Before leaving, I knew I’d still need access to Canadian services, bank accounts, and government logins. I didn’t want to rely on guesswork or hope airport Wi-Fi would be enough. So I looked into different options and chose what would give me the most control.
I ported my number to a flexible mobile plan before departure and made sure my most-used accounts had app-based authentication set up. I also tested things in advance, logging into my banking portal, triggering a 2FA code, and checking that it worked overseas.
It wasn’t just about staying connected. It was about avoiding those locked-out moments that happen at the worst possible times. A bit of prep gave me peace of mind once I was gone.
Why 2FA Texts Become a Problem Abroad
Most 2FA codes get sent as SMS to your local number. The issue is that once you leave your home country and switch to a local SIM or eSIM, you usually lose access to your old number unless you’ve set something up in advance.
You might think, “I’ll just use Wi-Fi.” But SMS doesn’t work through Wi-Fi unless your number is active on a network. Without access to that number, you’re locked out of anything that uses it for verification.
It doesn’t just affect banking. It can also block you from:
- Government portals
- Investment apps
- Online shopping with security checks
- Apple ID or Google account verifications
- Airline logins or booking changes
Option 1: Keep Your Original Number Active on a VoIP App
If you’re in Canada, the US, or Australia, porting your number to a VoIP service can help. I used Fongo for my Canadian number. It let me receive texts and calls over Wi-Fi or data. Other people use TextNow or Google Voice.
What I like about this method is that you keep the same number, even if you’re using a local eSIM for data. Just switch over to Wi-Fi or mobile data and you’ll still receive messages.
What to know:
- You have to port your number before you leave
- You’ll lose access to your old carrier account after porting
- Some services don’t work with VoIP numbers – Some Canadian banks such as TD, still block VoIP numbers for verification, so it’s worth testing your banking login before you leave to be sure everything works the way you expect.
Option 2: Use Dual SIM or eSIM to Keep Your Number Active
If your phone supports dual SIM or eSIM, you can keep your home number running in the background while using a travel data plan. This works well if you’re using a provider that lets you pay a small fee to keep your number active without a full phone plan.
For example:
- Canadians can use Rogers or Telus prepaid to keep a number alive for a few dollars per month
- Americans often use T-Mobile’s pay-as-you-go plans
- Australians can use Optus or Telstra prepaid with long expiry options
This method lets you keep receiving SMS as long as your number stays connected to a network. Just check if your plan includes roaming or if you need to be on Wi-Fi for it to work.
Most Canadian carriers allow incoming texts even without a roaming package, which helps if you just need the number active for verification codes while abroad.
Option 3: Change Your 2FA Method Before You Leave
For accounts that allow it, switch your 2FA from SMS to app-based authentication. I use Authy and Google Authenticator. Once set up, these apps generate codes that don’t rely on a phone number at all.
It’s not possible for every account, but for the ones that support it, this is the most reliable method while abroad.
Check your account settings on:
- Gmail or Google Suite
- PayPal
- Instagram or Facebook
- Apple ID (use trusted device instead of SMS)
- Most cryptocurrency or investment platforms
Many accounts let you switch from SMS to an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy, which works offline. Don’t forget to save your backup recovery codes in a secure place too.
Option 4: Leave Your SIM in an Old Phone or Use a Backup Device
If you have an old phone, you can leave your SIM card in it and keep it connected to Wi-Fi. It won’t work for calls or data, but incoming texts might still come through if your number is active.
If your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling, texts may come through over Wi-Fi alone, but if not, the phone just needs a small connection to a local tower for SMS to land.
I did this during a multi-country trip and it worked surprisingly well for SMS. I just checked the second phone whenever I needed to log in to something.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, remote worker, or just travelling for a few months, having access to your 2FA texts abroad is more important than it seems. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about keeping control of your digital life while you’re away from home.
Most of the stress people run into abroad comes from losing access to accounts that still rely on their home number, so planning your 2FA ahead of time solves 99% of those issues.
Plan it out once, and it’ll save you a lot of stress later. Trust me.
