Yes, your phone does need to be unlocked.

Unlocking refers to removing the network restrictions on a phone so that it can be used with a SIM card from a different network. If you’re unsure of whether or not your phone is unlocked, contact your mobile service provider.

Your home cellular service provider can unlock your phone for you. You can find information about your carrier’s unlock policies by visiting their website or calling their support line. Or, you can unlock your cell phone with UnlockBase. UnlockBase has provided phone unlocking services for over 10 years for a wide range of popular devices.

Unlocking refers to removing the network restrictions so that the phone can be used with a SIM card from a different network. Phone unlocking is not the same thing as “jailbreaking”. Unlocking simply allows for you to use a different mobile network with your phone. Jailbreaking refers to changing the restrictions, allowing you to download non-standard or unofficial software.

• Android mobile/tablet running OS 4.0 and newer
• iPhone/iPad running iOS 8.0 and newer
• Windows phones
• BlackBerry running Android OS (including BB Priv)

• CDMA SIM Cards (Sprint/Verizon)
• NFC Tap Payment
• Cut SIM Cards

KnowRoaming’s prepaid platform puts you in control of your spending. Before using KnowRoaming voice or data services you will need to load credit to your account through the KnowRoaming app. You have the option to load credit in the amounts of $25, $50, $75, $100, and $150 using your credit card. (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.) Following payment through the app, you’ll receive an email receipt. Since all services are prepaid, you will never be surprised by a bill after you return from your trip.

There is also an optional auto-reload feature, which automatically tops up your KnowRoaming credit when your balance drops below $5. This ensures that calls and data sessions do not drop part-way through as a result of a $0 account balance. With auto-reload, your credit card is debited just as if you were making a manual purchase, but without having to go through the shopping cart and approval process.

All credit purchases provide access to free WhatsApp data usage for messaging (text, image, and other media) and calling (voice and video) for a period of 30 calendar days following the date of credit purchase.

Each KnowRoaming SIM Sticker and SIM Card comes with a free US number. This number can be used to send and receive calls while abroad.

KnowRoaming’s transparent system allows you to monitor your voice and data usage in real-time through the KnowRoaming app. Your history of calls and data usage is visible only to you, by signing into your account through the KnowRoaming app with your email address and password.

We currently do not offer text message forwarding. Our ReachMe service (available on the SIM Sticker only) enables you to receive your calls, but not texts, to your home mobile number.

However, you can use popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber to send and receive messages while on KnowRoaming.

All credit purchases provide access to free WhatsApp data usage for messaging (text, image, and other media) and calling (voice and video) for a period of 30 calendar days following the date of credit purchase.

You can receive calls to your home mobile number while using the Global SIM Sticker abroad by subscribing to an optional KnowRoaming feature called ReachMe.

How it works:

Since you cannot be reachable on two different SIM cards at one time, ReachMe enables you to receive calls to your home mobile number by forwarding your home mobile number (associated with your home SIM) to a local KnowRoaming number (associated with your KnowRoaming SIM Sticker).

Call forwarding services with your home mobile provider are required to use this service. Please confirm the availability and terms of call forwarding with your home provider.

The cost of the ReachMe service varies depending on your home country (ranging from $3 to $12.50 USD per month.) After initially subscribing to this service, you can easily unsubscribe at any time through the KnowRoaming app.

Please note: ReachMe enables you to receive all incoming calls but not text messages. You can use your data-based messaging apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.) to send messages.

Availability:

If your home mobile number is based in a country where ReachMe is not offered, you will not see the ReachMe feature in your KnowRoaming app. You can always use your free US KnowRoaming number, as well as any purchased KnowRoaming numbers, to make and receive calls.

The ReachMe feature is only available on the Global SIM Sticker.

Yes, you have the option to purchase additional international numbers that others can reach you on. This allows your contacts in the places you are traveling to dial a local number to reach you, saving them from long distance fees.

Numbers can range from $3 to $12.50 USD per month.

The numbers you purchase are automatically renewed every month. If you would like to unsubscribe to a purchased number you can do so at any time in the KnowRoaming app.

Numbers are offered in the following countries:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain*
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Bulgaria*
• Canada
• Chile
• Croatia*
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark*
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• Finland
• France*
• Georgia
• Germany*
• Greece
• Hong Kong*
• Hungary*
• Ireland*
• Israel
• Italy*
• Japan
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico
• Netherlands*
• New Zealand
• Norway*
• Panama
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Romania
• Singapore*
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa*
• Spain*
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom