Using P3XL with Tmo SIM and FI esim

[bchandler02]

I have a P3 XL. My main number is a Tmobile number on the physical SIM. I will not be getting rid of this.

I'm going to be going to areas that do not have TMO coverage, and need to maintain service. I thought about getting a net10 sim and setting it up on Verizon or ATT, but then also remembered I can activate Fi using the E-sim and it will get me US Cellular coverage, which works where I will be. However, only one line can be active at any given time.

I assume that when Fi is active, the messaging app then works on that line, until I swap back to the Tmo number. Wifi calling would be a bonus too, but not required as I could forward it to my Fi / Google Voice number.

Trying to figure out a way to have Fi active for the service, but still be able to text from my T-Mo number via data connection. Any ideas how to accomplish this?

 

[mustang7757]

Maybe @hallux can help here

 

[hallux]

I'm not sure about texting from the T-Mobile number while using the E-SIM for Fi. I suppose if you have WiFi calling/texting set up on T-Mobile it might use the Fi data connection but I would definitely try to use different apps for texting. With texting integration through Hangouts (yes, that still works) I know you can text from the Fi number from any Hangouts app signed in to the Google account linked to Fi.

 

[bchandler02]

I'm not sure about texting from the T-Mobile number while using the E-SIM for Fi. I suppose if you have WiFi calling/texting set up on T-Mobile it might use the Fi data connection but I would definitely try to use different apps for texting. With texting integration through Hangouts (yes, that still works) I know you can text from the Fi number from any Hangouts app signed in to the Google account linked to Fi.

I do have Wifi calling/texting from the Tmo side, works great. I'm just not sure if that would attempt to use the data connection or if the phone (and messaging app) automatically switch over to the active line or if there would be separate apps for each line. If the apps are separate it would probably work.

 

[patruns]

I thought dual SIM activation wasn't available until the Pixel 4.

 

[hallux]

I thought dual SIM activation wasn't available until the Pixel 4.

That's TRUE dual-SIM where both can be active at the same time. The Pixel 3, and maybe the Pixel 2, can have both the E-SIM programmed and a SIM installed and you can manually swap between them in settings.

 

[bchandler02]

That's TRUE dual-SIM where both can be active at the same time. The Pixel 3, and maybe the Pixel 2, can have both the E-SIM programmed and a SIM installed and you can manually swap between them in settings.

Maybe that's a good excuse to upgrade to the P4 then..hmm. I'd still wonder if Line 1 had no service and line 2 did, would Line 1 apps work via "wifi" (Line 2's data connection)

 

[bchandler02]

Update: I was able to figure out how to do this. The key is using T-Mobile DIGITS. Installed and activated it on the P3XL and then flipped over to the E-Sim which was active on US Cellular for the test. Wifi is off.

I then sent a text from my Google number (via Hangouts) to my T-Mo number. The text came through in the Digits app. Once I swapped back to my Tmo sim/line, it also came through there.

Success!

 

[mustang7757]

Glad you figured it out

Update: I was able to figure out how to do this. The key is using T-Mobile DIGITS. Installed and activated it on the P3XL and then flipped over to the E-Sim which was active on US Cellular for the test. Wifi is off.

I then sent a text from my Google number (via Hangouts) to my T-Mo number. The text came through in the Digits app. Once I swapped back to my Tmo sim/line, it also came through there.

Success!