Moved abroad -- US Number still available to use with iMessage

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Moved abroad -- US Number still available to use with iMessage

Hello!

I moved to Australia this week from the US for a grad program.My plan has been to port my US number to Google Voice so that I can still get messages on it and keep the number for when I return to the US. I just started the porting process which says it will take a few days.

I just recently got a new phone plan and number in Australia. When I restored from my backup on my US phone, everything went smoothly. However, when I texted some family in the old threads, the messages show up for them as if I am sending from my US number. I am not sure how this is possible. I looked at the imessage settings and it has that I am able to be reached at the US number, the AUS number, and my apple id email. I am not really complaining. I think this is awesome. I am just trying to figure out if this will keep working when the port happens or if I am unintentionally doing something bad in regards to overseas usage with my family's cell plan. haha If it stays like this, I am totally fine with it though. I would prefer to be able to keep using that number for friends and family in the US.

Posted on Jan 16, 2016 3:28 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

273,162 points

Jan 16, 2016 6:28 PM in response to trebbag

Check Settings > Messages > Send & Receive as well as the article I linked above.

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

273,162 points

Jan 16, 2016 4:22 PM in response to trebbag

Your post sounds to me like you're missing the critical distinction between iMessages and SMS text messages.

SMS text messages will require the cellular carrier's frequencies to carry the messages. Those will be very different in Australia than in the U.S.

iMessages, on the other hand, may be sent/received only to/from other Apple devices, but do not necessarily involve a cellular carrier. They can, for example, be sent/received over WiFi.

iMessages will show up as blue, while SMS messages will be green.

See this article regarding setting up what telephone number can send/receive iMessages:

Link your iPhone number and Apple ID to use iMessage and FaceTime - Apple Support

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Answer 3

trebbag Author

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Jan 16, 2016 4:26 PM in response to sberman

Thanks for your response!

I understand that about SMS and iMessages. I guess I am just not familiar with the role that the phone number itself plays in the sending/receiving of iMessages. So, I guess I will be able to use this number to send iMessages as long as no one else re-registers the number?

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