2 Messages
Stateside phone number expiring
I'm in Europe using a Vodaphone sim and with it still able to use my US phone number to iMessage. I am getting warning notifications from AT&T which state a day count, such as "(305) 555-5555 (except it's my real stateside number) 22 days left, this number is registered to your Apple ID, but is not associated with this phone. You can keep using the number for iMessages and FaceTime until it expires" . My concern is that my US phone number will expire if I don't return to the US within the day count, put my AT&T sim back in my phone and activate it. My AT&T prepaid account is paid current and I certainly will gladly continue paying. My big concern is losing my stateside phone number. Can someone please advise me?
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
DonnyGuy
New Member
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31 Messages
19 days ago
That’s actually an Apple warning you’re receiving rather than it coming from AT&T.
Apple require a SIM (or eSIM) to be in your phone for it to link to iMessage (you recall you get the pop up asking you to activate it when you first put the sim in).
What’s happened here is when you switched sim, Apple gave you a grace period of 30 days where the number is still associated to your Apple ID and therefore can still receive and send iMessage.
The warning is, that time period is running out. At the end of the period, the number will no longer be linked. You have the choice to either activate iMessage with whatever sim and number you have from Vodafone. Or switch the AT&T sim on / pop it back in and re-activate iMessage and it’ll re-link to your US number again.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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117.7K Messages
19 days ago
AT&T doesn't care whether you use the number, they do care whether or not you're paying for it. If you were on auto refill and stopped refilling, or if you manually refill your account you need to contact AT&T in order to do so
If you can log into your account from overseas, you may be able to refill yourself. Do not try to reset any passwords or PIN codes if you cannot receive a two-factor authentication it will fail and you will be locked out and then even AT&T support when you call will not be able to help you.
Support for travel abroad for prepaid users
+1.408.962.1025
Available 24/7 (supposedly)
FREE from mobile phone
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DonnyGuy
New Member
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31 Messages
19 days ago
You’ve missed the mark AT&T. The original poster is receiving a message from Apple about their US number only being linked to their ID and to iMessage for another XX days. This is because they’re overseas using a sim in the device from another carrier.
They’ve already stated their prepaid account is active and they’re still paying. It’s just they’re using a local sim as it’s cheaper than roaming.
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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232.2K Messages
19 days ago
Hey @richz123
We hear you, and we would like to shed some light on this. The message you have received is for the iMessage/Apple I'd being unlinked.
Your AT&T number will remain active as long as the number is being refilled, To keep your number active, you can follow the below steps:Hope this helps! Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
Thank you for contacting AT&T Community Forums,
Gary, AT&T Community Specialist.
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JefferMC
ACE - Expert
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35.6K Messages
19 days ago
AT&T has not responded.
To make sure OP understands... What is the situation for him/her once that grace period ends for:
- Someone who routinely communicates with them over iMessage texts them in iMessage from their iPhone?
- Someone who has never texted on iMessage tries to text them US Phone Number from iMessage?
- Someone with Android (or using Twilio or some other service like an MFA sender) texts the US Phone number with SMS (regardless of previous communication) status?
(edited)
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DonnyGuy
New Member
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31 Messages
19 days ago
Ahhhhh… in that case, I take that back :) (Apologies to the ATTHelp account).
So to the original poster, here’s the deal. From what you’re saying, it looks like you have your AT&T sim deactivated in favour of the local Vodafone sim you’re using. At the point where you switched, Apple kept your US number linked to iMessage etc. meaning anyone messaging you via iMessage or calling you on FaceTime using your US number, they’re still delivering. You can also send iMessage / make FaceTime calls and your caller ID will still be your US number.
If your AT&T number remains switched off then when the grace period expires, that number will no longer be linked to your Apple ID.
Basically anyone messaging you using that number, it’ll be green, not blue for them, send as a text and won’t be received by you if the SIM card is switched off.
Same as anyone who is sending you a regular SMS, they wont be landing with you if the SIM is switched off.
What you can do is… (assuming you want to keep your US number linked) is switch that sim on and you’ll get the pop up to activate iMessage. In theory it should cost the cost of one text message however I’ve never been charged by AT&T even when overseas.
If you are up on how to dual sim, then you can use your local Vodafone sim as the one to carry data and calls etc whilst you’re overseas and have the AT&T one switched on in the background with data roaming deactivated so it doesn’t generate any charges.
But to re-assure you, if you’re still paying for your prepaid service and your account is live. You won’t lose your US number.
As a side note, you can keep your US number linked to third party messaging apps such as WhatsApp etc without them expiring.
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JefferMC
ACE - Expert
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35.6K Messages
19 days ago
@DonnyGuy well, now AT&T has (right when I did), and your comment was prescient. :-)
I added some questions on my original comment you might be better than answering than I. I'm not an iMessage expert by any stretch.
(edited)
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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117.7K Messages
19 days ago
I don't have an iPhone I'm an Android person which is why I'm not aware that Apple ID and iMessage is tied to the phone number. Good to know in case I ever see this particular complaint again
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richz123
2 Messages
18 days ago
Thanks very much! I really appreciate the understanding and clarity you've provided. Btw, I have for years on autopay my AT&T prepaid account and there's no chance of missing a payment. As I can access online the prepaid account I'll def make sure it stays paid. Much thanks again!
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DonnyGuy
New Member
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31 Messages
18 days ago
You’re more than welcome. Have a brilliant Sunday and enjoy wherever it is in Europe you find yourself this morning.
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