We have received contradictory advice from the Apple Store and ATT&T re the use of our iPhone while abroad. We are planning first to be in one country for a couple of weeks and use a sim card for that country; and then we are in the second country for a few days so we planned to put our ATT&T card back in and use the ATT&T International Day Plan.
The Apple Store says that once we put the foreign sim card in, it changes the settings and we can only put the ATT&T card back in when we return to the U.S. They said they have seen problems in doing that where the phone needs to be erased. ATT&T says it will not be a problem at all to change from a foreign sim to ATT&T while abroad. We are wondering if anyone has experience/advice with this situation. Thank you!
Carolyn
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
Why change back to AT&T in the second country? If both countries are in the EU, the first SIM card will work in both countries with no additional charges.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, US
18 posts
The first country is not in the EU
Posted by
755 posts
Which two countries are you visiting, it may be helpful to share our experience if we knew.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8047 posts
Given that your phone is under contract with ATT and they are providing service, then I would follow their advice. You should spend some time with them as there are settings that may need changing, either as you put in the foreign SIM, or change back to your ATT sim.
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
I have an AT&T android phone. I have used foreign SIMS in it and never have had to change any settings.
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
892 posts
Your question needs to be to AT&T directly, not the Apple store.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
The Apple Store says that once we put the foreign sim card in, it changes the settings and we can only put the ATT&T card back in when we return to the U.S. They said they have seen problems in doing that where the phone needs to be erased...
Nonsense. Unless there was some misunderstanding (could be on your part or by the staff person), I would be highly skeptical of anything that person told me.
Ask AT&T again and get clarity.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Carolyn,
Why bother changing SIM cards back and forth. It seems like a bit of a nuisance. Why not just use either AT&T international roaming for the entire trip, or a local SIM for the entire trip?
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
AT&T international is a rip off. Way too expensive.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, US
18 posts
Thank you to all! If there is anyone out there who has done this on an iPhone: used a foreign sim in one country, and then switched back to their U.S. ATT&T sim in another country, I would love to hear about their experience.