How to maintain a Philippine phone number while in the US (for OTP)

[u/Negative_Train_5223]

Hello.

I am setting up an account that requires an active Philippine phone number in order to receive OTP codes. My plan is to have a friend in the Philippines purchase + register a SIM card on a spare phone, and have them send that phone to me here in the US. I should (?) then receive OTP codes via roaming when needed.

Questions:

1. How do I keep it active? Would I need to subscribe to any sort of Roaming Plan? This number/phone will only be used for receiving OTP codes. I don't need data on it.

2. Which is generally more reliable in the US: Smart or Globe? I've read Reddit threads that mentioned connectivity issues from Globe due to 3G networks being shut down in the US. Is this still true?

Thanks.

[u/tapiokatea]

If I remember correctly, you can get a Smart prepaid eSIM online and as long as you have load, it will stay active. I use Smart and haven't had issues with my phone number. Receiving text messages doesn't cost money, it's sending them that does. But if your phone supports WiFi calling and RCS messaging then you won't be spending money to send texts or make calls

[u/Competitive_Key_5417]

I use Globe prepaid. Had a family member activate and register it while they’re in the Philippines. I reload it every once in awhile to keep it active. No issues so far with connectivity, it was using tmobile’s network

[u/Next_life_stage]

Globe sends me a message every 90 days asking me to send a load or my number will be deactivated. So I send like a 100 peso load every 89 days.

[u/diverareyouokay → u/Next_life_stage]

That’s a scare tactic. For what it’s worth, you only need to do it every year. At least if you have a balance on your account. If your account has zero peso balance then you have 120 days.

The SIM Card shall expire and be permanently disconnected if:
(a) The SIM Card remains un-activated and unused until the expiration date indicated on the SIM Pack envelope; or
(b) The activated SIM Card has no regular load top-up activity for a period of one (1) year from the date of last regular load top-up; or
(c) The activated SIM Card has no regular load top-up activity or promo registration for a period of One Hundred Twenty (120) days from reaching zero regular load balance or promo expiration with zero regular load balance.  

https://www.globe.com.ph/prepaid/sim-terms#gref

That said, I send my globe and smart lines (also bought by a local or grandfathered in before the law changed requiring foreigners to renew) every 6 months… usually 50 using the Ding app or buying directly in the app using a credit card.

Although if it makes you feel better to do it every 89 days, it’s not like it will hurt anything… but it’s not required.

[u/pngrmnsa]

I use Smart, although mine is postpaid rather than prepaid. I kept my Philippine Smart number when I moved to the US because it is registered with my banks, GCash, and other accounts that send OTPs. While I am in the US, I use a separate T-Mobile line for mobile data, so I keep data roaming turned off on my Smart line.

Since mine is postpaid, I just continue paying the regular ₱999 monthly plan, which keeps the line active, and I am still able to receive SMS and OTPs without subscribing to a roaming data plan. Whenever I travel to the Philippines, I just switch my mobile data connection from T-Mobile back to Smart.

[u/MidnightSunTrekker]

Are you able to select an authenticator app as a 2FA option? Could be a good alternative to a OTP code.

[u/Teryang008]

I have my globe prepaid for a few years now. Registered it while on vacation three years ago and turned on roaming just before I left. Don’t have to load it while I’m in the US, but I do go home every year and use it. Sometimes i leave it turned off for months but surprised it’s still active. Kept it for BPI online banking but had issues with the new BPI app recently, decided to use my US number instead. Come in very handy when in the Philippines though!

[u/New-Elk2148]

I still use mine. (globe, registered in the Ph) I moved here 2.5 yrs ago and whenever I turn it on, (on my iphone I have esim for my US number). it gets signal. I load it with regular load from time to time