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o2 Mobile Phone advice in America

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!
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  • 400ixl
    400ixl Posts: 4,145 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    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
    la531983 Posts: 2,555 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    About to say, you won't have any issues with WiFi there. 
  • 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 
  • 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.
  • 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
    silvercar Posts: 48,702 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    I have O2 with Volt and that gives free roaming on O2.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages, student & coronavirus Boards, money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • Thank you all for the helpful replies!
  • 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 :smile:
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 48,702 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    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 :smile:
    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.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages, student & coronavirus Boards, money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • 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.
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