See if you can sign up for a google voice number. I'm not sure if foreigners actually can do that.

You would have to get a number that forwards to your existing international number probably. I wonder if a Google Voice number would work? That would be free. At the very least, if it doesn’t work, you’re not out any money.

I think they can do it once they’re residing in the U.S. but they can’t do it while they are living overseas.

I can't, unfortunately.

Google voice does not work for foreigners.

Oh. Well, so much for that then.

The mobile carrier for the phone you have may be able to help you. There’s no harm in sending an email to their tech support or whatever. They may have some special kind of thing for this situation.

You might want to check out T-Mobile 'Ultra Mobile PayGo' pre-paid. They have a plan that's only $3/month.

https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans/pay-go

Most international people use WhatsApp.

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Hushed app is $2/month. There are a bunch like that.

Buy an unlocked Samsung used off of https://www.backmarket.com/en-us/l/smartphones/0744fd27-8605-465d-8691-3b6dffda5969#brand=1%20%20Samsung&sim_lock_state=Unlocked%20only

Edit: if you don't care about features you can buy a cheap $30 phone at regular stores like Walgreens, cvs, even gas stations sometimes.

are prepaid phones still a thing? Might be the easiest way

Maybe see if you can get a month to month plan somewhere and then once you have an number “port” it over and “park” it somewhere like number barn

If you have an iPhone you should get the Burner app. You can get numbers for any US area code.

Mint mobile sells 7 day trial SIM cards. They cost $1. You can get them at any electronics store or off Amazon.

Tmobile does a free 3 month trial

Google voice .

I have my regular number with my phone .

But a Google voice when I don't want to give out my number

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