US Phone Options for Expats & Visitors in the Philippines

Missing your US number while enjoying life in the Philippines? Whether you’re an expat settling in or just visiting, staying in touch with loved ones back home or getting those all-important verification texts can be tricky.

Sure, prepaid SIM cards and roaming plans exist, but let’s be real: they’re often overpriced, limited, and not built for long-term use. If you need a US number that works reliably in the Philippines, especially to receive calls or texts, it’s time to skip the traditional route and look at smarter options.

Why Traditional Roaming Falls Short

US carrier roaming might feel familiar, but it’s rarely a good long-term solution:

• Daily Fees Add Up  You could be charged every day just to keep the service active, even if you don’t make a call.

• Hidden Costs  “Unlimited” plans can still sneak in extra per-minute fees or cut you off after a certain number of minutes.

• Data Drain  Roaming data is limited and expensive. Even a few calls can burn through your allowance.

• Spotty Coverage not all roaming agreements cover every corner of the Philippines. You might be paying premium rates for dropped calls.

Bottom line: US roaming is okay as a short-term fix when you land, but for regular communication, it’s unreliable and far too expensive.

VOIP: A Smarter Way to Call the US (and Be Called Too)

Thankfully, we’ve moved beyond expensive roaming. VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) lets you call and receive US numbers over Wi-Fi or data no SIM card required. Here are your best options:

Google Voice

• Free US number

• Calls and texts over Wi-Fi

• Free calls to US and Canada

• Verification texts can be hit or miss

• Requires a US number to sign up initially

Good for: Casual calling and texts. Less reliable for 2FA or banking codes.

RingCentral

• Virtual US number
• Call forwarding, voicemail, SMS, business features
• High reliability for receiving calls and texts
• Geared toward business users (higher monthly cost)

Good for: Professionals or anyone who needs reliable call/text support, including verifications.

Skype

• Free Skype-to-Skype calls
• Option to buy credit for calling US numbers
•  No free US number unless you pay
• No real support for SMS verifications

Good for: Video chats with friends or casual calls. Not ideal for important US texts.

Rebtel

• Low-cost international calling
• Bundles for frequent US calls
• Not focused on receiving US texts
• Limited options for inbound call reliability

Good for: Affordable outbound calls to the US. Not ideal if you need a working US number.

KrispCall

• Virtual US number
• Affordable plans
•  Good call clarity and support
• Check current SMS verification support

Good for: Budget-conscious users who want a balance between inbound and outbound functionality.

So, What’s the Best Option?

That depends on what you need:

• Just need to make calls back home? Rebtel or Skype with credit might be fine.

• Want to receive calls and verification texts too? Go with RingCentral or KrispCall.

• Looking for a free solution for casual use? Google Voice might do the trick—if you’ve already set it up in the US.

Why Some VOIP Numbers Don’t Work for 2FA Texts

Even if your VOIP number works for calls, SMS can be hit or miss. Here’s why:

• Carrier Restrictions  Some VOIP carriers block SMS from financial institutions or short codes by default.

• Spam Filters  VOIP platforms might filter out messages with codes or links, which are often used in 2FA texts.

• Low-Trust Numbers  Free or recycled VOIP numbers are more likely to be flagged by banks or services as unreliable or high-risk, meaning the texts never arrive.

How to Pick the Right VOIP Service for Secure Texts

If you need to receive bank codes, two-factor authentication (2FA), or other secure messages, here’s what to do:

• Check the Fine Print  Look into the provider’s SMS policy. Can they receive short codes? Are there known issues with financial institutions?

• Stick with Trusted Names Business-focused VOIP services (like RingCentral or a paid KrispCall plan) tend to have better SMS delivery and fewer blocks.

• Look at Reviews Search for customer reviews specifically mentioning SMS reliability. If users are having trouble receiving texts, that’s a red flag.

• Test Before You Commit   If possible, try the service with your bank or other apps before you port your main number or rely on it full-time.

Staying Connected from the Philippines Without the Headaches

You don’t have to deal with expensive roaming or limited prepaid SIMs just to stay in touch with the US. VOIP calling is the way forward you just need the right setup.

Let’s recap:

• Avoid US roaming for anything longer than a few days. It’s costly, limited, and often unreliable.

• Choose the VOIP tool that fits you Google Voice, RingCentral, KrispCall, Rebtel, or Skype. Each one has pros and cons depending on your budget, call volume, and text needs.

• Plan ahead for verification texts they’re not guaranteed on every VOIP number, so research before relying on it for banking or login codes.

Your Best Setup: Budget-Friendly and Functional

Need to make regular calls? Look for unlimited or low per-minute rates.
Need to receive US texts and codes? Go for a business-tier plan or a provider with verified 2FA support.

With the right VOIP setup, you can keep your US number, receive calls and texts, and skip the roaming fees all while enjoying life in the Philippines.