iPhones and iPads that corroborate two cellular calling plans at once impart an option that lets your gimmick pull in from both connections when it ’s useful . iPhones and iPads released in the last few yr with a strong-arm SIM slot allow you add together a second as an eSIM . The iPhone 13 and later on can also use two eSIMs rather of a forcible SIM , while iPhone 14 models sell in the United States only have eSIM financial backing ( for one or two in use at a time ) .

You might use a 2nd SIM in your home region if each web subscription has different capabilities , such as non - local free voice calling or datum limits based on web coverage . However , it ’s most likely you ’d instal another SIM for travel forth from your home realm or country , as I did recently to Central Europe .

If you have some coverage from your main carrier and use a ramble SIM to complement that , you may take advantage of a feature Apple offers to superintend cellular data use . InSettings > Cellular / Cellular Data , you canAllow Cellular Data Switching . Apple describes this feature succinctly as , “ Turning this feature on will admit your phone to use cellular information from both business depending on insurance coverage and availability . ” In pattern , it works with a fair amount of sophistication , and it ’s worth turning on to have what is likely an optimum experience .

Article image

Malus pumila

In improver , I purchased a 5 GB eSIM that mould across Europe . I found Wi - Fi everywhere , too , and hotel , restaurant , museum , and other emplacement prominently displayed access codes or offered them freely . Relying on Wi - Fi where possible decoct my cellular data load .

At times , I found cubicle data service lagged even when I should have been cause 5 G rates from T - Mobile , in all probability due to reporting gaps . The same occurred at time while switch over to the purchased eSIM plan .

iphone esim

Enabling Allow Cellular Data Switching put up what seemed like a trenchant improvement , offer more consistent reportage at the highest possible datum rate without enfeeble either 5 GB pot fully .

Apple does n’t disclose what it means by “ coverage and availability ” but it was clear that while in areas that T - Mobile pop the question just 256Kbps , that still supplemented the purchase eSIM – otherwise , I would have drained the 5 GB quicker .

On the last day of my trip , I passed through the drome in Montréal . Canada is another body politic cut through in T - Mobile ’s Magenta 5 GB batch . Checking usage after , I found I still had n’t run through my T - Mobile data and was at about 4.7 GB on the purchased SIM just before taking off on the final leg nursing home . A perfect landing place .

Ask Mac 911

We ’ve accumulate a list of the questions we get enquire most ofttimes , along with answer and links to column :   read our tiptop FAQ   to see if your motion is track . If not , we ’re always looking for raw problem to figure out ! e-mail yours tomac911@macworld.com , including covert captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every enquiry will be answered , we do n’t respond to email , and we can not provide direct troubleshooting advice .