Phone numbers

Getting a phone number abroad

A travel eSIM normally carries data and nothing else — which is why nobody can ring you on it. There are two ways to fix that, and they suit different trips. Here is the difference, in plain terms.

Rent a RoamGo number

US$6.95/month

A line you keep, on any device

A number you rent by the month and use from your browser or the app, over whatever internet you have. It is the same number next trip and the one after, and it works on a laptop with no SIM in sight.

Best if you want one number that outlives the trip — for work, for a listing, for anyone who needs to reach you at the same digits all year.

Keep the same number month to month; cancel when you are done.
Works anywhere you have internet, on any device, with no SIM slot needed.
Calls and texts run through your RoamGo balance, at the rate shown before you connect.

Worth knowing: It is a virtual line rather than a carrier SIM, so some apps refuse it when you sign up for a new account.

See calling and numbers

An eSIM that includes a number

from US$2.30

A real carrier line, for the trip

A handful of our eSIM plans come with their own phone number issued by the mobile network itself, plus calling minutes and texts. The phone treats it like any local SIM, because that is what it is.

Best if you want a local number where you are going, or a number that apps accept as a genuine mobile line.

A real carrier number on the local network — not a virtual one.
Calls and texts work over the mobile network, with no internet needed.
Arrives with your eSIM QR code, ready when you land.

Worth knowing: The number belongs to the plan: it is not portable, and it ends when the plan expires.

See 47 plans with a number

Plans with a bundled number are available for 以色列, 美國, 英國, 荷蘭, plus a worldwide plan that carries a US number.

A real number, not VoIP

Sign in to the apps that reject virtual numbers.

The line is issued by the mobile network itself, so it behaves like any local SIM: it has a real mobile number, and the messaging apps that turn away VoIP and virtual numbers at sign-up accept it.

Whether a given verification code reaches the line is set by the operator, not by us — each plan below quotes its own rules, and some allow local traffic only. Check them before you buy for this.

WhatsApp
Signal
Telegram
LINE

Side by side

	Rented RoamGo number	eSIM with a number
What it is	A virtual line on our platform	A real number issued by a mobile network
How you use it	Browser or app, over any internet	In your phone, like any local SIM
Needs internet	Yes — it runs over the connection	No — calls and texts use the network
How long you keep it	As long as you keep renting it	Until the plan expires
New-account sign-ups	Some apps refuse virtual numbers	The kind of number those apps accept
Billing	Monthly, plus per-minute from your balance	Prepaid once, minutes and texts included
Comes with data	No — bring your own connection	Yes — the plan is an eSIM

Still not sure?

If people need to reach you at the same number all year, rent one. If you want a local line for this trip, or a number an app will accept as a real mobile, buy an eSIM that includes one. Nothing stops you having both.

eSIMs with a number Rent a number