What are the best apps or methods to receive US SMS and calls while living in Thailand?

Dec 20, 2023
a year ago
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know this has been asked before and some of the apps can not be downloaded in Thailand. I need an app with a phone number to receive texts and calls to the United States. This has to do with my bank and SS. They do have 800 numbers. Receiving texts once a Mt is about all I need. Thanks for any help
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Expatriates in Thailand seeking to maintain communication with US bank accounts and other services often face challenges due to SMS and call restrictions. Suggestions include using apps like Google Voice, Skype, Dingtone, and Magic App to obtain US phone numbers for receiving texts and calls. Some users recommend activating international roaming on a Thai SIM card or utilizing dual SIM phones. Other options discussed include services like Ultra Mobile and Tossable Digits, as well as considerations for setting up accounts before leaving the US. Participants shared experiences with different methods, noting variations in their effectiveness depending on individual bank requirements.
Garry *************
I am not technically minded in fact stupid but why not buy a phone with 2 sim cards one with a Thai number the other with your USA number sim. Now when want to check send msgs, change to USA number switch to roaming in some place with WiFi. Can pick up a dual sim phone about $200.
Gordon ********
Look at Ooma
Jeffrey **********
Switch to TMobile for international roaming.
Dave ******
Skype. Audio quality can be a bit shit, but low minute rate, so it doesn't cost too much when they put you on hold for ten minutes... 😒
Bent *************
Line
Raoul **********
Download the app before going toThailand.
Richard ********
WhatsApp.
Zabrina ******
@Richard *******
or line, or Google number forwarded
Amy ******
We use expatfone. £8.99 a month. Works perfectly. But we are from uk so may need to check if it works from the us.
Maurice *********
*****************************************
Joe *********
Added mint mobile minimum plan. Only use it over wifi, can get one time codes and call any us number for free.
Jerrod ***********
If you have a trusted friend or family member in the US that wouldn’t mind sending receiving OTP or calls, you could always ask them and change your bank profile to their phone number. That’s always an option.
Dana *******
If it is because you need your Thai bank to send you a code by SMS to the US : 1. Buy a Thai SIM card while still in Thailand 2. Register the phone number at your bank (must do it personally) 3. Go to the SIM provider office (ex : True Move...) and ask them to activate international roaming (must do it personally) 5. Make sure you have enough credit on the Tel. App before going to the US (you can always recharge it from abroad). 6. When in the US : swith on the Thai SIM for messages. 7. Your bank send you the SMS for free. 8. Once finished, swith off the Thai SIM. Good luck...
Cyrielle **********
Fongo or Skype are the ones I am using
Zabrina ******
I bought an extra unlocked phone, got a mobi account for 9 bucks a month
Jackie ***********
Google voice is the cheapest option. No monthly fee, but you gotta set it up in the USA
Sophia ******
@Jackie **********
I used it for years but many institutions and companies now recognize it as a VOIP number now and do not allow it.
Sean ********
You can also use tossable digits if you need regular connection to your US number:
*******************************
this way you don't need dual sim/esim on your phone and if you go back to the US you can switch back to a carrier plan easily enough
Edward *********
@Sean *******
Phone Verification Services

We are unable to guarantee that our numbers will work with phone verification services, such as the kind businesses such as PayPal, eBay and Craigslist use, that allow you to create accounts with other services. We cannot guarantee that our numbers will work or have never been used for the same purpose prior to your purchase, and as such, if we know about the verification service and it has been abused in the past, we will block incoming calls from such services.

We will not issue a refund if you purchase a number with an intent to use such automated account authorization and verification services and it does not succeed, regardless of your legitimacy for using it.
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for sharing this!
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Country:

Thailand

SMS/Text:

Not Available
Sean ********
Heya texting is available through the app using your virtual number and if you don't use the app you can have the messages sent 2 way via an email relay but you are right no direct SMS with Thailand providers.
Edward *********
Depending how much you want to pay,
****************************
has a $10/month plan (paid yearly) that gives you a real US phone number that can accept texts from any financial institution (as well as make/receive calls, but that's expensive) It can be activated in Thailand. I had my starter sim card shipped to Thailand from Amazon. I also use it when I go back to visit the US which makes it convenient for me.
Michel *********
Dingtone App
Jordi ********
Not a dual sim in your phone? I just activate my other sim for a moment whenever I need a text.
David *****
@Jordi *******
but you still need to pay for that account
Jordi ********
@David ****
That is true but I have a very cheap one and still travel up and down a bit to the Netherlands. I definitely want to keep that number.
Nolan ******
I am from Australia and have an ESIM setup I just turn it on when I need to receive a text
Jordi ********
My phone doesn't support ESIM yet sadly. But the dual setup works good enough.
Mike *********
@Jordi *******
that’s what I do as well
Richard *********
i just use skype for all my banking calls

wich ( chase & Citibank) are free

both Banks send OTP to my Thai mobile #
Jonathan ********
Skype, pay for a US number
Brian ***********
@Jonathan *******
I do that , and several institutions will not accept the number. PayPal and one bank refused it.
Jonathan ********
@Brian **********
only sharing what works for me, I use it to get sms with code to activate new cc etc. I chose my area code and it looks like a regular land line number so not sure how your bank knows it's not just a local number.
Brian ***********
@Jonathan *******
one bank , no problem , the other didn't like it. Different banks and security systems I assume
Bob **********
Magic App $3.99 a month
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
Can not download in Thailand already try thanks
Bob **********
@David *******
change your region to Thailand
Martin *********
I’m having the same sort of issues with OTP being sent ( or not in this case ) to my Thai phone number 🙄
Andrea **********
@Martin ********
we've had the same issue then blocked the card as we didn't respond despite updating to thai number. Currently try to.contact via operator

Banks can be frustrating
Peter *********
Just bring phone with you and use when needed ?
Vic *********
@Peter ********
even basic US phone service is expensive for one or two calls per month.
Kenny *****
Set up google voice in the US and port yr cell # to it. before you leave US.
Robert **********
@Kenny ****
if you port to Google voice before you leave the US, while you still have a US cell number, it may work, mine has worked for five years with most banks. I did lose my Venmo recently. However, capital one denied me a new account because it wasn’t a real US cell. Do not tell anyone you’re doing this, or they may cancel your account. Some banks or credit cards can send the OTP to any number that you can receive, others know that it is a VoIP, etc.,, and require a genuine mobile number in any country. Still others, like my capital, one, require an active cell number in the United States. So the answer is it depends.
Joren ******
@Kenny ****
third is the way, it's either great for me so far but LINE of all things eventually detected it as a voip number and locked me out of my account. That was a stressful day.
Kenny *****
@Joren *****
didnt have any issue with any apps, knock on wood. would be bad new if Line didnt work, Thai ppl depends too heavy on this.
Vic *********
@Kenny ****
Line wants you to have a real SIM not a VOIP number.
Joren ******
@Vic ********
right, banks do too. Porting your cell seems to be a good way to get around it in most cases though.
Peter ********
@Joren *****
I thought I was tech savvy. Obviously not. What does porting my cell mean please?
Joren ******
@Peter *******
number porting is just moving a phone number from one company to another. Like if you switched from T-Mobile to Verizon and you wanted to keep your number for example
Peter ********
@Joren *****
Of course. Thanks. I’ve done this myself.
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