What should I do if I'm locked out of my US mobile number or bank OTPs after moving to India?

If you are locked out by OTP, act before you leave: enable roaming or Wi-Fi calling, port if needed, add backup email, authenticator, and recovery codes, and test login from a second device. After lockout, recovery depends on your carrier and bank—start with their support line and have ID ready.

Has anyone successfully configured UPI payments with a US number?

Sometimes, but only for supported bank/app and NPCI-enabled country combinations—and setup often fails at debit-card or OTP verification. Do not rely on UPI with a foreign number as your only payment method when you return. Keep bank cards, net banking, and a working Indian mobile number as backup.

I want to keep my US number after moving to India—are there cheaper alternatives I can port to?

Cheaper options can include low-cost mobile plans, VoIP, Google Voice-style routes, or eSIM combinations, but OTP reliability varies by bank and provider. Check which accounts depend on the number before recommending a plan. Test OTP receipt in India before cancelling the original line.

Is there a benefit to keeping my US number while in India?

Yes, usually for OTPs, bank alerts, brokerage logins, tax accounts, credit cards, and account recovery. Keep the number before you leave, test roaming/VoIP access from India, and update backup authentication methods. Losing the number after landing can turn a simple login into a weeks-long recovery problem. Low-cost US carriers like Tello can help keep a US number active