Good news first: WhatsApp is tied to your account, not to the SIM that carries your data. With an Alpha eSIM, WhatsApp keeps your number, your chats and your groups. You only change where the data comes from.
Set up your phone in 4 steps
1Keep your home line onLeave your usual SIM switched on so calls and texts, including bank codes, still reach you.
2Turn off data roaming on your home lineThis is the setting that causes surprise roaming bills. Turn it off for your home line only.
3Use the travel eSIM for dataIn your phone settings, pick the travel eSIM for mobile data and turn data roaming on for it.
4On iPhone, stop data switchingTurn off “Allow Mobile Data Switching” so your phone never falls back to your home line for data.
Calls and texts to your home number may still cost roaming fees from your home carrier. WhatsApp and FaceTime calls over the eSIM use only your plan data.
How much data do calls use?
ActivityAbout
Voice call, 1 hour40 MB
Video call, 1 hour400 MB
Sending 100 photos50 to 150 MB
These are typical figures and vary with connection quality. A week of daily messages and a few calls fits easily in a 3 GB plan.
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Prices checked on 10 October 2026 and can change. The plan page always shows the current price.