How can expats in Thailand keep their US number just for 2-factor authentication?

I still have an active bill and service with my US provider and my phone has 1 physical sim and 1 eSIM. I turn on the physical sim from the US when I need to get text messages or OTP. I get travel days each month so I don’t get any extra charge and typically only use it once per month or less. It stays off but still inside my phone 99% of the time.

International incoming texts are free on UK sims so I keep a cheap one going. I pay £2.50 ($3.28) a month via PayPal, and I have a 2 sim phone. You can do the same on some later 1 sim phones by using an e-sim.

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I personally got the international/global plan on my phone through Verizon and pay less than $100 a month. All calls to US are free, unlimited data, and 300 minutes free calling time in Thailand

I use a free app, you can port your old number. it is called textnow. I have been using it for years. Free and it supports the 2F verification process. It also allows me to have a US phone number for business and friends and family.

Put your phone number on your Skype account. Problem solved

I have a minimum mint mobile USA number as an eSIM on my phone. I turn it on (over wifi) when I need 2nd). Typically a bunch of political text messages fly in also.

I use Mint Mobile. I receive all 2fa texts from the US.

I've tried every option. Google Fi is the only one which has worked for me long term.

You can port your number over to it quite easily too.

Use Google Voice!

Port your existing phone number to Google Voice ($20 for the switch). Free thereafter.

This makes it voice over IP. Works for phone calls, text messages and yes multi-factor authentication.

I have had zero problems in two years.

I use t mobile international to receive 2 factor authentication.

If you establish your 2fa while you have a valid mobile number, you can "port" your number to Google voice and it should continue to work. Most institutions validate the number when it is first setup, not each time it is used.

I use Google voice for all my 2FA for everything. No need to even use a VPN. I've only ran into one credit card company that Google voice wouldn't work for and would not accept an international number. I just canceled that card.

Leave your sim with a trusted person in US. when the 2FA is sent, they can whatsapp you the number.

I know its not ideal, but its a solution that works.

Check to see if your bank will accept sending codes by email. My credit union allows this. My primary US commercial bank identifies me using a security usb stick.

I do have an AT&T phone number but I rarely turn it on.

i have 2 phones and two sim cards

Yea get the text now app $60 a year for premium. Works with 2 factor authentication services. Sometimes it takes a minute or 2 but otherwise perfect. I have all my usa accounts tied to this

Just returned to the US from a 4-week trip in LOS. My stateside cell provider is T-Mobile. My plan includes unlimited data/text in Thailand. Plus T-Mobile includes Wi-Fi calling for calling the States, which is free. Functions like you're stateside. Added a Thai eSim to my phone. Worked great.

Check out US Mobile cheapest plan 8$ / month. I just got it for this reason you state plus having my normal number and cell service when i US. I am still in US so haven’t tried it abroad yet. Based on tips in other posts and reading about it I think (hope) it will work for 2FA abroad. Working great now as a normal cell service while here in US

Another option that lets you get away from your US cell phone for 2FA is to use an authentication app like Microsoft or Google Authenticator. They work great, but not every financial institution uses them. However, between email, authentication apps and Google Voice, I no longer need my US number when I’m overseas Of course some financial institutions may still require a regular home country phone number if they use txt-only authentication.

Good Voice - it works for Almost everything … so far paypal and a hospital only ones giving me trouble.

If you enable "WIFI Calling" you can get your SMS 2 factor codes for free, when connected to a local WIFI "like at your condo". Some companies automatically enroll you in their high priced international plan, as soon as your phone gives the phone company notification you are not in USA. however most also you can opt of that in advance. Verizon used to have to OPT in, but now they figured out they make more money by auto opt in, and you have to call them to opt out. Not 100 percent sure if 2 factor works with google fi, never tried, but many companies enable something called KYC and if so, it might not work for you.

visible mobile $25 a month with wifi calling allows text and sms and voice calls when on wifi..

Look up Numberbarn. Been using for 8 years.

I ported my old cell phone number to GoTo Connect Voip voice service (minimum 2 lines) Emergency Services and I get cell calls, SMSMMS, voicemail mail, and video anywhere as long as I have data.

i just use my US phone in Thailand. my carrier has an allowance for international roaming and I've never gone over it with just 2FA texts. Check if your Carrier has an international roaming allowance or even what the cost is. I use a separate phone for Thai domestic data and calls. The US phone can stay home safe and secure

Easy.

Sign up for the app dialpad it is like $15 a month. Then get a Thai sim card and call with your US number over the data through your Thai sim.

Been doing this a while and it works amazing.

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Use Fanytel. It's a good app for incoming and outgoing calls at 1 cent per minute and receiving texts too.

I also ported my old US number to Google Voice. Four Cr card and 3 bank accounts, no problem. Paypal will also take Google authenticator

I have sprint with international calling. I can make and receive calls and text and 2 factor and it’s really cheap . Last month my bill was $16

Google voice. Check youtube search for "keep your phone number when move abroad". I port my cell # to GV for 1 year and all normal phone call & text go thru no problem. I have BOA also no problem with them for virtual #. Yr phone MUST be unlock inorder to have a local Thai #.

I pay $35 a month for Verizon and keep my number back home and only use WiFi to access it here. Can call and revive texts no problem

Before you leave for Thailand, you need to get a dual sim UNLOCKED phone. I did this 3 years ago and switched to Google Fi (NOT to be confused with Google voice). I ported my number from Sprint (yeah, sure they had already merged with T- Mobile) and started using it before I left the States. I still have my US number for anything related to business in the States and use it with Whatsapp too (although Line is more popular in Thailand).

I think many people are incorrect

Just using an eSIM for Thailand and keeping US number isn’t a solution

Both being active doesn’t work and if you open your US line, it messes up eSIM

I have Verizon and any message there triggers the $10 a day roaming charge

Tello.com. eSIM. $5/month. Port your number. Text/calls over WiFi.

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I use an old flip phone that has TracFone contract. I believe it was $60 for the year and it does Wi-Fi calling and texting so I have it set up at home and the only time I use it is what I get a text for two step Authentication

I have a US number from T-Mobile for the past 20 years at $3 a month. Used only for 2 factor authentication. Works perfectly. iPhone 15 Pro. E-SIM with Thai phone number and the T-Mobile SIM in the same phone. Seamless.

Try textnow it offers free texting and calling through an app, free phone number for communication over Wi-Fi or cellular data

Before you come over go to your places that need 2 step ID and change to email ID tell them what and why you are doing this.

Keep a US contract and use a dual sim phone...

We downgraded our plans to a minimum and got a Thai sim too. The plans here are inexpensive compared to Canada

I use 2 phones, put a Thai sim in one and then buy a global roaming pack on my normal sim from my provider

When I run out of data on my normal phone I just hotspot from the thai sim

There are a few options. Some people use Google Voice BUT there are some banks/companies/services that can recognize that it is a "virtual" number and will not allow you to use that number for 2FA/OTP.

I've seen people say they use a Skype subscription for this, but I have no information about that.

You could also look at something like Google Fi. The bare minimum package does not cost much, and it works everywhere in the world. You can just use no data and only pay monthly to be able to receive 2FA/OTP. Another benefit is GoogleFi is that if you decide to travel in SE Asia or elsewhere, you can use it for data in almost every country in the world rather than try to worry about getting a local sim. Something possible to look into.

If I didn't split my time between the US and Thailand so I keep my Tmobile account, I would be using Google Fi.

Your phone take e sim ?

Get Thai e sim if it does

I just pay for my USA number and SIM card and exchange it for my Thai one when I have to do 2-factor…it’s inefficient but I don’t think there’s a workaround