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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.
The $0.99 item from Textnow is a sim. Along with the sim, you would need to install the ad-supported Textnow app onto your cell phone. Calls and texts are routed through the app.
On Android, you could first use your regular dialer to enter the called number. The textnow app would next take over and make the call. Doing this does not eliminate ads as they are displayed at the end of the call
Texting has to be written, sent and received through the textnow app.
Textnow is VOIP, so it uses cellular data. Calling and texting data is permitted to pass-through. Regular data through the browser or any other app does not work. Only exception is reaching google.com and performing a simple search. Tapping on any result fails as only staying within the search page results of google is permitted.
Does Google maps work or other Google services? I'm guessing searching works because TextNow uses Google analytics. But just a guess.
I bought the SIM almost a year ago to use on a back-up phone. TextNow works well and I don't find the ads too intrusive. The # offered for my area code is very good and the demand in my AC is not high. I use the phone at least every 2 wks. to keep that #. If your # isn't used frequently enough, you can lose it. Then another would have to be chosen. If your usage is too light, they send a warning email so you don't lose a # you might like. For a one time payment, you can lock the # to the phone without having to maintain minimal use
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.
You could have gotten Tello Economy Prepaid 12-Month Plan: Unlimited Talk/Text + 1GB LTE Data + Free SIM from Stacksocial for $85. You can cancel the current service and create a new account with a different email. You might need to use a different name also because this deal is for new customers only. After a year you would pay the regular monthly fee which is $10. If you don't want to pay the regular monthly fee, you can switch to boost by buying a 12-Month plan from Stacksocial for pretty much the same price. You would also get 10% discount if you are a new customer. They also have 6-Months plan with 2 GB data. https://stacksocial.com/sales/tel...a-free-sim
The Boost plan is even better 2GB data for $95
https://stacksocial.com/sales/boost-mobile-prepaid-12-months-unlimited-talk-text-2gb-lte-data
What's the cheapest way for me to get into a AT&T MVNO that I can put in my spare phone?
I need to be able to text and make calls when I'm at our hunting camp since AT&T is the only provider that get's service in the woods there.
I have a grandfathered T-Mobile Family Plan that is cheap and I'm happy with so I don't wan to change my main plan.
Does Google maps work or other Google services? I'm guessing searching works because TextNow uses Google analytics. But just a guess.
You can use www.google.com in your browser, but no other Google sites. You can also use Google Assistant, either voice or typed, which can give more information than a Google search.
I don't think offering of voice over IP solution with a bunch of ads it's the right business model. Most people would rather just pay X amount to get Y amount of service. Several companies that let you purchase 1 year of voip, you still have to work out how to get data for your voip termination. That would be cheaper than messing with ADware nightmare.
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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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On Android, you could first use your regular dialer to enter the called number. The textnow app would next take over and make the call. Doing this does not eliminate ads as they are displayed at the end of the call
Texting has to be written, sent and received through the textnow app.
Textnow is VOIP, so it uses cellular data. Calling and texting data is permitted to pass-through. Regular data through the browser or any other app does not work. Only exception is reaching google.com and performing a simple search. Tapping on any result fails as only staying within the search page results of google is permitted.
likely
it's easy to detect voip numbers
they make it so that you would hit the ads even though you don't want to.
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Obviously not free, but great for a phone the kid can use for calls and texts.
https://stacksocial.com/sales/tel...a-free-sim
The Boost plan is even better 2GB data for $95
https://stacksocial.com/sales/boost-mobile-prepaid-12-months-unlimited-talk-text-2gb-lte-data
I need to be able to text and make calls when I'm at our hunting camp since AT&T is the only provider that get's service in the woods there.
I have a grandfathered T-Mobile Family Plan that is cheap and I'm happy with so I don't wan to change my main plan.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.