Friends, the switch to GSM was a no-miss move.
You know by now that our service has gotten some major improvements along with the new network. We’re in the middle of migrating customers to GSM and doing our best to keep things mess-free and stress-free.
We won’t sugarcoat it.
We did encounter some setbacks, but we’re happy to finally announce they’re behind us. For example, if you were missing some features from the Tello service on your Apple phones, we’re here with good news!
↪ Android fans, we love you dearly (and equally! 🤓 ), but you might want to sit this one out. The following article is not for you.
Tello Mobile now has full support for iPhones
Not only were the bugs fixed, but affected customers get a free replacement SIM at their disposal (an email shoutout has been released to all parties in need, so make sure to check your inbox).
👉 Important stuff: We’ve done our due diligence and filtered people that could actually benefit from an improved iPhone experience on Tello. So, if you haven’t received the email with the *exact line* that could use a new SIM, the free replacement SIM will not be available for you.
If you meet the above criteria (email received and all), head over to your online account – My Tello – and follow the steps to order and activate the FREE replacement SIM that will offer all features you were looking for, like:
✅ Group MMS
✅ Wi-Fi Calling
✅ Visual Voicemail
You’ll be able to order one for free and have it brought to your doorstep, with free standard delivery.
Follow these steps in your Tello online account ⇣ ⇣ ⇣
- Go to My SIM tab → you can’t miss it, in your account dashboard, on the left
- Buy Tello SIM → make sure the corresponding line is selected
- Check your shipping address, then finalize the order
- Activate new SIM → once received, activate it in your online account
- Check software → ensure your Apple device has the latest software installed
- Insert new SIM → next, turn your device OFF, then back ON
Enjoy the full VoLTE features the new Tello network has to offer, even on your iPhone device
First of all, if you order a replacement Tello SIM for iPhones, the network will switch to Tello, right off the bat – surprise! We’re excited about that one, too.
VoLTE works without any issues – tried, tested, guaranteed. iPhone-using subscribers can rest assured.
Also, you shouldn’t encounter any problems regarding mobile hotspot, even if the APN field appears to be gone. Tethering comes in handy when there’s no Wi-Fi, right?
Visual Voicemail is on point and Tello Mobile fully supports group MMS on iOS devices, too. Any problems regarding these features are a thing of the past – man, it feels good to say it!
Enabling MMS on your iPhone is easy, and in most cases, it is likely already enabled. MMS = Multimedia Messaging Service and it allows you to send pictures and other media via text, as well as send longer texts, especially to people who don’t have iMessage.
Quick Walk-Through: How to enable MMS on an iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Messages (halfway down the column that starts with “Passwords & Accounts”).
- Scroll down to the column with the heading “SMS/MMS” and if needed, tap on “MMS Messaging” to turn the toggle green.
Image source: https://www.businessinsider.com/
Tello Mobile supports Wi-Fi Calling on iOS devices
This is a new entry when it comes to what you get when you sign up to Tello Mobile.
You’ll have the ability to use a Wi-Fi network to make or receive calls and text messages whenever you find yourself in an unpredictable coverage area. All you need to do is connect to the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot and use your Tello phone to call or text over Wi-Fi!
In order to use Wi-Fi Calling, please make sure:
✅ your Tello service is active
✅ you’ve already set your E911 Emergency Address under My Tello » My Settings page or directly from your phone
✅ you’ve turned ON Wi-Fi Calling for your phone. If you need help with turning ON Wi-Fi Calling, please follow this path: Settings » Networks & Internet » Mobile network » Advanced » Wi-Fi Calling.
If you have any questions or need assistance setting-up these features, our team of customer care human specialists will gladly help you out. 24/7.
Before you ask, yes, all of these features are included by default in every Tello phone plan. For free.
These features are all built-in in your Tello service.
This is just us spreading the good news to help you kick off summer, smarter. Sun’s out, fun’s out, new features’ out too!
Finally. Sounds like a “bundle” of joy for “Apple” users. 😉
Indeeeeeed!
Loved the comment, Sagar, thanks!
Spreading good news and good cheer is the best combo ever!
So what is the latest version of Carrier Settings? My iPhone shows Tello 46.0, and it asked me to update, which never succeed.
Hi, Kenzo,
I checked with the Tello Tech guys and it seems like this does not have a major (or any impact at all) on the service or any features, and that actually there’s no update needed.
Thanks for writing!
What about 5G? Does it support 5G on iPhone 12?
Hi, Roger, thanks for writing!
At the moment, 5G is a work in process and we hope it will be available as soon as possible.
Promise to keep you posted :)
If I switch from an Android phone to an iPhone, can I continue to use the same Tello SIM card or will I need a different one?
Hi, Jeremy, you can use the same SIM, have a great one! Thanks!
I installed the new SiM card on my iPhone and do not have the features described (no visual voicemail and MMS messaging option is not even available)
Hi, Dmitri,
Please contact our Customer Support Team and tell them about the problem, they’ll help you solve this, thanks!
When will there be a fix for the “Update Carrier Settings” popup that appears any time you go into the Settings / General / About panel?
I’m on an original iPhone SE with iOS 15 public beta.
Sorry, David, it’s still a no for this one, but I’ll keep you posted! Thanks!
Has this issue ever been resolved? I have the same iPhone as David. I’m on iOS 14.8 and keep getting this popup. I’ve even reset my network settings, to no avail.
I have an SE too and ever since switching to the TELLO SIM I can’t text pictures or anything to anyone without imessage. Also getting the prompt for update carrier settings. Is there a fix for this?
John, I’m guessing you need an APN update – please shoot an email to our Customer Support and they’ll sort this out for you, thanks!
Is Visual Voicemail available for Android on Tello?
Hi, Leigh,
Yes, it is! Once your voicemail is configured, open the Visual Voicemail application you will use and follow the configuration instructions of the application.
Thanks!
Has this issue ever been resolved? I have the same iPhone as David. I’m on iOS 14.8 and keep getting this popup. I’ve even reset my network settings, to no avail.
Dan, sorry, unfortunately, it’s not solved yet.
Please help me! I just switched to GSM SIM and MMS Messaging (group chats with iPhone and Android) are not working! Missed so many important messages! This is so frustrating for me and my friends and family!!!
Hi, David,
I know that my colleagues already sent over the steps for troubleshooting for this issue, but I’m going to leave them here as well, just in case anybody else needs them:
What APN settings are needed with Tello?
When you activate the service with Tello, all your APN settings are usually set automatically.
However, if you’re having issues with data, hotspot, MMS or group messaging, you need to check your APN settings to make sure that they’re correct.
On an Android device, you can view and adjust your APN settings in the following location:
Settings
Tap More networks (under the Connections tab, or More, Wireless & networks, Wireless Controls, Wireless Manager, Phone Information).
Select Mobile or Cellular networks.
Choose Access Point Names.
Tap the Menu icon.
Tap the Access Point you would like to check.
If you’re adding a new APN, tap New APN and enter the following APN: wholesale
Save the APN, restart the device, and test the service.
On an iOS device, you can view or adjust your APN settings in one of the following locations:
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network OR
Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network.
Here are the APN settings required when using an iOS device on Tello:
Mobile Data
APN: wholesale
MMS
APN: service
MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
Personal Hotspot
APN: wholesale
Leave everything else blank.
Now double-check that the iOS software is updated, restart your phone, and test the service again.
Hey – I just double checked all of those settings are active, and group messages still aren’t working on my phone. Any suggestions?
Hi, Darby!
My apologies, please, your message got buried around here.
My advice is to contact us if you’re still experiencing issues – my Customer Support teammates are way faster than me, thanks!
Since updating my SIM to gsm, I’ve lost access to my visual voicemail on iPhone 12. Which is frustrating because this entire article brags about it “finally being fixed”, when in reality it worked fine for me UNTIL now. I get no new voicemail notifications and have to constantly call “1” to see if I missed anything, every day. It’s unacceptable. I’m missing so many important time sensitive voicemails because of this. I’ve tried everything to fix it and nothing is working.
Izzie, please contact our Customer Support team and let them know about the issue. We have t get to the bottom of this, I feel your pain.
Thanks and have a good day!
I’m considering signing up to Tello, but I haven’t yet purchased a phone. I plan to purchase a compatible phone elsewhere, however, before choosing Android or iOS / Apple, I’d like to know if the above-raised issues pertaining to Visual Voicemail and Wifi Calling for iPhones has been resolved. And, are these Tello features now working appropriately on Android devices? I’m leaning toward purchasing an iPhone. Any comments would be a great help! Thank you.
Hi, Martee,
Thanks for considering us, we like the way you think!
So, here’s the deal:
– on iPhones: Visual Voice Mail is working just fine, no problems whatsoever. Same goes for Wi-Fi Calling :D. The only pending issue for iPhones is 5G. We are trying to solve this asap, as do other operators, in the same situation, are.
– on Androids: all features are up and running: Visual voice mail, Wi-Fi calling, 5G, etc.
Thanks a lot, hope this helps!
So what about Android users? I have a galaxy note 20. Am I a b l3 to access voice mail for my phone?
Hi, Linda,
That’s a yes :D. Thanks!
Tried all the major android visual voicemail apps and none successfully complete setup. I need visual voicemail or else I need to return to Cricket.
Don, please contact our Customer Support team and they’ll assist you asap, thanks!
Any update about 5G for iPhone 13?
Eddie, unfortunately, no, not yet. Thanks so much for your question and patience.
I have an Iphone 6 IOS 12.5.5. I’ve just found out that I’m not receiving group messages. Some of those in the group are on Android. I can’t send pictures to Android users either. My settings are accurate, I believe based on this article. Could it possibly have to do with the fact that in Settings>Cellular Data is always off because I don’t have a data plan, just phone service?
Zanne, you’re right. That’s the problem, right there, no data plan :).
Great day,
Maria
Hello
“Group Messaging” slider/switch is not available under MMS on my phone. I cannot receive group messages. I’ve called Tello numerous times about this but no one has a clue what is going on. I have iPhone 6s and when I put a different carrier’s SIM card in it, the “group messaging” slider is there…this tells me it is a carrier (aka tello) issue. I believe Tello needs to send me new, updated SIM card and/or change their settings to allow this. I’ve been calling and calling and have an open work order but the expertise is lacking on what is going on. Telling me to reset my network settings and update my IOS is not technical support.
Hi, Mike,
We’ve sent you a new SIM on April 2, please test this with it and let us know if you need any more help with this issue.
Please send updates about this to our Customer Support Team :D. Thanks!
I have Tello unlimited talk and text and a small amount of data (I don’t use a lot). For some reason I only get about half of the group messages that are sent to me. I have a data signal, but some messages never come through. Textra is my texting app (android). I have another phone (with a different carrier) that uses Textra. That phone does get all of the group text messages. So it seems to be something with Tello, but I can’t tell what. Any ideas?
Nancy, we’ll need to check further, so our Customer Support team will contact you to provide recommendations. Thanks!
Any updates yet? I receive about half of the group messages I should be getting. And if there are photos, I only get 1 photo. I have a Moto g Power 2021 and I have data to accommodate MMS messages. But they just don’t go through consistently.
I would appreciate some advice!
Hi, Nancy,
I already know your problem was fixed and you received all the steps needed from our team, best of luck!
Hello,
I need to know if tello supports email to text. I would like to receive a text for an alert. For example for my friend who uses att, he receives text on 443555121@txt.att.net (where 4435551212 is his phone number)
what would the equivalent for tello
Hi, Mahmood,
Thanks for writing, please send our Customer Support a message with this question, and we’ll get back to you – https://tello.com/contact.
Have a great day!
Hi.
Does WiFi calling use my allotment of minutes or data?
What is included as far as unlimited texts. ,SMS, MMS, Apple Messages?
I looked all over for this info. Lol
Jon
Hi Jon,
Yes, when you use Wi-Fi Calling & Texting, the minutes and texts used are simply taken from your existing plan balance.
Here is where you can find more on this issue: https://tello.com/help_center?qid=1163
How do I enable mms or picture message on iphone 6? Doesn’t seem to work.
Hi Elisheva,
In order to use MMS or picture messages you need to have a plan that contains Data.
For now your plan only includes Minutes & Texts. You can either upgrade to a plan with Data or you can purchase Pay As you Go credit and use that balance for MMS.
If you need further clarifications, don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Support.
Hello, tello.
I lived in Georgia state. I’m in south Korea now.
I have a question for wifi-calling.
How I get my E911 address?
In order to set up your E911 address, you need to log in to your account, go to “My Settings” – and Edit your E911 address. Once it’s done, a restart of the device might be needed.
Hi
Can I activate a Physical Sim outside the United States for Wi-Fi Calling purposes ?
Can I switch from Physical Sim to Esim while being abroad ?
Thnx
Absolutely! You can make changes to your account from anywhere. You can even activate your SIM card (whether physical or eSIM) while outside the US with no issues!