Hi guys,
I'm an Australian who is currently overseas in a weird country that no Aussie provider will provider intl. roaming for.
Unfortunately, in the infinite wisdom of banks and other institutions, my credit card and other services have now become 'domestic only' as I cannot receive the SMS verification texts to my +61 number.
Does anyone know of a virtual +61 4xxx xxx xxx app based service I can use to get these authentication texts?
Free or cheap paid is OK.
Thanks!
I tried that but my Mum / Dad are really old and the time zones are complete opposite
It's ok for a once off but terrible with ongoing, especially with timing (the codes expire).
At first I thought 'this would be a good way to keep in touch with Mum/Dad' but in practice it's not as good at it first sounds
Turn on WiFi calling in settings to receive your SMS over WiFi (assuming you have access to WiFi). Also note that this will only work if your mobile network provider allows for this.
I think this only works for data based 'SMS' like iMessage?
Or maybe not. Either way, no wifi calling regardless with my operator.
Some VOIP internet phone providers offer mobile numbers that will accept inbound SMS.
Google for this:
"sms to email" service australia
I was able to receive texts without paying for roaming, but may be different in the country you're in.
Where are you in the world?
Kogan has stupid roaming fees so I always take an Aldi sim on trips, except this year while in the UK, I noticed I was receiving texts on Kogan without activating/paying for roaming. I know they do eSims, so that could be an option?
I was with Aldi (as it was the cheapest way to 'save' my number for future use when/if back in Australia) but the number of supported countries was quite low. Obviously the main ones are covered (about 60), but if you're in a weird obscure country then no.
For whatever reason, Optus (and resellers) support many more countries (over 100). I guess Singtel is more international with their agreements?
Optus - both with roaming included
Optus Flex E-sim (subscribe for the day plan at $1, then cancel - number stays active for 6 months free with inbound roaming activated) - subscribe via the app
Amaysim 10$/year esim - on their website
Telstra any prepaid or boost - vowifi activated overseas - on telstra website
Nice try Mr Hacker.
You can get an Australian number from Skype. There are other paid services too, but none of them are cheap.
It's probable cheaper to use Aldi number, leave a spare mobile at home (or parents, friends home) connected to the charger 24/7, and run an app that can forward SMS.
I am with Woolies Mobile, and they allow you to receive texts while overseas (but can't reply) without activating roaming, purchasing international pack, etc. Has been great for receiving 2FA texts.
Hi guys, thought I'd share - I've porting my number to Amaysim. So far it's been excellent - eSIM, $10 for 365 days and many supported countries (much more than Aldi).
I had to use the online support as well to do the port and it was great! Very impressed with the app, the web sign up / shopping cart, in-app chat feature and the customer service guy.
For example with vodaphone it wants you to pay first before you have any idea if it's eSIM or not. With amaysim you choose when you add to cart. Little things like that make a big difference when you have to stay up until midnight to call the help centre.
I promise I'm not an ad for amaysim! Personally I wouldn't use anything other than Telstra network (Boost) when IN Australia (Amaysim in Optus I think), but for roaming and getting these texts for free it's amazing (and doing all of this from OS). Actually probably costs Amaysim money as a customer as I'll never recharge the service.
Also found out that only iPhone 13's and up can use 2x eSIMs at the same time FWIW
Just waiting for the port to go through now. eSIM is installed on the phone via QR code. Fingers crossed it will activate whilst roaming. If not, I will get a friend in Aus to activate it - eSIM is great like that. A really amazing feature if you haven't tried it and travel often.
How does this solve your original problem though of not having any ability to connect in your overseas country? (You said that international roaming wasn't possible with any Aussie provider where you are.)
I was mistaken. It was only with Aldi romaing. By Amaysim has double the country support.
Update - Amaysim have been dragging their feet with the port. Still waiting for it 6 day later. Told 1-3 days from now.
Should have just got a new number!
Can you let me know how you go with this? I am going travelling for 12 months backpacking overseas and need a similar service.
If the Amaysim eSIM porting works for you, and you're receiving 2FA correctly, I would really, really like to hear more about it
Finally got it going after like a week to process the port.
I recommend getting a new number and just keeping two numbers, or just keep your existing phone plan if you can roam on it. Better yet, convert it to eSIM to use a local physical sim.
Family or friends in Australia to act as a relay?