How to activate Tello from abroad
If you’re planning to move to the States soon or you’re in need of a US phone number while abroad, we’ve got you covered! And it’s also super easy to do it! Now let’s jump in and see how you can activate Tello from abroad and enjoy it from anywhere in the world.
Also, some magic tricks are waiting at the end of this article. 🪄
So, you must’ve heard that Tello has THE best phone plans in the US and it offers great flexibility. Plus, Tello comes with 24/7 human Customer Support, no matter where you are or when you call!
That is why Tello is such a great option even when you’re abroad.
Bonus points: It comes with super customizable options! Tello phone plans start at $5/month and go up to only $25/month. While the 100 minutes phone plan really comes in handy when you’re abroad, the Unlimited Everything is a great choice when you get to the States.
The top 3 things to keep in mind when activating Tello from abroad are:
✅ E911 address
✅ Wi-Fi Calling
✅ eSIM
📣 First things first, start by making sure that your device is eSIM compatible (check this here). Also, make sure that your device software is up to date and it has the latest version installed.
Then it’s time to choose your favorite phone plan! You can pick from our ready-made deals or customize your plan as you like! After successfully finalizing your order, it’s time for setting things up.
Now follow us through the next steps:
Start by filling in your E911 address:
- Go to the My Settings section of your online Tello account
- Scroll down until you see the Wi-Fi Calling section.
- You will see an option called Edit below Emergency E911 Address. Click on it.
- Fill in your address and click on Save.
Android users, here are your steps: Go to Home screen > Phone icon > Tap on the Menu (the three dots on the top right corner) > Settings > Wi-Fi calling > Toggle ON Wi-Fi Calling.
iOS team, follow these: Go to Settings > Phone [or Cellular] > Wi-Fi Calling > “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” and toggle it on. A message then explains what information is sent to your carrier when you enable Wi-Fi Calling. Tap Enable.
You also might be asked to add your E911 address on the device itself, just enter the same information and tap Save.
Now it’s time to start the eSIM activation process!
The next step is to go grab some popcorn and put it in the microwave. And then, it’s time to activate your eSIM! Your eSIM will be activated within minutes or as we like to call it quicker than it takes your popcorn to start popping.
(P.S. Feel free to skip the popcorn step.)
Right now, imagine yourself already in the US, because the process here is just the same as if you were physically there:
Login to My Account – My SIM section and scan the QR code with your phone’s camera. Make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi network as you will need a steady Wi-Fi connection to complete the eSIM activation.
Ta-da, time for the magic restart and for you to enjoy Tello!
Porting your US number from abroad
Oh, and we have something more! You can even port your US number to Tello while abroad.
Being physically within the US is not a requirement for the transfer. The only condition is that the number you wish to transfer to Tello must be an active US number.
The steps of porting to Tello from abroad are exactly the same as stated above, but you have to add the porting process at the end.
Once again, you can imagine yourself already in the US, because this process is the same wherever you are. Go to the Porting Section of My Account and start the party!
If you need more information about porting your number to Tello, go check out this blog article, it has it all!
On to the next one: using Tello from abroad
You should know that Tello does not offer international roaming, and that’s why you’ll need the precious Wi-Fi Calling. Make sure to enable it every time you wish to use the Tello service.
By enabling Wi-Fi Calling, you can make and receive calls and texts using the closest available Wi-Fi network. That could be your home, a hotel, your office, or even a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Wi-Fi Calling uses minutes from your calling plan and doesn’t come with extra costs. You can find out more about this and see how it works right here.
Tested and approved by Tello’s CEO. See what he has to say:
“My favorite thing about Tello is this: Free Roaming. I travel quite a lot internationally and I need my Tello line to work when I am abroad. Thanks to Wi-Fi Calling, Tello is active anywhere I have a Wi-Fi internet connection. I can receive and make calls and text messages. In contrast with most mobile carriers, we do not charge roaming fees and we allow you to use the service just as you would do it in the US.
For iPhone users there is a cherry on the cake: if you are abroad and you have another local sim or esim on your phone, Tello’s Wi-Fi Calling will work on the data connection of the other sim. Basically, Tello will work in roaming, anywhere in the world, for free.
This is why Tello should be the first choice for anyone needing a US mobile line abroad. And thanks to our flexibility, you can upgrade your plan when you come back to the US.”
Another option to make a call through Wi-Fi is by using our free “My Tello” app. You can download it from Google Play or App Store.
Keep in mind that you cannot receive calls via the App and texting is also not available via the App. The App is your go-to option only if you want to make calls.
In order to do this, just dial the destination number from the keypad (always include country code) or choose from your phone’s “Contacts” tab (ensure the number is in international format).
All Tello calling plans include calls to 60+ countries. To see if the destination you want to call (no matter where from) is included, check our International Calling page.
Tello tricks for when you’re abroad
Time to be all eyes and ears, we’ll show you some awesome tips and tricks straight from our magic hat:
🪄If you’re an iPhone user, you have another cool option to use Tello from abroad. If you’re using a local provider in your country of residence, you don’t even need a Wi-Fi connection. You can simply use the data from that local provider. Cool, right? This way, you’ll be able to use your Tello service with ease, as a free roaming option!
🪄This option can also work for certain Android devices. Your device must have one or both of these features: Backup Calling and Auto Data Switching. You’ll need to turn them on and, alongside Wi-Fi Calling.
🪄Some other thing that you might encounter is seeing a higher battery usage on iOS devices, while abroad. That’s because your iPhone is continuously trying to find a network in any given country and that’s using a lot of battery.
So, what you’ll have to do is to select a local operator. Here are the steps to do this:
Go to Settings > Mobile Data > eSIM selection -> Network selection -> Turn off Automatic -> Manually pick a local network (any).
So, what are you waiting for? Go on and start the activation process and let us know how it went!
Drop us a line below if you need any help or join our cool Tello Tribe community on Reddit anytime you want to ask them something!
the IOS/apple option to use a local data sim overseas is now on Android phones – specifically my Pixel 7 has that feature – called backup calling – you use tell phone service normally overseas using the data sim purchased in your local country – excellent!
I have done all the steps and it seems to work, but then WiFi calling shuts off automatically. I am not sure what is happening
Hi there,
Sorry to hear this, please get in touch with our Customer Support team, I am sure they can assist you with this issue.
Thank you for your patience!
Hello, in October we travel to the USA for 3 weeks. We’re thinking about a sim but we do not know how to install and use the esim. When I install it a week before our flight, can I insert a date ex. October 9, when the service has to start. ??
Is the installation as complex as it is shown in the video’s??
We don’t know what to do.
sincerely
Jean and Marijke
Belgium.
Hi Jean,
eSIM activation takes just a few minutes!
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone and you’re ready to join, the service will start working after a few minutes.
If you choose to activate Tello while in Belgium, you can check everything works fine by turning on Wi-Fi Calling (the only option while outside the US). Afterward, when you get to the States, the service should work normally.
Please feel free to contact our 24/7 Customer Support department if you need more information or guidance through the process: https://tello.com/contact
I just received a physical sim kit to install in a spare unlocked GSM Phone (LG G7).I don’t have a US number to port to this phone, I need a new one. I am currently in the Dominican Republic, returning to the US next week, but would like to set up the phone now to try the wifi calling and text. Can I do this or does it only work with eSIM?
Hi David,
You sure can!
Firstly, please be advised that you will need to create an account on our website: tello.com. (if you do not have one already).
Then, you will need to click on “Activate SIM” – You will find the button on top of the screen.
Enter the activation code of the SIM card and then just proceed with the order. (Fill in all the information)
You will be asked to purchase a plan as well (if you do no have one already).
All that’s left to be done now, is to finalize the order, and within seconds, you will be assigned with a new phone number automatically.
To wrap it up:
1. Activate the SIM.
2. Get the plan.
3. Enter all your billing information required.
4. Enter Payment Information.
5. Finalize the order.
If you will encounter any issues, feel free to contact our Customer Support Team available 24/7.
We appreciate your business!
Does Tello still send sim to UK?
Will US bank send mms to me in UK via Tello?
Hi there!
Unfortunately, we cannot ship sim cards out of the US. Instead, you can get an eSIM for free and the installation is easy and quick.
You can send/ receive SMSes and make/ receive phone calls while you’re connected to the Wi-Fi and have Wi-Fi calling enabled, including SMSes from banks and other 2FAs.
We appreciate your interest in our business!
I now have a Tello eSIM, which I successfully activated here in the UK.
Last year, I obtained a physical Tello SIM card here in the UK, from Amazon, who ship a range of American SIM cards to here in the UK from their warehouse in Edison, New Jersey.
Should you not be in the UK, your local Amazon may offer the same service.
If the app is only for making calls, how do I receive calls and texts?
I spend more time abroad than in the States, and this looks like a perfect option for me to keep my US number for emergencies with WiFi calling and load it up with extra data when I’m stateside. Is there any risk I’ll be kicked off the plan if I don’t return to the US often enough?
First and foremost, we extend our gratitude for choosing our service!
Rest assured, your service will not be canceled. The flexibility of Tello extends beyond the borders of the United States—you can use it from anywhere that suits your needs.
This function barely works. I can send and receive sms on wifi, but using the mobile data from the other sim (EU) doesn’t seem to work. Also, after being able to send MMS and group texts, suddenly that functionality has stopped.
Please be advised that MMS will not work with Wi-Fi calling, only iMessages or RCS messages, which is most probably what you sent.
The mobile data from a local provider should work just fine for your device as long as the phone supports this feature, as mentioned in this blog post as well:
🪄If you’re an iPhone user, you have another cool option to use Tello from abroad. If you’re using a local provider in your country of residence, you don’t even need a Wi-Fi connection. You can simply use the data from that local provider. Cool, right? This way, you’ll be able to use your Tello service with ease, as a free roaming option!
🪄This option can also work for certain Android devices. Your device must have one or both of these features: Backup Calling and Auto Data Switching. You’ll need to turn them on and, alongside Wi-Fi Calling.
The eSIM worked great in the USA, but no signal in the UK. I have a Google Pixel 7 and Wi-Fi Calling on my UK SIM card works perfectly fine, but it refuses to activate for the Tello eSIM. I have followed all the steps in these blogs, and have an E911 address listed in the USA because that was the only option, but I am in the UK. Any advice?
Hi there, Max!
Please be advised that outside the US, you can only use the service with Wi-Fi calling. It will be showing only “No Service” on your screen, but as long as you’re connected to the Wi-Fi, you should be able to make/ receive calls and send/ receive SMSes.
If the Wi-Fi calling is not working, we kindly ask you to contact our Customer Support Team, available 24/7.
I tried all the steps and unable to activate esim from Australia. I toggle wifi calling and airplane mode. Provide 911 address changed the von to usa. Nothing works.
We are sorry to hear about this!
Please reach our Customer Support Team via email, chat or phone here: tello.com/contact
Hello , I do have a US number with tello now with the calling & text service.
I situated in Singapore and often travel.
To continue using the US number to receive calls & text messages, all I have to do is to be connected to Wifi-calling .
However , in the event i am not near a office/home, there wont be any wifi to connect.
If I change my plan to include data , when I am overseas ,will i be able to receive the calls/messages/whatsapp?
Unfortunately, not for the moment.
Currently, we do not provide roaming. The only way to use the service outside the US is with Wi-Fi calling.