Mintmobile eSIM

[NotJoeMama]

I just got off the phone with Mint and the international roaming is 10 bucks per day or 40 bucks for 7 days.  So each time I need an OTP from my US bank It will cost me 10 bucks.  VERY lousy deal.

 

If anyone comes up with a carrier that works for the banks sms,  I'd sure be thankful to know.  On that note,  I tried both Google voice and skype (both paid) but neither worked for my banks.

[jas007]

I’ve got this same problem.  When I came to Thailand this time, I had a Mint Mobile SIM card.  Unfortunately, I made the mistake of removing it from my phone to install a Thai SIM card.  I left the Mint Mobile SIM card on the nightstand and forgot it was there.  The maid threw it away when she cleaned my room and I didn’t realize it right away. So, no more US number and no way to do 2FA. Google Voice for my US number wouldn't work.

 

I’ve since switched to using a Thai eSIM, so that much works. 
 

My bank still recognizes my IPad, but that’s about it.  Anyway, I’m not really in the mood to fly all the way to the USA just to activate a U.S. phone number.

[FarangRimPing]

On 4/27/2024 at 7:27 PM, jas007 said:

I’ve got this same problem.  When I came to Thailand this time, I had a Mint Mobile SIM card.  Unfortunately, I made the mistake of removing it from my phone to install a Thai SIM card.  I left the Mint Mobile SIM card on the nightstand and forgot it was there.  The maid threw it away when she cleaned my room and I didn’t realize it right away. So, no more US number and no way to do 2FA. Google Voice for my US number wouldn't work.

 

I’ve since switched to using a Thai eSIM, so that much works. 
 

My bank still recognizes my IPad, but that’s about it.  Anyway, I’m not really in the mood to fly all the way to the USA just to activate a U.S. phone number.

 

I had a similar problem and moved over to a Pay-as-you-go from T-Mobile. I did it all from Thailand..... here's the thread:

 

 

[NanLaew]

I was updating my PayPal contact numbers and they no longer accept Skype or Vyke as they are VOIP numbers. They DID accept Skype several years ago, but I have changed my Skype number and PayPal wouldn't accept the new one.

 

I bought the 1-day package on my mint mobile so I could sort out PayPal but the balance vanished before I could do anything. I will be letting my mint mobile eSIM expire at the end of December when the next billing cycle is due. Their data packages are neither worth it nor practical for 2FA purposes.

 

A friend of mine is using a Tello eSIM that he set up online while here in Thailand. It's $5.50/month and works for 2FA with his banks and online stuff.

 

Anyone else using Tello?

[bamnutsak]

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I will be letting my mint mobile eSIM expire at the end of December

 

You may be able to port out your Mint number to UltraMobile's $3/month (includes 100 SMSes) PAYG plan. I think Mint and UltraMobile are part of Tmobile. I was able to port my TMobile SIM/number out to UltraMobile's $3/month plan. This plan supports WiFi calling, and SMS'es are delivered reliably.

[NanLaew]

3 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

 

You may be able to port out your Mint number to UltraMobile's $3/month (includes 100 SMSes) PAYG plan. I think Mint and UltraMobile are part of Tmobile. I was able to port my TMobile SIM/number out to UltraMobile's $3/month plan. This plan supports WiFi calling, and SMS'es are delivered reliably.

 

It's probably in this or other threads but remind me, is the UltraMobile setup something that can be done from Thailand or needs to be activated over a US network? And is it SIM or eSIM?

[gamb00ler]

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

It's probably in this or other threads but remind me, is the UltraMobile setup something that can be done from Thailand or needs to be activated over a US network? And is it SIM or eSIM?

If setting up a new UltraMobile, the sim needs to be installed in a phone and then connected to their network in the US.  AFAIK they only offer service via sim.  I have one and use True on an esim simultaneously for local Thai service.

 

I ordered an UltraMobile sim sent to my US based friend who registered it for me and then sent it to me in Thailand.  It's working great in my iPhone XR.

[bamnutsak]

18 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

It's probably in this or other threads but remind me, is the UltraMobile setup something that can be done from Thailand or needs to be activated over a US network? And is it SIM or eSIM?

 

 

I was able to port out my Tmobile prepaid/payg SIM/number to UltraMobile PAYG ($3/month) by phoning TMobile customer service from Thailand. Mint, Ultra are part of TMobile so their customer service can 'see' everything the change was instantaneous. I'd consider giving it a try. As always YMMV.

 

This is a port out/in and not a new activation. And you keep the same number, which can be handy.

 

Once you've done this consider registering (via a VPN and your UltraMobile number) for Google Voice, which for me works in all of the ~ 20 or so applications.

 

For other new UltraMobile PAYG SIMs, I had a relative activate them in the U.S. ( a link is sent to the phone, which I had my relative copy/paste to me, here where I took over the registration process) before mailing them onto me - meant for friends here who needed a solution.

 

 

[NanLaew]

On 10/10/2024 at 7:28 AM, bamnutsak said:

Once you've done this consider registering (via a VPN and your UltraMobile number) for Google Voice, which for me works in all of the ~ 20 or so applications.

 

Yes, I should have done that when I first got the mintmobile number and they had simple and cheap 'uproam' for doing the 2FA stuff.

[Jai Yen]

Found this old thread, rather than starting a new one.....

 

  I came over  in October  from  the States, started with Mint Mobile there, and for Oct and Nov and Dec here  it worked excellent,  I could text with anyone  and  receive 2A texts from any company  like Paypal, etc.....

 

Re-upped  a  week ago,  3 more months....and now NO texts come through!!    what the hell, I didn't change any settings on my phone {Samsung S23}  and their support is worse   than useless.  Don't need it  for calls as I have Skype,  same as everyone else I just NEED a US number for banks and  similar to  reach me with a  4 or 6-digit code

 

"Unable to send message, Call blocking is active"  is the message I get   but it's NOT active, I unchecked that.....been a week now,  may have tried everything 

[Jai Yen]

On 10/8/2024 at 10:37 PM, bamnutsak said:

 

You may be able to port out your Mint number to UltraMobile's $3/month (includes 100 SMSes) PAYG plan. I think Mint and UltraMobile are part of Tmobile. I was able to port my TMobile SIM/number out to UltraMobile's $3/month plan. This plan supports WiFi calling, and SMS'es are delivered reliably.

   what happened  at the end of December??

 

For me, my 3 months was up so  I paid them again for  3 months and now can not send or receive texts any longer

[bamnutsak]

I think Mint Mobile radically changed how their international roaming works.

 

They got rid of Uproam, and replaced it with Day Passes...

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/mintmobile/comments/1afrovo/minternational_pass_and_retirement_of_uproam/

 

 

 

 

[DFPhuket]

I've been using Mint Mobile for 3 years. I have always had international data roaming turned off, but have no issues getting SMS OTPs. I'm on a cheap plan of 5 GB per month, which I pay annually. I switch from my Thai eSIM to my Mint eSIM for cellular data when I land in the US for a holiday. My relevant Mint eSIM cellular settings are:

• Turn on this Line 
• Network selection - automatic
• Wi-Fi calling - On
• Data Roaming - Off

I find SMS works more reliably when wifi calling is on and I'm connected to my home Wi-Fi. Also, when Wi-fi calling is on, there is no charge for making a call to the US (although I think there is for receiving one). This comes in handy when calling a financial institution since it displays your US phone number. 

[bamnutsak]

from the reddit link...

 

FYI WIFi calling will still work internationally and if you have a newer phone (iPhone 13+, Pixel 7+, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy Flip/Fold4+) that supports dual active SIM and "backup calling" aka "auto data switching" you can use a 3rd party data only eSIM or a local SIM set up as "backup" for Mint SIM and just have Mint run over "WiFi calling" on your local/data SIM. That way, no need for international plan.

 

 

Still, compared to UltraMobile at $3/month (UM is also part of T-Mobile), a Mint Mobile data-only plan at $15/$25 per month is a bit more expensive. 

 

 

 

[kimothai]

On 2/26/2024 at 6:54 AM, NotJoeMama said:

I just got off the phone with Mint and the international roaming is 10 bucks per day or 40 bucks for 7 days.  So each time I need an OTP from my US bank It will cost me 10 bucks.  VERY lousy deal.

 

If anyone comes up with a carrier that works for the banks sms,  I'd sure be thankful to know.  On that note,  I tried both Google voice and skype (both paid) but neither worked for my banks.

I've received many OTP's using Mint and if I remember correctly, it was about 30 or 40 cents/text.  If you are referring to voice (roaming) then yes, the price is crazy.

[kimothai]

1 hour ago, DFPhuket said:

I've been using Mint Mobile for 3 years. I have always had international data roaming turned off, but have no issues getting SMS OTPs. I'm on a cheap plan of 5 GB per month, which I pay annually. I switch from my Thai eSIM to my Mint eSIM for cellular data when I land in the US for a holiday. My relevant Mint eSIM cellular settings are:

• Turn on this Line 
• Network selection - automatic
• Wi-Fi calling - On
• Data Roaming - Off

I find SMS works more reliably when wifi calling is on and I'm connected to my home Wi-Fi. Also, when Wi-fi calling is on, there is no charge for making a call to the US (although I think there is for receiving one). This comes in handy when calling a financial institution since it displays your US phone number. 

I've had Mint for 2 years with same results as you.  Never a problem receiving OTP's.

[Soondae]

So some one mentioned this Tello service and I've looked into it, looks like this might be the best service for us USA EXPAT in Thailand. Can the individual or others using the service respond about using the service? I'm seriously thinking about the change, currently I have a Skype number and SMS works very rarely.

 

https://tello.com/us_phone_number_for_abroad

 

[kimothai]

6 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

I think Mint Mobile radically changed how their international roaming works.

 

They got rid of Uproam, and replaced it with Day Passes...

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/mintmobile/comments/1afrovo/minternational_pass_and_retirement_of_uproam/

 

 

 

 

I believe you are correct.  Since I never use Mint when I'm in Thailand for voice, I didn't pay too much attention to it.  I only use the Mint voice/data when I go to America.  I've been able to receive OTP texts while in Thailand with no problems.  In fact, I received so many texts from Trump and Harris that I had to turn it completely off until after the election.

[NanLaew]

14 hours ago, DFPhuket said:

I've been using Mint Mobile for 3 years. I have always had international data roaming turned off, but have no issues getting SMS OTPs. I'm on a cheap plan of 5 GB per month, which I pay annually. I switch from my Thai eSIM to my Mint eSIM for cellular data when I land in the US for a holiday. My relevant Mint eSIM cellular settings are:

• Turn on this Line 
• Network selection - automatic
• Wi-Fi calling - On
• Data Roaming - Off

I find SMS works more reliably when wifi calling is on and I'm connected to my home Wi-Fi. Also, when Wi-fi calling is on, there is no charge for making a call to the US (although I think there is for receiving one). This comes in handy when calling a financial institution since it displays your US phone number. 

 

Thanks for that info. I am in Suriname at the moment, so I will see if that phone setting works for me and my US institution's 2FA stuff.

[Sterling]

I've been using Mint Mobile overseas for 4+ years and have never paid for their international roaming.

 

I just make sure Wi-Fi Calling is enabled for the Mint Mobile sim and I get all my 2FA/OTP SMS text messages for free.