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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- A backup carrier can keep calls, texts, and data working during outages.
- Cheap prepaid plans or free promos make a backup line affordable.
- eSIMs let you switch carriers quickly on iPhone and Android.
The latest Verizon outage happened at the worst possible time, at least for me. I was driving to an unfamiliar spot, relying on directions through Apple CarPlay. When the service went kaput, so did my driving directions, leaving me scrambling to figure out how to get where I was going.
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Plenty of other people faced their own challenges when the outage occurred. If you were in a similar boat, you may wonder how to avoid such trouble in the future. Well, that’s where a backup carrier can come in handy. Had I not been driving down the freeway, I could’ve switched to my own backup carrier and spared myself the aggravation.
How to set up a backup carrier on your iPhone or Android
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to set up another carrier to use in a pinch.
As a Comcast internet subscriber, I get free access to Xfinity Mobile for one year. That’s what I currently use on my iPhone. On my test phones, I subscribe to a prepaid plan from T-Mobile that costs only $10 a month (now it’s $15). I’ll likely switch my iPhone’s backup carrier to one of these once the free Xfinity subscription expires.
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Plus, there are plans from smaller carriers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that won’t cost too much. Remember that this is just a backup carrier, so you don’t need unlimited text, talk, and data, just a minimal amount to get by if your primary carrier is down.
The steps for setting up the new carrier on your phone vary based on whether you’ll be adding a physical SIM card or an eSIM. Most phones today support eSIMs, so I’d recommend that route as long as the carrier supports it.
To take the physical SIM approach, your phone would need two slots, which isn’t as common as you might think. Therefore, let’s assume you’re adding the new carrier via an eSIM. From there, the process differs between an iPhone and an Android phone.
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On an iPhone, head to Settings, select Cellular, and then tap the setting for “Add eSIM.” The next screen asks how you want to set this up: Transfer from Nearby iPhone, Use QR Code, Transfer from Android, or View Travel Options.
Unless you’re moving the eSIM from another phone, you would likely scan a QR code. After choosing that method, scan the code and select the option to add the new plan. You may need to enter a confirmation code to kick-start the eSIM, after which it should be activated.
On an Android phone, head to Settings, select Network & internet, choose the setting for SIMs, and then tap the option to add a SIM. At the next screen, tap the button to set up an eSIM. Choose the carrier for the new plan. You should then be able to scan the QR code, after which you’ll be able to activate the eSIM.
On an Android phone, go back to Settings, select Network & internet, and then tap SIMs. Select the entry for the new SIM and then tap the pencil icon. Here, you can change the name and select a color for its icon.
Turn on the switch to use the SIM for the new carrier. You’ll then be prompted to set your SIM preferences. Tap the Get Started button. At the next screen, you’re able to change the names for both carriers. You’re then asked to set your primary SIMs. Keep your regular carrier as the default for now. Tap Done. You can then turn off the line for the backup carrier.
OK, now let’s say your primary carrier goes down. You’re away from home and need voice, texting, and maybe data.
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To switch to your backup carrier on an iPhone, go back to Settings and select Cellular. Select your primary carrier and turn off the line. Then select your backup carrier and turn on the line. Now try making a phone call, sending a text, or opening a web page. You should find that you’re back online and able to rely on the backup carrier until the primary is up and running again.
To switch to your backup carrier on an Android phone, go back to Settings, select Network & internet, and tap the setting for SIMs. Turn off the line for your primary carrier and turn on the line for the backup. Make a call, send a text, or fire up a web page. You should now be able to rely on the backup carrier until your primary returns to life.
Once your primary carrier is up again, you can return to it. On an iPhone or Android phone, just head back to the SIM settings page. Turn off the line for the backup and turn on the line for the primary. Make a phone call, send a text, or go online to confirm that the service for your primary carrier is working.