3 Ways To Keep (And Use) Your US Number Abroad
Table Of Contents
- How I keep my US number while abroad
- Method #1: Google Voice
- This method allows you to use your US number for calls and texts, but not 2FA abroad
- What is Google Voice?
- Google Voice pricing
- Who is Google Voice for?
- Why you probably only need Google Voice’s “Starter” plan
- When to activate Google Voice
- How to activate Google Voice
- Pros and cons of using Google Voice abroad
- Why you shouldn’t use Google Voice for 2FA
- Method #2: US Mobile
- This method allows you to use your US number for 2FA abroad
- What is US Mobile?
- Who is US Mobile for?
- How US Mobile works
- How to turn on your US Mobile line to receive 2FA messages
- US Mobile pricing
- When to activate US Mobile
- How to activate US Mobile
- Pros and cons of using US Mobile while abroad
- Method #3: Google Fi
- This method allows you to receive calls & texts to/from your US number + unlimited data + hotspot for up to 60 days
- What Is Google Fi?
- Who is Google Fi for?
- How does Google Fi work?
- Google Fi pricing
- Why you probably want Google Fi’s “Unlimited Plus” plan
- How to activate for Google Fi
- Pros and Cons of using Google Fi abroad
- More info on Google Fi plans
- FAQ On Keeping & Using Your US Number Abroad
Important Note #1: For any of these to work, you’ll need to set them up before leaving the US.
Important Note #2: This post is for digital nomads who plan to spend 1+ month abroad. If you’re only spending a week abroad, you’re better off just contacting your current provider and asking for an international plan.
Important Note #3: As of early 2023, Methods #2 and #3 below are only available to US citizens who are physically in the US when activating these services in the US (before they head abroad).
What I Use To Keep My US Number
I personally use a combination of Method #1 and Method #2 while I'm abroad.
- I use Method #1 (Google Voice) as a free way to call any friends and family who don't have Whatsapp/iPhones.
- I then use Method #2 (US Mobile) to receive 2FA/OTP abroad and pick up an eSIM for international travel, which gives me mobile data and a source of hotspot data.
What I Pay:
Google Voice (free) + US Mobile ($5/month) + eSIM (cost varies based on data package and country) = ~$30 USD per month.
My Situation:
I do not need to call or send SMS texts to any US phone numbers (I handle this with Whatsapp, Facetime or Slack). A big bonus is, using US Mobile means I don’t need to change my service provider when I go home for holidays or extended periods.
Do You Even Need To Keep Your US Number Abroad?
If you're wondering if you even need to keep your US number abroad? Here are 3 scenarios to walk you through it;
Probably Not: If you're just popping down to TJ from San Diego for the weekend, you probably don't need to keep your US number.
Maybe: If you're taking a one-week vacation, it depends. If you're bringing cash or you have a solid international credit card that won't ask for 2FA when making purchases - you probably don't ned to keep your US number abroad.
Definitely: If you're heading abroad for multiple months, you should definitely utilize one or multiple methods below to keep your US number in some way, shape or form.
Method #1: Google Voice (For Calls And Texts, Not For 2FA)
Google Voice is a cost-effective way to send and receive calls to your US number while you're abroad, however it is inconvenient if you plan to frequently leave the country.
What Is Google Voice?
Google Voice is a mobile phone service by Google that enables you to receive calls to a US number over wifi or mobile data.
Google voice Pricing
Google Voice is free for personal use to make and receive calls to other US numbers while you're abroad. However, the free plan gives you a randomly generated US number.
If you would like to use Google Voice with your US number, you'll need to pay for a Google Voice plan, which starts at $10 USD/month.
Who Is Google Voice For?
If you want to be able to send and receive calls and texts to and from the US, from a randomly generated US number (which is free) or your personal US number (paid plan), Google Voice is for you.
With that said - remember you do not want to rely on Google Voice to receive 2FA/OTP messages abroad (more on that below).
Why You Probably Only Need Google Voice’s “Starter” Plan
While you’re abroad, if you want to make and receive calls and texts to/from people in the US or Canada using your US number, then the Google Voice Start Plan is all you need.
But, if you need to use your US number to make and receive international phone calls to/from numbers outside the US, then you’ll need Google Voice “Premier” plan for $30/month.
Most remote workers don’t need to make and receive old-school international calls to and from their US number, as they use Zoom, Teams, Slack, etc for these types of calls.
^Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash
Google Voice Pricing
- Free (if you don’t need calls and texts to go to/come from your US number).
- Google Voice’s Starter Plan is $20 (to port your US number to Google Voice) and $10/month afterwards for unlimited calls & texts to and from the US and Canada.
- Google Voice's Premier Plan is $20 (to port your US number to Google Voice) and $30/month afterwards for unlimited calls & texts to and from anywhere in the world.
When To Activate Google Voice
Before leaving the US, you must should Google Voice when you're still stateside. However, there are anecdotal stories of people using a VPN, setting their location to the US and activating Google Voice while abroad.
How To Activate Google Voice
For Free Google Voice Account
- Sign up for Google Voice
- Enter the area code you’d like your Google Voice number to have (you can also skip this)
- Claim a phone number
- Click “Verify”. This will send an SMS to your US phone number, which will link your Google Voice number with your US number.
- Download the Google Voice app on your phone and log in.
For Paid Google Voice Starter Package
- Sign up for Google Voice
- When prompted to select which area code you’d like your number to be from, tap “Skip This”
- Go to “Settings” (gear icon) and tap “Port Number”.
- You’ll be prompted with the $20 charge and further instructions to finish porting your number.
- Once you’ve ported, download the Google Voice app and log in.
Pros And Cons Of Using Google Voice Abroad
Pros
- Send/receive calls and texts using your US number for $10 (or free, if you’re ok using a Google Voice generated number)
- Unlike Google Fi, you can use Google Voice indefinitely while traveling abroad
Cons
- You need to be on wifi or have eSIM data to use Google Voice
- After porting your number to Google Voice for your trip abroad, you’ll need to port your number back to a US carrier every time you come back to the US.
- You cannot use Google Voice for 2FA.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Google Voice For 2FA
There are many companies and banks that won’t send two-factor authentication codes to Google Voice. For example, as of December 2022, X no longer accepts Google Voice for two-factor authentication.
We simply don’t recommend it because it’s risky – it will work for some banks/companies and not for others. We only recommend using Google Voice for 2FA as a last resort.
Method #2: US Mobile (For 2FA Only)
US Mobile is a highly convenient and cost-effective way to receive 2FA/OTP messages to your US number while you're abroad and even at home.
What Is US Mobile?
US Mobile is a US mobile carrier that allows you to use pre-pay for a specified amount of calls, texts and data every month. US Mobile supports eSIMs in devices with eSIM capability.
Who Is US Mobile For?
Keeping your US number abroad through US Mobile is great for location independent workers who spend extended stretches of time outside of the US, and who don't need to send/receive calls from their US number while abroad.
As a location independent remote worker, I’ve used US Mobile for years to handle two-factor authentication SMS abroad. I simply turn on this US line when I need to receive a 2FA SMS code, then turn it off once I've received it.
Not only is it great for receiving these OTP codes abroad, but I simply turn my US line on when I return to the US, load it up with data, texts and call minutes, and I have service in the US.
How US Mobile Works
One thing to keep in mind - by switching to US Mobile, you're making them your US mobile provider. So no Verizon, no AT&T.
At the beginning of each month, you select for services you want from US Mobile. You have the option between data packages, SMS packages and talk minutes. If you’re traveling abroad and just using US Mobile for two-factor SMS authentication, you can select the “50 texts per month” plan. 50 texts is $2 and there are ~$3 in fees. That’s about $5 per month for 50 2FA SMS messages.
Can’t beat it.
To use your US Mobile account for 2FA abroad, you’ll just need to turn it on when you send 2FA messages. Here’s how to do that.
How To Turn On Your US Line To Receive 2FA Messages
Step 1: Go to "Settings" > "Cellular"
Step 2: Tap the account associated with your US Mobile Account
Step 3: Tap “Turn on this line”
Wait a couple moments, and you should be able to receive any 2FA or OTP SMS messages that come through.
Cost Of US Mobile
If you're using US Mobile only to receive 2FA/OTP SMS messages abroad, you can expect to pay about $5 USD/month, which gets you 50 SMS messages.
If you're using it while you're
Steps To Activate US Mobile
- Sign up for US Mobile
- Port your number to US Mobile
- Once porting is complete, you can sign up for an eSIM and activate instantly
- Select the number of texts you want for your monthly plan (or, if you have a window of time where you’re in the US before you travel abroad, you can add texts, calls and data too).
When To Activate US Mobile
You cannot activate US Mobile while you're abroad; you need to port your number to US Mobile before leaving the continental US if you plan to use it to keep your US number while abroad.
Pros And Cons Of Using US Mobile While Abroad
Pros
- Keep your US number indefinitely while traveling abroad
- Handle 2FA and other SMS messages
- Only ~$5/month
- Easily add data, minutes and texts for when you make any visits back to the US, without switching carriers and porting numbers
Cons
- If your mobile device doesn’t support eSIM, then you’ll need to physically switch out your SIM cards every time you want to receive 2FA or SMS
If you're looking for another option for 2FA, check out Hushed to receive 2FA and OTP abroad.
Method #3: Google Fi (Unlimited data + hotspot anywhere, up to 60 days)
Google Fi is the easiest (and most expensive) way to keep your US number abroad for less than 60 days.
What Is Google Fi?
Google Fi is Google's mobile phone and data service provider branch. You'll get a physical Google Fi SIM (or eSIM), and it's your sole mobile phone and data service provider.
Google Fi service gives users unlimited calling, text and data to their US number, anywhere in the world.
Who Is Google Fi For?
Google Fi is the perfect mobile phone service for business travelers who frequently travel abroad for business trips, and who are ok paying a premium for the convenience Google fi offers.
How Does Google Fi Work?
Google Fi automatically detects and connects to the strongest local cell signal, wherever you go. If there's 5G available and your phone is 5G-enabled, your phone will connect. If 5G is not available, Google Fi will connect to the next-strongest connection.
Google Fi enables you to move seamlessly across international borders and using your phone just like you would in your home country, which includes using your US number for everything you would in your home country.
So how does it work? Just put your phone in airplane mode before departing from the US and wherever you land, you'll have mobile data and be able to send/receive calls and SMS messages to your US number the second you take your phone out of airplane mode.
Google Fi Cost
One user on Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus: $65/mo (with taxes and fees it comes out to ~$70/month). This gives you;- The ability to use your phone as a hotspot
- Unlimited data
- Unlimited texts
- Free calls to over 50 destinations, $0.20/minute for calls outside those destinations
- Data is throttled after 50GB usage during month (very few people will reach this)
Why You Probably Want Google Fi’s “Unlimited Plus” Plan
If you’re opting for Google Fi, you likely want unlimited data, which is crucial to hotspot wherever you are. In this case, you’ll want to go with Google Fi Unlimited Plus because it does not have a cap on data, which means unlimited hotspotting.
Meanwhile, Google Fi’s “Simply Unlimited” and “Flexible” options don't give you data outside Canada, the US and Mexico, and these plans cap the amount of monthly hotspot data you can use in these countries. Any data consumption outside of these countries costs $10/GB.
Steps To Register For Google Fi
Important Note: Don't cancel your current service plan with your current service provider until you’ve ported your number over to Google Fi and you’ve received a confirmation from Google Fi that the number transfer was successful.
- Make sure your phone is compatible with Google Fi
- Download the Google Fi app
- Log in using your Gmail.
- Select your plan
- Choose the phone you’ll be using for Google Fi.
- Enter the address you want the SIM card shipped to (see if your device is eligible for eSIM activation)
- Once you receive your SIM card you can insert the SIM card and go into your Google Fi app to initiate the transfer.
Pros And Cons Of Using Google Fi’s “Unlimited Plus” Abroad
- Google Fi offers shared plans, and the more lines that are added to the plan, the lower the cost.
- Receive and send calls and texts to your US number from any country in the world
- Unlimited data anywhere in the world
- Free calls to many countries in the world
- Service switches seamlessly between countries, so you’ll have service anywhere on Earth you go.
Cons
- Once you exceed 60 consecutive days outside of your home country, you’re liable to be cut off from Google Fi service any time.
- If you’re not going to keep Google Fi as your main provider in your home country, you’ll need to port your number back to your other provider upon returning to the US.
More Info On Google Fi Plans
You can check out info for Google Fi and the differences between plans here.
If you want to dive deeper into the fully remote work world, check out our guide on how to start digital nomading where you'll find actionable tips you’ll be able to use to make your digital nomad experience run smoother.
FAQ On Keeping & Using Your US Number Abroad
Q: Is it possible to port your number to Google Voice while abroad?
A: It is possible, but remember you probably won't be able to use VoIP services Google Voice for things like 2FA/OTP verification. Also, if you're in a country that prohibits Google Voice (like Mexico), you'll need to get a paid VPN service and set it to a country-location where it's permitted.
Q: Can you still receive verification codes to your US number while you're overseas?
A: Yes; you can get an international plan from your carrier, you can use a US-service like US Mobile, or you can use a service like Hushed. Check out this piece on receiving OTP/2FA abroad for more.
Q: Do you need to keep your US number when you go abroad?
A: It depends. If you're going for just a few days, probably not. If you're going for a week, maybe. If you're positive you can take out cash or use your credit card without authenticating via 2FA, then you probably don't need to keep your US number when you go abroad. If you're traveling abroad for longer than 2 weeks, you should definitely keep your US number so that you can send/receive 2FA.
Travel well! And if you work and play from anywhere too, check out our 2-in-1 laptop case that doubles as a stand below. Built for remote workers like you.
