topic Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts? in Get Support

What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

vannievanvan — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:35:32 GMT

What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts? If I leave the SIM card out of my phone for more than 2 weeks (because I am travelling), will I see them when I put it back in my phone?

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

dabr — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:25:57 GMT

@vannievanvan Unfortunately, PM (Telus) I think only keeps your incoming texts (when out of range) for about 5 days or maybe it's 10 days, so if you're out of the country for longer then you won't be able to retrieve those messages unless ~~you have texting roaming option if~~ going to the US (I think).

edit: to clarify you can receive incoming texts (but not send out) without roaming option while in the US only.

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

dust2dust — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:08:39 GMT

I seem to recall that Telus will hold messages for 5 days and then purge older as it goes along.

You could put the sim in a phone and leave it at home and use a text forwarding app to forward to a voip app like TextNow. Then when you connect to the internet via wifi or local cell data you will get the messages.

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

esjliv — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:18:50 GMT

@dabr wrote:
@vannievanvan Unfortunately, PM (Telus) I think only keeps your incoming texts (when out of range) for about 5 days or maybe it's 10 days, so if you're out of the country for longer then you won't be able to retrieve those messages unless you have texting roaming option if going to the US (I think).

@vannievanvan @dabr - Public Mobile would be the same as Telus, so 5 days re-attempting to deliver texts

@dust2dust left a good suggestion to not miss any though, just make sure you keep the other phone ON and charging in Canada while away.

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

CountyDownIeUk — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:19:37 GMT

Is it not correct that if you are in USA and no USA Add-ons purchased that you will still receive texts??

I assume that may be an issue as appears OP is going to use a different SIM in the phone.

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

dabr — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:21:05 GMT

@CountyDownIeUk Yes, you're right and I forgot that you will still be able to receive incoming texts without roaming purchase while down south.

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

dust2dust — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:24:50 GMT

The customer didn't provide that piece of information. Yes we can receive texts in the states without having bought an add-on. (obviously connected to T-Mobile)

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

braydinn182 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:26:53 GMT

If traveling to the U.S. i recommend getting the add-on that supports connectivity in the states. If travelling outside of the states I recommend getting an international "phone credit" by a reputable company such as CiCi. Can b found in most convenience stores.

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

HALIMACS — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:38:25 GMT

@vannievanvan

if using iPhone, iMessage only needs a Wi-Fi connection to be used and can easily communicate with anyone, anywhere, who is also using an iPhone

Re: What happens if I take my SIM card out and get messages or texts?

BKNS27 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 22:07:40 GMT

@vannievanvan

Your SIM will have your account information on it.
You can just leave the SIM in your phone but it will not work. If you are worried about roaming charges. You won’t be charged unless you purchase Roaming in the US plans but you can also turn off Roaming in your settings.