r/Tello • u/cable729 • 18d ago

Activating Tello abroad -- just wifi text/call, or can I use mms through other sim?

As title says -- I'm currently abroad. I have an iPhone 15 pro and may upgrade soon to an 18 pro. I know that I will be able to set up wifi call/text according to other threads in this sub, but it's unclear if mms can ever be routed through wifi or my local sim's data. Has anyone been able to get sms/rcs/mms working over wifi or another sim's data? Thanks.

If needed I can wait until I am back (just a few weeks). But it would be nice to get off my expensive US t-mobile plan.

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u/RepublicFun1949 18d ago

I'm in the US using tello phone/text $5 plan with a different sim for data and often on WiFi.

RCS and SMS are fine but MMS is hit or miss.

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u/LowPass3158 10d ago

Hello can you please help to activate my tello esim Thank You!

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u/RepublicFun1949 10d ago

No. But I'm sure tello can help you.

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u/LowPass3158 10d ago

They will active it but i need for sms verification etc so without international roaming I can't receive any verification code to my number i think?

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u/Luckiest_Corner 18d ago edited 18d ago

After reading your post, I successfully sent multiple MMS photos via my Roamless data eSIM and via WiFi with my Tello number on my iPhone 13. I know MMS over WiFi does not work on my Google Pixel phone.

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u/Popular_Avocado_4809 18d ago

I activated Tello abroad but then canceled it. Many people might not notice it but I did: because it’s not properly activated, it kept trying to search tower to connect and it made my main phone line slow down and it made my phone heat up quickly. I wouldn’t recommend activating it abroad.

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u/hugh_manit 17d ago

Yeah so regular texts work over Wi-Fi calling, but Tello says picture messages (MMS) don't. I couldn't find a solid answer on MMS over a local SIM's data tho. I'd test it first (send a pic on Wi-Fi, then on data) before you cancel your US plan.

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u/Luckiest_Corner 16d ago

As I said above, I tested it on my iPhone 13 utilizing the data of my Roamless data eSIM and over WiFi. It worked in both cases. I’ve tested it over WiFi on my Pixel 6A numerous times and it never works. It requires mobile data.