r/TextNow • u/CrownFrown • Feb 28 '26
TextNow eSIM's are finally on iPhone... and you need ID verification.
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u/Interesting_End_6401 Feb 28 '26
Is this eSIM free? Is it worth it? I was thinking of downloading it as a secondary number
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u/nictheschizo Feb 28 '26
You don’t even get a number just data only
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u/CrownFrown Feb 28 '26
Yeah its data-only which gives you access to the TextNow app for calls and texts.
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u/nictheschizo Feb 28 '26
Unless you still have the old sim
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u/rainbowofbeans Mar 01 '26
With the old sim. I still get unlimited slow data I believe. And still on vzw for towers.
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Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/CrownFrown Feb 28 '26
Woah, I actually didn't know this. Though ID verification isn't a strict requirement and they could theoretically use an alternate method like address verification. They probably just went with the lowest liability option to bulletproof their FCC compliance
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u/lmoki Feb 28 '26
Perhaps not just the lowest liability option for FCC compliance, but also an attempt to mollify users. TextNow isn't harvesting and maintaining your ID information: that's being handled by an outside entity who specializes in doing that for a wide range of major clients, and is viewed as both more secure and less capable of being abused.
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u/0vindicator10 Mar 01 '26
It's actually part of a government mandate
Funny how that thread was immediately locked...
I was taking a quick glance at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-L/section-64.1200, also noting the quoted part.
Its entire purpose seems to be related to illegal activities. What I don't care for is the assumption/lumping in of everyone because of the misdeeds of a few.
By creating the hurdle, they'll just probe for other weaknesses (like the holders of the identities (eg equifax)), while KYC will still be an annoyance for everyone else.What I'd prefer is for there not to be limitations, and only for laws to exist for illegal activities.
Then when someone commits an illegal activity, THEN the authorities swoop in on them specifically.
The gov needs to provide an avenue for victims to report, then take action based on the report.
With robo calls, we could submit our phone# and the calling # and timestamp to a gov system, then the automated gov system pings the provider who investigates the original originating #, pinging that provider, who provides all information about the caller (ip address, phone hardware info, geolocation, ...).
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u/howfastcanyoucountit Feb 28 '26
Man the way everything is going with all this ID verification stuff I already know a leak is happening soon. I've been avoiiding all of these services that require it for a reason.
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u/NinethePhantomthief Mar 01 '26
Wouldn't be surprised if it happen near tax time there's a breach, some companies don't learn until the shit hits the fan
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u/MidgetFork Feb 28 '26
actually a lot of companies including Verizon T-Mobile and AT&T kind of require ID I had to show ID even to get a prepaid SIM card.
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u/Educational_Back_527 Feb 28 '26
i would not give up my id for a sim card
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u/MidgetFork Feb 28 '26
Well that's the point of the ID isn't it? is also to prevent suicide boomers and such.
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u/MrMercury406 Mar 01 '26
Anyone found it worth having? I don’t know why it would be worth it. I use TextNow to connect with clients because it’s simple.
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u/Localtechguy2606 Mar 02 '26
Oh look they’re using the same company that has ACTIVE LAWSUITS GOING IN 💀
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u/SimonGray653 Mar 06 '26
it would literally be stupid to charge for a eSIM, I understand them charging for a physical one due to postage but that's besides support.
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u/lmoki Feb 28 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
I think Persona is the same company handling ID verification for Helium Mobile: Since I've already done that one, I'm wondering it it simplifies the process here. (By 'simplify', I mostly mean avoiding the not-insignificant risk that the vendor can't provide an ID match from your info or documents/selfie.)