How to configure phone line for no international roaming of any sort

[vzwarlington]

I have a dual-SIM iPhone.  I will have another company's physical SIM plus a VZW eSIM.

While traveling outside USA, I need to use an EU SIM from country #1 while visiting country #2.  That means I have to have 'data roaming' enabled in the phone.

Then I also need to have my VZW phone line active as a secondary line (phone will be using the EU SIM's data service).  I do not want my VZW line to do any cellular roaming at all, I want it to behave like it has no cellular service...that means I can use it with Wi-Fi calling, but when only on the EU SIM's data, no VZW service.  This will meet my communications needs and avoid all roaming charges.

How can I configure my phone line to have international roaming disabled?  (Not acceptable to turn off data roaming on the phone, it has to be in the line's configuration.)

On Verizon's web page, after I log into my account, on my plan page I see my line has travelpass and international PAYG.  Other lines on my plan show "no plan" for international service.

A help page I'm seeing at VZW says that if you have no plan, you default to PAYG...but how does that relate to the lines that have no plan showing? (at verizonwireless.com, /solutions-and-services/international-travel/).  Is there a way to have no international roaming service?

[vzwarlington]

Oh, and forgot to say, the primary reason for leaving the VZW phone line enabled but with no cellular service is to retain the VZW phone number attached to the iMessage service.

[pdavis67]

I have the same question. Did you get this figured out? If so, I would like to know what you did. Thanks!

[vzwarlington]

I had to call the customer service line, and ask them to set the phone for no international roaming at all.  Then, while traveling, I set the phone to no data roaming.

At times, the phone showed "VZW via mobile data" through the other line (that's what I wanted) but other times showed one of the local carrier's names.

So I'm not sure the line was really properly configured.  But since I didn't send any SMS messages or make or receive any calls except when on hotel wifi, I did not incur any roaming charges from Verizon.

Sorry I can't be more descriptive of exactly how to set this up "correctly".

[vzw_customer_support]

vzwarlington, we would be happy to help you with disabling any Roaming features within your device settings. What is the make/model of your device?    EricaG_VZW

[vzwarlington]

Apple iPhone Xs

If I have international roaming disabled on my line, what is supposed to show up in the mobile service provider status area?  Should it show "No service", or should it show one of your roaming partners (even though I have no roaming)?

If it shows a service partner, what happens if I try to send SMS or make a call, or someone sends one to me/calls my line?  With roaming disabled, I'd expect outbound SMS/calls to fail, and inbound SMS to remain pending in the system (like when I'm in airplane mode), and inbound calls to go to voicemail.

What I want is for my line to be configured in a way to always show "No service" when outside of USA service areas.  That will enable the phone to use mobile data from the other SIM in the same way that I can use WiFi for VZW Wi-Fi callling/SMS.

How can I do this configuration through self-service on the VZW web site for my account/line?

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for reaching out to us with this question, vzwarlington. The best method to achieve this would be activating Airplane Mode and turning your Cellular Data off when traveling. CecileC_VZW

[vzwarlington]

I'm sorry CecileC_VZW, but you haven't met my requirements as stated above.

• Non-verizon cellular line must be fully functional (example: European pay-as-you-go SIM)
• Verizon cellular line must not roam to any international provider, and instead should behave as if it has no cellular service, thus using either VZW Wi-Fi calling over a true wi-fi connection, or  over cellular data on the other SIM's data service.  I had this happen once while traveling last month, see attached photo
• Notice "VZW using Cellular Data"
• Verizon cellular line needs to remain enabled so that iMessage account is still linked to VZW phone number

[chrisjs]

Any luck figuring out how to make this work? I'm trying to do something similar and I've noticed even with data set to use the other line, TravelPass still manages to activate.

I left feature request feedback for Apple requesting that roaming can be turned on and off for each line independently. Maybe if we get enough others requesting this we can get their attention.

[vzw_customer_support]

It is important to have International usage working the way that you want it to chrisjs. What is the make and model of your device?

RosanneM_VZW

[eli104]

So if I have a Data only SIM card for international data, and I turn off data roaming for VZW... can I leave Verizon as my Default Voice line in order to keep the number active for iMessage and text messages? I want to be able to send receive SMS using my Verizon number, but NOT get charged the $10 per day (outrageous) just to get one message from someone not using iMessage (I.e. Android users). 

[chrisjs]

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@eli104 wrote:

So if I have a Data only SIM card for international data, and I turn off data roaming for VZW... can I leave Verizon as my Default Voice line in order to keep the number active for iMessage and text messages? I want to be able to send receive SMS using my Verizon number, but NOT get charged the $10 per day (outrageous) just to get one message from someone not using iMessage (I.e. Android users). 

---

The problem is that the iPhone only has a global roaming on/off and most of these travel data only SIMs require roaming turned on. You can't turn roaming off for the Verizon SIM but on for the other SIM. 

[eli104]

I use GigSky for international data only. They recommend roaming OFF. So... if I leave data on GigSky, and leave VZW as my default voice line (only), will I be able to send/receive SMS to my VZW phone number through the GigSky data plan? Or will that trigger the VZW $10 charge? 

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for the information. That is a great questio. The TravelPass sessions are triggered by making and receiving calls, sending texts or using data. If you use your Verizon number for messsages, the daily fee will apply. Does this information help?

RogerZ_VZW

[greatt123]

I found this thread because I have the exact same use case - traveling abroad, dual eSIMs, wanting to avoid travel pass and keep iMessage working.

I have the latest iPhone, and both SIMs appear to have separate 'Data Roaming' toggles. Does anyone know - would DISABLING data roaming on my Verizon SIM (but keeping it 'Turned On') be enough to avoid Travel Pass charges?

[Breeeeee]

I finally got an answer. Call Verizon and have them "suspend" your services while you are out of the country. This is essential for iPhones.  Then you can get a physical SIM card in the country you travel. This is the only way to ensure you won't be charged by Verizon. You will have to chat with Verizon upon return and ask them to  turn your line on again. BUT...it can only be suspended once during a 12 month period. Soooo  sneaky!!!  We still were charged our normal monthly fee which was fine because we did not suspend the second line.  We just kept that phone off while travielng so we could use it as a back up if all else failed

[vzw_customer_support]

Since cost is something I consider as well, I can see why you are looking for answers on how to not incur any extra charges while you are away. I need a few more clues to the missing puzzle. Where are you headed? What (if any) international plan are you looking to implement? Do you currently have Travel Pass already added onto your line from past trips? Are you looking to make calls? I ask because an international text charge may be incurred for every outgoing text dependent on the country. AkaneM_VZW

[kh-gary]

In order to keep discussion on the community current, this topic has been locked to prevent new replies. If you have a similar question or issue that you wish to discuss, then please feel free to post a new message on the most relevant board. Thanks!