How to obtain/maintain a US phone number cheaply while living abroad?
Posted by LordWonker@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 18 comments
Since many US-based institutions only allow use of US phone numbers (e.g., for bank accounts), I wanted to ask how those of you living abroad are dealing with this issue.
Are there any providers where you can obtain a US phone number to receive texts (e.g., for 2FA) that will be accepted by, for example, US banks (does not work with VoIP or virtual phone numbers) and work while being outside the US?
Optimally, I am looking for something that is fully prepaid (meaning you only pay for the text and calls you make) or has only a small monthly fee (5-20 USD)
Since I assume some of you have run into similar issues, I look forward to what your solutions were
Thanks in advance!
Sudden-Move-5312@reddit
Google Voice I think works for text as well as voice.
mgcarley@reddit
It does but a lot of 2FA services now check who currently leases the number and if it's not a cellular carrier, it will be rejected or simply not sent.
Sudden-Move-5312@reddit
Yeh I try to avoid 2FA with SMS as it's had too many issues.
maston69@reddit
Tello
Background-Host-7922@reddit
Unfortunately, Tello won't let you activate an eSIM unless you are in the US. I'm looking for a solution to this problem too, though I'm less concerned about the cheap part.
Google Fi and Google Voice won't let me port my US number unless I am in the US. VPNs don't help.
It's possible your banks may allow you to text to non-US numbers, but you probably have to call them. But then you may have to explain to them why you don't have a US number. Banks have extra paperwork for non-US addresses, so they usually try to cancel the accounts.
The moral is, get your tello account before you leave the US. It will remain good until Tello goes out of business, or sells themselves to a hedge fund which changes all the rules and stops being useful.
wazimshizm@reddit
this is incorrect. tello will let you activate over wifi even when overseas, can personally confirm.
dmaxel@reddit
How long ago was that?
wazimshizm@reddit
Only a few months ago.
discoelectro@reddit
Can personally confirm as well.
gladvillain@reddit
I have activated two separate tello lines while outside the United States.
IslandJade1970@reddit
Tello completely failed me. I upgraded my phone and their eSIM system bricked my line. Support kept sending the same useless “new” QR codes that weren’t actually new. I spent 5 days traveling in the U.S. with no phone service, no way to receive texts, and zero real help.
As a woman traveling alone, this was not just inconvenient — it was unsafe. Two different agents couldn’t install the eSIM, engineering “resets” did nothing, and every message I got was a canned response that didn’t address the problem.
I’ve used Tello for years, but after this? Never again. Anyone considering Tello should know: if your eSIM fails, you’re basically stranded.
mgcarley@reddit
This is unfortunately not just a Tello issue. Well. Kind of.
QR codes are generated from a string which is basically a link to an activation server and an authentication code, that is provided to Tello (or any other MVNO) by the companies than manufacture the SIMs (the same companies generate the information for eSIMs).
This string is tied to the ICCID (SIM number) and cannot be changed without also doing a SIM swap - when we order SIMs from the manufacturers, they come in a giant spreadsheet with all the information about the SIM itself (ICCID, IMSI, PIN1, PUK1, PIN2, PUK2 and for eSIMs, LPA Activation String, which looks something like LPA:1$T-MOBILE.IDEMIA.IO$ZY987-XWV65-AB123-CDE45)
Part of the issue is that carriers, when they create the specifications for their eSIM profiles, usually only allow an eSIM profile to be installed a limited number of times - often only once - but I've seen some that allow it to be used 5+ times (providing it is uninstalled from the original device first), although, to my recollection, none of the US carriers set that number to anything more than 1.
Now, if you get a new device and your old one is still working and in your possession, you can use the "eSIM transfer" function, but if your device gets lost or stolen, obviously that option goes out the window.
So, in my view, what Tello should have done is issued you a new SIM and done a SIM swap - new SIM, new string, new QR.
They might have to charge you a couple of bucks to do so (eSIMs from the US carriers typically cost MVNOs between $1 and $2 wholesale depending on how many we buy in one go), but unfortunately that is the only way to get a truely fresh QR.
Source: I don't work for, nor am I affiliated with Tello, but I am in the industry.
SeatUpright@reddit
Thanks! Saving your comment in case I need to reference it in the future. Hopefully not...
Tango_D@reddit
This is what I do.
TealieBean@reddit
My husband and I currently use number barn! Unfortunately we couldn’t find a good option that would be accepted by banks (I think google voice is the only one who can do this and we had issues with setting it up). Number barn is I think $3-7 a month depending on the plan, unfortunately at the moment they only allow receiving texts (cannot text back) due to some issues they’re having, but calling is for either way and works well.
One work around we’ve had for the bank is we have Chase accounts, who accept international phone number and address details for contact information, which has worked well for us.
woetosylvanshine@reddit
2nd Google voice- rock solid for the last year abroad.
fromwayuphigh@reddit
I've had Google Voice pretty much since it was a thing, and have spent nearly 12 years abroad in the interim. It's always been fine.
The other thing I'd suggest is making complaints directly to the businesses you use and tell them to join the fucking 21st century. People travel, people live abroad, or take jobs, or do student exchanges. Businesses who are willing to accommodate those of us who're a little less tied to one place will attract loyal customers.
Being cheap and lazy loses them money, but they don't really know or care if nobody speaks up.
miabee83@reddit
I’ve been using Tello for a few years now after Google Voice became problematic. I keep a $5/monthly plan. Definitely recommend.
https://tello.com/account/register?_referral=P35S5NQ9