Initially, TextNow started as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) app that offered Americans U.S phone numbers that they could use to write text messages and make calls over a Wi-Fi network. Currently, TextNow has an app that allows you to make calls and write text messages over a Wi-Fi network. Since the app will enable you to have a unique U.S phone number, be sure that you will be able to enjoy the above-mentioned cellular services on the go.
As we speak, TextNow has become a fully-fledged Mobile Virtual Network Operator. To put this into perspective, this service provider now relies on T-Mobile and Sprint to offer its cell phone services. Besides allowing you to text and make calls free of charge over a Wi-Fi network, this carrier offers affordable plans with no contracts. You can also bring your own phone, port your own number, and so much more. As a result, you might be interested in joining this carrier’s network. Once you have purchased a phone from TextNow or ordered a SIM card from this service provider, the next step is to activate it. In this article, we shall outline how you can activate the SIM card and TextNow APN Settings from this carrier, alongside other related ideas.
Ways to Use TextNow For Free in 2024
If you download the TextNow mobile app on your phone, you will be able to make free calls and text your friends free of charge. However, this app is ad-supported and as a result, you might come across a myriad of ads as you utilize this app. If these ads do not please, consider going for a paid plan.
Thankfully, these plans come with unlimited talk and text. Besides this, they come at budget-friendly prices. With as little as $19 per month, you will be able to enjoy unlimited calls and texts and 2GB of 4G LTE mobile data. Therefore, it all depends on what you want. If you can stomach the ads on the TextNow mobile app, you will save more bucks in the long run.
About TextNow SIM Activation Kit
Simply put, the SIM activation kit comes with a SIM card that allows all unlocked iPhone and Android devices to access the TextNow nationwide network. This way, you will be able to make calls, text your friends and also browse the internet with utmost precision. The good news is that you do not have to pay to make calls or write text messages to your friends.
As long as you have the TextNow app, you will be good to go. When it comes to the cost of the SIM activation kit, brace yourself to part with $0.99. This amount is quite little considering the offers and benefits that you will enjoy once you become this carrier’s customer.
Now Steps to Activate TextNow SIM Card in 2024
After receiving your TextNow SIM card, the next step should be to activate it so that you can be able to enjoy this carrier’s internet services. Depending on the device that you have at hand, you need to configure it with the right APN settings so that you can get started on this carrier’s network.
TextNow APN Settings For Android Device
If you are using an Android device, follow these steps in order to add the new APN settings from this carrier:
- Navigate to the phone’s ‘Settings’ icon and tap it.
- Tap on the ‘Connections’ option that you will see on the screen. Depending on your model, you might find options such as ‘Networks’ or ‘Networks & Internet’. Choose any of them and proceed to the next step.
- Tap on the ‘Mobile Networks’ option.
- Choose the ‘Access Point Names’ option.
- Since you want to add a new APN setting, tap on the ‘+’ sign that you will see on top of your phone’s screen. Ensure that you key in the APN settings as follows:
- Name: TextNow
- APN: textnow.static
- Username: (Leave it blank)
- Password: (Leave it blank)
- Proxy: (leave it blank)
- Port: (Leave it blank)
- Server: (leave it blank)
- MMSC: (Leave it blank – not set)
- MMS Proxy: (Leave it blank – not set)
- MMS Port: (Not Set)
- MCC: 310
- MNC: 260
- Authentication type: (none)
- APN type: (default,supl)
- APN protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- Bearer: (Unspecified)
- Mobile virtual network operator: (none)
Depending on your model, you might be promoted to key in the following options:
- MVNO Type: GID
- MNVO Value: 4358
Once you are done, choose TextNow as your preferred APN and then restart your phone.
TextNow APN Settings For iPhone
If you are using an iPhone, here are the steps that can help you to get started:
- Go to your phone’s ‘Settings’ icon and tap it.
- Tap on the ‘Cellular’ option
- Click on the ‘Cellular Data Network’ option
- Tap on the APN option and then key in the following details:
- APN: textnow.static
- Username: (Leave this blank)
- Password: (Leave this blank)
Once you are done, save the new APN settings and then restart your phone.
Check if Your Phone Is Compatible With TextNow
Your phone can be compatible with this carrier if at all it is unlocked and runs on Android 5.0 or higher. If you are using an iPhone, it can be deemed to be compatible with this carrier if at all it is unlocked and runs on iOS 13.0 and above. In case your device meets the above-mentioned requirements, you can now bring it to this carrier’s network and get started.
Frequently Ask Questions
Are TextNow Phones Unlocked?
No. They are usually locked, and one has to unlock them first for him or her to use them with another carrier.
Is TextNow A Real Phone Number?
Well, TextNow is not a real phone number. Instead, this is a service provider that offers you with a real phone number that is unique from those of your peers. With this number, you will be able to text and call people living in the United States and Canada whenever you are connected to a Wi-Fi network at no additional cost. Thankfully, this number can be used on a smartphone, desktop computer, tablet and so forth.
It is imperative to note that the TextNow number is the unique number that you will share with your family and friends so that they can call or even text you. Simply put, this is the number that your texts and calls will originate from. Typically, this number can be found in the TextNow mobile app.
How Long Can You Have A TextNow Number?
In case you text or call using your free TextNow number at least once per day, be sure that you can now keep your phone number for as long as you want. This is because you will be able to use phone number indefinitely.
Can TextNow Be Traced?
Yes. As we speak, it is possible for you to trace your TextNow phone number. This is because TextNow now saves the user’s identity and IP address which can actually be verified by the phone number one used during the registration process. Therefore, if someone want to trace your TextNow phone number, he or she will be able to do so seamlessly.
However, the only information one will get is your current location at that moment. On the other hand, the police can be able to get vital details such as your name, email, IP address log, among other vital details.
How Much Is TextNow A Month?
Well, plans here start from as little as $19.99 per month if at all you want to enjoy unlimited talk and text and 2GB LTE mobile data. However, if you want to enjoy unlimited talk and text without mobile data, you will just need to part with $9.99 per month. In case you want more data, consider choosing the 5GB LTE plan that goes for $29.99.
Finally, if you want to enjoy unlimited LTE with unlimited text and talk to Canada and USA, brace yourself to part with $39.99 per month. Thankfully, this carrier also offers family plans where you can bring 3 lines of unlimited LTE data for as little as $100 per month. This means that you will have to pay $29.99 per month for every added line.
Is TextNow GSM Or CDMA?
Since this carrier relies on Sprint and T-Mobile nationwide network to offer it services, it is true to say that it supports both CDMA and GSM technologies.
What Carrier Is TextNow?
Previously, this carrier used to be powered by Sprint nationwide network. However, this carrier started partnering with T-Mobile in 2016. In 2020, T-Mobile acquired Sprint and these changes made this carrier to solely rely on T-Mobile to offer its cell phone services. The good news is that T-Mobile has a good nationwide network coverage, thereby allowing users of this carrier to remain connected for longer.
Does TextNow Work With Cellular Data?
Yes. Besides the Wi-Fi network, you can now connect your phone to the cellular data of this carrier and browse the internet. As long as you have subscribed to any of its premium plans be sure that you will be able to access the internet, chat with friends on Facebook and so much more.
Since this carrier offers 3G and 4G LTE network for their CDMA phones and 4G LTE nationwide network for their GSM devices, be sure that you will remain connected and enjoy more convenience.
Why Is TextNow Not Working On My Phone?
If TextNow is now working on your phone, consider updating it. This is because you might be using the older version of the app, thereby making you to experience such problems. Thankfully, you can now get an app update from Google Play Store or the App Store and then get started.
Does TextNow Offer eSIM?
Yes. However, they are only ideal for those who are travelling abroad. This is because these eSIM cards allow you to access international data only.
Does TextNow Delete Your Account?
Not really. Instead, they usually deactivate your account. For instance, if you sign out of your TextNow account, your account will be dormant after 3 days. At that moment, your account will be deactivated.
Will TextNow Work Without WiFi?
Yes. If you do not have access to a Wi-Fi network, you can subscribe to any this carrier’s premium plans and use the mobile data allocated to you. All you need to do is to visit this carrier’s official website and choose the mobile data plan that suits your needs.
Is TextNow Free Internationally?
As we speak, this carrier allows you to enjoy free international messaging. Here, you will be able to send text messages free of charge to over 100 countries outside the United States. However, if you want to make any international call, ensure that you have sufficient credits for that purpose.
Which VPN Can Open TextNow?
If this service is not blocked in your state, you do not need to have a VPN in order to access. However, most countries cannot access TextNow. If you live in such a country, you might have to rely on a VPN in order to get an IP address from any of those countries that support the use of this service.
When it comes to VPN selection, consider going for NordVPN. Unlike other VPNs, this one offer superfast browsing speeds and has 5442+ servers in more than 60 countries. With this VPN, all your text messages will be encrypted, thus guaranteeing maximum privacy. Besides this, it offers a 30-day risk free trial and is compatible with many devices.
Which Is Better TextNow Or TextFree?
TextNow is better than TextFree. This is because TextNow comes with incredible features such as:
- Unlimited free domestic calling
- Video calling
- International calling
- A mobile app
- A web app that allows you to make calls
Unfortunately, TextFree does not offer these features.
