Step-By-Step Tello Instructions
One of the more popular questions we get here is, "How do I keep my US cell phone number without the giant US bill?" A popular service is Tello, which is owned and operated by T-Mobile. IDEALLY, you should sign up for this before you leave the US. It is designed to be done that way. But like others, 2 of us have done it from Spain recently, so here is the full rundown on how (and note that this is for an eSIM, since you aren't in the US to get a physical SIM mailed to you).
1. Turn on your VPN and aim it to the US.
1. Create an account at Tello.com.
2. Sign up for a plan. They start around $6 per month and go to maybe $15-20, depending on your needs. Select eSIM, not physical SIM, at checkout.
3. On the menu at the top right, first select "Pay As You Go", and go ahead and add at least $5 to your Pay As You Go amount. This is required before you can activate the line for roaming, which is what you'll be doing since you're abroad.
3. At the top right menu, select "MY SETTINGS", and first scroll down to the WiFi Calling/E911 EMERGENCY ADDRESS. Add an address from the US (friend, relative, your old address, anything).
4. After that is entered, go up to International Roaming and turn that button to ON.
5. Back to the top right menu, select MY SIM and then scan that QR code with your phone, and follow the link. Follow the instructions on your phone to activate the eSIM on your phone. After it's done, restart the phone. Check to make sure it's active and functional. It will have a random US phone number, and you can see that number in your Tello account.
If you then want to port your US number to it, first get a Transfer PIN from your US phone carrier (normally available in your account, without needing to contact a live agent). You will need to go to the top right menu again and select "PORTING". Enter your information exactly as it appears in your account with the US carrier, and the Transfer PIN. Both of the phones I've done with this were ported and functional within 5 minutes, but they say it will be between 2 hours and 2 days. Your US carrier number will remain functional until it has been ported.
Here, also, is a great page from Tello about the process: YOUR U.S. NUMBER ABROAD
I've had mine as a second eSIM on an iPhone for about a year at the time I am writing this, and just ported in my husband's to his Samsung yesterday and it still worked easily. I don't fully know that a VPN is required, but I recommend using it both on the phone and the website when setting it up, just in case. HAPPY PORTING!
