Everett

It has become clear that I need a UK number in order to receive texts etc from the UK for online transactions. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive way to obtain a UK mobile number in the US?

petitefrancaise

I used to have one from skype. IIRC £50 for the year. I did it so that my UK family would be able to call me but they didn't use it much and tbh it was a faff using it.

Is it for bank transactions? I haven't heard anyone else needing a uk number for this. Do your bank know where you are living?

Tom1981

Are you already in the US? The easiest way is to buy a Pay As You Go SIM card in the UK, which you can use in most unlocked phones (I keep my UK number on a Three SIM card - it's pretty low-maintenance). If you're already here, you could ask UK friends/family to get one for you, and mail it over - I don't believe they have to be registered to individuals. Otherwise, I'm not sure...

DebzinUS

While not exactly a UK mobile number, I use Ring Britain. I have a virtual landline number. My family call a number in Oxford (you can choose your location) It costs me $9.99 a month for unlimited calls to that number. The cost to my family depends on whether they have to pay for their UK calls. It is the cheapest way that I can find for my family to keep in touch. The 9.99 is for an unlimited number of calls each month. I can have the calls forwarded to my US mobile or my landline. No texts though.

Get a United Kingdom Virtual Number. Receive unlimited calls for a low fee per month!

distantecho

Why don't you just get Viber? Costs nothing and all calls and txts are free. I use it all the time.

doconthemove

try this app 'freetone' but make sure someone in the UK creates an account on it and gives you the u/n password as it needs a UK IP to give you a UK mobile number.

alternatively use a vpn on your phone when signing up etc

DebzinUS

Because my parents don't have smart phones.

rpjs

I have a UK number set up through Skype to route to my phone here so my Dad can call me at local rates. You can do it all on Skype's website without needing Skype on your phone. There's a small quarterly fee for the redirect and call usage charges are a few cents per minute.

The only caveat is I'm not sure if Skype let you select a UK mobile dialing code or only a geographic one. If it's the latter mobile verification services may not work as they may expect a mobile number.

doconthemove

just use freetone app will give you the UK mobile number you want or try upptalk will do same talk again just ask someone in UK to set the account up for you on their phone and give you the details

no money/credit card needed etc

yellowroom

I used localphone. 99¢ per month to rent a UK number per month and 0.5¢ per minute to receive the call. You can chose which area code you want so eg if you have it for your parents, you choose a number local to them so they only ever get charged a local rate to call you.

uk_grenada

Look at voipfone.co.uk, much cheaper and very efficient. I have used them for about 10 years.