Anyone get completely off SMS/text?

Questions
1

Has anyone successfully gotten completely off of SMS or regular text messages? I’m interested in hearing experiences.

2

I haven’t gotten rid of SMS and I don’t plan to do so because I need this service (for example, to log into banks or Signal after reinstallation).

3

I don’t communicate with others using SMS :slight_smile: but unfortunately still need to receive SMS for 2FA :expressionless: and still use email :frowning:

4

I think this is impossible unless you go full psycho maniac mode like:

  • just never give your phone number out to anybody (lol)
  • use an “SMS with extra steps” type service where something takes in your SMS and forwards them to you over data

About 10 years ago I used to buy data-only sim cards for my phone that were meant for tablets. I’d then sign up for a service like https://www.fongo.com/ (this is Canada-only). You can register a new phone number or port your old number over. This service would then forward your calls/text through their app via data. From my experience it wasn’t as reliable and you’re adding another trusted party to your communication. I’m not sure if I could recommend it to anybody unless you want to be super frugal.

5

Impossible as SMS will always be a fallback for normies as well as 2FA for unmodern banks.

I do tell most people that I do not share my phone number even if people ask for it.

6

Haha, trying to do exactly that as of right now. :joy:

  • I do not interact with anybody by SMS, nor do give them my number (easier in EU for sure)
  • for 2FA, I mostly smspool.net and it works great
  • TBD: still need to figure out how to make it work for banks tho, I can always get a permanent number somewhere only for that purpose I guess[1]
  • TBD: also trying to figure out the VOIP alternatives to also get rid of any calls and not be disturbed by anybody

Overall, you can reach me out:

  • by (aliased) email if you’re a website and need to notify me of something[2]
  • by Signal if you’re a human being willing to interact privately for some reason
  • anything else can be done out in the public like here

Quite extreme but I feel like this is the way to go for security + privacy + peace of mind. :+1:t2:

  1. maybe pre-paid SIM ↩︎

  2. you’re disabled if I deem being done with you and don’t want to receive 12 emails for marketing purposes in the next 24 hours ↩︎

7

Unlike many people here, my banks allow its customers to use their app to receive OTP instead. In addition, all people in my circle have transitioned away from SMS (only a few are on Signal, though). So I haven’t use SMS for a long time.

Unfortunately, VoLTE is still common where I live.

8

I still need it for bank verification and GP updates, but will look and see if there are alternatives for my bank and will try to ask my GP to send e-mail updates moving forward. I feel like I can get rid of SMS completely if not for verification mostly.

9

I’ll get a text from work if I’m being called in.

Being a voip user, my credit card will not send me a text to confirm a purchase.

The bank is ok with sending me an email or voice call with a confirmation code but not a text.

Edit 99% text free. I forgot about Signal.