Having a phone number/SIM from your home country

[Teflon]

Is Google voice not an option? I got a number when I was in the US and can receive SMS messages.

One way to verify if you can receive 2FA SMS is to update the primary contact phone number on your Amazon account. They will send you a "One Time Pass" (OTP) to verify that it's your phone. This won't work on VOIP phones. No actual change will be made to your primary phone number unless you enter the OTP code so it's a safe way to check.

[Teflon]

Very interested in this discussion because I also find I need a US phone number. I am pretty naive about how this works because for the last decade or so I do everything with a smartphone issued by my company. I was going to just get an extra phone (like a whole phone ) and plan in the US (linked to a bank account I have there) and then only actually use the phone within my home here in Japan where I could connect via my wifi network when I needed the 2-factor authentication. How does this work with just getting a SIM card? (Explain it to me like you would to your tech-challenged grandmother.)

Assuming you have a US address you can send things to, then you can sign up for a SIM-card-only plan here:
https://www.truphone.com/us/consumer/sim/

They will allocate you a valid US mobile phone number in the area code of your mailing address and they will send you a SIM card in the mail. A SIM card is just a small IC chip about the size of your pinky nail so probably best to keep it in the original packaging so you don't lose it. In the meantime, browse the IOSYS catalogue in Akihabara to choose a used unlocked "SIM free" (SIMフリー) phone: https://iosys.co.jp/items/smartphone/simfree

When the SIM card arrives in Japan, take it to IOSYS and the customer service can help you install it into your phone of choice. They're very friendly with foreigners as they get a lot of Chinese customers looking for bargains. I've been buying SIM free phones from them for years. If you don't live in the Tokyo area then you might be able to find a SIM free phone on Amazon Japan.

[TokyoWart]

[

Assuming you have a US address you can send things to, then you can sign up for a SIM-card-only plan here:
https://www.truphone.com/us/consumer/sim/

They will allocate you a valid US mobile phone number in the area code of your mailing address and they will send you a SIM card in the mail. A SIM card is just a small IC chip about the size of your pinky nail so probably best to keep it in the original packaging so you don't lose it. In the meantime, browse the IOSYS catalogue in Akihabara to choose a used unlocked "SIM free" (SIMフリー) phone: https://iosys.co.jp/items/smartphone/simfree

When the SIM card arrives in Japan, take it to IOSYS and the customer service can help you install it into your phone of choice. They're very friendly with foreigners as they get a lot of Chinese customers looking for bargains. I've been buying SIM free phones from them for years. If you don't live in the Tokyo area then you might be able to find a SIM free phone on Amazon Japan.

Thank you this helps a lot. Does the kind of phone I use make any difference? For instance is there a compatibility issue with those SIM cards and an older or newer iPhone?

[Teflon]

Thank you this helps a lot. Does the kind of phone I use make any difference? For instance is there a compatibility issue with those SIM cards and an older or newer iPhone?

SIM cards work the same across phones but they come in different sizes. Some newer models will have a way to use all three sizes. Older phones might only support the larger sized SIM cards. Also, if you purchased the smartphone from one of the major carriers like Docomo, Softbank, KDDI, etc., then it's NOT a SIM free phone and third party SIMs will not work in them at all (unless you "root" the phone which is too technical to get into here).

[TokyoWart]

Thank you this helps a lot. Does the kind of phone I use make any difference? For instance is there a compatibility issue with those SIM cards and an older or newer iPhone?

SIM cards work the same across phones but they come in different sizes. Some newer models will have a way to use all three sizes. Older phones might only support the larger sized SIM cards. Also, if you purchased the smartphone from one of the major carriers like Docomo, Softbank, KDDI, etc., then it's NOT a SIM free phone and third party SIMs will not work in them at all (unless you "root" the phone which is too technical to get into here).

So if I get an iPhone from the Apple store it will be SIM free and this won't be a problem?

[captainspoke]

Yes, apple store phones are SIM free, unlocked from the get-go.

Mine, an 11, uses a nano SIM (that's a size), but the same SIM also worked in an older moto G5+. The switch was painless, when I did it I think the APIs set themselves automatically in both.

The G5 is a dual SIM phone, I thought it would be good for travel--keep the local SIM, but then in SE asia or somewhere buy another for use there.

This older phone works via wifi, and logged into google does receive messages/codes for resetting passwords now and then--tho that's not a phone number such as a US bank seems to require.

[coffeespoon]

Very interested in this discussion because I also find I need a US phone number. I am pretty naive about how this works because for the last decade or so I do everything with a smartphone issued by my company. I was going to just get an extra phone (like a whole phone ) and plan in the US (linked to a bank account I have there) and then only actually use the phone within my home here in Japan where I could connect via my wifi network when I needed the 2-factor authentication. How does this work with just getting a SIM card? (Explain it to me like you would to your tech-challenged grandmother.)

Assuming you have a US address you can send things to, then you can sign up for a SIM-card-only plan here:
https://www.truphone.com/us/consumer/sim/

They will allocate you a valid US mobile phone number in the area code of your mailing address and they will send you a SIM card in the mail. A SIM card is just a small IC chip about the size of your pinky nail so probably best to keep it in the original packaging so you don't lose it. In the meantime, browse the IOSYS catalogue in Akihabara to choose a used unlocked "SIM free" (SIMフリー) phone: https://iosys.co.jp/items/smartphone/simfree

When the SIM card arrives in Japan, take it to IOSYS and the customer service can help you install it into your phone of choice. They're very friendly with foreigners as they get a lot of Chinese customers looking for bargains. I've been buying SIM free phones from them for years. If you don't live in the Tokyo area then you might be able to find a SIM free phone on Amazon Japan.

Hello! I know this post is a little old, but I have some questions and observations. Recently, the investment firm I use in the US emailed to say they are getting rid of the option to get the "codes" by email... and I am a little stressed about this, as I don't know what to do. They don't send the codes internationally.

I tried going to the truphone website, but then I get a message saying they no longer sell prepaid SIMS. Do you (or anyone) have any ideas about where I can get a prepaid SIM card in the US that will allow me to receive these authentification codes in Japan? (I know close to nothing about this).

Also, what I really want to know is when you say "assuming you have a US address you can send things to", do you mean an address that is associated with me? Do I have to provide documentation that I actually live at the address? OR can it be ANY US address where things can be sent to.

* * *
Recently, I also found an article online about "Anveo." I will add the link here just in case anyone is interested. I haven't pursued this, but was wondering about it. It sounds a bit complicated, though.

https://japanatron.com/blog/japan/gener ... des-abroad

**
And in this thread, someone mentioned iphones. I am using an android now, but just to double check, if I get an iphone, I can receive these authentification messages from the US? No need to deal with getting a sim card from the US?

****
Anyway, any advice/suggestions would help. I feel pretty helpless about these things....

[Teflon]

Hello! I know this post is a little old, but I have some questions and observations. Recently, the investment firm I use in the US emailed to say they are getting rid of the option to get the "codes" by email... and I am a little stressed about this, as I don't know what to do. They don't send the codes internationally.

I tried going to the truphone website, but then I get a message saying they no longer sell prepaid SIMS. Do you (or anyone) have any ideas about where I can get a prepaid SIM card in the US that will allow me to receive these authentification codes in Japan? (I know close to nothing about this).

Also, what I really want to know is when you say "assuming you have a US address you can send things to", do you mean an address that is associated with me? Do I have to provide that I actually live at the address? OR can it be ANY US address where things can be sent to.

Sorry for not updating on my Truphone experience. It ended up being a dud because it did not support overseas "short SMS" which is the type of SMS that banks and other companies send.

Fortunately, I did find a SIM card that works for me to receive short SMS from US banks while in Japan and it's only $3/month to maintain the account. The company is called Ultra Mobile and the plan is called PayGo. They sell kits at Best Buy but people also sell them on eBay so it's very convenient. I used this seller: https://www.ebay.com/itm/284346097281?epid=23039768111

You don't really need to worry about having a US address since eBay sellers send everywhere. When you activate the SIM online, you can choose whatever area code you like without regard to your actual physical location, so that's nice. The only caveat is that I'm not sure the SIM card can be registered on the Japanese phone network. I was visiting my family in the States for Thanksgiving last year and had the eBay seller send it to my parents' house. I was also sure to bring along my old unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 to install the SIM and set it up while there.

The installation was very straight forward and the phone worked fine for calls, data, and short SMS. Aside from being cheap and supporting short SMS, the key selling point about this provider is that it supports a feature called "Wifi Calling & Text". This allows you to use the phone overseas as though you are still on the US network! In fact, here in Japan, I just keep my phone on airplane mode with wifi enabled and completely bypass the Japanese phone network. I can still receive short SMS messages, long SMS messages, and phone calls from the US as though I were physically there. So this is perfect for my needs.

Anyway, I've been very happy with Ultra Mobile so far and highly recommend it!

[TJKansai]

I have been using my TMobile SIM to get short messages from US banks. My son picked it up last year when he was there. I shifted to a $12/3month plan to keep the number valid.

I also have an H20 SIM, but that has been a bit problematic. Also a similar cost per month.

[coffeespoon]

[ The only caveat is that I'm not sure the SIM card can be registered on the Japanese phone network. I was visiting my family in the States for Thanksgiving last year and had the eBay seller send it to my parents' house. I was also sure to bring along my old unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 to install the SIM and set it up while there.


Anyway, I've been very happy with Ultra Mobile so far and highly recommend it!

Thanks, Teflon and TJKansai for your information!
(1) Ok, so I know someone who is in the States for a visit, and he says he can bring back the SIM card for Ultra Mobile for me. I could purchase an unlocked phone here in Japan and try to install the SIM here when my friend comes back...? (But I did read your caveat, so I understand the risks).

(2) I guess another option is for my really good friend (close, so I feel like I can ask her for more "complicated" favors) to purchase an unlocked phone, as well as the Ultra Mobile SIM card, set it up for me, and then send it by post to me in Japan (if that is allowed). --- or ask my friend mentioned in (1) to do this for me.
****
I have one more question: As far as setting up the phone, do you need to have an American phone service on the phone? I wonder if my friend can set that up for me (or if I need to be here in person to own the service). Also, I don't have to submit my ID anywhere? Sorry for my ignorance.

Thanks for reading.