E sims Google Pixel talk to me
Discussion
I'm interested in getting an esim/ second number without having to have 2 handsets. I have long needed to get a second phone for work use and keep it switched off at weekends but the time has now come!
I assume you can just switch off the second sim as if you had turned off the phone? Can you also have two instances of WhatsApp on one handset?
I assume you can just switch off the second sim as if you had turned off the phone? Can you also have two instances of WhatsApp on one handset?
Yes, easy to switch a SIM off if you want too. Also easy to set defaults for which SIM to use, or choose which to use on the fly etc.
And yes, each SIM can be on a different network.
As for WhatsApp I use WhatsApp for one SIM, and WhatsApp Business for the other SIM. Keeps things simple and organised with no complications.
And yes, each SIM can be on a different network.
As for WhatsApp I use WhatsApp for one SIM, and WhatsApp Business for the other SIM. Keeps things simple and organised with no complications.
Edited by Corso Marche on Sunday 13th August 23:41
I was very nervous going to eSIM in case I was without my working phone number which is vital for almost everything these days to verify logging in to websites and Internet banking.
When I got my Pixel 7 Pro I left the SIM card in my old Pixel 4 XL and I got a PDF with a QR code for my eSIM. When I scanned the eSIM on the Pixel 7 Pro it was active within seconds.
I saved the PDF with the QR code and when I had a warranty replace on my Pixel 7 Pro I tested scanning the QR code on the replacement and it didn't work and so I then deleted the eSIM off the phone and re-scanned the QR code on the replacement phone and it worked straight away.
When I got my Pixel 7 Pro I left the SIM card in my old Pixel 4 XL and I got a PDF with a QR code for my eSIM. When I scanned the eSIM on the Pixel 7 Pro it was active within seconds.
I saved the PDF with the QR code and when I had a warranty replace on my Pixel 7 Pro I tested scanning the QR code on the replacement and it didn't work and so I then deleted the eSIM off the phone and re-scanned the QR code on the replacement phone and it worked straight away.
fridaypassion said:
I'm interested in getting an esim/ second number without having to have 2 handsets. I have long needed to get a second phone for work use and keep it switched off at weekends but the time has now come!
I assume you can just switch off the second sim as if you had turned off the phone? Can you also have two instances of WhatsApp on one handset?
I did exactly this on a Samsung Fold (no difference to doing in on a Google Pixel). My main physical sim has always been with Voda. Got a cheap and cheerful Lyca e-sim on a £5 per month tariff to give enough data etc (You may need more if you need it to actually make lots of calls, my business ones are mainly incoming for people to get hold of me on the go etc). They do various tariffs all the way to Unlimited everything (talk, sms , data etc). I assume you can just switch off the second sim as if you had turned off the phone? Can you also have two instances of WhatsApp on one handset?
You can go for whichever carrier you like, I just went with Lyca as they were cheap (Tip: I have unlimited data on my Voda physical original sim, so I just set the Lyca sim to used the Sim 1 (Voda) data connection. That way you don't actually need much or even any data allowance on your new e-sim
You can switch either off and you can even have multiple e-sims on your one handset (eg excellent for buying a local sim / local data sim) when you travel.
Once you sign up for an e-Sim, most providers just email you a QR code and a passcode. Scan the QR code on your email and pop in the passcode if required. It is as easy as that, I was set up in less than 10 mins.
PS re What's App: Best thing to do is keep what's app on your phone as your main one for your personal messages. When you get your new e-sim and therefore new number, download What's app for Business on the App Store. That way you can have two independent what's app accounts and the What's App for business can even be tailored to send auto messages as replies if customers what's app you. You can mute accordingly on the weekends etc to maintain that work / life balance.
Hope that helps!
There is little difference between an eSIM and a physical SIM. Your phone will have embedded within it what amounts to the same thing as a physical SIM (or several of them in the case of decent modern phones, be they Androids or iPhones). When you activate an eSIM, you are simply programming one of them so it functions like an additional physical SIM.
For me, they have worked seamlessly - I use Airolo eSIMs for data when travelling. Typically it costs about £4 for 1GB of data, valid for a week which is at least two orders of magnitude cheaper than roaming charges. For a friend of mine who splits his time between Ireland and the UK, he has a local eSIM for each country and just dishes the numbers out so everyone who calls him does so via a number in their own country. You can specify in the contacts if a specific SIM should be used when placing calls or texts for that individual person. Both SIMs are live at the same time, of course.
They really are a marvellous invention. Takes me back to the good old days of 'Line 2' on Orange back in the late 90s and early 2000s.
For me, they have worked seamlessly - I use Airolo eSIMs for data when travelling. Typically it costs about £4 for 1GB of data, valid for a week which is at least two orders of magnitude cheaper than roaming charges. For a friend of mine who splits his time between Ireland and the UK, he has a local eSIM for each country and just dishes the numbers out so everyone who calls him does so via a number in their own country. You can specify in the contacts if a specific SIM should be used when placing calls or texts for that individual person. Both SIMs are live at the same time, of course.
They really are a marvellous invention. Takes me back to the good old days of 'Line 2' on Orange back in the late 90s and early 2000s.
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