Keeping a US phone?
 

Has anyone found a way to keep a US phone in the UK even if it's just a very cheap account?
It looks like I'm going to lose my Apple Card if I don't have a US phone number/US phone attached to this Credit Card.
We have a US Bank and a US address here but without a US phone I'm gonna have to close this credit card down.

Thank you so much for any and all options, I really appreciate it.

Re: Keeping a US phone?
 

I set up a Google Voice account while I was still in the US - this part is essential, as it seems that initial activation needs to be while in the US. I used it a few times so that it showed some usage, then after I got to the UK I ported my US mobile number to Google Voice so that I now have two GV numbers. Because my ported number was originally from a 'regular' cellphone provider there doesn't seem to be any issue with US bank and brokerage using it as my contact number (many financial institutions will not accept a VOIP number but that seems to be based on what kind of provider 'originated' the number, if that makes sense.) I think others on the forum have opened/maintained service with Mint Mobile so that might be another option to look at. Your options might depend on whether you are currently based in the US or in the UK; and/or whether you have someone Stateside who could help activate a US sim for you (or a VPN service you can use from the UK.)

Re: Keeping a US phone?
 

I used a Skype number until Skype was shutdown. I now use Talkatone at £3.49/month.

Re: Keeping a US phone?
 

We’ve just done this ready for our move later this month. We set up an account with Tello, and ported over our long term US numbers from T Mobile. it was all very straightforward, and the switch happened very quickly. Everything was working perfectly within an hour.

As we’re still in the US, for this month we chose Tello’s unlimited everything plan, which is $25 a month. Going forward, we’ll do a cheap plan for 300 minutes calls and unlimited texts, but no data as it’ll work on WiFi. This will cost $6.

Re: Keeping a US phone?
 

I have used Number Barn in the past. As far as I can remember, you get an email with any phone numbers that have called or texted the number. I mainly used the service for receiving OTP codes. There is also an app that may now offer other services.

Re: Keeping a US phone?
 

We have used Mint Mobile since moving back because the US banks won't accept a UK address or phone number. Been OK, so far. $45 for 3 months.