How can I keep receiving bank and login codes while travelling?

At a glance

• Apple supports using a travel eSIM for data while retaining a home line; home-carrier roaming fees can still apply when both are active. [1]
• On iPhone, select the data line in Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data. [1]
• Check the home line in Settings → Cellular and make sure Turn On this Line is enabled when you need it. [1]
• WeChat’s visitor instructions allow an international number that can receive SMS verification codes. Alipay’s registration also uses your mobile number. [2] [3]

What to do next

1. List the accounts you will need during the trip: bank, Alipay, WeChat, booking platforms and email recovery. Check the phone number each one has on file. Correct an old number before travel rather than discovering it at a hotel checkout.
2. Ask the home carrier whether your plan can receive SMS in mainland China, whether international roaming must be enabled, and what inbound calls, outbound calls or messages cost. Save the answer and the carrier’s overseas support route.
3. Keep the home SIM or eSIM installed and active for the needed messages. If buying travel data, label the two lines clearly so you can tell which number belongs to the bank and which plan supplies internet.
4. Select the travel plan as the data line. On iPhone, use Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data. Follow the travel provider’s data-roaming instructions for that line, and keep the home line’s data settings consistent with your intended roaming plan.
5. Before departure, sign in to the key accounts and complete any outstanding security steps. Where an account supports an authenticator or another recovery method, set it up through the provider’s official process while you still have normal access.
6. After arrival, confirm both the data connection and the home line’s service. If a code does not arrive, check the number, the line’s active status and the carrier’s roaming arrangement before repeatedly requesting replacements.

If your situation is different

Your phone supports only one active line in the configuration you need: choose whether home-carrier roaming or a separate device is the simpler way to retain account access. Resolve that trade-off before removing the SIM that receives essential codes.

Your plan is data-only: keep a separate route for SMS and calls. A travel-data connection can run the bank’s app, but it does not create service for the home telephone number used to send the code.

You changed your phone just before travel: transfer and test the account logins while the old device is still available. Confirm which device or number receives approval requests and save the provider’s recovery instructions.

Your bank uses an app approval instead of SMS: keep that app signed in and test that you can open it over the selected data connection. Maintain the bank’s other recovery route in case the device changes or the app asks for a fresh login.

You cannot obtain service for the home line: contact the carrier from your working connection and use the account provider’s official alternative verification or recovery route. Keep booking references and the support number for any urgent transaction.

Common mistakes

• Deleting a home eSIM because the travel plan is installed: keep the line needed for existing account messages.
• Assuming disabling home data disables every possible charge: ask about calls, messages and other roaming use on the active home line.
• Buying more data to fix a missing SMS: investigate the phone number and home carrier’s service separately.
• Requesting code after code without checking the account’s registered number: correct the underlying number or service problem first.

Quick questions