When I was packing up to move back in 2017, one small worry kept nagging me.
My US phone number.
That number was tied to my bank, my credit cards, my old work logins, even my Amazon account.
I kept thinking – if I let it go, how will I get those OTP codes? How will old friends and colleagues reach me?
This is still one of the most common questions in our return planning checklist chats.
So let me walk you through two solid ways to keep your US number alive from India – Google Voice and Tello.
I will explain how each one works, who it suits, and the exact steps.
What You Will Learn
Here is what we will cover:
What Google Voice and Tello actually are, in plain words
How to set each one up before you leave the US
How to use them once you land in India
Which one is better for bank OTPs
A simple way to pick the right one for you
Let’s go.
First, Why This Even Matters
Most people think they need the old number for nostalgia or to stay in touch.
That is part of it. But the bigger reason is account access.
Your US number is often the recovery key for your email, your US bank accounts after moving, and your investment logins.
Lose that number, and you can get locked out of accounts you still need from India.
This matters a lot in the first few years, when most returnees still keep some US ties.
The Two Approaches, Quickly
There are really two paths here, and they work differently.
Google Voice is an app-based number. It lives in an app and runs over the internet. No SIM card.
Tello is a real US mobile carrier. You keep an actual US SIM or eSIM active for a few dollars a month.
Both let you keep your US number. The right one depends on what you need it for.
I will cover both, then help you choose.
Approach 1: Google Voice (The Free, App-Based Option)
Think of Google Voice as a US phone number that sits inside an app.
It works over WiFi or mobile data. So as long as you have internet in India, it works.
You can make calls, take calls, and send or get texts – all through the app or the website.
And for most people, it is free.
There is one big catch you must know, and I will be very clear about it.
Google Voice signup only works inside the US.
You cannot create a new Google Voice number from India. The system checks your location.
So the golden rule is simple.
Set it up before you fly home.
Setting Up Google Voice (While Still in the US)
You have two choices here.
Option A – Get a brand new Google Voice number
This is the simplest if you don’t mind a new number.
- On a computer, go to voice.google.com and choose “For Personal Use.”
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Accept the terms.
- Search by US city or area code and pick a number.
- Link an existing US mobile number to verify, and enter the code they text you.
Done. You now have a free US number that works over the internet.
The downside – it is a new number, so your bank and old contacts won’t recognise it.
Option B – Port your existing US number into Google Voice
This is what most returnees actually want.
Porting means you move your current cell number into Google Voice and keep it for good.
Your bank, your friends, and your old accounts all still reach the same number.
Here is the process:
- Make sure your current US number is active and not on hold.
- Get your account number and PIN from your current US carrier.
- In Google Voice, go to the porting section and follow the steps.
- Pay the one-time porting fee (usually around 20 US dollars).
- Wait for Google to confirm the port is complete.
One critical warning here.
Do not cancel your old carrier service until Google confirms the port is done.
Cancel too early, and you can lose the number entirely.
I have seen a couple of folks in our moving back from the US groups make exactly this mistake. Avoidable and painful.
Using Google Voice in India
Once you are in India, it is easy.
Install the Google Voice app, sign in with the same Google account, and connect to WiFi or data.
That’s it. Calls and texts come through the app.
A few tips from real use:
Keep notifications on, or you will miss calls.
Stable internet matters. Patchy WiFi means choppy calls.
For OTPs, you often don’t even open the app. The code shows in the notification.
This pairs well with sorting out your home internet and connectivity setup in India so things are reliable from day one.
Approach 2: Tello (The Cheap Real-SIM Option)
Now, here is where Tello comes in.
Tello is a low-cost US carrier that runs on T-Mobile’s network.
The big difference from Google Voice is this – Tello gives you a real US number on a real SIM or eSIM, not an app number.
That matters for one reason above all. Banks.
Some US banks reject app-based VoIP numbers like Google Voice for security texts. A real carrier number like Tello is far more widely accepted.
And it is cheap. Tello lets you build your own plan starting at a few dollars a month, with no contract and no cancellation fees.
How Tello Works From India
You don’t roam. You use WiFi Calling.
You set up WiFi Calling on your phone, leave the SIM in (or use an eSIM), and connect to any WiFi in India.
Calls and texts then come through over the internet, just like you were back in the US.
The minutes come out of your plan, not your Indian SIM. So a small plan with a few minutes and free texts is often enough just for OTPs.
Tello has also confirmed they will not cancel your service or expire your number just because you live abroad, as long as you keep an active plan.
That is a big relief compared to Google Fi, which I will warn you about below.
Setting Up Tello (Best Done in the US)
- Check that your phone is compatible on Tello’s site.
- Buy a small plan, or build your own with minimal data and some minutes plus free texts.
- Activate the SIM or switch to eSIM in your Tello account.
- Turn on WiFi Calling in your Tello account and in your phone settings.
- Test a call and text over WiFi before you fly.
You can technically activate from abroad too, but doing it in the US is smoother. Less troubleshooting if something goes wrong.
Porting Your Number to Tello
If you want to keep your current US number, you can port it into Tello.
Same idea as before – get your account number and PIN from your old carrier, start the port with Tello, and wait for confirmation before cancelling anything.
This way you keep your exact number on a real carrier line.
The Big Question: Will Bank OTPs Work?
This is where I need to be honest, because the internet is full of half-answers.
It depends on the bank, and this is the main reason people pick Tello over Google Voice.
Google Voice is a VoIP number. Some US banks accept it for OTPs, some flat-out reject VoIP numbers.
Our community experience is mixed – many get OTPs fine from Amex, Wells Fargo, and Discover on Google Voice, but a few banks refuse.
Tello, being a real carrier number, is accepted by far more banks for security texts.
So my honest advice is this.
Test it before you move.
Set up your chosen option while still in the US, then log into each important account and check that the OTP actually arrives.
If a bank refuses Google Voice, that is your sign to use Tello for that account.
This small test saves a lot of stress later. The same “test before you rely on it” rule applies across your financial checklist before returning.
A Word of Caution on Google Fi
A lot of people suggest Google Fi for this. Be careful.
Google Fi is meant mainly for use inside the US.
If you use it from India too long, they can suspend or cancel your service for “extended international use.”
There is no fixed timeline they tell you. So I would not rely on Fi for long-term life in India.
Google Voice and Tello are both safer bets for living abroad.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Google Voice | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App-based VoIP number | Real US carrier SIM/eSIM |
| Cost | Free (one-time port fee) | A few dollars a month |
| Bank OTP acceptance | Mixed, some banks reject | Widely accepted |
| Works in India over | WiFi or data | WiFi Calling |
| Best for | Free calls and texts to old contacts | Reliable bank and account OTPs |
A lot of returnees actually use both – Google Voice for everyday calls, and a cheap Tello line for the stubborn bank that won’t accept VoIP.
Your Pre-Move Checklist
Before you board, run through this:
Decide whether you need this mainly for OTPs, for calls, or both
If OTPs are critical, lean toward Tello (or keep both)
Port your number or set up a new one while still in the US
Get your old carrier account number and PIN ready before porting
Wait for confirmation before cancelling your old plan
Turn on WiFi Calling (for Tello) or install the app (for Google Voice)
Test OTPs from every important US account before you fly
Keep your Google account secure with 2-step verification
This kind of early prep is exactly what we cover in things to do before returning.
A Few Common Questions
Can I set up Google Voice after reaching India?
Not normally. Signup is blocked outside the US. This is why you set it up before you leave. Tello can be activated from abroad, but it is smoother done in the US.
Does Tello really keep my number forever?
As long as you keep an active plan, Tello says they will not expire your number, even if you live abroad. That is the key advantage over Google Fi.
Will my friends in the US notice any difference?
No. To them, it is the same US number. They call or text as usual, and it reaches you in India over the internet.
Is this useful for managing my US finances from India?
Very much. Keeping your number is one piece. You will also want to sort out how you send money between the US and India and what happens to your US credit score after moving.
What about WhatsApp on my US number?
WhatsApp can stay on your number as long as you can receive the verification code. Both Google Voice and Tello can work for this. Just test it.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your US number from India is very doable. You just have to act while you are still in the US.
If you want free and simple, Google Voice works well.
If you need rock-solid bank OTPs, Tello’s real carrier number is the safer choice.
Many people quietly use both. Whatever you pick, test your OTPs before you fly, and you will land in India with one less thing to worry about.
If you’re planning your move back, join our WhatsApp community at https://backtoindia.com/groups – 20,000+ NRIs helping each other with real, lived experience. It’s free and volunteer-run.
Disclaimer: This guide is based on personal and community experience and is for general information only. App features, plan prices, and bank policies change over time, so always verify current details directly with Google Voice, Tello, and your bank before relying on any setup.
Sources: Google Voice Help (support.google.com/voice), Tello Mobile (tello.com), and shared experiences from the BacktoIndia returnee community.
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