topic Re: Traveling to China in Get Support

Traveling to China

Jessicaleyun — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:19:06 GMT

I’m under Canada-US-Mexica 29$ unlimited plan. While I’ll be soon traveling to China. How can I forward my phone number and receive calls during the time?

Re: Traveling to China

hTideGnow — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:48:10 GMT

hi @Jessicaleyun

what you can do is get use VoIP app TextNow

Downloads the app TextNow. it will gives you a 10 digits phone number and you can use the app to make and recieve calls. Then call forward your number to the TextNow phone number. Calls will then forward there and your TextNow app will ring and you can make and recieve calsl there.

But remember, no way to forward text, just forward voice calls

Re: Traveling to China

BKNS27 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:52:42 GMT

@Jessicaleyun

PM doesn’t have service outside of North America (Canada, USA and Mexico).

If you have a Fongo number you want to call forward to then here is the information.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/call-forwarding?_gl=1*dlbajv*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NDI2OTY1ODMuQ2owS0NRand2X20tQmhDNEFSSXNBSXFOZUJ1aE1oYlJjNlhiYkNrci1fQlBveW5hLV9BSlV4OFFnRC1fNEV0NG5VbGgydmc1YVlacV84VWFBanl6RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3NDI2OTY1ODMuQ2owS0NRand2X20tQmhDNEFSSXNBSXFOZUJ1aE1oYlJjNlhiYkNrci1fQlBveW5hLV9BSlV4OFFnRC1fNEV0NG5VbGgydmc1YVlacV84VWFBanl6RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*MTk4ODk4NzQ3NS4xNzM5MzMxOTEyLjI1NjI3MDI3My4xNzQxNDY5NTc4LjE3NDE0Njk1Nzc.*_ga*MzAzOTIyMDE0LjE3MzkzMzE5MTI.*_ga_5Q4XYYJ879*MTc0Mjc2MDY2OC4zMTQuMS4xNzQyNzYyOTMzLjYwLjAuMA..

If all parties are on WhatsApp, you can use it on wifi or on your local SIM data.

Re: Traveling to China

BKNS27 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:55:35 GMT

@hTideGnow

TextNow only works in Canada and USA. You can only call internationally while in Canada.

Re: Traveling to China

hairbag1 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:05:36 GMT

@BKNS27 wrote:
@hTideGnow
TextNow only works in Canada and USA. You can only call internationally while in Canada.

Are you certain of your info ? I was able to use TextNow to make / rec calls while in Mexico. I was able to call to Canada and US numbers while I was in Mx, using the TextNow app and local wifi.

Re: Traveling to China

Yummy — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 22:26:09 GMT

It could be that TextNow might work in this part of the world. What if you use vpn and fake location while in Europe/Asia/etc.?

Re: Traveling to China

softech — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 22:28:55 GMT

@BKNS27 wrote:
@hTideGnow
TextNow only works in Canada and USA. You can only call internationally while in Canada.

@BKNS27

while TextNow added the terms about it only works in US and Canada, live test confirmed it is not the case.

TextNow still works in countries outside of the US and Canada, even without using VPN. I suspect it can only be registered for an account when you are in US and Canada.

Of course, these all can be changed quickly. But as this moment, TextNow app works outside of US and Canada

Re: Traveling to China

funpig1 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 22:38:16 GMT

@Jessicaleyun @hairbag1 @BKNS27 @hTideGnow

I set up a TextNow free phone number on my phone. Then I call forwarded both my Public Mobile number and my Telus landline to my TextNow number. Then I went on vacation to Japan. People from Canada who called my PM number or my Telus landline would have their call forwarded to me in Japan. And using TextNow, I could telephone anybody in Canada. Call quality depends on the strength of the Wi-Fi or mobile data.

However, I don't know if the Chinese government has any blocking of TextNow.

With friends who also used WhatsApp, I found WhatsApp was better to use than TextNow. But the TextNow method is good for dealing with friends who only know how to dial and not use a messaging app like whatsapp. FYI, WhatsApp does not work in china.

Re: Traveling to China

BKNS27 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 22:47:38 GMT

Good to know that it works outside of Canada and USA. I agree that there might be restrictions in the Chinese government on using TextNow.

Good thing I have the TextNow SIM so when I am in the USA. I get free calling, texting and essential data on 5G.

Re: Traveling to China

hTideGnow — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:17:37 GMT

hi @BKNS27

i used my Textnow in Asia without problem

Just went to Europe and tried different countries and all worked well

So, I suggested based on my experience.

And TextNow not only works in Canada and USA. You can ~~not~~ call internationally while in Canada and overseas

And thanks @hairbag1 , @softech and @funpig1 for confirming

Re: Traveling to China

funpig1 — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:33:19 GMT

@hTideGnow

When I was in Japan, TextNow allowed me to call Canada toll-free. However, I could not make a call to a Japanese number. I think that would be considered a long distance call (Canadian number to Japanese number) and require some payment.

Re: Traveling to China

hTideGnow — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:36:20 GMT

hi @funpig1

this is expected. TextNow allow you to receive calls and text from anywhere in the world, not just Canada and USA

However, it can only make call to US and Canada (but you can do so from anywhere in the world)

Make calls to outside Canada and US and receive 2FA text are paid features

Re: Traveling to China

BKNS27 — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:40:31 GMT

Yes thank for confirming.
We should compile a list of countries TextNow will work at it would be a lot of work.
The TextNow information is not correct where international calling and text will work.

Re: Traveling to China

Jessicaleyun — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 01:53:43 GMT

Thanks.
I’m wondering if my phone will be disconnected if I don’t switch or forward my PM Canada number while I’m in China? All I need is to be able to answer calls, but not making any call. Will this be charged roaming fee?

Re: Traveling to China

hTideGnow — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 02:03:54 GMT

hi @Jessicaleyun

no need to worry about roaming charges, your PM sim won't work at all

you can still have your PM sim card in the phone, just turn off Mobile data to save battery. Whenever you have Wifi, your TextNow will work. Of course, you can buy local mobile data or use travel esim. Then your TextNow will work with mobile data in China too

Re: Traveling to China

Rastin — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 02:07:12 GMT

You phone will not be disabled unless you stopped payment. But it will not work in China unless you use something like WhatsApp or buy a local sim and pay for time on one of there providers. You can put your account on hold for 90 days if your staying long enough by disabling you subscription just renew it before the 90 days to avoid losing your number.

Re: Traveling to China

hTideGnow — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 02:06:34 GMT

@BKNS27 wrote:
Yes thank for confirming.
We should compile a list of countries TextNow will work at it would be a lot of work.
The TextNow information is not correct where international calling and text will work.

you are welcome @BKNS27

Re: Traveling to China

softech — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 02:21:18 GMT