SE Asia

[PeteZa]

I’m traveling to SE Asia tomorrow night for several months (I’ll be getting an E-Sim for each country) is there a way to still receive text messages while I’m away? I hope so! If not, what would text senders see on their end when sending texts if I am not receiving them? Thanks!

[BKNS27]

@PeteZa 

Yes you can use WhatsApp as long as you have data on Viettel or connected to wifi.

[PeteZa]

Hi all,

I’m now in Vietnam. I’m using an E-Sim from Viettel (Vietnam’s biggest cell provider) and asked as many family and friends as I could to use WhatsApp (or Signal) while I’m away. I will continue paying for my Public plan while away to avoid any issues upon my return.

Thanks for all of the advice and feedback!

[slusagm]

if you want text from friends, use TextNow.  TextNow is a VoIP app and give you another 10 digits number for you to calls and text using the. app.  But that won't receive 2FA security code still.   So, email or authentication qpp are the only ways for 2FA when traveling 

[DennyCrane]

RCS and iMessage will work with wifi and on the esim (with data), but no SMS at all. Best to change any bank logins and whatnot to send one time passwords to email instead. Senders won't know that the SMS didn't get delivered.

A workaround would be leave your Public Mobile sim in an old phone at home, turned on and plugged in to a charger. You can download a text forwarding app and have it forward to a TextNow phone number that you can subscribe to for free and use via wifi and esim while you're away. It's a bit of a process, and you may need someone to check the phone at home in case your phone did a software update and reboot.

[Chalupa_Batman]

You "may" be able to get iMessages if you have an iphone if you're using a data eSIM while there. But people back in Canada sending via Android, you won't get those. 

[BKNS27]

@PeteZa 

PM doesn’t have roaming in SE Asia so you need to purchase a local eSIM plan there. You won’t be able to send text and your other party won’t receive them.

Or you can use Fongo or WhatsApp through wifi for free calling and texting.

Remember, if you disable your Subscribe (AutoPay) button to stop payment for several months. You will lose your number, your account will be closed and eSIM will not work after 90 days when you return. Best to continue with monthly payment if you want to keep your number and account,