ENC vs Tello: comparing two T-Mobile US SIMs on activation from China, monthly cost, keeping the number and verification codes (2026)
Short answer: start with where you are. In China and not going to the US, choose ENC, because Tello requires the first activation to happen in the US; in the US or going soon, choose Tello, self-service from $5 a month. If the number protects important accounts, keep a backup number too. Both are T-Mobile network US mobile numbers, not VoIP; the differences are where you activate, the SIM type and how you renew.
On this page
Many people hesitate between ENC and Tello because both run on T-Mobile and look alike. What really separates them is three things: where you activate, which phone you use and who handles renewals. We compare them on each below.
Prices and rules reflect Tello's website and help centre and LarkSIM's product information as of 17 October 2026; confirm on the day before ordering. The ENC US T-Mobile physical SIM is sold by LarkSIM.
Choose with 3 questions
- 1
Are you in the US now?
No, and not going: choose the ENC US T-Mobile physical SIM, which activates once it reaches you in China. In the US or going soon: either works, and Tello's self-service is more flexible. - 2
Which phone do you use?
A Chinese-model iPhone 6S or later: ENC is a physical SIM that goes straight in. A phone that can install overseas eSIMs: Tello's eSIM installs right after ordering. - 3
Do you want to manage renewals yourself?
Want to change plans and set autopay on the website: choose Tello, from $5 a month. Prefer to avoid overseas payments: choose ENC, renewed through support.
If the number will protect banks, AI tools or an Apple ID, keep a backup number whichever you choose; see below.
If ENC is your pick, Buy the US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC); $28 (about ¥199) including the first-month plan.
What each SIM is
ENC Mobile is a US carrier aimed mainly at Chinese-speaking residents and students, running on the T-Mobile network, with Mandarin support. LarkSIM sells its channel physical SIM: shipped to China, with a small first-month plan, renewed by support.
Tello is a US prepaid carrier, also on the T-Mobile network. You build a plan from data and minutes on its website, from $5 a month; every plan includes unlimited texts, eSIM is supported, and you manage the account and renewals yourself.
Side by side
| Item | ENC (LarkSIM channel SIM) | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| Network and number | T-Mobile network, US +1 mobile number, not VoIP | T-Mobile network, US +1 mobile number, not VoIP |
| How to buy | Order from LarkSIM; physical SIM shipped to China | Self-service order on Tello's website |
| SIM type | Physical SIM | eSIM or physical SIM; most Chinese-model iPhones cannot install overseas eSIMs |
| First activation | Done in China; turning on Wi-Fi Calling the first time needs an overseas network environment | Officially must be in the US; the phone must first connect to US towers |
| Phones | iPhone 6S or later, unlocked; Android not confirmed | Unlocked phones compatible with Tello's network |
| Cost | $28 (about ¥199) including the first month; then ¥66–99 a month topped up by support, depending on the activation ZIP code's tax | Plans from $5 a month plus taxes |
| First-month plan | 30 minutes of US calls + 100 texts, no data | Depends on the plan; every plan has unlimited texts |
| Texts in China | Wi-Fi Calling over Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi Calling over Wi-Fi (uses plan allowance); international roaming requires prior use in the US |
| Renewal | No self-service top-up; support tops up | Self-service, with autopay |
| Not using it for a while | Cancelled after 30 days suspended | Park Number, $3 per 30 days, needs an active plan; no calls, texts or data while parked |
| Support | LarkSIM Chinese-language email support; ENC offers Mandarin support | Help centre and online support |
The biggest differences are first activation and renewal: ENC removes the US activation step but renewals go through support; Tello lets you manage everything yourself but officially must be activated in the US.
The biggest difference: where you activate
The Tello help centre is direct: you cannot activate abroad. You must be in the US to activate or port a number to Tello, because your phone must first connect to Tello's US towers. Only once active can you travel and use Wi-Fi Calling or international roaming.
- check_circleRoaming has a condition too: the Tello help centre says a line must be used in the US before international roaming can be enabled.
- check_circleThe ENC channel SIM needs no US trip: it ships to China; connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi, insert the SIM, turn on Wi-Fi Calling and wait 3–5 minutes for the indicator. The first activation needs an overseas network environment.
What it costs each month
| Item | ENC (LarkSIM) | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| First month | $28 (about ¥199), SIM and first-month plan | Plans from $5 plus taxes |
| Each month after | Topped up by support; ¥66–99 a month depending on the activation ZIP code's tax | Plans from $5 plus taxes, with autopay |
| Keeping the number unused | Renew on time; cancelled after 30 days suspended | Park Number, $3 per 30 days |
Verification codes: little difference
Both are T-Mobile mobile numbers rather than VoIP, so both meet the number-type rules of services such as OpenAI that reject VoIP. In China both receive texts over Wi-Fi Calling, and neither receives texts without Wi-Fi.
- check_circleWith ENC, turn on Wi-Fi Calling and wait for the indicator before requesting a code.
- check_circleWith Tello, set the E911 emergency address in your account's Wi-Fi Calling settings before turning it on.
- check_circleNeither can guarantee a service will send a code; services consider number history, account risk checks and your IP environment.
For how to use Codex, Grok and Apple ID, see can the ENC US SIM receive Codex, Grok and Apple ID codes.
Should you keep a backup number?
For important accounts, yes. Apple recommends adding a trusted phone number not associated with your iPhone; if one number is suspended, lapses or is rejected by a service, you still have another way to receive codes.
- check_circleCost of using ENC and Tello as mutual backups: ENC's first month is included in the $28, then ¥66–99 a month; Tello from $5 a month.
- check_circleThey lapse differently, so set reminders: ENC is cancelled after 30 days suspended; Tello PAYG-only credit expires 3 months after purchase.
- check_circleBesides a backup number, add an authenticator app or a passkey so accounts do not rely on texts alone.
Risks to know before ordering
| ENC (LarkSIM channel SIM) | Tello |
|---|---|
| No self-service top-up; renewals depend on support; the number is cancelled after 30 days suspended | Tello requires US activation; working around it from China leaves little official help if something goes wrong |
| Only iPhone 6S or later confirmed; locked, jailbroken and SIM-adapter phones will not work | International roaming requires prior use in the US, so a line opened from China relies on Wi-Fi Calling |
| Randomly assigned number, possibly previously used, cannot be changed | Many users in China report bans on social media |
| Special item, cannot be returned or exchanged once shipped | Self-managed, so account security is your responsibility |
FAQ
ENC or Tello: which is better?expand_more
Which is cheaper?expand_more
Can I activate Tello from China?expand_more
Both use T-Mobile. Are the numbers different?expand_more
Can Tello's $3 Park Number receive codes?expand_more
Can I top up ENC myself on its website like Tello?expand_more
Which is easier on a Chinese-model iPhone?expand_more
If I only get one, which should it be?expand_more
Real +1 number · T-Mobile network · Card checked before dispatch
US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC)
A real US +1 mobile number, not VoIP, delivered as a physical SIM to your address in China. Check the current price, Wi-Fi Calling and keep-number notes on the product page before ordering.