Getting local SIM in England - any problem with two-step verification?

[ks234931]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find it with a search.

I'm traveling to England next month and planning to get a local SIM for my iPhone 5s's rather than paying Verizon's international roaming. I understand I'll have a different phone number as long as I use the new SIM and that my current phone number won't be active.

Here are my questions:

Will Messages still recognize the iPhone or will it require the two-step verification process?

If it does want to verify, how can I configure this since it will try to send the code to my number that isn't active?

Or am I overthinking this so that it won't be a problem?
​

Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[Applejuiced]

You are overthinking it.
Imessages and FaceTime will work with the new number.
Unless you use Apple id for those.
And as far as you know your Apple ID and password you'll be fine.

 

[nox5]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lycamobile-UK-SIM-Card-with-10-Credit-Combo-sim-both-std-micro-size-/201022335130?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ecddd689a

 

[ks234931]

Thanks, Applejuiced.

But what happens if I do want to use my apple id with the new number? I was planning to set it up this way so that I'd still get the messages sent to my apple id.

I guess the other alternative would be to check the Messages app on my MacBook when I have wifi.

 

[Paco II]

When inserting new SIM you should not be asked to authorize. It should just work.

Be aware of a couple of things: messages sent to the US number won't reach you, even via iMessage. Consider changing your from id to be your email address.

Thanks, Applejuiced.



But what happens if I do want to use my apple id with the new number? I was planning to set it up this way so that I'd still get the messages sent to my apple id.



I guess the other alternative would be to check the Messages app on my MacBook when I have wifi.

 

[jpn]

hi

your question is a good question. i travel frequently. i need different SIMS for 3 or 4 countries and i had the same question.

here is the answer:

if you have 2 step authentication turned on, when you travel to a different country and insert a (different) SIM, iOS will ask you to authenticate.

the number to which it can send the code however can be either (1) one of your numbers that you have already associated that phone with previously in apple ID management preferences, or, (2) your iCloud address.

so that means that you can just choose your iCloud address and you will receive the code to authenticate even though it is different SIM in the phone.

my suggestion is to then make sure you do register that number in apple ID preferences so the next time you can choose the phone number as well.

but, there is one more problem: last year apple also began to demand that apps also need to get authenticated as well. this means that when you insert a different SIM card into your iPhone, iMessage an FaceTime (audio and video) will require a special code to be entered. it is best to copy the app password in advance and paste it into Notes or somewhere so you can copy/paste it into the iMessages/Facetime panel.

it can be confusing since it just asks for your user password but entering your regular iCloud password doesn't work, it requires this special app password to be entered.

hth.

 

[Paco II]

Strange. Just returned from trip where I used two different local SIMs. Never asked to authenticate when inserting SIM. IMessage just worked. Two factor is enabled.

hi



your question is a good question. i travel frequently. i need different SIMS for 3 or 4 countries and i had the same question.



here is the answer:



if you have 2 step authentication turned on, when you travel to a different country and insert a (different) SIM, iOS will ask you to authenticate.



the number to which it can send the code however can be either (1) one of your numbers that you have already associated that phone with previously in apple ID management preferences, or, (2) your iCloud address.



so that means that you can just choose your iCloud address and you will receive the code to authenticate even though it is different SIM in the phone.



my suggestion is to then make sure you do register that number in apple ID preferences so the next time you can choose the phone number as well.



but, there is one more problem: last year apple also began to demand that apps also need to get authenticated as well. this means that when you insert a different SIM card into your iPhone, iMessage an FaceTime (audio and video) will require a special code to be entered. it is best to copy the app password in advance and paste it into Notes or somewhere so you can copy/paste it into the iMessages/Facetime panel.



it can be confusing since it just asks for your user password but entering your regular iCloud password doesn't work, it requires this special app password to be entered.



hth.

 

[ks234931]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'll plan to verify my new number using the email address associate with my appleid. Of course, gmail also uses two-step verification, so I'll need to make sure to have google's one-time codes available before I go.

And just to be on the safe side, I'll also have my recovery code for my appleid on hand, too.

And now to make sure that the rest of the family also has this all together for their accounts before we get on the plane. . . .

 

[ks234931]

Just to follow up after the trip:

Everything worked incredibly smoothly, and there were no problems with the verification. We walked into a Carphone Warehouse with our luggage before we even got to our first airbnb spot, and got the SIMs popped in right there. 12 pounds for 2 gig of data, and it all just worked right away. Of course, YMMV, but it was incredibly easy for us. We had access to all our contacts, and iMessage recognized the new number.

Be sure to bring a paper clip that's small enough to let you pop out the SIM tray, though. We had to scrounge a bit, but then I put our Verizon SIMs back in while we were waiting in line in customs.

I don't know why anyone would every pay for a carrier's international plan given how easy this was.

 

[Applejuiced]

Nice, easy and way cheaper than paying an arm and a leg for international roaming data and minutes through verizon.

 

[Paco II]

A little tip on this: on eBay I bought a Sim tray ejector tool that 'lives' in the headphone jack when not in use. Perfect for traveling, and not in the way at all as I use Bluetooth headphones.

Be sure to bring a paper clip that's small enough to let you pop out the SIM tray, though. We had to scrounge a bit, but then I put our Verizon SIMs back in while we were waiting in line in customs.