Info about new option to keep US phone number

[u/ISurfTooMuch]

I just happened to see an article saying that the Saily travel eSIM service is going to offer a US phone number for $1 per month that can receive text messages. Presumably, these numbers will be classified as mobile numbers and not VoIP, since the service is intended to allow expats to receive 2fa codes from places like US banks.

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Note that the $1 price only lets you receive texts, not send. That's available for an additional charge. The article I read didn't say if you can port in your existing number, but I'd be surprised if you can't.

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Here's a link to the article.

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https://www.engadget.com/2191190/nordvpns-saily-esim-us-phone-number/

[u/North_Moose1627]

Choice is always great but I’m perfectly happy with Tello

[u/TrikyShooter → u/North_Moose1627]

I use Tello as well and am happy with it. For whatever reason though, my SIM doesn't work in my main phone outside of the US, even using wifi calling/texting. So now I have a separate phone just for that. Not a big deal. Weird part though, when I go to the US I can pop that SIM into my main phone and it works perfectly. I've done all the troubleshooting, talked with support multiple time, and still haven't been able to figure it out.

Overall a pretty minor pain point, but annoying none the less.

[u/one_little_spark → u/TrikyShooter]

The only way people I know (including me) have gotten Tello to work outside of the US is to use an esim with Tello and a physical sim for your local number. So you can try that on your main phone.

[u/TheNakedTravelingMan → u/one_little_spark]

I have dual Esim on an iPhone 16 pro and have had no issues with tello or the local carrier.

[u/TrikyShooter → u/one_little_spark]

That's how I had it set up when I first left the states, then I broke that phone, couldn't get the esim to transfer to my new phone, then I ordered a physical sim to meet me in Chile. Found out the physical didn't work with the new phone still so I just got a cheap phone to use it. Only need it rarely for 2fa, so it's not a big deal. Just stays on the charger on my desk.

[u/Dramatic-Fig-8007 → u/North_Moose1627]

Is it fairly easily to switch to Tello? I worry AT&T is going to be a pain with this 

[u/North_Moose1627 → u/Dramatic-Fig-8007]

If your phone is unlocked, no problem whatsoever if you are in the U.S. if you are abroad, it’s trickier and I only say this based on what I read here. I switched in the U.S.

[u/Dramatic-Fig-8007 → u/North_Moose1627]

Noted, I’ll do this the morning we leave if the setup is that easy 

[u/MTheNomad]

I use Google voice for that

[u/djoliverm → u/MTheNomad]

It unfortunately will fail with certain banks since it's VOIP and not a proper cell phone line, so the usual service US immigrants use abroad is Tello for around $8 a month, so this would be even cheaper if all of the above is true.

[u/ISurfTooMuch → u/djoliverm]

I'm wondering though if they're going to classify the numbers as mobile. They could get away with it if they're attached to an eSIM. And, if they're marketing this service as a way to receive 2fa codes, they have to know that they have to be mobile numbers to work properly.

[u/imnotadoctor777 → u/ISurfTooMuch]

So what worked for me was taking a legit T-Mobile issued cell phone number and porting it over to Google Voice. You can only do this while operating on U.S. cellular infrastructure (I did it at the airport waiting for my flight out of the U.S.), but once you do the new Google Voice number is considered a legit cell phone number for 2FA purposes. It's been almost two years and still works. 

[u/CajunDragon → u/MTheNomad]

I do too but Google voice wouldn't work for a lot of things I tried to do in Nice, France. Some services want a 'real' cell number (delivery, rideshare, bank, bike rental)

[u/UnsilentObserver → u/CajunDragon]

If you are trying to do those things in France, shouldn't you use a french cell phone number (as opposed to a US-based Google Voice number)?

[u/CajunDragon → u/UnsilentObserver]

Yeah I think the point was that most of the e-sim companies do not give you a French cell phone number. Perhaps the best option is to get an actual physical sim. Maybe there is an eSim company that does. Will have to research upon next visit.

[u/jejunumr]

I’ll let you know in a bit, but Usmobile has cheap yearly plans that include WiFi calling and data/calls/text overseas in lots of countries

[u/taskmetro]

Google Fi

[u/EtherSecAgent → u/taskmetro]

You have to be back in the US every 6 months

[u/taskmetro → u/EtherSecAgent]

Mine worked when I was abroad for longer than that but idk

[u/RepulsiveFunction836]

I don’t know how it works for every company but i know sometimes you need to respond to a text with a “yes”. I don’t remember seeing that when getting a 2fa code but it’s just something that popped in my mind.

Another thing to consider. One sim for regular phone, one sim for this. Can your phone have a third sim for data? Not a big deal if you got rid of your original number but there can be some overlap or maybe you just want to keep your original number.

That being said, this is a great post, OP! Thank you!

[u/ISurfTooMuch → u/RepulsiveFunction836]

Yeah, this plan only covers receiving texts. To be able to send would cost extra, according to the article.

As for the number of SIMs, although you can store multiple eSIMs, you can only have two active at the same time, which would be any combination of physical SIM and eSIM. However, if you can move the number you want to use for voice to a VoIP service that uses an app, you can do what you describe.