-abroad

Yep, that's fine. Often the case that local shops will be cheaper than the airport kiosks, if you can wait.

Woodstok2000

Any phone that supports esims should allow you to store more than one although you may only be able to have one active at a time. Does your phone not support esims at all?

NanookOfTheNorth

Which country are you going to? You might find it easier and less hassle to get a SIM in the UK before you go, then make sure your current SIM is disabled for roaming, but your new SIM is enabled for roaming. I've used Lebara in the EU before with no issues.

Lebara for example includes the following countries with maximum of 30GB per month even if you buy a tariff with a higher allowance.

EU/EEA countries (plus India and Ukraine) are included in our Roam Like Home scheme for all of our SIM Only plans: United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Reunion, Mayotte, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique. Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Finland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria

Current MSE Lebara offers in links below, with 10GB/month at £1.63 a month, or 35GB/month (capped at 30GB roaming) for £2.55 a month. These are PAYG so just cancel when you return home if not needed.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/lebara/

And details on roaming for Lebara here …

https://www.lebara.co.uk/en/roaming/roaming-rate-finder.html

savergrant

When buying a sim deal for roaming you need to ensure your usage inside the UK is at least as much as your roaming usage, or the network will apply a surcharge. So it is best to use your allowance for a month or two before travelling.

J_B

I have a oneplus Nord CE5 with dual sim facility

Slot 1 has a lebara sim

Slot 2 has a Cyprus PAYG sim which I bought out there many years ago

It all works seamlessly. I don't turn anything off as Lebara allows roaming in Cyprus and it lets my Cypriot friends call me on a local call

savergrant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82111970#Comment_82111970

Presumably it's the Cyprus sim that gives you the local calls from friends in Cyprus? Even when you're in UK? The phrase 'out there' suggests you are principally based in UK and roaming. visiting Cyprus but not living there.

instantsunshine

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies.

My phone doesn't support esims.

Its Canada I'm going to.

Thanks

J_B

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112913#Comment_82112913

It gives them local calls to call me … even when I'm in the UK.

Yes, I'm UK resident but visit Cyprus regularly.