FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are here to help you get answers to your questions about OneSimCard phones and services.

Back to Main Support Page

21. eSIM
    • How do I install my eSIM?

      Before purchasing, please ensure you have verified that your device is unlocked and one of the supported devices. Installation is completed by using your phone to scan the QR code of the purchased eSIM.  You may scan the QR code by displaying it on the computer screen, another device, or a printed copy.

      If you’ve already purchased OneSimCard eSIM, you can see full installation instructions and access your QR code from the Recharge menu in your online account. Make sure eSIM is selected in the Select SIM Card drop down menu.

      If you have not purchased your eSIM yet, learn more about international eSIM here.

22. Troubleshooting Questions
    • I have an Apple iPhone. When I dial following your instructions it does not work. What's wrong?

      This reply does not apply to OneSimCard Europe & More SIM or newer SIM cards purchased after January 2017.
      Older SIM cards might require entering the compatibility code on your  iPhone.

      How to activate compatibility mode:

       1. Locate OneSimCard Menu.

       On iPhones it is called SIM Applications menu and is located under Settings- Phone menu

      1. Open "OneSimCard" menu ( SIM Applications)
      2. Select "Settings
      Newer SIM Cards: Select Compatibility option and make sure "On" is selected
      Older SIM Cards: After selecting Settings:
      1. Agree with message by pressing "Yes"
      2. Dial digits "1101" and select "OK" (Screen will show "CC OptionX: ON" message)

      Bear in mind that if you have powered your telephone down, and have removed and reinstalled the battery, you will need to follow the programming steps outlined above, again.


      We strongly recommend you to watch very short video tutorials for iPhone that will help you to understand how to make calls, SMS and data on your OneSimCard iPhone.
      If your phone is not Jail-Broken, you still can use OneSimCard Assist app available from iTunes. This app will help you to dial numbers properly by correcting mis-dialed numbers and will allow easy access to OneSimCard functions like checking balance, recharging your SIM, activating discounts and others.

      These videos are available in the Help Menu of your OneSimCard Portal. You need to log in to your OneSimCard account first and then proceed to the Help Menu to be able to access these videos.

      Again, this is for older SIM Cards. Newer SIM cards do not require entering any codes in iPhone or other types of phones.
23. Rates and Cost Questions
    • How much does it cost to receive a call with OneSimCard?

      For Universal, Expedition, and eSIM World SIM cards, receiving calls is free in over 150 countries when received on your primary European phone number, including in most of Europe. To receive a call on your U.S. number or other Personal Extra Number, there is an additional per minute rate added. View all international cell phone rates.

      If you receive a call through a Common Access Number or Personal Extra Number (such as a U.S. number) there is an additional charge of 20c/min. In countries with free incoming calls this would be your only charge per call.

      For DataMax and DataMax eSIM card types, you can make and complete calls for a fraction of the cost of traditional cellular roaming (including on tablets) using the 1SIM VoIP App available on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store:

       

      Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.onesimvoip&hl=en_US&pcampaignid=pcampaignidMKT-Other-global-all-co-prtnr-py-PartBadge-Mar2515-1

       

      Apple App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/onesim-voip/id510371587

       

      For Universal, Expedition, and eSIM World SIM cards,  all incoming SMS text messages are free to receive when received on your primary European number. Add 9 cent per SMS when receiving text on US or Canada PEN.

      For DataMax and DataMax eSIM SMS messages are sent and received using the 1SIM VoIP App. The cost to receive SMS using the 1SIM VoIP App is $0.05 in most countries, The cost to send an SMS using 1SIM Voip App is $0.10 in most countries. See all rates on our international cell phone rates page.


       

       

24. How To Use Questions
    • How do I prevent the service from expiring?

      The OneSimCard phone number has no expiration, provided you made at least 1 call or sent an SMS once every 12 months.

      However, the funds on the SIM expire 10 months after your last recharge. The minimum recharge amount is $25. You can keep the balance from expiring by simply recharging at least once every 10 months. If you let your balance expire, then all you need to do to get the service up and running again is to log in and add funds to your SIM card. Automatic recharge will be canceled if you let your funds expire.

      NOTE: For Physical 3-in-1 DataMax & DataMax eSIM SIM cards, if the SIM card has no balance, the SIM will expire and be removed from the account after 7 days, unless there is a data package currently active on the SIM (not a future activation). If there is no balance on the SIM and the active data package expires, the SIM will expire 7 days following the expiration of the active data package.

       

      An expired SIM can be restored for a $10.00 restoration fee plus a recharge of at least $25.00.

       

25. Troubleshooting Questions
    • I just activated my SIM card and can't make a successful test call. What's wrong?

      If you just activated your SIM card and can not make a test call by following the instructions in the user manual, you will likely just need to power off the phone and power it back on again. The phone should automatically re-register with one of our partner networks. Remember, if you answer the test call when it rings you will be charged for the call.
      We strongly recommend you to watch very short video tutorials that will help you to understand how to make calls, SMS and data on your OneSimCard Phone.

      These videos are available in the Help Menu of your OneSimCard Portal. You need to log in to your OneSimCard account first and then proceed to the Help Menu to be able to access these videos.

26. Troubleshooting Questions
    • When I dial following your instructions it does not work. What's wrong?

      This answer applies to SIM cards purchased before January 1, 2017.

      Some phones, such as Samsung, some Motorola, Android and Apple iPhones, require special dialing instructions or simple OneSimCard settings menu changes in order to make calls.

      It is possible to make almost any phone entirely compatible, so you can call directly without using the OneSimCard menu or *146* by following these simple programming instructions below.

      How to activate compatibility mode:

        1. Locate OneSimCard Menu.

       On iPhones it is called SIM Applications menu and is located under Settings- Phone menu

               On Androids it is called SIM Toolkit app or OneSimCard app and it looks like one of the apps.

         

      1. Open "OneSimCard" menu ( SIM Applications, SIM Toolkit, STK)
      2. Select "Settings
        Newer SIM Cards: Select Service Code option and follow instructions below:
        Older SIM Cards: After selecting Settings:
        1. Agree with message by pressing "Yes"
        2. Dial digits "1101" and select "OK" (Screen will show "CC OptionX: ON" message)

          Bear in mind that if you have powered your telephone down, and have removed and reinstalled the battery, you will need to follow the programming steps outlined above, again.

          If for any reason after entering compatibility code, you still do not get a ringback or you get the ringback the first time you make a call, but second time it would not work, please enter code 802 into the Service Code window instead of 1101 as provided above.

           

          iPhone users can download OneSimCard Assist App from iTunes that will takes care of the iphones compatibility issues, except for removing the ringback.


          For example, calling to USA: Dial *146*0016175551212# and press the TALK (or SEND) button

          * is a star character located on the keypad
          • To check your balance dial  *146*099# and press the TALK (or SEND) button
          • To add funds dial *146*098XXXX*ZZ# and press the TALK (or SEND) button,
            where XXXX - 4 last digit of your credit card on file, ZZ - Recharge amount
          • You need to press * on your phone in the above dialing sequences
          • Activation of voice mail *146*091# and press the TALK (or SEND) button
          • Deactivation of voice mail *146*090# and press the TALK (or SEND) button
          • Check number of messages in Voice Mail *146*094# and press the TALK (or SEND) button
          • To listen to voice mail *146*095# and press the TALK (or SEND) button

          The sequence *146* and # at the end can be used from any phone. However, most phones do not require it.

          We strongly recommend you to watch very short video tutorials that will help you to understand how to make calls, SMS and data on your OneSimCard Phone.


          These videos are available in the Help Menu of your OneSimCard Portal. You need to log in to your OneSimCard account first and then proceed to the Help Menu to be able to access these videos.
          Again, this troubleshooting advice might be needed only for older SIM cards.

           

           

      27. How To Use Questions
        • Can I be notified of missed calls when my phone is off or outside of a coverage area?

          Yes, for Universal, Expedition, and eSIM World Sim Cards, you will receive SMS or email notifications when you miss a call due to your phone being off or out of coverage. SMS notifications are sent when the phone is unavailable for a period up to 4 hours. Email notifications are sent, regardless of the time period, to the email address you have entered into your online voicemail profile. Notifications will be sent when you make/receive a call or enter a new roaming country. NOTE: if the caller leaves a voicemail message then you will not receive this extra missed call notification.
      28. Rates and Cost Questions
        • Are there any monthly fees or connection charges?

          There are no monthly fees or connection charges for using OneSimCard international cell phone service.

          If you order an optional Personal Extra Number (PEN), there is a small periodic fee to keep the PEN active based on how you choose to be billed (from $1.67 per month). There is also an additional charge to receive a call through any Extra Number. View our Rates & Coverage page and click on any country to view our available Extra Numbers and associated costs.

      29. How To Use Questions
        • How do I make a call using OneSimCard global cell phone service?

          To make a call:

          • Dial 00-CountryCode-AreaCode-Number and press the TALK/SEND button.
            Example: To call OneSimCard Support in the USA you would dial 00 1 617 3138888 and press TALK/SEND. 

          With Europe & More, Univesal and eSIM World that do not use the callback to make a call, you will just get connected.
           
          With OneSimCard Plus SIM or Expedition (formerly Data & Roam) SIMs:

          After pressing the TALK/SEND button you will see a variable message on the screen (for example 'Wait for call') which you can ignore and your phone will ring back in a few seconds. Answer this ring as you normally would answer any incoming call. Your call will then be connected.

          If you are unsure about how to properly dial an international number, follow this link for detailed country by country dialing instructions.

          For Physical 3-in-1 DataMax, and DataMax eSIM cards, you can place calls using our low cost OneSIM VoIP service. OneSim VoIP costs much less than traditional voice roaming.

      30. Ordering Questions
        • How many times can I install an eSIM, and can it be installed on different devices?

          For DataMax eSIM can be installed once.
          For eSIM World purchased after Jan 1st, 2024, after the initial installation, the eSIM can be reinstalled up to 9 times. This eSIM can NOT be installed in any other device. This eSIM can only be reinstalled in the original device. In no circumstances can the eSIM be installed more than 10 times (the initial installation plus 9 subsequent installations).
          For eSIM Asiania this eSIM can only be installed 1 time. It cannot be reinstalled after the initial installation.
          In no circumstances can the eSIM be installed more than 4 times (the initial installation plus 3 subsequent installations).

      <<   1   2   3   4   5   >>  

      © 2006-2025 Belmont Telecom Inc., DBA OneSimCard.com. All rights reserved