Use SA iPhone 6 (Vodacom SIM) in US?

[Tim4tim]

Hi,

As asked in title, Is it possible to use a South African iPhone 6 (with a Vodacom SIM) in the US?
US carriers are saying they can't help and a US SIM isn't working. Does Vodacom have to unlock the phone for use with a US carrier?
Vodacom has not been much help.

Thanks.

 

[Sayf777]

Hi,

As asked in title, Is it possible to use a South African iPhone 6 (with a Vodacom SIM) in the US?
US carriers are saying they can't help and a US SIM isn't working. Does Vodacom have to unlock the phone for use with a US carrier?
Vodacom has not been much help.

Thanks.

US's networks from what I read are the biggest pains.. so I honestly think its a US issue. Have you tried any other SA sim on the phone?

I think t mobile is the most chill if you haven't tried them already

 

[Arthur]

Yes, it'll work on Vodacom's US roaming partner networks.

When in the US I keep my Telkom SIM active so I can receive calls and SMSs from SA. I also have an AT&T prepaid SIM for local (US) calls and data. It's why I only use dual-SIM phones.

Beware using data roaming when abroad - you can easily run up a bill of tens of thousands if you're not careful. Rather get a prepaid US SIM if you need mobile data, else switch off data roaming and stick to wifi.

 

[Arthur]

By the way, what US SIM are you trying that's not working? If Verizon or Sprint that's because they have CDMA networks and your phone model is GSM. Get an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM.

 

[Tim4tim]

US's networks from what I read are the biggest pains.. so I honestly think its a US issue. Have you tried any other SA sim on the phone?

I think t mobile is the most chill if you haven't tried them already

This is actually not my own problem - helping out a friend. Will ask about the SIMs. She's on Vodacom though, so I doubt she has any other SIMs to try. Will ask her to inquire with T-mobile as well. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Tim4tim]

Yes, it'll work on Vodacom's US roaming partner networks.

When in the US I keep my Telkom SIM active so I can receive calls and SMSs from SA. I also have an AT&T prepaid SIM for local (US) calls and data. It's why I only use dual-SIM phones.

Beware using data roaming when abroad - you can easily run up a bill of tens of thousands if you're not careful. Rather get a prepaid US SIM if you need mobile data, else switch off data roaming and stick to wifi.

I'm aware from own experience of the roaming costs that can build up, so advised her to get a US SIM to use over there. That's when she came back saying they told her the phone won't work there.
You mentioned in your second comment we have different iPhone models than the US. Will tell her to try AT&T or T-Mobile if she hasn't done so yet. Hopefully that'll fix the problem. Will also reiterate the dangers of roaming while I'm at it.
Do you find calls from SA are expensive when making/taking them in the US using your Telkom SIM?

Thanks for the helpful advice, I appreciate it.

 

[Sayf777]

I'm aware from own experience of the roaming costs that can build up, so advised her to get a US SIM to use over there. That's when she came back saying they told her the phone won't work there.
You mentioned in your second comment we have different iPhone models than the US. Will tell her to try AT&T or T-Mobile if she hasn't done so yet. Hopefully that'll fix the problem. Will also reiterate the dangers of roaming while I'm at it.
Do you find calls from SA are expensive when making/taking them in the US using your Telkom SIM?

Thanks for the helpful advice, I appreciate it.

If she is connected to WiFi and has the symbol attached next to the WiFi symbol (WiFi calling/vowifi), she can receive and make calls using our local SA rates.

Best she confirms with vodacom but this is how vowifi works for our networks.

 

[Tim4tim]

If she is connected to WiFi and has the symbol attached next to the WiFi symbol (WiFi calling/vowifi), she can receive and make calls using our local SA rates.

Best she confirms with vodacom but this is how vowifi works for our networks.

I never knew that, thank you! Will see if that works for her (good to know for when I travel as well). She does have another US phone, so fortunately not completely stuck while we're trying to sort this. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Arthur]

If her iPhone isn't roaming on Vodacom SIM in the US it might be that she needs to set the mobile network selection to Auto so it can find the appropriate and compatible GSM network. Give it a minute or two to find and connect.