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ZDNET Highlights
- A backup can keep calls, texts and data going during a carrier outage.
- Cheap prepaid plans or free promos make backup lines affordable.
- eSIM lets you change carriers quickly on iPhone and Android.
The latest Verizon outage happened at the worst time, at least for me. I was driving to an unfamiliar location, relying on Apple CarPlay’s directions. When the service broke down, so did my driving directions, leaving me with trouble figuring out where I was going.
Also: Verizon customer? How to get your free $20 refund after Wednesday’s massive network outage
Many others faced their own challenges when the outage occurred. If you were in a similar boat, you might wonder how to avoid such trouble in the future. Well, this is where a backup carrier can come in handy. If I wasn’t driving on the freeway, I could switch to my own backup carrier and save myself the trouble.
How to Set Up a Backup Carrier on Your iPhone or Android
Luckily, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to install another carrier for immediate use.
As a Comcast Internet customer, I get free access to Xfinity Mobile for a year. This is what I currently use on my iPhone. On my test phone, I subscribe to T-Mobile’s prepaid plan that costs only $10 per month (now it’s $15). I’ll probably switch my iPhone’s backup carrier to one of these after the free Xfinity subscription expires.
Too: I compared Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T 5G coverage on a road trip — and the winner surprised me
Additionally, there are plans from smaller carriers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that won’t cost much. Remember this is just a backup carrier, so you don’t need unlimited text, talk, and data, just a minimum amount to get by if your primary carrier is down.
The steps to set up a new carrier on your phone vary depending on whether you’re adding a physical SIM card or an eSIM. Most phones today support eSIM, so as long as the carrier supports it, I’d recommend that route.
To take the physical SIM approach, your phone will need two slots, which isn’t as common as you might think. So, let’s say you are adding a new carrier via eSIM. From there, the process varies between iPhone and Android phones.
Also: I compared Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T’s 5G network signals in a baseball stadium — here’s the verdict
On iPhone, go to Settings, select Cellular, and then tap the “Add eSIM” setting. The next screen asks how you want to set it up: Transfer from a nearby iPhone, Use QR Code, Transfer from Android, or View Travel Options.
Unless you’re moving the eSIM from another phone, you’ll probably scan a QR code. After choosing that method, scan the code and choose the option to add new plan. You may need to enter a confirmation code to kick-start the eSIM, after which it should be activated.
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On an Android phone, go to Settings, select Network & Internet, select Settings for SIM, and then tap the option to add a SIM. On the next screen, tap the button to set up eSIM. Select a carrier for the new plan. You should then be able to scan the QR code, after which you will be able to activate the eSIM.
On Android phones, go back to Settings, select Network & Internet, and then tap SIM. Select the entry for the new SIM and then tap the pencil icon. Here, you can change the name and choose a color for its icon.
Turn on the switch to use the SIM for the new carrier. You will then be asked to set your SIM preferences. Tap the Get Started button. On the next screen, you are able to change the names of both carriers. You will then be asked to set your primary SIM. Keep your regular carrier as the default for now. Tap Done. You can then close the line to the backup carrier.
OK, now let’s say your primary carrier is shut down. You’re away from home and you need voice, texting, and maybe data.
Also: Forget burner phones – you can connect to this new carrier with just a zip code (no ID required)
To switch to your backup carrier on iPhone, go back to Settings and select Cellular. Select your primary carrier and turn off the line. Then choose your backup carrier and turn on the line. Now try making a phone call, sending a text, or opening a web page. You should see that you are back online and able to rely on the backup carrier until the primary is back up.
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To switch to your backup carrier on an Android phone, go back to Settings, select Network & Internet and tap Settings for SIM. Turn off the line for your primary carrier and turn on the line for the backup. Make a call, send a text, or activate a web page. You should now be able to rely on the backup carrier until you get back to your primary life.
Once your primary carrier is back up and running, you can switch back to it. On an iPhone or Android phone, simply go 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 your primary carrier’s service is working.
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