How to Move Your Phone Service To France
...the only way I’ve found to keep your US Number
There are a lot more options than just these, but if you just want to stay connected – and connected well, check out the following. I feel like I wasted a lot of time looking at options that did things halfway.
How to save your US number if you move overseas.
In short, Google Voice.
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I wish something else had worked better, but in the end, it’s the best option. Look here for how to port your number to Google Voice. It’s US$20 to port your number, but after that, it is effectively free to use, depending on where you call.
I’ve had the same number for about 25 years and wasn’t about to change it if I didn’t have to. Every other service was a problem. And the browser – based calling is kind of awkward, but not much more awkward than Skype.
1. Google Voice:
- Provides a phone number for calls, texts, and voicemails.
- Allows domestic and international calls from web browsers and mobile devices – fees vary.
- Offers the option to choose your own number, ideal for keeping your original US
- Free to call the US, charges for other countries vary – but I’m glad I don’t have many reasons to call
- For me, this was really what was most important and nothing else I could find would keep it. I’ve had the same number for 25 years or so and didn’t want to change it.
2. Airalo
I like Airalo for travel eSIMs. It’s worked really smoothly for me in Italy, France, the US, the UK and Tunisia for me this year (jeez, I’ve been a lot of places this year).
If you have a dual SIM, like mine, remember to shut off the eSIM you’re not using or you may get hit with roaming charges as well. But at least those roaming charges, in France, were about 30% of what they were for me in the US.
- Offers eSIMs for 200+ countries and regions.
- Allows easy switching of eSIMs as you travel.
- Install eSIMs directly from the Airalo app, making it convenient for international travelers.
I’ve used Orange a lot as well. Generally, very good and easy to top up. A better option is you know that you’ll be in on country for longer than a month or so. We used this for months before switching to a long
We also went with Orange for our more permanent phone service.
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