You have solved the data problem with a travel eSIM. Navigation works, WhatsApp works, Instagram works. But then your phone rings — or rather, it does not ring, because your home SIM's voice service is either disabled to avoid roaming charges or connected at $1-3 per minute.
Receiving phone calls abroad is the last unsolved problem for travelers. Your doctor's office calls to confirm an appointment. Your bank flags a transaction and needs verification. A family member calls from a landline. Your boss calls your mobile, not WhatsApp. These calls go to your regular phone number, and if you are not reachable, you miss them.
Here are the options for receiving calls abroad without roaming charges, from simplest to most comprehensive.
Option 1: WiFi Calling (Free, Limited)
How It Works
WiFi calling uses your home carrier's voice service over a WiFi connection instead of a cellular tower. When enabled, incoming calls to your regular number ring your phone over WiFi, even when you are abroad.
Setup
iPhone: Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling > Enable Android: Settings > Network > Calling > WiFi Calling > Enable
Pros
- Free (uses your existing plan's voice minutes)
- Calls appear normal to the caller
- No app needed
- Uses your regular phone number
Cons
- Only works on WiFi. If you are walking around a city using eSIM data, WiFi calling does not work. You must be connected to a WiFi network.
- Carrier support varies. Not all carriers support WiFi calling abroad. Some disable it outside your home country.
- Unreliable. WiFi calling quality depends on the WiFi network. Hotel WiFi and cafe WiFi often have jitter and packet loss that make calls choppy.
- Not available on all plans. Some prepaid and MVNO plans do not include WiFi calling.
Verdict
WiFi calling is a decent free option if you are mostly in your hotel or apartment. It fails completely when you are out and about, which is most of your travel day.
Option 2: VoIP Apps (Free/Cheap, Requires Both Parties)
How It Works
Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, and Signal allow voice and video calls over any internet connection — WiFi or cellular data. These calls use your eSIM data, not carrier voice minutes.
Pros
- Free (caller and receiver both use the app)
- Works on any internet connection (WiFi or eSIM data)
- High quality audio and video
- No carrier involvement
Cons
- Both parties need the app. Your doctor's office, bank, and elderly relatives probably will not call you on WhatsApp.
- Not your phone number. People calling your regular mobile number will not reach you through these apps.
- Missed calls from non-app users. Anyone calling from a landline, office phone, or regular mobile (without the app) cannot reach you.
Verdict
VoIP apps are essential for planned calls with friends and family who use the same apps. They do not solve the problem of receiving unexpected calls to your regular phone number.
Option 3: Traditional Call Forwarding (Expensive)
How It Works
You set up call forwarding on your home carrier to redirect calls to a local number, VoIP number, or another phone. Calls to your regular number are forwarded to the destination you specify.
Setup
Most carriers support conditional forwarding:
- Forward when busy: Dial *67* followed by the forwarding number and #
- Forward when unanswered: Dial *61* followed by the forwarding number and #
- Forward all calls: Dial *21* followed by the forwarding number and #
Pros
- Works with any incoming call (landlines, offices, anyone)
- Caller does not need any special app
- Your regular number still works
Cons
- Who do you forward to? You need a number that you can answer abroad.
- Forwarding charges. Your home carrier charges you for the forwarded leg of the call, often at international rates.
- Double charges. You pay for the forward (your carrier to the destination number) and potentially for the incoming call on the destination number.
- Complex setup. Getting forwarding to work correctly with international numbers can be confusing.
Verdict
Traditional forwarding partially solves the problem but introduces new costs and complexity. It is better than nothing but far from ideal.
Option 4: HomeLink by TripoSIM (Best Solution)
How It Works
[HomeLink](/homelink) is TripoSIM's call forwarding solution designed specifically for travelers. It combines call forwarding with VoIP to deliver incoming calls to your phone over your eSIM data connection — no roaming, no per-minute charges, and no missed calls.
The flow:
- Before your trip: You enable conditional call forwarding on your home SIM, pointing to a TripoSIM virtual number (DID). This takes 30 seconds.
- Someone calls your regular number: Your home carrier tries to reach you. Since you are abroad with data roaming off, the call is not answered within a few rings.
- Call forwards to HomeLink: Your carrier forwards the unanswered call to your TripoSIM virtual number.
- Push notification: TripoSIM's system sends an instant push notification to the TripoSIM app on your phone.
- App rings: The TripoSIM app rings just like a regular phone call, showing the caller's number.
- You answer over data: The call connects over your eSIM data connection using VoIP. Crystal-clear audio, no roaming charges.
What the Caller Experiences
The caller dials your regular mobile number. The phone rings a few times, then connects. They have no idea you are in another country. To them, it sounds and feels like a normal call.
What You Experience
Your phone rings via the TripoSIM app. You see the caller's number. You answer and talk normally. The call uses your eSIM data (approximately 1 MB per minute for voice, or about 60 MB for a 1-hour call).
Setup
- Install the TripoSIM app
- Go to HomeLink settings
- Get your assigned virtual number
- Set up conditional call forwarding on your home SIM:
- On most carriers, dial: **61*[HomeLink number]# (forward when unanswered)
- Or set up forwarding through your carrier's app or website
- Test it by calling your own number from another phone
Learn more and set up HomeLink at [triposim.com/homelink](/homelink).
Pros
- Works with any incoming call (landlines, offices, mobile, anyone)
- Caller dials your normal number
- No app needed by the caller
- Works on eSIM data — not just WiFi
- Clear audio quality (G.711 codec)
- Shows caller ID
- Call history logged in your dashboard
Cons
- Requires the TripoSIM app on your phone
- Requires initial call forwarding setup on your home SIM
- Small data usage for calls (1 MB/minute)
- Slight delay (1-2 extra rings) while the call forwards
Verdict
HomeLink is the most complete solution for receiving calls abroad. It works with any caller, any network, and any internet connection (WiFi or eSIM data). It is the closest thing to having your phone work exactly as it does at home.
Comparison Table
| Feature | WiFi Calling | VoIP Apps | Call Forwarding | HomeLink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on eSIM data | No | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| Works on WiFi | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| Uses your number | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Caller needs app | No | Yes | No | No |
| Receives landline calls | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Free | Free | High | Low |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy | Medium | Easy |
| Reliability | Low-Medium | High | Medium | High |
Which Should You Choose?
If you are mostly in hotels/apartments with WiFi: WiFi calling may be sufficient for occasional calls.
If everyone who calls you uses WhatsApp/FaceTime: VoIP apps are perfect and free.
If you need to receive calls from anyone (including offices, banks, landlines): HomeLink is the best solution. Set it up once and every call to your regular number reaches you abroad.
The ideal setup for most travelers:
- TripoSIM eSIM for data
- HomeLink for incoming calls to your regular number
- WhatsApp/FaceTime for planned calls with family and friends
- WiFi calling as a backup when connected to strong WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HomeLink work with any carrier? Yes, as long as your home carrier supports call forwarding (conditional or unconditional). Almost all carriers worldwide support this feature.
Can I make outbound calls with HomeLink? HomeLink is primarily for receiving calls. For outbound calls, you can use VoIP apps (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype) or the TripoSIM app's outbound calling feature (over data).
How much data does a HomeLink call use? Approximately 1 MB per minute for voice calls. A 10-minute call uses about 10 MB. This is negligible compared to most data plans.
What happens if my phone is off or has no internet? If the TripoSIM app cannot receive the push notification (phone off, no internet), the call goes to your home carrier's voicemail, just as it would if your phone were off normally.
Can I use HomeLink with a dual-SIM phone? Absolutely. Most travelers use HomeLink with their home SIM (for the number) and a TripoSIM eSIM (for data). This is the ideal dual-SIM configuration for international travel.