How to Receive SMS Abroad with Holafly Plans?

Stay reachable anywhere with your Holafly Plans eSIM (monthly or annual). This feature is available only for the Unlimited Plan, which includes an international phone number at no extra cost, so you can receive SMS abroad without roaming fees. From bank codes and 2FA verifications to delivery alerts, you’ll never miss an important message while traveling. Keep reading to learn how your Holafly number works, how to find it, and how to set up your device to start receiving messages seamlessly.

How Your Holafly Number Works

Upon logging into the Holafly App, you can secure your own dedicated phone number. Choose the prefix that best suits your needs: either a +1 code (USA and Canada) or a +44 code (UK). This choice is permanent, so ensure you select correctly before confirming.

This dedicated number functions seamlessly across all countries covered by your subscription, regardless of its country code, guaranteeing you can receive unlimited incoming SMS from essential services like banks and apps, providing security wherever you travel. Please note that these incoming SMS will arrive directly via the Holafly App or the email linked to the subscription, not your phone’s standard messaging application.

Important Limitations: This feature is exclusive to Holafly monthly and annual plans and supports only incoming SMS (no outgoing texts or traditional calls are possible).

Why does the SMS arrive in the Holafly App or email?

Your dedicated number is a virtual number (cloud-hosted) assigned to your plan, and it is not linked to the traditional messaging capabilities of your eSIM line. This means the SMS cannot be delivered through the standard cellular network. Instead, the message is first received by Holafly’s secure server and then delivered to you instantly via the internet (the App or your email). This system allows your number to function seamlessly and receive codes in all countries covered by your subscription, regardless of the original +1 or +44 prefix.

To select your dedicated number prefix:

• Open the Holafly App → Tap Plans → Scroll to Let’s set your number section → Tap Phone number country.

• Choose your preferred phone code (Canada, United Kingdom, or United States) → Tap Save to confirm your choice → Tap “How do you want to receive SMS“, select whether you’d like to get notifications via App or Email → Tap Save again → Check the consent box and tap Activate phone number.

How to Receive Your SMS/OTP Codes

The primary goal of your dedicated number is to receive security codes (OTPs). Since this is an international service, be aware that all incoming SMS will arrive in the Holafly App or your email, never your phone’s native message application. To see the verification process in action, follow these steps to successfully request and retrieve your security code using the Holafly App or email:

To Keep in Mind

• Upon installing the eSIM, you will see a temporary number (e.g., +43) in your settings. Ignore it and do not use it, as it cannot receive codes. Do not delete or attempt to change this number, as your phone's operating system requires it for the line to function properly, and deleting it may disrupt your eSIM configuration.
• Your functional number is the dedicated +1 or +44 that you selected in the Holafly App. This is the only number you should provide to your banks and services to receive necessary SMS.
• This feature is available only for Holafly Unlimited Plans (not eSIMs by days).
• Outgoing SMS and phone calls are not supported.
• You can receive SMS worldwide, but some banks or services may not send verification codes to non-local numbers.
• Don’t delete your Holafly eSIM, doing so permanently removes your assigned number. Deactivate it instead if you’re not using it.
• If you’d like to make calls using your personal SIM, you can activate it, but this may generate roaming charges from your local carrier.