Travel Hacks: Using Dual SIM with Ajo eSIM for Data and Local Calls

Joy Atuzie

Traveling internationally opens up a world of adventure, culture, and unforgettable experiences. However, staying connected while abroad can often be a hassle, with expensive roaming charges, unreliable Wi-Fi, and the inconvenience of swapping physical SIM cards. Fortunately, modern smartphones with dual SIM capabilities, paired with innovative eSIM solutions like Ajo eSIM, make it easier than ever to stay connected without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll explore travel hacks for using dual SIM functionality with Ajo eSIM to manage data and local calls efficiently, ensuring seamless communication during your travels.

What is Dual SIM and Why Does It Matter for Travelers?

Dual SIM technology allows a smartphone to support two cellular plans simultaneously, typically through a combination of a physical SIM card and an embedded SIM (eSIM) or two physical SIMs. For travelers, this feature is a game-changer. It enables you to maintain your primary phone number for essential communications while using a secondary plan for local data and calls at affordable rates.

With an eSIM-compatible device, such as iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 4 and above, or select Samsung Galaxy models, you can leverage Ajo eSIM to access cost-effective local or regional plans without removing your home SIM. This setup is ideal for:

Avoiding roaming fees: Use a local plan for data and calls instead of costly international roaming.
Staying accessible: Keep your home number active for texts, calls, or two-factor authentication (2FA).
Seamless communication: Use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime over data while making local calls at reduced rates.

Ajo eSIM, offered by tryajo.com, simplifies this process by providing flexible, prepaid eSIM plans tailored for travelers, covering over 200 countries with options for data, voice, and text.

Why Choose Ajo eSIM for International Travel?

Ajo eSIM stands out as a reliable and user-friendly solution for travelers. Here’s why it’s a top choice:

Global Coverage: Ajo offers plans for individual countries, regions, or global coverage, ensuring connectivity wherever you go.
Affordable Plans: With options starting as low as $4.50 for 1GB of data, Ajo provides competitive pricing compared to traditional roaming.
Easy Activation: Download and activate your eSIM via a QR code or app, often before you even board your flight.
Flexible Options: Choose data-only plans for navigation and messaging apps or plans with voice and text for local calls.
Top-Up Convenience: Running low on data? Ajo’s app allows you to top up your plan instantly.

By combining Ajo eSIM with your dual SIM phone, you can optimize your connectivity and save money while traveling. Let’s dive into the top travel hacks to make the most of this setup.

Travel Hack #1: Keep Your Home SIM Active for Essential Communications

One of the biggest advantages of dual SIM phones is the ability to keep your primary SIM active while using an Ajo eSIM for local connectivity. This ensures you remain reachable on your home number for:

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Many banking and online services send verification codes via SMS to your primary number. Keeping your home SIM active ensures you receive these messages.
Emergency Contact: Family or friends can reach you on your home number via Wi-Fi calling or messaging apps.
iMessage and FaceTime: On iPhones, iMessage and FaceTime work seamlessly over data or Wi-Fi, allowing you to stay connected with other Apple users without relying on your home carrier’s network.

How to Set It Up:

Go to your phone’s settings (e.g., Settings > Cellular on iPhone or Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs on Android).
Label your home SIM as “Primary” and your Ajo eSIM as “Secondary.”
Set your Ajo eSIM as the default for cellular data to avoid roaming charges on your primary SIM.
Enable Wi-Fi calling on your primary SIM to receive calls and texts over Wi-Fi without incurring roaming fees.

Pro Tip: To prevent accidental roaming charges, disable data roaming on your primary SIM (Settings > Cellular > Primary > Data Roaming > Off). This ensures all data usage goes through your Ajo eSIM.

Travel Hack #2: Use Ajo eSIM for Cost-Effective Local Calls and Data

Ajo eSIM offers plans that include both data and voice minutes, allowing you to make local calls at affordable rates. This is particularly useful for:

Booking reservations: Call restaurants, hotels, or tour operators without paying international rates.
Local coordination: Contact local guides, taxis, or hosts using a local number.
Data-heavy tasks: Use navigation apps like Google Maps, browse travel guides, or share your hotspot with travel companions.

How to Choose the Right Plan:

Short Trips (1-7 days): Opt for Ajo’s 1GB or 3GB data-only plans, which are sufficient for navigation, messaging, and light browsing. Use apps like WhatsApp or Skype for calls over data.
Longer Stays (7-30 days): Select a plan with voice minutes and SMS, such as Ajo’s regional plans that include 5GB data and 100 local call minutes.
Multi-Country Travel: Ajo’s regional or global plans (e.g., Discover+ Global eSIM) cover multiple countries, eliminating the need to purchase new plans for each destination.

Pro Tip: Check Ajo’s website (tryajo.com) for country-specific plans and ensure the plan includes 5G coverage if available at your destination for faster speeds.

Travel Hack #3: Leverage Internet-Based Apps for Free Communication

With a data-only Ajo eSIM, you can use internet-based apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Signal for free calls and texts, even without a local phone number. This is ideal for staying in touch with family, friends, or colleagues back home.

How to Optimize:

Link your WhatsApp account to your primary number to maintain continuity with your existing contacts.
Use secure apps like Signal for privacy-focused communication, especially on public Wi-Fi.
Enable data-saving modes in apps to reduce data consumption (e.g., WhatsApp > Settings > Data and Storage > Use Less Data for Calls).

Pro Tip: Download offline maps (e.g., Google Maps or Maps.me) before your trip to minimize data usage for navigation. Combine this with Ajo’s unlimited data plans for worry-free browsing.

Travel Hack #4: Share Data with Travel Companions

Ajo eSIM plans often support hotspot functionality, allowing you to share your data connection with other devices or travel companions. This is a cost-effective way to keep everyone connected without purchasing multiple plans.

How to Set It Up:

Activate your Ajo eSIM and ensure it’s set as the default data line.
Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering (Android).
Enable the hotspot and share the password with your group.

Pro Tip: Monitor your data usage via the Ajo app to avoid running out. Top up as needed to keep the hotspot active.

Travel Hack #5: Pre-Activate Your eSIM for Instant Connectivity

One of the biggest advantages of Ajo eSIM is the ability to purchase and activate your plan before you travel. This ensures you’re connected as soon as you land, avoiding the hassle of finding a local SIM vendor or relying on airport Wi-Fi.

Steps to Pre-Activate:

Visit tryajo.com and select a plan for your destination.
Receive a QR code via email or the Ajo app.
Scan the QR code in your phone’s settings (Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan on iPhone or Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Add Carrier on Android).
Label the plan and set it as your default data line.
Activate the eSIM upon arrival by turning on data roaming for the Ajo line.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling to multiple countries, purchase a regional or global plan to avoid re-activating eSIMs at each stop. Ajo’s app makes it easy to switch between stored eSIM profiles.

Travel Hack #6: Monitor and Manage Data Usage

To maximize your Ajo eSIM plan, keep an eye on your data consumption and adjust settings to stretch your plan further.

Tips for Efficient Data Use:

Turn off background apps: Disable background app refresh to prevent unnecessary data usage.
Use Wi-Fi when available: Connect to secure Wi-Fi networks at hotels or cafes to save data.
Track usage: Use the Ajo app to monitor your data and top up if needed.
Optimize streaming: Lower video quality on apps like YouTube or Netflix to conserve data.

Pro Tip: Set data usage alerts on your phone to receive notifications when you’re nearing your plan’s limit.

Travel Hack #7: Ensure Compatibility and Unlock Status

Before purchasing an Ajo eSIM, confirm that your phone is eSIM-compatible and unlocked. Most modern smartphones support eSIM, but carrier-locked devices may restrict usage to a single provider.

How to Check:

Compatibility: Verify your device on tryajo.com’s compatibility list (e.g., iPhone 11 and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer).
Unlock Status: Go to Settings > General > About on iPhone and check for “No SIM restrictions” next to Carrier Lock. For Android, contact your carrier or check Settings > About Phone.

Pro Tip: If your phone is locked, contact your carrier to unlock it before traveling to use Ajo eSIM.

Conclusion

Using dual SIM with Ajo eSIM transforms the way you stay connected while traveling. By keeping your home SIM active for essential communications and leveraging Ajo’s affordable data and voice plans, you can avoid roaming fees, make local calls, and stay online seamlessly. With easy activation, flexible plans, and global coverage, Ajo eSIM empowers travelers to explore with confidence. Visit tryajo.com to browse plans and start your next adventure fully connected!