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Within the US, TextNow's SIM card -- when used with their Free Nationwide Talk & Text plan -- simply provides limited cellular data to allow TextNow's app to be used (in the US) when you're not within WiFi range.
Even within the US, if you take out TextNow's SIM card and just use WiFi, your current TextNow services would still work as they do today. Your current TextNow also still works if you sign in to the same TextNow account on other compatible devices connected using WiFi or cellular data.
Outside the US, you will need to either use WiFi or provide cellular data, swapping your international SIM card in for TextNow's if your device only has a single SIM card slot, to continue using TextNow as you've had been.
I got this for my kid's iPhone but find it confusing. You have to use the Textnow app to use cell calls (you can't just call from the normal phone app.)
Is that with SIM or without SIM ? And with SIM, does it work just like regular SIM card in phone or have to use theor app only?
if you are going to use voice/txt over data, then why not Google Voice ?
Somewhat related question. Are you now able to call a number using google voice? it does something weird now, uses my phone number when I try calling from voice.
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from MrSkeptic
:
FYI, you don't need this if you have any phone with data. Just download the app for the same thing.
Quote
from energyx
:
Yes. It includes enough data to their servers for VOIP and text via their app. Loaded with ads, so be prepared.
Heads up
I was using this app as a 2nd phone line for deals and text alerts for small purchases / getting coupons
and also a 2FA for a 3 month side gig that I picked up late last year
it worked well for all those
but to my surprise this AM when I tried to do remote login to my side gig - the message in text now said "get verification codes with LockinNumber" with a URL to pay $4.99/year in app
this was something totally new and I have never seen that
needless to say, I quickly changed it to another throwaway # from the recent tracphone deal.
Quote
from ChakkDay
:
Is that with SIM or without SIM ? And with SIM, does it work just like regular SIM card in phone or have to use theor app only?
That's the whole point. If you don't have cellular service or wifi., You can get voice and texts for free. Ads have to be dealt w , though
for those who have not turned off cross app tracking yet, their app is excellent at offering you items you browsed via your browser or amazon app or your facebook or any thing else you looked with your phone
not unexpected (or bad) as they disclose it and because that is how they make their money but FYI
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how long is this SIM valid for
as in "till I use either mins/texts/data" or like 30-90-120 days ?
cannot find it on wally website
in the box says 30 days ? ? so is that for THIS plan ?
I posted a whole thread about that plan that answers all your questions. Most everybody here has a bad experience with them hence, that thread is in the thumbs down category.
how long is this SIM valid for
as in "till I use either mins/texts/data" or like 30-90-120 days ?
cannot find it on wally website
in the box says 30 days ? ? so is that for THIS plan ?
300/1000/100 each month, no cost. When buckets run out they no longer work, but can be topped up. I'm using it to test phones for SIMLock and cell functions, it's native TMo MVNO, no apps required.
300/1000/100 each month, no cost. When buckets run out they no longer work, but can be topped up. I'm using it to test phones for SIMLock and cell functions, it's native TMo MVNO, no apps required.
IIRC, FreedomPop required charging your CC for some initial top-up balance ($20?) during service activation.
Does your second message imply FreedomPop no longer requires top-up balance in your account?
Do they require CC at all to activate?
Besides the obvious big plus of native TMO cellular service without requiring app, if $9.98 is the only one-time charge and they don't require any CC during activation to get 300 + 1000 + 100 every month, then that does sound better than the old FreedomPop.
If FreedomPop will reintroduce unlimited WhatsApp plan or, better yet, combined unlimited WA + Signal for a one-time charge, that would be interesting.
IIRC, FreedomPop required charging your CC for some initial top-up balance ($20?) during service activation.
Does your second message imply FreedomPop no longer requires top-up balance in your account?
Do they require CC at all to activate?
Besides the obvious big plus of native TMO cellular service without requiring app, if $9.98 is the only one-time charge and they don't require any CC during activation to get 300 + 1000 + 100 every month, then that does sound better than the old FreedomPop.
If FreedomPop will reintroduce unlimited WhatsApp plan or, better yet, combined unlimited WA + Signal for a one-time charge, that would be interesting.
No fees to activate, supposed to be manual renewal required each month, but if you have a payment method you can set up auto-renew for $0 each month. This is not like the old plans.
I posted a whole thread about that plan that answers all your questions. Most everybody here has a bad experience with them hence, that thread is in the thumbs down category.
thanks for the reference
I did read that thread
but still can't figure out answers to
- is 9.99+tax a one time cost ? seems like yes
- is it a 30 day plan only ? as in expires in 30 days n then done ? so 9.99+tax for 30 days, so approx $120/year pre tax ? OR is it $9.99+tax for SIM and no cost thereafter as long as I stay within the plan limits ? and if there is no cost thereafter
found answer to above from energyx's post https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=153204967&postcount=25
- do I have to keep a CC with freedom pop in order to continue service ? can i use one time CC if recurring cost is $0
- or do I have to keep a CC on file to pay taxes every month although the plan is free ?
Last edited by djdoc January 29, 2022 at 07:21 PM.
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For that Walmart Freedompop plan, you do not need a credit to activate service. You do need a credit card to renew.
Users are supposed to sign in every month and renew manually to get the 300 minutes, 1000 texts, and 100mb for the next 30 days.
Because there are no auto topups, users are theorizing that if they add a credit card to their account and select the auto-renewel option, they can have the system renew their free plan automatically.
This service is still relatively new so users going through trial and error to see what works. Example would be that someone used up all their minutes and data and found out indeed there was no auto topups.
Top Comments
Even within the US, if you take out TextNow's SIM card and just use WiFi, your current TextNow services would still work as they do today. Your current TextNow also still works if you sign in to the same TextNow account on other compatible devices connected using WiFi or cellular data.
Outside the US, you will need to either use WiFi or provide cellular data, swapping your international SIM card in for TextNow's if your device only has a single SIM card slot, to continue using TextNow as you've had been.
From TextNow 101: SIM cards [textnow.com]
From Use TextNow without WiFi: Our nationwide network [textnow.com]
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Is that with SIM or without SIM ? And with SIM, does it work just like regular SIM card in phone or have to use theor app only?
And yes. I am saying that here on slickdeals well knowing the audience. The experience with them was that bad.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank djdoc
I was using this app as a 2nd phone line for deals and text alerts for small purchases / getting coupons
and also a 2FA for a 3 month side gig that I picked up late last year
it worked well for all those
but to my surprise this AM when I tried to do remote login to my side gig - the message in text now said "get verification codes with LockinNumber" with a URL to pay $4.99/year in app
this was something totally new and I have never seen that
needless to say, I quickly changed it to another throwaway # from the recent tracphone deal.
as in "till I use either mins/texts/data" or like 30-90-120 days ?
cannot find it on wally website
in the box says 30 days ? ? so is that for THIS plan ?
not unexpected (or bad) as they disclose it and because that is how they make their money but FYI
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as in "till I use either mins/texts/data" or like 30-90-120 days ?
cannot find it on wally website
in the box says 30 days ? ? so is that for THIS plan ?
as in "till I use either mins/texts/data" or like 30-90-120 days ?
cannot find it on wally website
in the box says 30 days ? ? so is that for THIS plan ?
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Does your second message imply FreedomPop no longer requires top-up balance in your account?
Do they require CC at all to activate?
Besides the obvious big plus of native TMO cellular service without requiring app, if $9.98 is the only one-time charge and they don't require any CC during activation to get 300 + 1000 + 100 every month, then that does sound better than the old FreedomPop.
If FreedomPop will reintroduce unlimited WhatsApp plan or, better yet, combined unlimited WA + Signal for a one-time charge, that would be interesting.
Historical (NLA, only for comparison purposes): RingPlus Hazel (300 + 300 + 100) used to require $7.99 per month. RingPlus Mobile Prepaid Cell Phone Plans and Details [allprepaidplans.com]
Does your second message imply FreedomPop no longer requires top-up balance in your account?
Do they require CC at all to activate?
Besides the obvious big plus of native TMO cellular service without requiring app, if $9.98 is the only one-time charge and they don't require any CC during activation to get 300 + 1000 + 100 every month, then that does sound better than the old FreedomPop.
If FreedomPop will reintroduce unlimited WhatsApp plan or, better yet, combined unlimited WA + Signal for a one-time charge, that would be interesting.
Historical (NLA, only for comparison purposes): RingPlus Hazel (300 + 300 + 100) used to require $7.99 per month. RingPlus Mobile Prepaid Cell Phone Plans and Details [allprepaidplans.com]
I did read that thread
but still can't figure out answers to
- is 9.99+tax a one time cost ? seems like yes
- is it a 30 day plan only ? as in expires in 30 days n then done ? so 9.99+tax for 30 days, so approx $120/year pre tax ? OR is it $9.99+tax for SIM and no cost thereafter as long as I stay within the plan limits ? and if there is no cost thereafter
found answer to above from energyx's post https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
- do I have to keep a CC with freedom pop in order to continue service ? can i use one time CC if recurring cost is $0
- or do I have to keep a CC on file to pay taxes every month although the plan is free ?
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Users are supposed to sign in every month and renew manually to get the 300 minutes, 1000 texts, and 100mb for the next 30 days.
Because there are no auto topups, users are theorizing that if they add a credit card to their account and select the auto-renewel option, they can have the system renew their free plan automatically.
This service is still relatively new so users going through trial and error to see what works. Example would be that someone used up all their minutes and data and found out indeed there was no auto topups.