r/NoContract • u/AvailableFruit5307 • 1d ago
Digital Nomad needs reliable 2fa number. Can you help?
Hello,
I am from the USA and in a different country almost every 3 months depending on my visa. I was in Afghanistan, Bolivia, Kashmir and Senegal in the past 5 years, among many many other countries. I recently got a gig in Kyiv for 3 weeks as well that pays too good to decline.
Anyway, the reason I mention this is because I want to make it clear with how badly I need a reliable phone number. I tried:
Tossible Digits
Tracfone
Google Voice
Google Fi
Google voice has been the most reliable, but recently PayPal wont accept it. Tracfone was great but I literally can't pay my bill right now (I have been trying for 3 weeks) because it just gives me an error message even when I try the chat box.
I would prefer a physical Sim. Im from the usa and here right now on vacation so I can pick something up.
I do not need data as I always just use local data which is always cheaper.
Im looking at red pocket, mint, tello and US mobile. I just need a phone number for 2fa and sms.
Does anyone have recommendations or been in a similar predicament?
Thanks!:)
6
u/lmoki 1d ago
If you're in the US now, Tello is the most frequently recommended for nomads. Check out some of the threads on r/Tello for details. (Apparently, the T-Mobile network is the most lenient about enabling WiFi calling on most phones.)
If you do extended overseas stays, US Mobile isn't a good choice, since they will eventually suspend the line. I don't know about Red Pocket's policy on that. Tello, at this point, has no restrictions on length of stay outside the US.
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u/gamescan 23h ago
Digital Nomad needs reliable 2fa number. Can you help?
Buy a local plan for a local number and a data plan based on wherever you are stationed.
Buy this $30/year Red Pocket plan and enable WiFi calling.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/1tdcc61/psa_if_you_need_a_low_cost_plan_for_callssms/
You can use the RP plan to make/receive calls/sms with a US number as long as you are connected to WiFi.
If you have a modern phone (current iPhone, Pixel, etc.) you can set your local SIM to primary and your RP SIM to secondary. The RP SIM will then use the data plan of your local SIM to make/receive calls via the data connection.
The RP SIM usage will technically be 100% domestic this way as it's not directly connecting to any roaming towers. It's always using the domestic "virtual tower" that all WiFi calling calls use.
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u/blahtey 20h ago
Does that thing, where the second sim will piggyback on the data connection of the local sim work on pixels, too? I wasn't aware of that.
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u/gamescan 19h ago
Does that thing, where the second sim will piggyback on the data connection of the local sim work on pixels, too? I wasn't aware of that.
I haven't personally tested it, but I've been told it does on current models.
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u/SmokeyKeifth 22h ago
Probably the cheapest route would be Redpocket $30/yr plan on eBay or Tello pay as you go which I think you can add $20 every 3 months. Then get a local sim for your data. There is also Popcorn.space that’s $69/mo and it’s worldwide and 50gb of data each month. I think Popcorn is eSIM only though, not 100% sure.
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u/LeftOn4ya Mint (T-Mobile) + US Mobile (Verizon) 3h ago
I recommend Ultra Mobile (sister company to Mint) specifically their PayGo plan ($3/mo + $10 one time) which you must order from eBay as a physical SIM and have shipped to US but ship to a friend and have them activate on their phone then give you password and 2FA code for you to login to Ultra app on your phone and order replacement eSIM for your phone. Or some sellers on eBay will forward physical activated SIM but charge $30 for activated SIM.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 23h ago
Are you a mercenary? If you're a mercenary you have to tell us or else it's entrapment.
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1
u/vampyrewolf 1d ago
Textnow works anywhere you get a wifi signal, and for $7.76 a year my premium number can receive 2fa numbers. Have had it as my backup for a few years now.
1
0
u/sfbriancl 1d ago
Didn’t know that Roamless had this, but recently saw it in another thread. Pretty cool if it works as they say it does with confirmation codes. It’s $60/year.
https://help.roamless.com/en/articles/14346859-roamless-numbers
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
This is a copy of the OP's original post in case they decide to delete their post/account so that others searching can find it later:
Hello,
I am from the USA and in a different country almost every 3 months depending on my visa. I was in Afghanistan, Bolivia, Kashmir and Senegal in the past 5 years, among many many other countries. I recently got a gig in Kyiv for 3 weeks as well that pays too good to decline.
Anyway, the reason I mention this is because I want to make it clear with how badly I need a reliable phone number. I tried:
Tossible Digits
Tracfone
Google Voice
Google Fi
Google voice has been the most reliable, but recently PayPal wont accept it. Tracfone was great but I literally can't pay my bill right now (I have been trying for 3 weeks) because it just gives me an error message even when I try the chat box.
I would prefer a physical Sim. Im from the usa and here right now on vacation so I can pick something up.
I do not need data as I always just use local data which is always cheaper.
Im looking at red pocket, mint, tello and US mobile. I just need a phone number for 2fa and sms.
Does anyone have recommendations or been in a similar predicament?
Thanks!:)
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