topic Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages? in Roaming

Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

LPhan — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:27:43 GMT

Hi all,

I am really confused with this situation hope someone can help me out here. I often travel abroad but I don't want to pay for roaming as I don't need it. The problem is that my EE sim doesn't have any reception while I am abroad even just to receive messages. Super important because so many apps use 2-factor authentication nowadays. I have never had this problem in the past when I used Three even though I didn't turn on data roaming either.

So my question is, what is the issue I am facing here? How can I get signal for my phone without paying for roaming?

Thanks,

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Katie_B — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:31:37 GMT

Hi @LPhan.

To connect to a local network to receive texts you will need to have roaming enabled on your EE account.

This is activated by texting ROAMING to 150 before leaving the UK.

The daily pass of £2.29 will activate if you connect to a network and use any of your allowance.

Katie

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

LPhan — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:37:27 GMT

Hi Kate,

Thank you for the reply.

Okay just to confirm my understanding, do I have to make sure I don’t accidentally enable my cellular data in order to avoid being charged for data roaming?

Thanks

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Chris_B — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:44:19 GMT

@LPhan Data roaming is the ability to use data when abroad, roaming is the ability to use your device when abroad. Ie calls, texts and data provided data roaming is enabled within your device settings. When you was with 3 roaming was already enabled on your account to use the device abroad with EE you have to have that enabled as it’s off by default.

No device regardless of what network will work unless roaming is enabled on the account as this option allows your device to connect to a foreign network. This might be on by default or off by default as it is with EE because roaming can lead to unexpected charges so you make the decision being aware of that.

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

LPhan — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:47:28 GMT

Hey Chris,

This is brilliant. Your answer is really helpful! I didn’t know the differences so I was so confused with the whole thing!

You are an absolute star 🌟

Thanks

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Chris_B — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:52:05 GMT

@LPhan No problem, anything else just ask.

@Katie_B it’s also £2.47 now.

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

bristolian — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:55:18 GMT

To add, roaming itself is free of charge - you are only charged when you make or receive calls, send text messages or use mobile data.

The term "data roaming" is often confusing, but - although it's not often described this way - the equivalent would be "text roaming" or "voice call roaming". These just refer to using particular services whilst roaming.

You mention "The problem is that my EE sim doesn't have any reception while I am abroad even just to receive messages" - if you don't get coverage abroad, then one of two things is happening. Either there is no coverage - meaning you can't roam. Or there is, and your roaming permissions are not enabled thus you can't access that foreign network.

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Straight — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:17:55 GMT

I am sure this is wrong. I receive texts to my UK number while abroad while roaming is off.

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

bristolian — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:36:17 GMT

The advice above is correct.

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Chris_B — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 09:21:03 GMT

@Straight Is that a text ? Or an iMessage or a RCS message? or something other app messaging service?

Only texts need to have roaming enabled on your EE account as you need to connect to a roaming network in order to receive that text message. the others messaging platforms can use WiFi or cellular data and if it’s via cellular data then roaming needs to be enabled on the EE account as you need to connect to a roaming network.

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Straight — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 23:46:22 GMT

SMS e.g. PIN codes

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Michael_D — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 08:12:10 GMT

Hi @Straight

You would need to have roaming enabled to receive standard SMS messages or PIN codes by text. The roaming feature connects you to a local network when you are abroad, and without this you'd not have a network connection and would only be able to receive messages through 3rd party apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger if you have a WiFi connection.

You can have the data roaming feature in the phone settings turned off, and still receive standard messages, as this would just block the data.

Michael

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Straight — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:16:25 GMT

You say, “You would need to have roaming enabled to receive standard SMS messages or PIN codes by text.”

Then you say, “You can have the data roaming feature in the phone settings turned off, and still receive standard messages, as this would just block the data.”

These two statements contradict each other. I was able to receive texts with roaming OFF while abroad,

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Michael_D — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:26:46 GMT

@Straight The data roaming and roaming settings are completely different. You will need to have roaming enabled on the account for any network connection for texts to work. If that is not enabled on the account, you won't connect to a network while abroad and won't receive standard texts.

I was referring to the data roaming as this is sometimes confused for roaming. This setting is set on the phone itself, not on your account as the roaming product is. If that is switched off in the phone settings it won't impact text usage. This means that if data roaming is switched off, but roaming is enabled on your account, you will be able to receive texts.

Michael

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Straight — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:23:30 GMT

Isn’t “roaming” (not data roaming) enabled by default? Would this be switched off by toggling “automatically select network” off in my phone settings?

Re: Do I need to switch roaming on in order to receive text messages?

Michael_D — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:47:44 GMT

Not necessarily @Straight

On a pay as you go SIM, roaming is enabled automatically once the SIM is put into a phone and connects to the network in the UK.

For a pay monthly contract it may be automatically added when the contract starts but it is always best to check by texting ROAMING to 150 before travelling.

Changing the network selection wouldn't have any impact on roaming being enabled or not. If it is enabled on your account, you'd be able to search for and connect to networks abroad. If it isn't enabled, you aren't able to connect.

Michael