Data-Only eSIM No Calls? How to Call Any Number Anyway
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Data & Coverage

Data-Only eSIM With No Calls? Here's the Workaround

Jul 1, 2026

With a data-only eSIM, you can use VoIP apps and Wi-Fi calling tricks to make and receive calls without a traditional phone number.

I learned that lesson the hard way on my first trip with a data-only Holafly eSIM in Barcelona. You buy a cheap eSIM, set it up in two minutes, and then the hotel asks for a callback number. You have none. So how do you actually call a restaurant, a hotel, or your Airbnb host? Relax. There is a solid workaround, and it works on every data-only eSIM.

Why data-only eSIMs skip calls

Almost all travel eSIM providers, like Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily, aloSIM, and Ubigi, sell data packages only. They do not assign a local number. That keeps prices low and setup instant. You are buying pure mobile data. In 2026, this model is the standard for short-term travelers.

The workaround: use VoIP apps over your data connection

The simplest fix is to use voice-over-IP (VoIP) apps. They turn your internet connection into a phone line. Open the app while your data-only eSIM is active, and you can dial any number. It uses your data plan, not cellular minutes.

Apps that call real phone numbers

These apps let you dial landlines and mobile numbers directly. You pay a small per-minute rate or buy credit.

  • Skype - Buy credit starting at $5, call any number from about $0.02 per minute. Get an optional Skype Number to receive calls.
  • Google Voice - Free calls to US and Canada. Free US number. Works over data on any eSIM.
  • TextNow - Free US/Canada number and calls. A small paid plan removes ads.

Apps that only work when the other person uses the same app

For friends and family, these free options run perfectly on any data eSIM.

  • WhatsApp voice and video
  • FaceTime audio
  • Signal, Telegram, Messenger

Yes, you can run WhatsApp and FaceTime purely on a data-only eSIM from Airalo or Holafly. Call quality is often better than a regular cell call.

What about receiving calls?

The VoIP trick covers outgoing calls. To receive calls on your home number, use Wi-Fi calling over the eSIM data. Keep your primary SIM active with data roaming turned off. On iPhone, set the travel eSIM as the data line and make sure Wi-Fi Calling is on. The phone routes calls from your home number over the eSIM's cellular data. Many Samsung and Pixel phones do the same under backup calling or data switching. You can receive a call to your US number while using a Nomad eSIM in Portugal. Test this before you travel because some carriers block it abroad.

How to set it up with real eSIM providers

Here is a practical step-by-step for a traveler using any data-only eSIM from our comparison.

  1. Pick your eSIM. Airalo Europe 10GB costs about $16, Nomad 10GB global $18, Holafly unlimited Europe from $19 for 5 days, Saily 1GB $3.99, Ubigi 3GB $5. All are data-only.
  2. Install before departure. Scan the QR code and activate once you land, or right before, depending on the provider.
  3. Keep your primary SIM active if needed. Disable data roaming on it and set the travel eSIM as the default data line.
  4. Download a VoIP app. Install Skype, Google Voice, or TextNow. Add $5 of credit if required.
  5. Test it. Open the app, dial a local number. Tell your family to call your VoIP number or your home number with forwarding.

Common questions

Can I use WhatsApp with a data-only eSIM?

Yes. WhatsApp only needs internet. It works on any Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad eSIM. Keep your account linked to your old number to avoid verification trouble.

Will VoIP calls eat my data plan too fast?

Not really. A voice call uses roughly 0.5 MB per minute. On a 5GB plan from aloSIM or Saily, you could talk for over 100 hours. Video calls use more, around 4-10 MB per minute. You can lower quality in settings if needed.

Bottom line

Data-only eSIMs from Airalo, Nomad, Holafly, Saily, aloSIM, Ubigi, and others are still the smartest travel purchase. The no-calls limitation is real, but the workaround is simple and costs almost nothing. Grab a VoIP app, load a few dollars of credit, or set up Wi-Fi calling over your home SIM and you can dial any number. You keep the cheap data rates and get phone calls too. Next time you book an eSIM, just remember to install the app beforehand and you will not miss a single ring.