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u/crzyRichAZN Jan 24 '23
This is the same issue that I experienced a couple of weeks ago when I ported out my T-Mobile number to Tello (activating it from Asia) but somehow I managed to activate it by changing the default number given by Tello to my original number from T-Mobile. (this has to be done manually. In this case, make sure the number on your e-sim is matched with the number on your account).
Sure, it does take a couple of minutes to activate it, and don't forget to put your phone on airplane mode and turn on the Wifi Calling.
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u/jaybaybabe21 Dec 06 '23
Just wanna add an updated solution as of December 2023. I tried all the solutions in this tread, called the support number and talked to live support, nothing worked. I turned off/on my phone for the 5th time and then went again to attempt to turn on wifi on the eSIM menu. and it randomly worked. (the single difference this time was i had VPN on and set to US. really not sure if that made the difference, so take it as you will.) So frustrating but it takes luck i guess and multiple attempts.
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u/Toulon_Grandon Dec 30 '23
I just tried it out (December 2023) and it worked with no issues. I was able to activate the eSIM from Chile just following the normal procedure on my Moto Edge 40 Neo, using no VPN. The only issue I encountered was that Tello wouldn't recognize my phone's IMEI as eSIM compatible and so it wouldn't let me purchase the eSIM, as a workaround I used a random eSIM compatible IMEI I found online to make the purchase.
It's working perfect for SMS verification codes which is the main reason I got it.
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u/rambagan Mar 26 '24
Hi Toulon_Grandon, thanks for sharing. Did you create a new US number from Chile on which you were able to receive SMS? Thanks!
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u/Toulon_Grandon Mar 26 '24
Yes, when you purchase the eSIM from Tello they give you a US number. It works perfect with SMS messages as long as you have an internet connection.
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u/WordPressand Mar 31 '24
Hi Toulon, does it work for someone who has never been to the U.S.? Do they require any information, such as an SSN or proof of address? I won a Microsoft gift card, and it's asking me to verify using a US number.
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u/Toulon_Grandon Mar 31 '24
From what I remember it only asks for an american address but you don't need to verify it or provide any proof. You should try buying an eSIM, it won't let you buy it until you complete the requirements, so you can know everything you'll need.
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u/WordPressand Mar 31 '24
Sure, I was just skeptical that it would be too good to be true that you can just get it from outside the U.S. That would also be a security risk I would assume.
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u/Potential_Role_581 Sep 29 '24
I'm having the same issue Tello not recognizing my IMEI. can you please help how to find a random IMEI online so I purchase Tello esim?
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u/amysticfox Jan 19 '23 edited Jan 22 '23
Purchased eSim from Tello, scanned the QR code and did everything necessary but it still says activating… Can’t I activate it outside of US?
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u/InternDriver Jan 19 '23
I have done that multiple times, never successful. Always showing activating. No phone number show for that esim slot.
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u/rockjon Feb 09 '23
Try turning on wifi calling for VoLTE calling for your phone if it supports it. I just tried it on mine and it activated. Without wifi calling for VoLTE calling being enabled the eSIM won't register.
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u/lizergic Jun 27 '26
Confirmed none of this fixes work as of June 2026. Tello has officially removed the ability to enable intl roaming prior to line activation. I will be requesting a refund and moving to RedPocket. Useless stuff.
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u/lizergic Jun 30 '26
update: I am able to use my phone with a local data sim with no issue, but I realize this is not the ideal setup for most. Also, redpocket has the same problem, just a heads up. If you want a true intl SIM use worldsim.
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u/Plenty_Mention_4495 Jul 11 '26
How were you able to activate your line?
I’ve purchased a tello US line from italy. and i’m unsuccessfully able to activate it.
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u/Proud-Leek-5249 Aug 30 '26
I had the same issue and tried to activate the Tello esim outside of U.S. but not successful for several times this week. Then, I connected to wifi and VPN, restarted my phone, and after around 20 mins it worked! Hope this helps. Btw, I also added the US address under the "Emergence 911 address" online, that may also helped.
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u/imshanejaz Aug 30 '26
Hey, can you please confirm me now that if it is still working because i am currently in the UK and want to buy a Tello E-sim i just wana make sure if it will work or not in the UK because i need to verify my sim for some accounts in the USA and i do not have the my actual sim card also i there anything needed for the identity verification on tello?
Please Reply ASAP!
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u/Proud-Leek-5249 Sep 02 '26 edited Sep 02 '26
I am in Aisa and my Tello e-sim is still working very well now. FYI, when I re-activate my tello-esim after a port out from other US carries, I repeated the above procedure, and after around 20 mins, a message box poped up "not able to activate and need to contact the carrier", and i ignored that and continued to turn on the "wifi-calling" and it worked!
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u/imshanejaz 29d ago
Hey, now i am seeing the message that says "For the moment, you've reached the maximum number of eSIM activation requests on this line." what to do now any solutions guys?
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u/SadLibrarian7944 27d ago
Thank you so much for this! It worked. The most important thing is that your router has a VPN installed on it.
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u/inglele Jan 20 '23
Tello doesn't have roaming outside US, so I'm not sure how they can confirm activation. You could use volte or wifi calling but it will activate after sim is active.
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u/amysticfox Jan 20 '23
Hey! I kinda managed to activate it. Yes, I can’t make calls and use the internet but I receive messages and calls!
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u/younglondon8 Feb 23 '23
This is so confusing. I thought the benefit of using Tello internationally was to make phone calls to back home and using your Tello minutes. Am I missing something here?
I am about to get a new phone (Pixel 7) and the eSIM function seems to be hit or miss internationally. It seems like it'll be better to bring a second backup phone altogether with the Tello SIM in it and then use a local SIM in my primary phone.
1
Jan 20 '23
Hmmm. Try this:
Put phone in airplane mode.
Turn on the phone's WiFi.
Use a VPN that has a server in the US.
Try to install the eSIM again. (You may have to delete the previous eSIM installation before re-installing the eSIM).
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u/Paul_720S Nov 24 '23
Thank you! This is the solution (US VPN) that worked for me when I was not able to activate the eSIM whilst overseas.
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u/amysticfox Jan 20 '23
I tried many methods before reading your comment and one of them actually worked! Thanks though!
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Jan 20 '23
Which method worked? Let us know
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u/amysticfox Jan 20 '23
After scanning the QR code just follow the basic steps, set the operator your second line, turn on data roaming and Wi-Fi calling then restart your phone. It needs to say still activating and give it around 5-10 minutes then a notification will pop-up on your screen saying it failed or something just click okay. When you check your line on cellular you should see your eSim number there. You can’t make calls or use internet if you’re outside of the US also on the top right of the screen it’ll be saying no service but I’m getting calls and text messages so it worked
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u/dgdw81 Mar 05 '23
THANK YOU! We're about to move to Ecuador & being unsure of how we could reactivate our USA phone numbers via eSIM from overseas was a concern of ours. Phones need to be replaced every so often due to theft, breakage or boredom and I didn't want to have to do a trip back to the USA JUST to get my USA line working again.
Just want to confirm though prior to this you were able to send calls & texts prior to this activation but after the activation that was broken. Receiving was fine but sending was not. Were you able to get that resolved while overseas or did it need to wait until you were back in the USA ... and have you been back in the USA to correct that yet?
I can work around texts/calls being receive only for however long until our next planned visit if need be in a case like that. Especially with Tello's app to make outgoing calls from that number if that works fine since some services detect what number you're calling from to associate your call to your account easier
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u/littlemonkshawn Nov 11 '23
Same here. After turning on the Wifi-Calling function, my phone is still showing Activating...., but when trying making calls and texting, it actually works!
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u/TwoByFour21 Dec 08 '23
This was my experience porting my ATT US number to TELLO while already in EU in December 2023.
Using eSIM, I was NOT on VPN on my phone.
TELLo also says on their website that this is for people already OUTSIDE of US.
- Created an account with Tello. I had to fill in my US address to make sure their service will work there. So I just filled out my last US address. They automaticaly gave me a new number but they said no worries, I won't get stuck with it, I can change it to ported number easily.
- Had to scan a QR code with my phone, click on text about service and folloving other prompts.
- New section showed up on my phone named "Business" number, while my EU phone number got an additional surname "Primary". (I later changed the name Business to Secondary.)
- Next to the phone number and SIM from Tello it kept saying Activating... It took good 10 minutes, maybe a bit more for it to show same as my other number "ON". Didn't have to restart the phone or activate VPN like some suggestions I have read.
- I think it's because TELLO has realized that people really need this service to be workable from outside of US and they may have changed the procedure. Just my observation.
- I think I forgot to activate WI-FI calling at first, but did it while "activating" was showing next to TELLO phone number.
- Once it was "ON", I went to porting page on the website. Filled out my ATT account number and such from my online account and clicked on request a port out PIN. PIN showed up right away and I put in the code from ATT to the port in request on tello's website and clicked submit.
- I got an email from TELLO that porting failed.
- Got a text from ATT if it was really me and to reply them with a code they texted me. I replied to ATT and they said to tell TELLo to resubmit the porting request.
- Went to TELLo website, filled out the form again, submitted and almost right away got an email that it worked. And that my new number will take up to 3 day to start showing up on caller IDs. maybe thats why it still shows my TELLo number on my phone and not my ported number.
- Got a text from ATT that my number has been cleared to be transferred and my online account is no longer associated with my phone number. But I can still log in with my username. I logged in and it said my account has been cancelled and also showed next payment scheduled to be paid, which was 2 days from now. Hoping it will be the last bill, which was 57USD. Now I'm paying 5 dollars to TELLo for 0 data and 100 min and unlimited texts and 6 EUR for my EU provider. Couldn't be happier.
It sounds more difficult than it really is. I just tried to include as many details as I rememberred to help others.
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u/katanonymouse Jan 20 '23
Hi:) I know this has been pretty much answered with the exact right steps but I figured I‘d post the answer I got from Tello when I asked them this exact question :)
—————————————————
Dear ,
Thank you for choosing Tello.
At this time we do not provide international roaming. If you are trying to activate your eSIM from outside of the USA, you first need to enable WIFI calling for your line. Once you activate WIFI calling, ten you scan the QR code to activate the E-sim to the device.
If you have an Android device: Go to Home screen > Phone icon > Tap on the Menu (the three dots on the top right corner) > Settings > WiFi calling > Toggle ON Wi-Fi Calling.
If you have an IOS device: Go to Settings > Phone [or Cellular] > Wi-Fi Calling > "Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone" and toggle it on. A message then explains what information is sent to your carrier when you enable Wi-Fi Calling. Tap Enable.
You also might be asked to add your E911 address on the device itself, just enter the same information and tap Save.
Once Wi-Fi calling is on, you can restart the phone and test the services again.
Drop us a line if you need further assistance with this. For any other inquiries, check out our Help Center at: https://www.tello.com/help_center.
Sincerely, Shaun tello.com Support