o2 Mobile Phone advice in America

Dangermouse99

Hi, with o2 I don't have roaming and would rather not spend £6 per day to use the phone as I'd be looking at over £60 which feels obscene. Is there a cheap way to use a mobile over in Las Vegas? Apparently if I remove my Sim card, that is best to prevent any o2 fees and I would still be able to use Whatsapp. Not sure this is true, just thought I'd ask for any help/advice with this please. Thanks!

400ixl

You would only be able to use Whatsapp if you were on a wifi network. But there is no need to remove the sim card, just disable roaming.

There is lots of free wifi in Las Vegas so provided you are happy to only be able to be online when on one of these networks then that is fine.

la531983

About to say, you won't have any issues with WiFi there. 

amanda1024

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

savergrant

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

tightauldgit

savergrant said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

I think amanda was just recommending turning off DATA roaming though, not all roaming. That way you can still get incoming messages. If you don't pay for the roaming package you will still connect in the US it's just that you'll be on the insane rates but if you don't use the phone for data or outgoing calls then it'll still working for incoming calls and messages. 

You can then get a local SIM to use for data needs or use WIFI if it's available. 

I also just used my PAYG 3 SIM in the US and it worked the same as it would in the UK with no extra charges.  

silvercar

I have O2 with Volt and that gives free roaming on O2.

Dangermouse99

Thank you all for the helpful replies!

Dangermouse99

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

Thanks! I don't suppose you could recommend how/where I would get a second sim? Is it easy or would I need to go through hoops entering personal data?

If anybody has experienced this, please let me know

silvercar

Dangermouse99 said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

Thanks! I don't suppose you could recommend how/where I would get a second sim? Is it easy or would I need to go through hoops entering personal data?

If anybody has experienced this, please let me know

I’ve used Airalo in a few countries. It’s an eSIM and data only. Download the app, after checking that your phone can accept an eSIM.

savergrant

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

I think amanda was just recommending turning off DATA roaming though, not all roaming. That way you can still get incoming messages. If you don't pay for the roaming package you will still connect in the US it's just that you'll be on the insane rates but if you don't use the phone for data or outgoing calls then it'll still working for incoming calls and messages. 

You can then get a local SIM to use for data needs or use WIFI if it's available. 

I also just used my PAYG 3 SIM in the US and it worked the same as it would in the UK with no extra charges.  

Just looking at my Samsung s22 the only option is turn on/off data roaming. So if set to automatic network will it connect to a foreign network unless I set the sim as inactive? I don't have inclusive roaming.