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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.
Not sure how reliable it is now, but freedompop use to be a nightmare for many people.
I used to use this for my kids' phones. My daughter used it when she started babysitting or when they went to the park or were home alone. However, it was kind of a pain and unless you used it regularly was a pain. It's fairly reliable and I may go back to it, but any change you make tends to rack up a charge.
Do I understand it right: AFTER the activation you can use it on a phone WITHOUT any data access? or not
Would toss one in the glove compartment for an emergency back up.
Also, if it's free after SIM purchase, why not get like a hundred of them just in case for the future?
Thanks.
Used FreedomPop previously for years.
Not ideal, but managed to have it for free. (Sometimes paid for extra data ahead)
Do not, of course, get it if you are looking for "easy"
Last edited by shura January 30, 2022 at 12:28 PM.
Anyone know how long this is good for? Or perhaps should I say, does it ever expire after I create an account? Planning to just pop this into old phone, and may not use it for months at a time is that an issue?
I guess I'll just eat this $1 if it is an issue, really great deal for emergency only phone etc. So many people always claiming to buy Red pocket or something else for that purpose which is fine but still.
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from AmusedPanther530
:
Anyone know how long this is good for? Or perhaps should I say, does it ever expire after I create an account? Planning to just pop this into old phone, and may not use it for months at a time is that an issue?
I guess I'll just eat this $1 if it is an issue, really great deal for emergency only phone etc. So many people always claiming to buy Red pocket or something else for that purpose which is fine but still.
You have to make a phone call or send a text every 1-2 weeks or you lose your number. They usually send you a text 3-5 days before you lose your number.
I ended up getting Tello; I believe I paid around $70 for a year unlimited calls and texts, no data.
Obviously not free, but great for a phone the kid can use for calls and texts.
I got Tello too for my kids phone. I forget what I used but it was $68 for a year with 1gb and unlimited talk/text.
Since we've all gone off-topic and my question is on-topic (of the off-topic):
Is there a free/low cost plan that offers native caller/text messaging on an eSIM? Basically I want a service (preferably not on T-Mobile, but definitely not a deal breaker) that lets me park a number, can use the native dialer/messenger (so iMessage will work), and on eSIM (so I can use a Google Fi data sim in the physical sim slot). Basically I'm trying to replicate what I had last year with Google Voice and a pile of Android phones; now we've switched to iPhone and iMessage has become a necessity (teens, blue bubble, etc.).
Then, we use Red Pocket for cheap cell service. You can get cheap cards on eBay that last all year. We get 500Mb a month for $5/month ($60 card good for the whole year).
Cheap, easy... most of the time all of us are using Wifi anyway (work, school).
Lastly, by using Google Voice, you can always keep that Google Voice number and change your cell service to whatever you want... no need to ever change your Google voice phone number.
Thanks.
Used FreedomPop previously for years.
Not ideal, but managed to have it for free. (Sometimes paid for extra data ahead)
Do not, of course, get it if you are looking for "easy"
Anybody interested in the Walmart Freedompop plan should read my post about the plan in another thread so you know what to expect. What you remember about Freedompop in the Sprint days may not be applicable to the Freedompop plan now being sold at Walmart.
This Sim gives you data that can only be used in the textnow app to make calls or text, which is what separates this from the other options you mentioned, because you don't need to be dependent on wifi.
Edit: didn't realize you were talking about talkatone, not textnow.
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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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seems a nice option to park an old number and receive verification codes etc.
Would toss one in the glove compartment for an emergency back up.
Also, if it's free after SIM purchase, why not get like a hundred of them just in case for the future?
Used FreedomPop previously for years.
Not ideal, but managed to have it for free. (Sometimes paid for extra data ahead)
Do not, of course, get it if you are looking for "easy"
I guess I'll just eat this $1 if it is an issue, really great deal for emergency only phone etc. So many people always claiming to buy Red pocket or something else for that purpose which is fine but still.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank superslickz
I guess I'll just eat this $1 if it is an issue, really great deal for emergency only phone etc. So many people always claiming to buy Red pocket or something else for that purpose which is fine but still.
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Obviously not free, but great for a phone the kid can use for calls and texts.
Is there a free/low cost plan that offers native caller/text messaging on an eSIM? Basically I want a service (preferably not on T-Mobile, but definitely not a deal breaker) that lets me park a number, can use the native dialer/messenger (so iMessage will work), and on eSIM (so I can use a Google Fi data sim in the physical sim slot). Basically I'm trying to replicate what I had last year with Google Voice and a pile of Android phones; now we've switched to iPhone and iMessage has become a necessity (teens, blue bubble, etc.).
Then, we use Red Pocket for cheap cell service. You can get cheap cards on eBay that last all year. We get 500Mb a month for $5/month ($60 card good for the whole year).
Cheap, easy... most of the time all of us are using Wifi anyway (work, school).
Lastly, by using Google Voice, you can always keep that Google Voice number and change your cell service to whatever you want... no need to ever change your Google voice phone number.
Used FreedomPop previously for years.
Not ideal, but managed to have it for free. (Sometimes paid for extra data ahead)
Do not, of course, get it if you are looking for "easy"
Edit: didn't realize you were talking about talkatone, not textnow.
Use this link to bypass the imei check
https://www.textnow.com/wireless/...uct_id=392
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