Helium Mobile: Free Plan (No CC Required) With Promo Code BREAKFREE or HELIUMFREE

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• I used code STETSON to sign up yesterday. They use Persona to verify ID/Selfie.

  As mentioned, you do have to install the app (and keep it installed, I assume), and looks like the one requirement is to turn location sharing to “always on” for the Helium app. (Update - looks like they throttle you if you don't, which doesn't matter to me.)

  eSIM is only going to be available on your newer or higher-end phones AFAIK. For me, shipping of SIM will supposedly take 3-5 biz days. No payment method was needed for any of it.

  Guessing they are hoping people will pay as needed for extra data/minutes to support the rest of the “cheapskate” freeloaders. We will see how long it takes before the Helium bubble bursts. 🎈

  Their referral program appears useless, as there is no point in waitlisting, and the signup code is all you need.

• Does anyone know
  1.How long does this "free" plan last?
  2.Can I receive free text message while I am abroad (especially those codes when you need to log into some apps or bank accounts)?
  Thanks!

  • The free plan is available indefinitely.You'd need to pay for the International Roaming package to get texts while traveling in other countries (list of countries: https://support.hellohelium.com/en/articles/9073124-where-can-i-use-international-roaming ) - it's $15 for 1 GB of international roaming data, 60 minutes of calling, and 100 texts, in all of those listed countries, and that expires after hitting those limits or after 30 days.

  • You should be able to use Google Voice for receiving 2FA texts. There are sometimes glitches (Citi has to be added as a landline then switched to cell), but generally I've gotten everything to work with GV.

• I use privacy-respecting XMPP-based JMP .chat for an extra number (2 numbers, actually). The service provides phone calls, SMS, and MMS for $4.99/month and includes unlimited international messaging, 2 hours of domestic calls, and very cheap minutes after that at 8/10ths of a cent, higher cost for international calls. Additional numbers added to the account cost $2.45/month with the same call/message allowance. In fact, I've ported my former mobile number to JMP, and have no trouble with receiving verification texts (so far). I've paired the service with a cheap data-only SIM to provide a connection when I'm away from wifi. That also allows me to use a non-VoLTE phone, by the way. // I wouldn't even consider that offer from Helium, nor any Google product. It's not just about ads; it's the data collection and exploitation.

  • I can't believe this post is on a BANK BONUS web site. Banks are moving toward phone number to verify identity. I absolutely fucking hate this especially as someone who used Google Voice for like 15 years. It's fucking annoying having to maintain a REAL cell phone service for 2FA and ID verification. In recent years especially since I churn bank bonuses, I've been working harder to establish my identity with a particular phone number. I can't imagine wanting to anonymize and also doing bank bonuses in 2025.. lol now-a-days banks have even started to pull all of your public info from one's phone number, and if they are unable to pull it.. sometimes results in a denial.

    • If learning about an alternate way to receive bank bonus codes anywhere in the world you happen to be doesn't interest you, then you are free to ignore the post.

  • what data only sim are you using and how much does that run you?

    • And, of course, if you already have a SIM from a mobile provider, you don't need an additional data SIM.

      • it sounds more like you're trying to be anonymous ;) live a little

        • I'm not anonymous to my banks, obviously.

    • I use one that JMP offers as an option: fee of $5.50/year plus $6.99/Gb. It roams on Canadian and U.S networks, but unfortunately not in other countries. For international coverage, including the U.S. and Canada, there's Vegolink (no annual fee, $7/Gb in U.S., $2/Gb in most European countries, more in some other countries). // P.S. That's "cheap" to me because I don't use much data. ;-)

• Thanks! Our info is already public anyways

• invite only?

  • You need to just input one of the two invitation codes from above, either BREAKFREE or HELIUMFREE.

• On Android, the Helium app ask to install a wifi profile. The app say it is connect to Helium hotspots. I figured this would just install a wifi SSID/network for my phone to connect to that is run by Helium. But I don't see any new network under saved networks. Anyone tech savvy know what does this do exactly?

  • Yes, it gets your phone to auto-connect (via Passpoint for authentication) to a Helium Mobile Hotspot's Wi-Fi network when in range of one - you can see where they're deployed in real time here: https://world.helium.com/en/mobile

    • Any idea how to remove it? I'm on iOS and I also can't find where the wifi profile was installed...

      • The only way to remove it on iOS as far as I know is by connecting to a Helium Mobile Hotspot, then 'forgetting' that network from the Wi-Fi section of Settings. There's no downside to it staying on there, though; it will only auto-connect to those hotspots if your Helium Mobile account is active.

        • Got it. So it doesn't show up in the Wi-Fi settings or as a Wi-Fi Network unless I am connected to a Helium hotspot?

        • Yeah, that's correct.

• All these comments about use as a second/burner number, as if Google Voice isn't a thing and there aren't additional options as well which don't require submitting a photo ID to be kept on some rando company's servers.

  • Some sites won't allow VOIP number with GV. so having a "real" number would be helpful.

    • It used to be some sites, increasingly becoming many sites. GV is still useful, but for 2FA texts and new services it is less accepted.

    • Yeah exactly. The main use case I can think of for this for me personally is if you want to do free instant transfers between Banks via zelle. If you have two different banks attached to two different zelle accounts with two different phone numbers, then you can send money to yourself through zelle instantly instead of waiting two days for an ACH to move money between Banks. It would be a free way to avoid the opportunity cost of the time value of money

• Pulled the trigger and ordered a physical sim card. They probably sell your location data, etc...to market research companies. Let be honest, no service is a free lunch. Example: Gmail is not free, Google saturates us with targeted ads.

• Not bad for a backup sim. I have a cheap old plan with 2 gb/month (extra fee if I go beyond 2GB), most months that work for me, but good to have the esim on my phone for months I exceed my limit (mainly when I travel) and save a few bucks I guess.

  I know free=data sharing, but at this point, my data is everywhere now between data breaches, other free services we use like Gmail, and data companies like Lexis Nexus. So much should get something out of it at least.

• i use this as a backup phone, i leave it in the car incase i left my daily phone at work when i go out or go to work.

  • Hey Ken L., Has the Helium phone service been reliable? Do know which mobile carrier they use? DPs say data slows after 512mb?

    • yes, it's reliable ! running on Tmobile network, i been with them since summer of 2023 when they are born. this new plan is free so i got it too, put in my backup phone in the car. slow data after 512mb is a bug, that's what they said.