Help with Texts with no Service
Morning all, Ok, we are going to be off the grid with no phone service for a couple months in another country. We will have access to wifi periodically. Any suggestions on how to receive and send ...
Forum Discussion
time2roll wrote:
would walk into a phone store that carries your brand and discuss the options. Usually someone is knowledgable to check your phone settings to know what will work. Or possibly there is a temporary low cost international calling plan to consider.
This has not been my experience with US based cell providers. They typically have little to no clue regarding overseas options.
My suggestion (sitting in Poland at the moment, 2nd country into a 10 country 7 month trip):
- If you can convert your 2 step authentication to send the code to an email, it's much easier as it no longer links into your phone number at all. If you have internet, it works.
- Get an IP based phone number. This is hit and miss as a lot of companies will reject a non-cell number for authentication and even if they do, SMS messages often are delayed...to the point they are useless for authentication. (alternatively, some will allow an automated call with the code and if they do, that works better)
- Get a SIM with a local number when you reach a new country and add that number to your cards website. Usually you can have more than 1 number linked to the account.
- Upgrade your US plan to cover the country you are visiting. Then you should be able to get calls/SMS on your regular number...but the cost can be crazy high compared to using a local SIM.
Getting a SIM in most countries is quick and cheap. Usually in the $10-30 for a month of service with 15-50GB of data. They will usually put it in and set it up for you (10-20min and you are out the door). As mentioned, currently in Poland and it's crazy cheap 5 zloty ($1.25) for 10 days service with 50GB. Took all of 10min at a mall kiosk for them to put the SIM card in and set it up.
