Permanent U.S. Phone Number for Two Factor Authentication

[sveinung]

Great! Glad to hear. If Wells Fargo is giving you a hard time just buy a new number and scrap the old, these numbers are as legit as any other you'd get at a carrier.

You can do basically anything you want voice or messaging related with Twilio, just depends how much you want to put into it. We run a fairly complex calls/text service using Twilio with a mix of voip/sip, sms and regular phone calls.

Setting up sip requires some API use, to create the accounts you need if I recall correctly, so might not be a simple click click setup. You should check out their Studio tool which will let you do fairly complex things using just your browser to "connect the dots".

They also have very good support if there's anything you get stuck on.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by sveinung

Great! Glad to hear. If Wells Fargo is giving you a hard time just buy a new number and scrap the old, these numbers are as legit as any other you'd get at a carrier.

You can do basically anything you want voice or messaging related with Twilio, just depends how much you want to put into it. We run a fairly complex calls/text service using Twilio with a mix of voip/sip, sms and regular phone calls.

Setting up sip requires some API use, to create the accounts you need if I recall correctly, so might not be a simple click click setup. You should check out their Studio tool which will let you do fairly complex things using just your browser to "connect the dots".

They also have very good support if there's anything you get stuck on.

Thanks!



Is there a simplified process to generate the credentials needed to use a VOIP client like Zoiper?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by chrisboat

to belizesailor
are you currently using the $3 a month plan to ensure you don't loose your number? It seems necessary to do that so that the 2FA has a consistent number or are you using the free plan and haven't had an issue with loosing your number.

I would be willing to spend $3 a month but not $9.99 a month. I cannot find the $3 a month anywhere.

I dont think Im currently paying anything monthly, but will check.

[chrisboat]

ok thank you. the most important is if you don't pay is how frequently you use it. keeping the number consistent seems important to me.

[MidwestCoaster]

I know this is not free, or even the cheapest option, but there is a pre-paid service called Visible that lets you form groups of 4 people and allows you to get unlimited talk/text/data/hotspot for $25/month.

It could be a good option for liveaboards for cell plus basic wifi (hotspot capped at 5mbps but good enough for light browsing and email)

https://www.visible.com/

[chrisboat]

Twilio was pretty easy to set up and getting the twilio system to forward the text message to my non us number was also pretty easy but in the words from Twilio:

Your Twilio Number may see issues with Inbound 2FA codes.
As our numbers are not capable of receiving Inbound Messages from Shortcodes. Most companies in the US are required to send 2FA type codes through a shortcode.

So looks like Twilio is not a viable solution.

So back to considering TextNow. One thing for sure there is no $3 a month plan available from TextNow. So unless you pay $9.99 per month you risk loosing your number unless you use it at minimum every 2 days.

This is sooo fun.

[chrisboat]

TextNow phone number was rejected by bank so not a option either.

So for now there are no options.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by chrisboat

TextNow phone number was rejected by bank so not a option either.

So for now there are no options.

Hmm, if there are no options then why do I use 2-factor authentication all the time successfully? May be it is not the option you like?

To be clear, I have a US cellphone in airplane mode, connected using wifi-calling feature. It works as if in the US.

[chrisboat]

i think that some older numbers still work and sometimes a new number will work with some banks but in general for new subscribers VOIP numbers don't work.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Hmm, if there are no options then why do I use 2-factor authentication all the time successfully? May be it is not the option you like?

To be clear, I have a US cellphone in airplane mode, connected using wifi-calling feature. It works as if in the US.

This is also what I do. All over the world. It is so simple, and included as a free feature with all major US carriers. No messing around with VOIP apps or porting numbers etc. I think people are so set on finding the cheapest or "best" solution they overlook the obvious.

Granted, I pay $30 per month for my phone service, but it's a real phone service, and works worldwide with a US number and texting on wifi.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Hmm, if there are no options then why do I use 2-factor authentication all the time successfully? May be it is not the option you like?

To be clear, I have a US cellphone in airplane mode, connected using wifi-calling feature. It works as if in the US.

If you're willing to keep up an active U.S. mobile phone number, then obviously you have no problems. But that is what we are all trying to get around. It's hella costly and a PITA.


For years I kept a U.S. T-Mobile number working for this purpose. There was some $3 a month T-Mobile subscription deal. But alas that deal no longer exists.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by wholybee

This is also what I do. All over the world. It is so simple, and included as a free feature with all major US carriers. No messing around with VOIP apps or porting numbers etc. I think people are so set on finding the cheapest or "best" solution they overlook the obvious.

Granted, I pay $30 per month for my phone service, but it's a real phone service, and works worldwide with a US number and texting on wifi.

$360 a year? No thanks!


No one overlooks it -- we just don't want to waste money like that inorder to receive a text every month or two

[chrisboat]

thank you dockhead

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

If you're willing to keep up an active U.S. mobile phone number, then obviously you have no problems. But that is what we are all trying to get around. It's hella costly and a PITA.

For years I kept a U.S. T-Mobile number working for this purpose. There was some $3 a month T-Mobile subscription deal. But alas that deal no longer exists.

Well of-course we also use the phone as our primary phone. We’re on a special plan for retired Floridians but you can get $10/month plans even with unlimited use (Tello).
https://www.pcmag.com/news/best-cheap-phone-plans

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Well of-course we also use the phone as our primary phone. We’re on a special plan for retired Floridians but you can get $10/month plans even with unlimited use (Tello).
https://www.pcmag.com/news/best-cheap-phone-plans

Well, Tello is not GSM and won't work in Europe.

Redpocket international roaming is data only (no voice, no text)

Same thing with US Mobile.

So much for international roaming on the $10/mo plans.