US Mobile or Tello are your solution if all you need is 2FA SMS codes. Both are eSIMs that are real phone numbers (no VoIP) and only $5 a month with unlimited incoming texts. Tello only works on WiFi/data while outside the US, but US Mobile includes roaming AFAIK.
this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2023
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+1 for US mobile. Been doing this for almost a year, and, so far, works like a charm.
That sounds awesome. I had a hardware Verizon / T-Mobile SIM and it got cancelled on me when travelling. I think on another visit to the US I got a "US Mobile" e-SIM, but I don't think it works overseas.
It seems like there's just no good solution that works a) forever and b) verifying every service.
US Mobile definitely works. I think you might be confused because US Mobile doesn't automatically enable global data by default. They enable data on a country by country basis, so unless you went in the app and picked a data plan for the country you're in you won't get data [while you're not on wifi]. However, this has nothing to do with your SMS messages not coming through. They will come through as long as the SIM card is turned on in your phone's settings.
PS - don't buy data from US Mobile it's much cheaper to get a local SIM card wherever you are.
Holy shit you mean I can ditch this US$40/mo. Fi bullshit???
🙏🙏
Just tried Tello, sounds perfect, but the eSIM just won't activate, since I'm not in the US today :[
This is the answer.
I use NumberBarn and it works fine
Thanks for the suggestion! I think they sometimes work. They're super clear about not promising that 2FA will work though, here's a list of things that they don't work with: https://www.numberbarn.com/blog/sms-notifications-from-your-bank/
I recently moved a mobile number Tossable Digits on their $40/year plan, as I did not like tying up a cellphone just for 2FA. They have a similar warnings as NumberBarn, but so far everything is working for 2FA, including a couple banks. This is a number I have had for a long time that started as a landline, that I then transferred to Ultra Paygo for a couple years, and now it is at Tossable Digits.
Go get a Cricket number/sim from states. I have been using them for years outside of country no problem. They also have wifi calling in the package too. I spend 50 a month and get unlimited everything.
I use data sims locally, but keep an active Google Fi account (about $25 per month). You can get your SMS messages via the web interface (messages.google.com). This does not require the sim to be active on the phone. Or even in a phone. Never had any issues with SMS/banks/authenticators, etc. To be clear, this is the only thing I use the line for. I'm not using my Fi account for international roaming. As far as they know, I'm still in the US with the phone off in a drawer.
I pay a couple bucks a month for an UltraMobile plan that is wifi calling capable. I don’t actually use it very much, but when I need it it’s a lifesaver.
The bonus is also that if I return to the US I’ve already got a phone working.
Ultramobile $3 a month. Owned by Tmobile
This works abroad?
I use it also. For 3 years now abroad, still working.
I am in the same boat, plus I'd really prefer a cloud-based solution, that is not dependent on a physical SIM or eSIM. Anybody know a SIM-card hoster for US numbers, maybe?
Nope. I keep two phones. I have one with a US SIM card that has an international plan. It's USD$20/month with Simple Mobile. I can't place or make calls. I do that with a SkypeIn number. But I can have Venmo and all the other things.
I have one with a US SIM card that has an international plan. It's USD$20/month with Simple Mobile. I can't place or make calls.
You could switch to Tello and get that down to $5.
Perhaps your problem is that you're using one of the big carriers. I have a Tracfone SIM (basically a burner phone) and have been nomading outside the US for the past 2 years and whenever I go back to the US, my phone works fine.
I'm a US citizen though so perhaps different in your case.
I use Google Fi, its $15 usd a month for sms and calls worldwide, then I use local sims for data
I haven't done it myself yet but am planning to do Tello eSim
I feel your pain. Try using Google Voice for your virtual number - it has worked reliably for me so far. Just be sure to actually use it regularly.
Get a TMobile account. That’s what I’ve been using and I have no problems being anywhere.
What is the cheapest plan that will work overseas on Wi-Fi? Any of the pre-paid plans?
I see that the cheapest T-Mobile got is $45/month
TMO based MVNO SIM like
PAYGO from Ultra Mobile
or Tello even better because eSIM can be (re-)provisioned while overseas.
Set up WiFi Calling mode & test ideally while stateside
use off a local data SIM in a dual SIM phone, or from a local data SIM hotspot
I recently started traveling and had the same problem. It inspired me to write my first blog post ever on how to solve the issue.
But the other answers you've received in this thread are good. Tello or US Mobile
Cool article, keep 'em coming.
Tello sounds almost too good to be true (and it might be for me, due to having a 5-year-old android phone and this note: "For iPhone users there is a cherry on the cake: if you are abroad and you have another local sim or esim on your phone, Tello’s Wi-Fi Calling will work on the data connection of the other sim.")
Also... I've never heard of an E911 address. I presume that 1) it's expecting a US address but that 2) it's not going to be verified in any way, just needs data stuffed in there?
Cool article, keep 'em coming.
Thanks 👍
I didn't see that about the iPhone until now. Having "wifi" calling everywhere you have data on a local SIM would be advantageous, but I haven't yet had a time where I needed to receive an SMS and wasn't already sat at my laptop with a Wifi connection.
And for the E911 address, 1) Yes, and 2) As far as I know, no, it won't be verified. I think the only restriction is that it can't be a PO Box address.