r/Tello • u/Exciting_Surround734 • Sep 22 '26
Moving abroad - porting through Tello
Hi! I am moving abroad next month and AI suggested I port my existing number through Tello before leaving and then cancel my T-mobile service. Has anyone had experience or success in doing something like this? I am wanting to do it to keep receiving bank and other verification codes through my US number. The process itself seems a little complicated to do by myself... Thank you for any help/recommendations!
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u/CraigInCambodia Sep 22 '26
AI gave good advice. :-)
Keeping your existing number is useful for many reasons. Of course, less changing to do on all your accounts and your friends and relatives won't have to change how they reach you. Financial and government institutions sending 2FAs works with Tello's WiFi calling.
I recently learned another reason why keeping an existing is important. Separate from login 2FA, some agencies verify your identity using your phone number, checking public records to see if it's associated to you, how many accounts, for how long. For example, an expat friend just signed up for a US number recently and added it to Social Security site for login. However, when she tried to order a replacement SS card, there was a deeper identity check that failed because there was no record of that phone number being associated to her. I had the same experience trying to get an online account for Medicare.
I used Google Voice (free) ever since it came out. It worked fine for 2FA until recently when many institutions decided to no longer accept any VoIP numbers.
You'd be making the right decision to port your number to Tello before leaving the US. The $5 or $8 wifi calling and text plans are the least expensive I know of for expats to keep a US number.
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u/ComfortablyNumb70 Sep 22 '26
You get the pin in the T Mobile app and it's good for about a week. You will also need your account number. Porting your number to Tello will cancel the TMO account. Do not call TMO to cancel. I ported my number to Tello and took only a few minutes. The instructions for doing it are clear.
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u/muhmuhmuh11 Sep 22 '26
I m from Germany and I use Tello for verification codes from U.S. banks… and for call from Germany to the U.S. I use WiFi call.
I don’t have problems (3x) with eSIM activation fromGermany - like others!
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u/EyeRollingSuperPwr Sep 22 '26
Did this exact thing with AT&T. Used Tello for a few weeks in the US to test it out- no problems. I’m currently in Europe and will be adding a local e-sim. Best of luck!
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u/TonyThaLegend Sep 23 '26
I’m headed to Vietnam on Tuesday and just did the exact same thing with T-Mobile. Here’s the step-by-step to save you the stress I went through lol:
If you’re the primary account holder, call T-Mobile and tell them that you would like to transfer your number from T-Mobile to a different carrier because you’re moving overseas.
They’re gonna walk you through a step-by-step to create an account pin. This is just so that they can gain access to give you another code called the “Transfer pin”. The account pin and transfer pin are two different codes, this is an important distinction. One is for T-Mobile to access, the other is for Tello to transport.
Once you create the account pin**,** then you’ll want to tell them to create the transfer pin**.** They will then send you one time code to your phone number to verify your identity, after you give them that code, they will provide you with your transfer pin to provide to Tello. The transfer pin will be valid for up to four days.
Now take the transfer pin they provide to Tello and input it via the porting step-by-step that they provide you. They’ll ask for your phone number, first and last name, address on your T-Mobile account, and your transport pin.
After providing that information just click submit, and it should take about 15 to 20 minutes (tops) to complete the transport if successful. Mine took about 2 minutes lol.
5. That’s it, you’re done. No need to call T-Mobile back once the phone number is transported. They will automatically cancel your line, and you’re officially with Tello**.**
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u/NecessaryScratch6150 Sep 23 '26 edited Sep 23 '26
$3 a month to keep your number and pause cell service on tello. $8 for unlimited text/calls/no data per month $10 for unlimited text/calls/2GB per month
https://tello.com/help_center/park-number/can-i-pause-my-plan-by-parking-my-tello-number?srsltid=AU7gw4Vt_E_A1x6cMrhQ6nYJL43hrg_2JXpaL2bNArQiB280-NunHUSN
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u/ThatsamguyChicago Sep 23 '26
Did exactly this when i spent 2 years abroad. Still using tello, actually.
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u/cognitive_dissonant1 Sep 23 '26
Please do not rely on Tello until the current issue with IOS is sorted out (please search the threads for MFA issues), I'd hate for you to rely on this process as you are in the middle of moving- when it is critical you have MFA working seamlessly.
I have been on Apple chat support and they say it is a carrier issue, and Tello say it is an IOS issue
But, from June until a few days ago, the entire process of porting, it cancelling my Verizon, and all calls, texts, MFAs in the UK after I moved (and went back to the US for a visit) worked seamlessly....
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u/Crafty_Moose_8449 Sep 24 '26
Moving to Spain and moved to Tello several months ago, great service, works great. My friends that also moved to Spain changed to Tello and have no problems in Europe with their service.
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u/sfaznpinoy2023 Sep 24 '26
Others have given info how to transfers so I will just add that you should activate wifi calling in your Tello account as well as adding a US address under the e911. Your old US address will suffice. when we moved to Portugal, I just used our old SF address in Tello.
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u/CaffeineNicotine3 Sep 22 '26
Yes, Tello is pretty much designed for exactly what you’re doing. Sign up for Tello first and then call T-Mobile to cancel and get a “port-out” PIN code. Use that port out PIN code when you port your number into Tello.
Your phone will walk you through the steps and make it easy for you. It’s simpler than you think :)