Using UK number abroad

[Allyhux]

Hello, 

I have recently moved to Australia and am starting to have issues where my UK number was the sole form of verification for some email/other accounts. I have a pay as you go SIM with my number (+xx xxxx xxxxxx) but I’m unable to get any service to receive texts to verify my identify. I also can’t log into the O2 app to check I have data/credit etc that I could use, nor can I can’t to an expert directly! 

If there is anything you can do to help I would be very grateful, this is becoming a big problem. When I first entered Aus I was able to receive texts but after a few days stopped working. I didn’t realise how many accounts were connected to the one number! 

Many thanks, 

Alice

[mod edit: Please do not post phone numbers on the public board. Thanks!]

[pgn · Accepted solution]

Hi @Allyhux - this is a public forum, you'll find a moderator will remove your mobile number soon. Also the Guide: Roaming MegaGuide will contain info about how long an O2 mobile SIM will work outside of the UK while roaming on a foreign network.

If you have good WiFi where you are, switching to VoWiFi, if your handset supports it, may be a start, as in the coming months, O2 are rolling out SMS over WiFi (currently still not possible on O2, although other UK carriers support it!), which will leave you in a better place without reliance on the local mobile carrier keeping your roaming phone connected. I presume you have tried switching from 4G to 3G on your phone, and manually selecting a different local carrier?

Finally, on a computer, if you message O2 on 

Facebook (https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , 

Twitter (https://o2uk.co/O2CTW) or 

Instagram (https://o2uk.co/O2CIG) , they may be able to help you further with this.

Good luck!