Cheeky Travel Hack: Use Wi-Fi Calling Abroad Without Local Wi-Fi (Yes, It Actually Works!)
Ever found yourself abroad, SIM-swapped, and unable to receive calls or texts on your home number? You’re not alone. For many of us, especially digital nomads and frequent flyers, staying connected to our home mobile number while overseas is a headache - particularly when you only need it for non-data-based phone calls or those pesky 2FA texts.
Well, good news: there's a clever workaround. All you need is a little eSIM trickery, a second phone (or a travel buddy), and a mobile provider that supports Wi-Fi Calling. No need to hunt for hotel Wi-Fi or public hotspots - you’re bringing your own.
Let’s break it down. 👇
🔧 What You’ll Need:
-
1 or 2 phones that support eSIM and Wi-Fi Calling (many newer iPhones, Pixels, Samsungs do - even some older models too - you will need to check your phone's manual).
-
A mobile provider back home that supports Wi-Fi Calling and allows it to work over any Wi-Fi network — not just domestically. (Think: Telstra, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.)
-
2x travel data eSIMs (get them from airsims.com.au or similar) — one per phone.
-
A travel buddy OR a secondary eSIM compatible phone that can act as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
🧠 The Cheeky Trick:
You’re going to piggyback one phone’s mobile data connection as Wi-Fi for the second phone - enabling it to make and receive Wi-Fi Calls on your home number without needing access to traditional Wi-Fi. Wild, right?
This lets you:
-
Receive calls and SMS on your home number overseas.
-
Bypass roaming charges entirely.
-
Keep your digital life (banking apps, secure logins, etc.) running smoothly.
✈️ Step-by-Step How-To:
1. Before You Travel:
-
Sign up (or verify you're already on) a mobile plan that supports Wi-Fi Calling.
-
Enable Wi-Fi Calling in your phone settings.
-
Test it by putting your phone in airplane mode and calling someone over your home Wi-Fi. If it works, you’re good to go!
2. Install Your Travel eSIMs:
-
Load up data eSIMs from airsims.com.au on both devices. These are perfect for short trips and offer solid global coverage at decent rates.
3. When You Arrive at Your Destination:
-
Set up a Wi-Fi hotspot from Phone A (with data eSIM 1).
-
Connect Phone B (your main/home-number phone) to Phone A’s hotspot.
-
Voila - Wi-Fi Calling activates on Phone B using Phone A’s hotspot.
-
You’re now calling and texting on your home number, using another phone’s mobile data. No roaming. No international SIM juggling. Just clean, direct access.
🤝 Bonus: Doing This With a Travel Buddy
If you’re traveling with someone, you can take turns being each other’s Wi-Fi source. For example:
-
Your friend connects to your hotspot to use Wi-Fi Calling.
-
Then, you swap and use theirs when needed.
-
Just make sure both of you have good travel data plans and that battery life is on point.
📱 Real-World Use Case:
You’re in Paris. Your bank sends a 2FA SMS to your home number. You’re on a travel eSIM and not getting the text. Instead of panicking, you:
Switch on your spare phone’s hotspot.
Connect your main phone to it.
Wi-Fi Calling kicks in. SMS arrives. Crisis averted.
🛑 Gotchas to Watch For:
-
Some carriers disable Wi-Fi Calling abroad - test this before leaving your home country.
-
Battery drain can be high if you're tethering often - carry a power bank.
-
Your data eSIM needs decent speed and latency for Wi-Fi Calling to work well.
-
Make sure airplane mode is off but mobile data is disabled on the phone using Wi-Fi Calling - to avoid surprise roaming charges.
🧳 Final Thoughts
This trick might feel like a loophole - and honestly, it kind of is - but it’s 100% legit and works beautifully when done right. It's especially handy for solo travellers who want to stay reachable on their main number, or for two travel-savvy friends with compatible phones.
Staying connected has never been so slick.
Got your eSIM? Got your second phone? Go ahead, try it - and thank us when your Uber code or bank SMS comes through without a hitch.
