Temporary sim and number

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Temporary sim and number

I'm wondering the effects of updating your Trusted Phone Number, if that number will be temporary and I'll be returning to the old number in a month.

Heres the story. I'm staying in Mexico City for a month, and so I bought a prepaid sim. I'm from Texas. My carrier doesn't operate here, and I have used just wifi before, but this I want to use uber instead of taxis (safety reasons)

So, when I get back, I'll be putting in to old sim, great. Apple ID is asking to update my trusted number.

But, what about this trusted number business. Can I just switch back and forth? I don't want to port my number over to this, nobody is going to call me on that (who calls anymore anyway). If someone texts my old number, imessage was getting it over wifi, great. Also, this is a burner number, that ostensibly AT&T will use again, and I don't want anything to do with this number again come March.

Will returning to the main number make anything go bad? Will trusting this number make anything not work with my main number.

Thanks for all your help

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 11.2.1

Posted on Feb 7, 2018 12:35 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Feb 8, 2018 12:06 PM in response to Austin138138

Hey Austin!

Thanks for asking about trusted numbers in the Apple Support Communities! If I understand, you want to get a better understanding of what they are and how they work, as you're traveling abroad and are being asked to update yours since you're using a different number. I'm happy to help!

The following information from Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support explains what a trusted number is, and how it's used:

Trusted phone numbers

A trusted phone number is a number that can be used to receive verification codes by text message or automated phone call. You must verify at least one trusted phone number to enroll in two-factor authentication.

You should also consider verifying other phone numbers you can access, such as a home phone, or a number used by a family member or close friend. You can use these numbers if you temporarily can't access your own devices.

Basically, a trusted number is needed to receive a text or phone call with a verification code when you sign into your Apple ID a new device or via the web (for example, at iCloud.com). If you do not have access to your USA number and do one of these actions, you won't be able to receive your verification code.

What I would recommend based on this information is to go ahead and add your temporary Mexican number to your trusted phone numbers, just in case. You can remove it later when you return to Texas:

Keep your trusted phone numbers up to date

To use two-factor authentication, you need at least one trusted phone number on file where you can receive verification codes. You can update your trusted phone numbers when you follow these steps:

Go to your Apple ID account page.

Sign in with your Apple ID.

Go to the Security section and click Edit.

If you want to add a phone number, click Add a Trusted Phone Number and enter the phone number. Choose to verify the number with a text message or automated phone call, and click Continue. To remove a trusted phone number, click next to the phone number you want to remove.

Have a great day!

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Temporary sim and number

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