How can Americans get SIM cards for smart phones in Berlin?

Here's my write-up from last year about the Dutch Vodafone SIM I bought on eBay. Most of this is still valid. Still available from the same seller I got mine from last year on eBay - "cheapeusims" - search ebay for "vodafone YOU sim" and they are the first result.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/dutch-vodafone-sim-card-for-use-in-europe

Changes since last year: you now get 2X the amount of data in a 30 day "You" bundle for the old prices. So...for 10 euros you get 2GB instead of only 1GB, for 20 euros you get 6GB instead of only 3GB, valid for 30 days. I use about 100MB to 120MB per day when travel, using Google Maps extensively when exploring cities and towns but not streaming video on the SIM.

Also, Vodafone SIM credit good for only six months now, not a year anymore. You need add credit or buy a bundle to keep the SIM active or it will be deactivated (probably) after six months of inactivity, once you have activated it.

Also, some people have reported needing to set the Access Point Name (APN) to get mobile data to work. I didn't need to on any of my Android phones - I've used it on several. Last used the card this last May in Portugal.

I recently received a report that someone could not access her Gmail while using the SIM due to Google complaining about the SIM. Personally, I use "2 factor authentication" with Google (they text you a code for each new Google or Gmail login, making it a little harder for someone to hack you), and Google has never given me an issue with Gmail using this SIM anywhere.

Thanks a lot for your detailed information, Andrew!

I'll check out the dutch vodafone sim card suggestion you've given me.

I'm going to get on skype in the morning and call the O2 shop in Bahnhof Alexanderplatz and see if they sound re-assuring about me showing up with my Air BnB address for the verification.

We've got SIM cards from Poland and Czechia that might still work but I think they'd have to get re-charged and I have no idea how to pull that off since we don't speak the languages and we don't have European credit cards to use for payment.

Regards,

TJ-3PO
San Francisco

Travel-Junkie:
Look up my 6-part trip report covering Berlin, Dresden, and Potsdam. I believe I posted the exact address for T-Mobile in Berlin, etc.

Thank you, LuvtoTravel!

Andrew,

I just ordered 3 SIM cards from NL on e-bay (me, wife, mobile wifi) ...and a mobile hotspot.

I'll just brush up on my Nederlandish Google Translate and I should be good to go...or I'll swing by Portland and ask for your assistance!

Regards,

TJ-3PO

Hi Travel Junkie. I use Google Chrome as my web browser, and that translates Dutch automatically to English.

Please read my write-up carefully and feel free to ask me any questions about the SIM - be careful not to activate a "You" bundle until you are ready to use it, because it lasts only 30 days! Also, don't really put more credit on the SIM than you think you will use right away. The "You" bundles renew for another 30 days automatically if there's enough credit - but you can turn that off in your Vodafone account after you activate the bundle...or if you just don't have enough credit left, it won't/can't renew.

Not sure the Vodafone SIM will work in a tablet or hotspot. If it does, let me know!

(You can use an Android phone as a hotspot FYI to share your data with tablets, etc. I have done that with my Android phone and the Vodafone SIM, but I have heard iPhones could have an issue with hotspot and the Dutch Vodafone SIM.)

Thanks for the additional pointers, Andrew!

Our Motorola turbo droids are from Viacom, who has locked up the hotspot function. I'm not sure how I'll be able to fire up the SIM card on the hotspot but it was only $30 so it's worth a try.

We'll be in Germany for 25 days so the YOU package will be just about right.

I also use Chrome and Google Translate as a regular "go to" for foreign tongues.

Regards,

TJ-3PO