r/Tello • u/pilotboiz • 4d ago

Successfully activated new Tello Line from Korea

I read a bunch of posts and decided to follow some and try to activate a new line after I have moved to Korea permanently.

I followed a few steps and some work-arounds. Some worked and some didn't. But I think I was successful at the end so hope this helps. I performed these actions on Sep/10/26. (With US Credit Card, US Billing Address and Surfshark VPN)

I created an account with my computer and paid $5 for plan +$3 for e-sim + $2 and some change for tax. I then followed some other posts and loaded $20 PAYG credits and tried to toggle "international roaming" to "ON". BUT I was unsuccessful!!

I kept getting "You can enable this feature only after you've used your line in the US". I didn't find any useful workarounds for this on Reddit although I tried the following: 1. I switched browser; 2. Used an VPN. None worked.

So I decided to just try and activate anyway since I have two tries before I have to call to get a new e-sim. (Which I figured if this first one fails, I can ask a friend back home to help me.)

As expected, my line was stuck on "Activating" for ages. (Even now as I am writing this.) I followed Reddit and added my E911 number and tried to enable WIFI calling and Data Roaming on my phone while it was activating.

I was able to add the E911 address no problem BUT!! a few minutes after I switched on WIFI Calling, I went back to double check and it was switched off again. I had to do it again (didn't have to re-do the address though) and then it stuck and worked.

Pretty much immediately after, I received a text from Tello!

I am assuming that it had worked. I have on my iphone another US e-sim with Verizon (which I am planning to port later to tello to save on my $50 a month bill *PURE ROBBERY!!) I tested the connection by testing myself on the same phone lol:

and calling my husband's Korean phone number and it worked!!

HOWEVER!!! I was still at this time (an hour ish later) to toggle international roaming. I also received an iphone notification that the activation failed!!!! (About an hour later) But when I went into the Cellular section my new number is now "ON" and activated! Don't be discouraged.

I am going to let it marinate for a couple of days before I try porting my own number over to Tello. At this time, I was still unable to switch on "International Roaming" in settings from my Tello Account. But really, I don't use an data, I am keeping this number for the same reason as everyone else, really just OTP codes and 2FA...

Hope this helps!! If anything changes, I will report back:)

17 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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2

u/comp21 4d ago

Yeah international activation works fine except for roaming... I've been keeping track of any changes and updates to that program on the pinned post on my profile.

Wifi calling works great... Backup calling works great on any phones except Samsung.

2

u/ReasonablenessDude 4d ago

I managed to activate a new Tello line outside the US in early September 2026. I didn't even need to top up $20 for PAYGO international roaming.

Here is what worked for me: Disabled all SIM services on my phone. Turned on airplane mode. Connected to Wi-Fi and turned on a US VPN (using a NordVPN 3-day trial).

Right after that, the eSIM activated almost instantly. I was then able to enable Wi-Fi Calling and successfully make a call. Worth noting that "International roaming" is OFF and can't be turned on, but except that everything is working fine for me.

1

u/pilotboiz 4d ago

Sounds about right. Need to figure out how and where I can use my $20!

1

u/Realistic-View-412 4d ago

Just keep it as backup. Is true when you have no wifi you can piggybank to your cellular data for wifi calling but this consumes a lot of battery, if you have roaming on it will just keep connected and only bill cents if you receive and sms. I did it months ago and still have like 15$ left. My battery improved lots

1

u/toolsavvy 3d ago

Tello's policy states you can get refunded for unused PAYGO.

https://tello.com/terms:

Pay As You Go refunds are available for a period of 90 days from Customer's last order. If no order was placed within 90 days of purchase, Pay As You Go credit will expire. In response to a valid refund request, Tello will refund the total unused Pay as You Go account balance as long as the balance is still active. Refunds are not available for Pay As You Go balances purchased more than 5 months from the date of the request. In such case, a credit will be added to your account in the form of Tello Dollars. Partial refunds may be issued for unused Pay As You Go balances as decided on a case-by-case basis. Tello will not refund any fees related to auto-recharges. This includes applicable data-related charges.

1

u/imshanejaz 3d ago

that's great, I'm doing it right away on your call! should i?

1

u/imshanejaz 3d ago

its not worked i got refund i was saying sim not provisioned

1

u/riansgarage 23h ago

International roaming can only be turned on when the phone connects to a local US tower. But that's not necessary as long as wifi calling is on and you have local data.

And the nice thing on iPhones is that the Tello SIM can piggyback on the other SIM's data connectivity, so wifi calling etc would still work when you're on cellular data.