FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

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91. Rates and Cost Questions
    • I used a large amount of data  even though I barely used data, what happened?

      Each mobile data session is charged for a minimum of 10kB usage. Even if you check just one 3k email you will be charged for 10kB of usage. In some countries this can be over 30¢ per session, however in Europe and elsewhere it can be as little as 1¢. Check all rates.
        

      Each mobile data session is charged for a minimum of 100kB usage. Even if you check just one 3k email you will be charged for 100kB of usage.


      Please note: Some phones, like iPhones, Androids, and other smartphones, can access data without you even knowing it if you have data enabled. We strongly recommend checking the settings on your phone and disable mobile data roaming if you will not be needing data service. By default, all SIM cards are pre-programmed with data service enabled, once you activate your data package.

       

92. How To Use Questions
    • How do I know if USA, Canada or UK Mobile PEN I order is capable of receiving SMS?

      To see if your PEN is capable of receiving SMS, please log in to your on-line account at www.OneSimCard.com. In the Recharge Menu next to the PEN you will see if it is SMS capable or not. You can also see there if this PEN could be used for VOIP or not.
93. How To Use Questions
    • What Is the Difference Between "Direct Dial" and "Callback Dial" calling?

      Direct Dial calling allows the caller to enter the international  call prefix, country calling code and telephone number and then be directly connected to the person they are calling. This is how you dial when using your regular mobile service. Direct Dial Calling is standard on the OneSimCard Europe & More, OneSimCard Universal and eSIM.

      Callback calling also allows the caller to enter the international  call prefix, country calling code and telephone number. After the called number is entered, the user immediately receives an incoming call connecting the user to person called. Callback is very simple to use and allows for low cost calling on the OneSimCard Plus and OneSimCard Expedition (formerly Data & Roam). Callback does not increase the connection time. It is the same as with Direct Dial.

94. How To Use Questions
    • How do I set up SMS text messaging on my phone?

      SMS messaging usually works without any additional setup of the phone.
      In rare cases when there are issues sending or receiving text messages, please look at the following:

      Problem with Sending SMS:

      • Incorrect SMSC number (SMS Service Center Address) in handset settings.

      SMSC number should be set as follows:

       

      1. For Standard  and Plus OneSimCard SIM: +3725099000 for all countries except:

      a. China:  +85290296747

       

      2. For the Expedition (former Data & Roam) SIM as well as for Europe & More SIM: +37256100041

       

      Special instructions for Apple Phones:

      With Apple iPhones to check SMSC:

      From the phone dialer Dial *#5005*7672# 

      You will see the SMSC set currently on the phone. 

      To change the SMSC on Iphone dial: 

      Plus and Standard SIMs: **5005*7672*+3725099000# for all countries except China and **5005*7672*+85290296747# if in China.

      Expedition (formerly Data & Roam) and Europe & More SIMs in any country: **5005*7672*+37256100041#

       

      If your phone requires the name of Message Center Name enter: SMSC
      SMS lifetime is short - must be at least 2 hours or set to Maximum settings.
      Try sending SMS from OneSimCard menu

       

       Problem with Receiving SMS:

      • Receiving Handset does not have enough free memory for incoming SMS.
      • Receiving Handset was turned off or out of the coverage area during SMS lifetime set on the sending phone - usually 2 hours.
      • Sender's SMS provider does not have an agreement with the receiving network.
95. How To Use Questions
    • How to activate and set up the mobile data service on your mobile device or tablet?

      1. Log in to your account at www.onesimcard.com using the email address and password you entered during the activation or registration of the SIM.
      2. To enable data, go to your My SIM Cards menu, select your SIM card, scroll down to Internet Data and click ‘Enable’.
      2a. For DataMax SIM cards, you can disable Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG)/Per MB data on your online account in the "My SIM Cards" menu. You will see " in the "Select SIM Card" section an area labeled "Use w/o Plan:" to disable per MB data use, this should be turned off. It is recommended to use data plans whenever/wherever available.
      3. Turn on Data Roaming on your phone.
      This is all that is needed for mobile data to work.



96. How To Use Questions
    • How should I send an SMS to get charged only 15 cents per text message?

      There are two ways for SMS message to be sent:

      • From the OneSimCard application menu called OneSimCard - TravelSMS. To send the message, you need to locate OneSimCard menu on the phone and then scroll down to TravelSMS menu. Sending text message this way is the least expensive and will cost you 15 cents per message from any country.
      • Usual way from SMS sending menu of the phone. It cost 40 cents per text message from most countries with the exception of few countries where the rates are higher.
        Find detailed rate information here.
      Another way to reduce the cost of sending Text is to use the SIM VOIP app and send SMS from the app. This will reduce the cost of sending SMS significantly.


      Bear in mind that sending SMS messages to the abbreviated special SMS destinations like voting, music downloads, etc. will cost you $9.00 per message.

       

      This does not apply to DataMax SIM cards.

97. 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.
98. Troubleshooting Questions
    • I have a Samsung phone. When I dial following your instructions it does not work. What's wrong?

      Some phones such as Samsung and some other brands require dialing a specific prefix 146 in front of the dialed string when used with a OneSimCard.

      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* can be used from any phone. However, most phones do not require it.

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

      How to activate compatibility mode:

        1. Locate and Open "OneSimCard" Menu. ( It could  be displayed as STK Menu)

              2. Select "Settings"

        Newer SIM Cards: Select "Compatibility" 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.
          d when used with a OneSimCard.

      99. Troubleshooting Questions
        • When I try to make a call, I get a message 'Call is modified and cannot be made'. What does that mean?

          Some phone models do not allow direct dialing with older OneSimCard SIMs sold before January 1, 2017.

          To get around this problem, you should try either of these methods:

          • Locate the OneSimCard menu on your phone. (Some phones have it in Applications.)
            Make a call using menu 'Call'.
          • You can also make a call by dialing directly *146*00 Country Code Number#
            For example, to make a call to the USA, you would dial *146*0018574440686# (do not forget to hit pound at the end of the number)

          * is a star character located on the keypad

          Other examples of how to use the *146* dialing prefix if necessary:

          • 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 (it is a star character located on the keypad)
          • 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 prefix *146* and # at the end can be used from any phone. However, newer OneSimCard SIM do not require it and you should be able to dial codes directly, 091, 094, 095, 099 or 098XXXX*XX Talk.

          If you have an older SIM and the dialing does not work without entering *146*, please follow these simple instructions to remove the need to dial *146*:

          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 and it looks like one of the apps

          1. Open "OneSimCard" menu ( SIM Applications, SIM Toolkit, STK)
          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.

          When dialed directly, some Nokia and other phones can display message: "Call is not allowed" or "Call is barred". Just ignore this message and wait for the ring-back for 10 seconds or so.


      100. Troubleshooting Questions
        • I am traveling in Saudi Arabia and can receive calls, but I can't make an outgoing call. What should I do?

          Local carriers in Saudi Arabia sometimes block standard OneSimCard outgoing calls. If this happens you need to either (a) enter a compatibility code into the settings of your phone or (b) initiate your call by sending an SMS message from the regular SMS menu (not the OneSimCard menu) of your phone.

          How To Activate Compatibility Mode:

          1. Open "OneSimCard" menu
          2. Select "Settings"
          3. Agree with message by pressing "Yes"
          4. Dial digits "802" and select "OK" (screen will show message "output channel is SMS")

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

          How To Deactivate Compatibility Mode:

          1. Open "OneSimCard" menu
          2. Select "Settings"
          3. Agree with message by pressing "Yes"
          4. Dial digits "801" and select "OK" (screen will show message "output channel is USSD")

          How To Dial Without Activating Compatibility Mode:

          Initiate your call by sending an SMS message from the regular SMS menu (not the OneSimCard menu) of your phone.

          To: 9146
          Message: 00 + Country Code + Number + 
          * is a star character located on the keypad

          For example, to call from Saudi Arabia to Boston USA you should go to the SMS menu of the phone and send a message:

          To: 9146
          Message: 0018574440686
          After your SMS is sent wait 3-10 seconds. You will get a callback as usual and your call will be connected to the destination number.

          Note 1: You can't send this SMS from the SMS OneSimCard menu of the phone.

          Note 2: If you see on the screen that the message has not been sent, make sure that SMS settings of your phone is complete and the SMS Center number is set to: +3725099000

           

          There are no special instructions to receive calls in these countries.

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