SIM card for iPhone 12

Endless discussion on this topic in the forums - easy to search.

I'll just add that your phone MUST be unlocked to use any service other than expensive US-based Verizon roaming. Paying the phone off to unlock it is probably smarter money than buying a burner.

Thanks for this info. I just checked in my settings and found out my phone has no restrictions on SIM card use. Where should I purchase a SIM in Lisbon or Porto? Airport or a type of store. Do not want any security issues. Is there a particular brand I should buy? Will I get a different phone number temporarily? Will I have issues with it working?

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=sim&utf8=%E2%9C%93

We went to a sim provider’s store and they set it up. It happened to be a TIM in Puglia. We also did this in London on another trip but don’t recall which company. We had left another SIM providers’ store when no one waited on us.

First step get your phone unlocked!

I have always had Android based phones so I do not know the iPhone well but I am surprised that it will tell you if your phone is locked or unlocked. An Android phone does not, in my experience. I would make sure before heading on your trip.

Also, you can get a U.S. based account that is less expensive than Verizon, but will work well overseas. Add Google Fi to a search of the forum, for example. You do not have to permanently change carriers and can let the Fi account end or go into a sleep-like mode when your trip is over.

Is my iPhone unlocked? First call your wireless carrier. Or contact Apple by phone or email. OR try using someone else's sim card from a different carrier.
I found out mine was locked directly from Apple because it was on a business account and was not authorized to speak with the carrier.

For Verizon purchases a phone is generally automatically unlocked after 60 days under certain conditions. See the website link for eligibility.

https://www.verizon.com/about/privacy/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy

Vodafone has a Travelers Plan which is 20 Euros for 30 days. I plan to pick one up when I go there in June. They are the big carrier in Portugal
You can get a SIM at the airport or downtown at Praca Dom Pedro.

You can check if Verizon (my provider) has unlocked your phone after 60 days by going to SETTINGS/General/About and scrolling down to "Carrier Lock". It should read "No SIM restrictions"

Dennis

Not sure if it works on a locked phone or not but I arrived in Lisbon yesterday, found a Vodafone kiosk at the airport near the exit to the metro station. 2 min and €20 euro later I was all set. 10 GB, 500 min and some other services for 30 days, available to add on if that’s not enough. Didn’t do my research before landing but this was easier than I expected. Great coverage and fast internet.

I'm in Porto and I visited a Vodafone store in Matasinhos and they sold me this 30-day, unlimited data only SIM for about 30 euros:
https://www.vodafone.pt/loja/cartoes-sim/vodafone/go-total-cartao-sim---30-dias.html?segment=consumer&paymentType=pvp

I have two phones Samsung Android phones, one unlocked and one Verizon locked. The data only SIM works fine in the unlocked and in the Verizon only phone so this card doesn't seem to care about the phone being locked.

Also as opposed to MEO (see below), at the end of 30 days it automatically stops working. I believe it can be added to and reactivated later if I return.

Do you really need text and talk? So far I can do everything I need to with a data only SIM: I never make calls and my SMS tests come in from Verizon Message+ which seems to work over wifi data. I can do wifi calls thru facebook or whatever app is your fav.

I went to MEO yesterday and tried to buy one there. They had traveler's SIMs there that had voice, test and data plans (not unlimited data) that would have been fine but a) its monthly plan that will keep renewing (not shut off automatically) at about 25 euros a month and b) they said I'd have to show up in person and cancel it, or change it to a 1 euro a month suspended SIM. All in person. I'm glad I went to Vodafone today.

Hope that's helpful.

Jeff