Getting a US eSIM from Outside the US

Step-by-step guide for purchasing and activating a Tello eSIM from outside the United States to get a US phone number for WhatSnap SMS.

Overview

If you're not physically in the United States but need a US phone number for WhatSnap SMS, you can purchase a Tello eSIM that works internationally over WiFi.

Important Limitations:

  • Tello is a budget carrier with very aggressive blocking

  • Requires extremely slow warm-up (1 SMS every 10 minutes initially)

  • Maximum sustainable volume: 100-150 messages/day

  • SMS with links often don't send

  • Accounts randomly stop working even when not blocked

  • Only use if you have no other option for a US number

Better Alternatives: If possible, use established carriers like Verizon Business, Google Fi, or Lycamobile. See SIM Plan Recommendations for better options.

Prerequisites

Before purchasing a Tello eSIM:

Part 1: Purchasing Your Tello eSIM

Step 1: Visit Tello Website

  1. Go to: tello.com/buy/esim

  2. Click "Plans" or "Shop Plans"

Step 2: Choose a Plan

Recommended Plan: $10/month

Plan Details:

  • Includes sufficient minutes and SMS for WhatSnap

  • Data not needed for WhatSnap SMS (uses minimal data)

  • Can select custom plan with more SMS if desired

Data Not Required: WhatSnap SMS uses very little mobile data (~50-100 MB/month). Choose the cheapest plan with adequate SMS.

  1. Browse available plans

  2. Select $10 plan (or build custom plan)

  3. Click "Get This Plan"

Step 3: Sign Up and Checkout

  1. Create Account or Sign In if you have existing account

  2. Proceed to Checkout

Step 4: Select "New Tello Line"

  1. In checkout, find "My Number" section

  2. Click "New Tello line"

  3. Choose to get a new US number (or port existing)

Step 5: Enter US Address

You need a US address for registration:

Option 1: Use Any US Address

  • At time of writing, address verification is not strictly checked

  • You can enter any valid US address format

  • Example: 123 Main St, New York, NY 10001

Option 2: Get a Real US Address

  • Use a physical address service: physicaladdress.com

  • Provides legitimate US address for mail forwarding

  • Better for long-term use

  1. In "Tello Line" section, enter your US address

  2. Fill in all required fields:

    • Street address

    • City

    • State

    • ZIP code

Step 6: Select eSIM Option

  1. In "Tello SIM" section, click "eSIM ($0)" option

  2. eSIM is free (no additional charge)

Step 7: Enter Phone IMEI

What is IMEI? Unique identifier for your phone.

How to Find Your Phone's IMEI:

1

Method 1: Dial Code

  1. Open Phone app

  2. Dial: *#06#

  3. IMEI number appears on screen

  4. Write it down

2

Method 2: Settings

  1. Open Settings

  2. Go to About Phone

  3. Find IMEI or IMEI Information

  4. Copy the number

Compatibility Workaround: If your Android IMEI is rejected as "not compatible," some users have successfully entered an iPhone IMEI (from any compatible iPhone) to bypass the check. The eSIM still works on Android devices despite this. We recommend using a genuinely compatible device (like Google Pixel), but this is a known workaround if needed.

  1. Paste or type your IMEI/ESN number

  2. Click to verify compatibility

  3. If accepted, proceed to next step

Step 8: Complete Billing Information

  1. Scroll down to Billing Information section

  2. Fill in all required fields:

    • Name

    • Email address

    • Billing address (can be same as service address)

  3. Click "Next > Calculate Taxes"

Step 9: Make Payment

  1. Choose payment method:

    • Credit Card

    • PayPal

  2. Enter payment details

  3. Review order summary

  4. Click "Finalize Order"

Payment Complete! After payment, you'll be redirected to your account page to activate the eSIM.

Part 2: Activating Your Tello eSIM

Step 1: Access Your SIM Section

After payment:

  1. You should be redirected to: tello.com/account/my_sim

  2. If not, log in and navigate to "MY SIM" section

Step 2: Wait for QR Code

  1. In the "MY SIM" section, wait for the QR code to appear

  2. This may take a few seconds to a few minutes

  3. The QR code is used to activate the eSIM on your device

QR Code Not Appearing? Refresh the page or wait a few more minutes. If still not showing after 10 minutes, contact Tello support.

Step 3: Scan QR Code on Your Phone

  1. On your Android device, go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs

  2. Tap "Add SIM" or "Add eSIM"

  3. Select "Scan QR code"

  4. Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen

  5. Follow on-screen prompts to download and install the eSIM

  6. Name the eSIM (e.g., "Tello US")

eSIM Installed! Your Tello eSIM is now on your device. Next, we'll configure it for use outside the US.

Part 3: Activating eSIM Outside the US

Step 1: Configure Emergency E911 Address

Required for Tello: You must save a US emergency address in Tello settings for the eSIM to work over WiFi.

  1. Go to Tello Account Settings: tello.com/account/settings

  2. Find "Wi-Fi Calling" section

  3. Look for "Emergency E911 Address"

  4. Enter a valid US address:

    • Use the same address from earlier

    • Or any valid US address

  5. Click "Save"

Step 2: Enable WiFi Calling on Your Phone

Android Instructions:

  1. Open Settings on your Android device

  2. Go to Network & Internet → SIMs

  3. Select your Tello eSIM

  4. Find and enable "Wi-Fi calling"

  5. Toggle ON

Resources:

Step 3: Enable RCS

Critical: You must enable RCS for Tello eSIM to send SMS over WiFi. Without RCS, messages will not send.

  1. Open Messages app (Google Messages)

  2. Tap your profile icon (top right)

  3. Tap Messages settings

  4. Tap "RCS chats" or "Chat features"

  5. Toggle ON: "Enable chat features"

  6. Wait for status to show "Connected"

See detailed guide: RCS Settings

Step 4: Disable Cellular Data (Avoid Roaming Charges)

To avoid roaming charges while outside the US:

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet

  2. Go to Mobile network

  3. Select your Tello eSIM

  4. Toggle OFF: "Mobile data"

Or use Airplane Mode:

  1. Enable Airplane Mode

  2. Turn WiFi back ON

  3. Ensure WiFi is connected

No Roaming Charges: With cellular data off and WiFi on, all SMS will send over WiFi/internet without international roaming fees.

Step 5: Restart Your Device

  1. Power off your device completely

  2. Wait 30 seconds

  3. Power on

  4. Wait for WiFi to connect

  5. Wait for RCS to show "Connected"

Step 6: Test SMS Sending

Before connecting to WhatSnap, test your setup:

  1. Open Messages app

  2. Send a test SMS to your personal number or a friend

  3. Verify the message delivers successfully

  4. If successful, your Tello eSIM is ready for WhatSnap

If message doesn't send:

  • Check WiFi connection is stable

  • Verify RCS shows "Connected"

  • Ensure WiFi calling is enabled

  • Check E911 address is saved in Tello settings

  • Try restarting device again

Part 4: Connecting to WhatSnap

Once your Tello eSIM is working and can send SMS:

  1. Follow standard SMS Installation & Setup guide

  2. Install WhatSnap Gateway app on your device

  3. During setup, select your Tello eSIM when prompted

  4. Complete authentication and connect to GoHighLevel

Dual-SIM Setup: If you have both a local physical SIM and Tello eSIM, make sure to uncheck any SIM you don't want WhatSnap to use during device setup.

Tello-Specific Best Practices

Warm-Up Strategy (Critical!)

Tello is extremely aggressive with blocking. You must warm up very slowly:

Week 1:

  • Days 1-3: 1 message every 10-15 minutes maximum

  • Days 4-7: 1 message every 5-7 minutes

  • Total: 10-20 messages/day maximum

Week 2:

  • Days 8-14: 1 message every 2-3 minutes

  • Total: 30-50 messages/day maximum

Week 3+:

  • 1 message per minute sustained

  • Total: 100-150 messages/day maximum

Do NOT Start Fast: Starting with high volume on Tello will get you blocked within hours. Even experienced users report frequent blocks on Tello. Start incredibly slow.

See: Database Reactivations - SIM Warm-Up

Message Content Guidelines

Avoid with Tello:

  • ❌ Links in messages (Tello frequently blocks SMS with links)

  • ❌ Identical message to many recipients

  • ❌ Spam trigger words

  • ❌ Fast sending rates

Best practices:

  • ✅ Highly personalized messages

  • ✅ Conversational tone

  • ✅ Varied content

  • ✅ Immediate responses to replies

  • ✅ Start slow and increase very gradually

Monitoring for Issues

Watch for these warning signs:

⚠️ Account Stopped Working:

  • Sometimes Tello eSIMs stop sending even when not blocked

  • Known issue with Tello settings

Fix:

  1. Go to Tello settings page: tello.com/account/settings

  2. Find "Text messages" setting

  3. Ensure it's turned ON

  4. Save and test again

⚠️ Messages Not Delivering:

  • Reduce volume immediately

  • Check carrier hasn't flagged account

  • Contact Tello support

  • May need to switch to backup SIM

⚠️ Links Not Sending:

  • Known Tello issue

  • Avoid links in messages

  • Use link shorteners as workaround (sometimes works)

  • Or direct recipients to type URL themselves

Troubleshooting Tello eSIM

Issue: eSIM Won't Activate

Solutions:

  1. Verify phone is eSIM-compatible

  2. Check internet connection during activation

  3. Try entering compatible iPhone IMEI (workaround)

  4. Contact Tello support with order number

Issue: Can't Send SMS Over WiFi

Solutions:

  1. ✅ Enable RCS (most common fix)

  2. ✅ Enable WiFi calling in phone settings

  3. ✅ Save E911 address in Tello account

  4. ✅ Disable cellular data, enable WiFi

  5. ✅ Restart device

  6. ✅ Check Tello account "Text messages" is ON

Issue: Account Blocked Quickly

Solutions:

  1. Stop sending immediately

  2. Contact Tello support to request unblock

  3. Explain legitimate business use

  4. After unblock, reduce volume significantly

  5. Restart warm-up process even slower

  6. Consider switching to more reliable carrier

Issue: Messages Work Then Stop

Solutions:

  1. Check "Text messages" setting in Tello account (common issue)

  2. Verify RCS still shows "Connected"

  3. Check WiFi connection is stable

  4. Restart WhatSnap Gateway app

  5. Restart device

  6. Re-check all settings from Part 3

Alternatives to Tello

If you experience frequent issues with Tello, consider these better alternatives:

For US Numbers from Outside US:

1. Use a US Business Contact

  • Have a business partner or client in the US

  • They can order a legitimate US SIM/eSIM with their credentials

  • More reliable carriers available to US residents

2. Premium Carriers with International Support

  • Google Fi: Can be used internationally with some limitations

  • Verizon International: Business plans with international features

  • More expensive but far more reliable

3. US Virtual Number Services

  • Some services provide US numbers that work with WhatSnap

  • Research carefully for SMS capability (many are voice-only)

See: SIM Plan Recommendations for better carrier options.

Summary

Tello eSIM: Use Only If Necessary

Pros:

  • ✅ Can be ordered from outside the US

  • ✅ Relatively inexpensive ($10/month)

  • ✅ Provides US phone number

  • ✅ Works over WiFi internationally

Cons:

  • ❌ Extremely aggressive blocking

  • ❌ Low volume tolerance (100-150 msgs/day max)

  • ❌ Messages with links often fail

  • ❌ Accounts randomly stop working

  • ❌ Requires very slow warm-up

  • ❌ Not reliable for business use

Recommendation:

  • Use Tello only if you have no other option for a US number

  • For serious business use, invest in a better carrier

  • Consider having a US contact order a legitimate carrier SIM/eSIM for you

  • Keep backup SIMs ready

Setup Complete! If you've followed all steps, your Tello eSIM should now be working with WhatSnap. Remember to warm up extremely slowly and monitor closely for any issues.

Related Resources

Need Help? Contact WhatSnap support at support@whatsnap.ai for assistance with eSIM setup or carrier recommendations for your region.

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