I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier these day. I have t mobile international. At home if I'm calling my son from in ny and I'm in ny I dial 1 666 666 7777. What do I dial when I'm in France?
If he calls when we are both in ny,he dials 1 631 222 2222
What would he dial to reach me in France.
Thanks
I just sent you a private message
Ann
He will just dial your usual number and you will dial his. T-Mobile is great.
Download the WhatsApp app. You can use it for talk or text and it’s free.
As the previous reply stated, WhatsApp on a data connection such as a WiFi connection will work.
You can also look into a company called Airalo:
https://www.airalo.com
If you have a newer smartphone that uses an electronic SIM (e-sim) you can leverage Airalo to add a new e-sim to your phone through their app. Then reload it as needed while traveling. You have the option of data only e-sims or an e-sim that includes data, voice, and text.
For you calling him, enter a plus (+) for international access, followed by the international code for the US (1) and the number, so +1 followed by his number. Just note voice calls made while roaming are often very expensive.
But I do agree whatsapp is a better option - messages, voice and video calls are free to anyone with WhatsApp assuming you have data (either roaming, local SIM or wifi). Maybe ask your son to install it on your phone. Super easy to use.
Another vote for WhatsApp.
I “ chat “ weekly with friends in UK and Budapest via WhatsApp.
Became a follower of WhatsApp when I was staying in an AirBnb in the Kilburn neighborhood of London in 2011. The property owner was from China and took time to explain WhatsApp. It was how she kept in touch with her family. I uploaded it and its how we stayed in touch.
One of the best apps to have.
Add WhatsApp to both of your phones. We use it frequently to talk and text with our friends in Poland and Croatia. Easy and convenient.
Thank you all
While WhatsApp will definitely be cheaper, one of the advantages of having T-Mobile or Google Fi phone service (at least it has been true of the plans I've had) is that it's not astronomically expensive to make phone calls to or from Europe. I wouldn't do it for calls of any length, but I think the cost is only about $0.25 per minute, which isn't bad for a really brief call, so it's something you can do if you need to when you're out and about, without access to Wi-Fi. I've dealt with things like calls from my dentist's office without resorting to WhatsApp. It's possible not all T-Mobile and Google Fi plans have rates like that.
Acquiring a Google Voice account works for your use case. Google will assign you a US phone number, and you attach that to your current cell phone number. Calls will come through on the Google Voice number wherever you are, so long as you have a data connection (wifi or cellular). And incoming calls are no charge. Outgoing calls using data while overseas may cost about a penny per minute. Just make sure voice roaming is turned off on your phone and that people calling you use your Google Voice number.
I've used this approach extensively while overseas using data-only eSIMs for European use.
Do you both have Apple devices with FaceTime? Easy to connect that way. I use it regularly from Europe and Asia with hubby and adult "kids".
I have T-Mobile Magenta. On recent trips to Europe, I've called an elderly relative's land line multiple times. I believe the international voice call rate is $.25 per minute. It didn't break the bank for me - I didn't bother monitoring call length. Call quality was such that the relative didn't know I was out of the country. Relative would not be able to manage What'sApp, Skype, or other free app connections, not even a smart phone.
My plan charges the $.25 per minute cell to cell, even when on family plan.
Don't apologize for asking for tech instructions - even when using your own phone. I think it probably happens to most of us over the age of 30! It's too easy to overthink or miss an iteration of updates, or the newest "hot" method for accomplishing something.
you can leverage Airalo to add a new e-sim to your phone through their app. Then reload it as needed while traveling. You have the option of data only e-sims or an e-sim that includes data, voice, and text.
I don't find any eSIMs from Airalo that offer voice or text. Where did you find these?
Airalo global esim plans have some calls and texts.
Airalo global esim plans have some calls and texts.
None of them do so far as I can see.
Go to the global e sim page on the website linked above. Towards the top of the page, above the individual plans is a way to select data or data/ calls/ texts. Select the later and you should see the plans with calls and texts.
Aha! Thanks; had not noticed the tabs that allow you to select plans that include voice.
Monstrously expensive, though, aren't they? ETA: I hadn't realized how expensive even Airalo's data plans are. Nomad eSIMs are much less expensive, but they offer no voice plans whatsoever.
I do have WhatsApp and love it. I was counting on it when we are on a cruise in June.
But another person commented it only works in WiFi. My husband likes to stray off the beaten path, and I want him to be able to get in touch in case of emergency. He would rather be on a trail in a park by himself than on a walking tour with a guide.
So what is our best option for him? We have Android phones and use Cricket (me) and tracfone (him).
I do have WhatsApp and love it. I was counting on it when we are on a cruise in June. But another person commented it only works in WiFi.
Not true. It works with any data plan. If you both have a signal, you can reach one another.
