I’ll be moving to the England for 3 years but would like to keep my US cell phone number I’ve had for the past 10 years.
I see people talk about google voice, but I’d rather avoid that. Is there a way to port my number from AT&T to an English carrier that uses eSIM?
I have an iPhone 15 with eSIM to give you some information on the phone I have.
Thanks.
You can keep your contract in the US, but all your received/made calls will be quite expensive.
Not necessarily. I kept my US phone and number, but I keep the data turned off and use it on wifi only. Most of the time I don’t even keep the phone charged, but I’m glad I kept it. It’s come in handy on many occasions when I’ve needed to log in to an account requiring 2-factor identification, all of which is linked to my US number.
For day-to-day texting and calling, I use my UK phone and data plan.
Can you explain how you do this? It sounds like you have both a US based plan and a UK plan. But if you turn off the data, how are you able to use your UK plan?
WiFi for data, and you can still receive calls but they are pricier. I’ve got 2 contracts in different countries, I tend to switch my Sims across as I also have 2 WhatsApp accounts but they won’t let you register more than one device to each, unlike telegram or signal.
- Step 1) Get a phone with a dual SIM feature.
- Step 2) Port your US number to Google FI or Mint mobile ($15-20/line/month with no data)
- Step 3) install eSIM on phone.
- Step 4) Sign up for an English mobile plan.
- Step 5) install second SIM on your phone.
- Step 6) Turn off your US data, use as a normal UK phone, but with a US number backup.
Done.
Transfer your account and current US number to the cheapest pay as you go provider you can find. Tello for $5/month, for example. Use a real cell phone provider (non-VOIP) that allows wifi calling, so you can occasionally check your messages from abroad and even do 2FA. Keep your payment details current. I’m from Canada but this worked for me (using 711 Speakout, which is not available in the US), during a 4-year stay in Europe.
Thanks. That sounds like a great alternative.
It’s not the cheapest option, but I have Verizon and pay $100/month (on top of my regular plan) for their international plan. Unlimited data, messages, and 250 minutes. For calls I generally use FaceTime audio, whats app, etc etc so the 250 isn’t a problem for me.
Why do you want to avoid Google Voice? Unless you feel like paying for a plan, that’s one of your very limited options
I’ve seen it can be a problem with 2FA
how so? I’ve been able to get calls and text for 2fa on it (and also have switched it to my new number with that, but had no problem with it and still have a few 2fa every now and then pop up I haven’t switched over yet).
Then the cheapest plan you can find is your only option then
I use Mint. I pay up front for 1 year at a time. I think it’s $15 a month. I only keep it for 2FA reasons.
Yes, you either keep paying monthly, or you work on a contact change (if you’re off contract it’s very easy) and get the minimum service to keep the number, or you upgrade to a service that allows international calling and roaming. There is a pitfall in the form of you have to verify if they will flag you for using the service excessively out of country. If so, then a way out is to turn off the SIM slot in your phone and use the other SIM if dual, or ust remove the SIM and use it every few months to prevent the account from going dormant.
The option you are looking for is called in telecom slang “porting a number.” Depending on the new phone service you choose, there might be a charge. I know that the Zadarma Project VoIP service provider allows porting of US landline and mobile phone numbers free of charge.
Thanks.
Google Voice is probably the cheapest option, as that’s a one-time cost without a monthly fee attached. Not sure why you’d rather avoid that. You can also move your number to a prepaid or postpaid account in the US; some of those plans can be pretty cheap. But make sure you don’t lose it due to inactivity.
Foreign cellphone companies can’t help you here. Your UK phone number will start with +44.