this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2023
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Recommendations for the US cell service provider to be able to retrieve text messages while abroad? (alien.top)
submitted 11 months ago by kndb@alien.top to c/digitalnomad@expats.zone
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Hey everyone:

I have been out of the country (United States) for about a year and a half, and one thing I was really missing out on was the access to text messages on my US cellphone. Before I left I was using Cricket Wireless (for $35/mo), and unfortunately my phone number was associated with so many services that just "love" sending text messages for verification. So I was locked out of some of them.

I tried switching to Google Voice, that allows to receive text messages and calls via Wi-Fi pretty much anywhere in the world, but the problem is that some services do not accept VOIP phone lines, like Google Maps. (Examples of such service: Coinbase, Experian, etc.)

So my question. What do you guys use to receive text messages for your US-based phone line while abroad? Ideally I'm looking for a service that would allow me to read text messages via their website.

PS. I am talking primarily about 2FA codes that companies "love" to send to cellphones. I am obviously not using it to communicate with friends and family. I use WhatsApp for that.

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[–] SCDWS@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Tello or US Mobile. $5 a month non-VoIP eSIM that can receive 2FA texts while abroad.

[–] kndb@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Oh interesting. Thanks. Do you have any experience with any of them?

[–] Opt6740@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

For such things I was using wifi calling feature of mobile phone and I think company got no clue which way your text goes. You can check if there are other confirmation methods than sms like mail, app or google auth. I changed authorization in my bank to their mobile app, which is IMO safer.