Unable to receive SMS while roaming

[pierredini]

Hello,

I used to receive SMS messages, such as verification codes, up until November last year. However, since then, I have not been able to receive any text messages from any person, website, app, or even from Rogers themselves. I have two iPhones, an iPhone 11 and an iPhone 15, both upgraded to the latest iOS. I have tested both phones and neither of them can receive any messages. I am able to receive phone calls but not text messages.

This is a significant problem for me as I am currently in Eastern Europe, working remotely, and I am unable to log in to critical apps and websites that require verification codes. I have reset both of my phones and have even tried the SIM card in an older Android device with no success. Tonight, I plan to insert the SIM card into a newer Android device to see if that works.

I have been in touch with Rogers tech support multiple times, but they have not resolved this issue. I've been in touch with the local network provider where I currently am and they said their services are working fine.

**Labels Updated**

[LordDrakkon]

Do you have data roaming enabled? Is your device compatible with the partner network you are roaming on to? Have you tried enabling WiFi Calling while connected to WiFi to see if those messages come through?

If you are using your device in a dual-SIM configuration. The SIM you need to receive messages on needs to be the active SIM for phone and data.

Some verification codes are not allowed to travel outside of the network they originate on to help prevent fraud. This varies based on the company ir bank and their policy.

[57]

Another few comments.

Since you have an iPhone, go into the Settings - Messages and make sure you've set that up properly so that iMessages and others can be sent/received via Text (SMS).  This may be off by default.

When you're on WiFi, you should be able to receive iMessages from people who have iDevices.  Used in this way, there is no cost to you at all for iMessages.  Easy to test if you have friends/relatives with iPhone or iPad, or even Mac computer.

Otherwise if not on WiFi, it may be because you have data roaming off, or airplane mode on, that you can't receive (or send)  SMS.

Also, as mentioned by @LordDrakkon , some institutions will not send to certain countries due to security.  Because of this I always try to set up 2FA using email or a "test question" instead of a text, unfortunately, some institutions do not allow this, but some do allow phone calls, so you may wish to select that option if phone calls work for you.