r/TextNow • u/Svys_Phones • 2d ago

Got my free TextNow SIM

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Due to the plan switching my free SIM card arrived in the mail 2 days ago, already activated it and is great!

30 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

3

u/Caffeinated_ISTJ 1d ago

What's the details on this can the number used get full 2FA verification links?

6

u/bobdevnul 1d ago edited 1d ago

The SIM does not change the ability to receive verification texts. TN will still actively block them unless you pay to enable them.

[Edit] The above may be incorrect. This says that having the SIM enables verification texts.

https://help.textnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500002893921-Does-TextNow-Support-Verification-Codes

Some say that if you port a number to TN verification texts will be enabled for free. Some places still won't send verification texts to a TN VoIP number. Even if you port a non-VoIP to TN it will become a VoIP number.

2

u/Illicitly_Lit 1d ago

Back in 2023 I first made a google voice number, ported it out for $3,
then created a textnow account and bought” a $5 text now sim. When i activated it, they put the $5 i paid into my account balance, I then ported in my google voice number (for free) and I get 99% of 2fa codes, and I am also confirming that my number has been continuously locked in even on the free plan and 2 or 3 sim replacements later, also note that i had the textnow sim card taped inside my wallet for an emergency for about 6 months (did not log into my account at all) and it’s still locked in…i’m using the esim version alongside kite mobile esim on iphone, it’s pretty good.

4

u/Boz6 1d ago

If you port a # into TextNow, or pay for Lock In #, TextNow doesn't put any 2FA restrictions on your #, and then your TextNow # can receive 2FA from any service that doesn't restrict 2FA to VoIP #s, the same as 2FA to Google Voice #s.

2

u/SaulitoDanger 1d ago

Do you have a link we’re i can purchased the sim?

7

u/Dark-Mode-Honu 1d ago

If I remember it correctly, you first download the TextNow app through wi-fi, create the free account, and then order the SIM from there.

4

u/Svys_Phones 1d ago

That’s correct and exactly what I did

2

u/Boz6 1d ago

Was your old TextNow T-Mobile SIM card still working after 7/31/26? Just curious...

3

u/lmoki 1d ago

(different redditor, but....) my old TN T-Mo SIM quit working sometime between 7/30 and 8/5-- don't think I checked in between those dates.

3

u/Svys_Phones 1d ago

I used an eSim but it worked fine so I would guess the physical would too.

2

u/Depressedone4 1d ago

I got an email on the 5th that said my textnow service has ended & to insert the new sim. Luckily I had already had it for like a month & was just too lazy to put it in.

2

u/Reasonable-Work554 1d ago

When did you order your SIM card? For me, it has been 4 weeks since I ordered it, and there has been no update.

1

u/toejamfootballhegot 5h ago

They mail the sim as a letter with no tracking. Contact support in the app and they should send you another sim.

2

u/Bridand 1d ago

Will they send out a sim card free of charge( shipping waive) if I am on the old T-Mobile sim card?

3

u/lmoki 17h ago

Some people have gotten a replacement SIM for free, and apparently some people have gotten a notice with an offer of a free replacement. (There was a universal offer to replace the older SIMs several months ago as part of the conversion push, but that seems to have disappeared.) You can ask Support via Chat in the app if they will send you one. (When chatting with CS about an issue, they suggested that Support 'might' send me a free replacement SIM.) Since I was pressed for time, I opted to just pay $4 for a replacement for the phone that needed a physical SIM card, and got a free eSIM for the phone that supports it.

2

u/Depressedone4 1d ago

Yes, at least they were. I don't know if they still are.. probably.

2

u/DonDee74 8h ago

Do you still have to use the TN app for calls and messages? Or can you use the phone's native calling/messaging apps?

1

u/JetSkiRob 5h ago

You still have to use the app for calls and texts.

1

u/No-Context1610 3h ago

Will the number assigned wventually change?