While traveling or on a business trip abroad, you may need to receive SMS verification codes when logging in to your bank account, credit card service, social media, or other apps.
Even if you are using a travel eSIM, you may still be able to receive SMS messages on your usual phone number by keeping your regular SIM active.
This guide explains how to receive SMS messages while using a travel eSIM, as well as what to check if your verification code does not arrive.
Can I receive SMS verification codes overseas?
If your mobile carrier supports international roaming, you may be able to receive SMS messages sent to your usual phone number even while you are abroad.
You can also use your travel eSIM for mobile data while keeping your regular SIM active for receiving SMS.
However, SMS availability abroad depends on your carrier and mobile plan. We recommend checking your carrier's overseas usage conditions before departure.
How to use your regular SIM and travel eSIM together
If your smartphone supports Dual SIM, you can keep two lines active at the same time.
- Regular SIM: phone number and SMS reception
- Travel eSIM: mobile data
This setup allows you to keep using the phone number already registered with services such as banks and credit card companies while using your travel eSIM for internet access.
| Usage | Regular SIM | Travel eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| SMS reception | Use | Usually not used |
| Mobile data | OFF | Use |
| Data roaming | OFF | Follow the plan instructions |
| Calls | Use when necessary | Only if voice service is supported |
The key point is to keep your regular SIM turned on, while setting mobile data to use your travel eSIM.
iPhone settings
On an iPhone, check the following settings.
- Open “Settings” → “Cellular”
- Turn on both your regular SIM and travel eSIM
- Under “Cellular Data,” select your travel eSIM
- Turn off “Data Roaming” for your regular SIM
- Set roaming for your travel eSIM according to the plan instructions
- Turn off “Allow Cellular Data Switching”
If automatic data switching is enabled, your phone may switch back to your regular SIM when the travel eSIM signal is weak, which could result in unexpected international data charges.
Android settings
The basic setup is similar on Android devices.
- Open the SIM settings from your device settings
- Turn on both your regular SIM and travel eSIM
- Select your travel eSIM for mobile data
- Turn off data roaming for your regular SIM
- Turn on roaming for your travel eSIM if required by the plan
- Turn off automatic data switching if your device has this option
The names of these settings may vary depending on the device manufacturer and Android version.
Do I need data roaming to receive SMS?
SMS and mobile data are separate services.
Even if data roaming is turned off for your regular SIM, you may still be able to receive SMS messages as long as the SIM itself is connected to a local mobile network.
However, if you turn off the SIM completely, you will not be able to receive SMS messages on that number.
If you want to receive SMS, keep your regular SIM turned on and turn off only data roaming.
Does receiving SMS overseas cost money?
Charges depend on your mobile carrier.
Even if receiving SMS is free, you may still be charged for the following:
- Sending SMS from overseas
- Making phone calls
- Receiving phone calls
- Using mobile data on your regular SIM
In some countries and plans, receiving a phone call may also result in roaming charges. Please check your carrier's overseas rates before traveling.
Using an eSIM with a phone number
Some eSIM plans with phone numbers support SMS, while others do not.
Before purchasing, check the following:
- Whether SMS reception is supported
- Whether SMS sending is supported
- Which country's phone number is provided
- How long the phone number remains valid
- Whether international SMS can be received
For plans with a phone number, please see eSIM Plans with a Phone Number.
Does an eSIM with a phone number always work for SMS verification?
Not always.
Even if the eSIM can receive SMS messages, some banks, credit card companies, and other services may not accept temporary or prepaid phone numbers for verification.
For important services, it is generally safer to use the phone number you normally use.
How to enter a Japanese phone number while overseas
Japan's country code is “+81”.
When entering a Japanese phone number in international format, the first “0” is usually removed.
| Japanese format | International format |
|---|---|
| 090-1234-5678 | +81 90 1234 5678 |
| 080-1234-5678 | +81 80 1234 5678 |
| 070-1234-5678 | +81 70 1234 5678 |
The required format may vary depending on the service, so always follow the instructions shown on the actual input screen.
What to do if the SMS verification code does not arrive
If you do not receive the verification code, check the following items in order.
- Confirm that the destination phone number is correct
- Make sure the SIM that should receive the SMS is turned on
- Check that your phone has a mobile network signal
- Confirm the country code and phone number format
- Check spam, blocked message, or SMS filter settings
- Wait a few minutes and check again
- Turn Airplane Mode on and off
- Restart your smartphone
If the code still does not arrive, contact your mobile carrier or the service sending the verification code.
What to prepare before traveling
- Log in to important services such as banking and credit card accounts before departure
- Check that your registered phone number is still valid
- Set up an authentication app if available
- Save backup codes in a secure place
- Check whether your carrier supports SMS reception in your destination country
- Install your travel eSIM before departure
For eSIM setup instructions, please see our eSIM Setup Guide.
Can a data-only eSIM receive SMS verification codes?
A data-only eSIM usually does not have a phone number for receiving standard SMS messages, so it cannot receive SMS verification codes by itself.
However, you can keep your regular SIM active for SMS while using the travel eSIM for internet access.
Things to keep in mind when keeping your regular SIM active overseas
- Turn off data roaming for your regular SIM
- Set mobile data to use your travel eSIM
- Turn off automatic data switching
- Avoid answering unnecessary calls
- Avoid sending SMS from your regular SIM
Checking these settings can help reduce the risk of unexpected international roaming charges.
Should I register a temporary travel number with important services?
We do not recommend registering a temporary eSIM phone number with important services such as banks or credit card companies.
The number may stop working after the plan expires, and in some cases it may later be assigned to another user.
For important accounts, it is safer to register a phone number that you plan to keep for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive SMS messages sent to my Japanese phone number while overseas?
Yes, in some cases. If your carrier supports international SMS reception and your SIM is connected to a local network, you may be able to receive messages.
Can I receive SMS while using a travel eSIM?
Yes. If you keep your regular SIM turned on and use the travel eSIM for mobile data, you may still be able to receive SMS on your regular number.
Will turning off data roaming stop SMS reception?
Usually not. SMS and mobile data are separate services. You may still receive SMS as long as your SIM remains connected to a local network.
Can an eSIM with a phone number be used for SMS verification?
It may work if the plan supports SMS reception, but the service you are trying to verify may have restrictions on temporary, prepaid, or certain types of phone numbers.
Should I delete my eSIM if I cannot receive a verification code?
We do not recommend deleting it immediately.
Some eSIM QR codes cannot be reused, so deleting the eSIM may prevent you from installing the same plan again.
For more troubleshooting steps, please see What to Do If Your Japan eSIM Is Not Working.
Summary
If you want to receive SMS messages on your usual phone number while traveling overseas, a convenient setup is to keep your regular SIM active for SMS and use your travel eSIM for mobile data.
To avoid unexpected charges, turn off data roaming on your regular SIM and disable automatic mobile data switching.
If you use an eSIM with a phone number, check whether it supports SMS reception and how long the phone number remains valid before purchasing.
For important accounts such as banking or credit card services, it is also a good idea to prepare other authentication methods such as an authentication app or backup codes instead of relying only on SMS.
