Alternative to MagicJack--Need to receive SMS

twomoonmusic · 2024-04-21T11:44:18+02:00

Explore alternatives to MagicJack for receiving SMS in Spain. Share experiences and find affordable options for bank notifications and more.

twomoonmusic New member

Member since 21 April 2024

twomoonmusicNew member21 April 2024 09:44:18

Any ideas? I need an Alternative specifically because MagicJack can't receive SMS messages from, say a bank. Sometimes not even from online shopping sites. What do you use and what do you pay each month? Thanks in advance

gwynj Bulgaria Expert

Member since 30 June 2020

gwynjBulgaria Expert22 April 2024 04:58:10

2466

@twomoonmusic

I use Skype with a SkypeIn number (many different countries) this typically supports calls and messages, so I can usually use it for bank accounts and so on. But it's not perfect, and some providers check if a number is a real number vs a VOIP number, and won't allow it.

twomoonmusic New member

Member since 21 April 2024

twomoonmusicNew member22 April 2024 15:11:45

@gwynj聽聽Interesting. You use that on your phone, I assume. I have an old Skype account. I should check that out. I am looking for something that always works, but we'll see. Thanks.

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JenWriter Member

Member since 18 April 2019

JenWriterMember07 May 2024 11:07:51

@twomoonmusic There's an app called TalkaTone that works for most SMS/2FA purposes. They use repurposed T-mobile numbers, and you can choose your home area code. But you can't port your number to it, as their blocks of numbers are pre-selected. If you need to maintain the same phone number you had in the US, I've heard the best option is to port it to Google Voice while you're still in the US. You need to either use the number at least monthly or pay a monthly fee to maintain the same number, otherwise numbers get recycled (if you're using the free version and you don't use it for a month or more).