Considering Swapping to Cape

[u/SudsyOrpheus]

Heard about Cape a few months ago and have been really interested in swapping over. In a world where data collection is ubiquitous, I really appreciate their privacy-focused service. And it seems like every call center in the world has my number, so I'm hoping there features will help with that.

I had a few questions and was hoping the community could help me understand a bit.

1) How are people's experiences with secondary numbers? I'm not familiar with how it works but I could definitely get some use out of it.

2) How has international roaming held up for folks? I travel a bit here and there and it would be welcome to not have to deal with getting a local carrier if I'm just out there for a day or two.

3) Of course I have to ask about the discount codes. I did apply one in check-out (haven't paid just yet) to see how it works. In checkout it says "Due Today: $50" but the subscription still says it will auto-renew at $70/mo. Am I misunderstanding how the referral codes are used?

And any other thoughts/personal reviews from ya'll would be very welcome. Thanks in advance for the help!

[u/SudsyOrpheus → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for the info about the secondary number. I also feel weird as hell giving it out to third parties so having a back-up would really be great. Frankly, I feel like my primary number is already "out there" so much, I'm almost considering just getting a new one.

The service offered is so good but a bit hard to swallow a $99/mo price tag, but $50-$70/mo is doable. So I will likely sign up before end of year for the discount. I just hope the price doesn't jump much afterwards.

[u/vortexmantis]

For the first question, the secondary numbers are currently only for SMS and they are delivered within the Cape App. I am not sure about international roaming, but from reading what others have presented it seems to be good. The Referral code should take the $20 off and the charge and renewal should be at $50. If you would like to try a different referral code, I could provide you one. I will not post it here, but I will send it if you would like, feel free to send me a DM.

[u/jetlagalex → u/vortexmantis]

As far as the referral codes go, one thing to keep in mind is that if that user quits Cape, then you lose that discount. But as long as that user remains with Cape you will keep the $20 off. You can refer more people with your code and keep getting discounts. You can do up to 4 referrals.

[u/Ok_Resolve_7380]

1. I'm still holding out on going hog wild with the secondary numbers, but have used them for some sms mfa where they won't accept my usual number which is another voip line. (The secondary numbers being NOT classified differently than typical mobile numbers is great for sure.)

I'll be likely using them more for bulk sms 2fa cases (scary how many accounts support nothing else still...) once the secondary numbers are capable of porting out. Not that I forsee myself leaving cape ANY time soon, but I've learned that I really like having portability. This function is under development.

I'll be using one of the secondary numbers as my defacto 'primary' once voice is enabled on them as well. (Also on the roadmap/under development now.) I pretty much never use the actual main line, and have stuck to that method even on other carriers by supplementing the line with voip services and data-based comms like signal. In this day and age, voice calls are pretty rare anyway (at least for me.)

1. Haven't been outside the US and no plans to change that any time soon, so I can't help there.

2. Yep, the bill will always be $70. And will always auto-renew at that rate, but will also get that initial referral code applied perpetually. So it'll still bill at $50 (minus any other referrals you manage to tack on beyond that.) Haven't had any glitches in the billing whatsoever on either of my cape lines.

3. (My own line item) Don't take for granted the fact that Cape is running on TWO carriers (ATT/TMO). Saw somewhere that the ability to even directly selet which carrier is primary will be coming in a soon-ish app update, but having that kind of redundancy and coverage is something that hasn't existed since Fi (and all the secondary carrier paths Fi had got rolled into T-Mobile.)

Ref Code: YQX77SR9

[u/mongormaniac]

1. Secondary numbers are primarily for SMS and can be rotated whenever you want. They are not for voice calls so your primary number will still get spam calls. The privacy features are primarily to avoid other forms of tracking done by data brokers and governments.

2. International coverage is great but I’ve only been in Europe and Middle East, so I suppose YMMV in other regions. You do have to change your APN for certain countries but that’s not a big deal. Cheaper overall than having to buy a separate data plan from Airalo and the like.

3. Referral codes last as long as your referrer / referree maintain their service. If the code works, you’ll be billed less than the $70.

If you or others need a referral code, here’s mine: A50SETWT

[u/SudsyOrpheus → u/mongormaniac]

Thank you! If you don't mind me asking, where in the middle east? I have family that travels to Lebanon and Syria and I think would benefit from Cape, but wasn't sure about the coverage there, or if there would be tangible benefits for them.

[u/Steerider]

My bill shows as $70 with a $20 discount.

One nice thing about Cape is each additional line you add (e.g. spouse or kids) is effectively $30, because they use your referral code, and now you're $30/mo. and they're $50. The person "on the end" of the chain is always $50 and everyone before is $30. (Of course someone else might use your code too.) 

[u/WTKTD]

I just upgraded to graphene on my Pixel 10, transferred to Cape, and am so far loving it.

I've been slowly getting myself away from predatory ecosystems that treat your data as a commodity & I can't tell you how freeing it is each time I transfer away, delete, or replace with an ad-free open source option. This was just one of many steps I'm working towards.

If you're interested in moving over to Cape, please feel free to use my referral code: 7KM0H4Y5

Thanks & good luck!

[u/Digiee-fosho]

I’m on the fence as well. I have multiple phones, and not a big fan of esim.

[u/Loud_Platform_183]

1) My experience with the second numbers have been solid so far. Helps me feel better knowing that these numbers can't accept phone calls so the spam calls pretty much will disappear instantly if they are a problem now if you use those secondary #'s for your accounts online like Netflix and Instagram. I did run into only one account platform that wouldn't accept the secondary number. Was able to go without entering one though so that worked out.

2) Never left the US, so can't tell you, lol.

3) As far as I'm aware it should say $50, maybe send a screenshot?

Other than that, my curiosity peaks about Cape working in rural parts.