Ported to Helium

Telecom
1

I ported to Helium free plan today - the port was instantaneous. When I had service last month with FP (WMT plan) , I had turned off the port lock on my freedompop account online (I think it sends you a text to turn it off). When I was chatting to try to renew my account and they couldn't, I asked for the account number and pin needed for the port out.

As far as Helium, I currently have the app installed on a different phone (so the app doesn't drain down my battery).

Also I did have 2 FP accounts on the same login, I only care about one of the lines, but when they go to renew (before last month), they always ask if I have a second line and they renew that one as well.

1 Like
2

So you don't need the Helium app installed on the phone that you are using the SIM (or eSIM) on and everything works as it would with the app on the phone with active SIM?
Does it matter if you use pSIM or eSIM for this to be possible?
How long can the app or location be off before Helium doesn't work?

I am concerned about battery life and routinely leave location and location "accuracy" settings off.
I take that you are new to Helium but curious if you could comment re battery life.

Thanks for any information or links addressing these issues.

I manage a FP GSMT 300/1000/100 line for someone for whom it is their main line. The Helium free plan won't quite cut it for them in re to calling/messaging so may need to introduce GV into the mix.
Alternatively may have to consider TextNow but I'm not sure how they will deal with all the pop over advertising if blocking some or most of it is not reliable.

3

I am using a psim in an iphone and have the app installed on an android. I can't comment on battery life as the android phone is an old phone that I leave plugged in all the time at my desk. I've had the Helium account for 3 months now and the app installed the whole time - just had not activated the sim. I may take the android phone out on some drives occasionally just so it can map some locations or may even just keep the old phone in the car if it needs more activity.

1 Like
4

So, trying to understand your setup.
You are using a Helium pSIM on the free plan in an iphone. The app for that SIM is installed/signed in on an old android phone (with location on I assume?) that has been sitting at your desk.
Do you have location on or off on the iphone used with the Helium free plan pSIM?

Do I have it all wrong and you have not actually used the free plan yet or is this a second pSIM on another (same?) account?

Apologies if I'm being dense, just trying to understand your setup as it currently exists.

5

the helium app is what tracks the location, so there is nothing to turn off/on in regards to helium on the iPhone with the helium psim. For the andriod phone where the app is installed, I originally had given the app all the permissions it wanted when I installed it, but it was causing the phone to crash/lock up, so I removed a couple permissions, location being one of them. Every time I open the app it asks me to enable location, but I can get past that reminder after a swipe or two. I may have enabled location for the helium app only when using the app, but it is definitely not on at all times

1 Like
6

A couple of days ago I signed up for Helium Mobile and ordered my first SIM card.This morning I also signed up three family members and ordered SIM cards for them.
We plan to use Helium as our glove box /emergency phones.

Additionally, I signed up two other relatives for Helium . Unlike my family, they plan to use Helium as their main phone (this is where I have a bit to learn). Of course, I will be installing Google Voice on their phones.

I think Helium is going to be utile, fun , and educational.
Looking forward to it all.

7

We also have two Helium free lines.

8

Perhaps it is time to give Helium its OWN thread rather than using the fp topic for it ??
(And BTW, since we live in an area which is totally devoid of TMobile, Helium services will not work here no matter how great their deals may be.)

1 Like
9

Since I'm new to Helium , could you offer some insights on how to maximize my upcoming accounts with them?

10

Don't really have anything yet. I haven't been with them very long either. There isn't a lot of info yet. I've been looking on Reddit.

1 Like
11

I agree.
I tried asking a few questions in the deals thread because it had recent Helium comments but got crickets so asked for hem above in this thread. As I did so I was thinking I should just start a new thread.

Maybe the moderator could extract some of this thread into a new Helium thread if the next person with information, data points doesn't do so?

1 Like