While you are away
Keep your Australian number overseas, and still get your bank codes
Your home SIM stays in for calls and texts; the eSIM does the data. How to set the two lines up so your bank’s SMS codes still arrive and your carrier does not start charging you roaming.
Updated 2026-11-14
Two lines, one phone
An eSIM does not replace your Australian SIM. Your phone keeps both: your home number for calls and texts, the SimPig line for data. WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime keep using your usual number, carried over the SimPig data.
The trick is making sure the data goes over SimPig and nothing goes over your home line by accident. Some Australian plans add a daily roaming charge the moment the home line uses data, makes a call or sends a text abroad. We would like you to spend that money with us instead.
Set it up before you fly
iPhone wording below; Android says much the same under Settings → Network & internet → SIMs.
- Settings → Mobile Service → Mobile Data: choose the SimPig line.
- On the same screen, turn off “Allow Mobile Data Switching”. Left on, the phone can quietly fall back to your home line’s data when the SimPig signal dips, and that is roaming.
- Settings → Mobile Service → your home line → turn Data Roaming off. Leave the line itself on, so texts still arrive.
- Settings → Mobile Service → Default Voice Line: your home line, if you want people to see your usual number when you do call.
Bank codes and other texts
With the home line switched on, SMS codes from your bank and other services arrive as usual, as long as your plan lets the line roam for calls and texts. Receiving a text abroad is free on most Australian plans; sending one, or answering a call, usually is not. Check your carrier’s roaming page so there are no surprises.
Better still, before you leave, switch your bank to approving payments in its app instead of by SMS. The app works over the SimPig data, anywhere.
Some carriers support Wi-Fi Calling overseas, which carries your home number’s calls and texts over data. If yours does, it can work over the SimPig line too; check with them before you rely on it.
Questions
Will my Australian carrier charge me?
Only if your home line roams: using its data, making calls or sending texts abroad. Turn off Data Roaming and Mobile Data Switching for the home line, and use the SimPig line for data.
Will I still get SMS codes from my bank?
Yes, if your home line stays switched on and is allowed to roam for texts. Switching your bank to in-app approval avoids the question entirely.
Can people still call my normal number?
Yes, but answering a call abroad is usually charged by your carrier. Messages and calls on WhatsApp or FaceTime go over the SimPig data instead.
Should I take my Australian SIM out?
No. Leave it in and switched on for texts; just keep its data roaming off.