FREE texting over wifi; but keep number

[3happypenguins]

I have used a variety of wifi texting services like Heywire, Textfree, etc. The problem is that I am assigned a new number. I don't have data, so even though I might explain to people to text me on my mobile carrier's number (I get free incoming) so that I can receive it wherever I am, they always end up getting confused and texting my wifi texting number and then wonder why I don't receive it right away (because I might not be connected to wifi when they send it).

I need an app that can text over wifi (so I can avoid charges) but uses MY phone number. Even if it doesn't actually use my phone number, I don't care. But as long as it forces the person getting the message to reply back to my mobile carrier number.

I tried mysms, as well as ChompSms, etc; but they all charge to send over wifi to users that don't have the app. And What'sApp and others like it forces the end user to also have the app.

The fact that there are apps like mysms and ChompSms that send sms messages over wifi with your own phone number to anyone that can receive sms shows that it's possible.

Does anyone know of a COMPELTELY FREE one?

 

[gtbarry]

i don't understand how you were charged by mysms. I have been using it for almost a year now. It syncs between android phone, tablet, web and ipod touch. All using my mobile phone number to text to and from. I text other people's mobile number without issue. I use the web app for mysms a lot when I am at work.

I have never paid them a dime.

MightyText is similar, but I only used it briefly.

 

[3happypenguins]

I think you misunderstood me. It syncs everything together and just fine, for free. I am talking about purely wifi texting (NOT through my carrier... my carrier charges me 10 cents per outgoing text; incoming is free). Here is what I did to try and set it up.

Settings > Websms connectors
Chose: Mysms out
brought to Google Play Store, downloaded Mysms out connector.
Opened Mysms again
Went back to Settings > Websms connectors
Chose: Mysms out
Checked off "Enable mysms out"

Then I went to create a new message to someone, and tried to choose the "Mysms out" option, but it's always greyed out.

Do I need to add credits? Is that why it's grayed out? If I click on "current text rates" in the mysms out settings, it says "The current global text rate is $0.12 (international only).

I took that to mean that the US and Canada is free and that if I was to send texts internationally it would cost 12 cents.

I just want something that is free for basic texting in the US and Canada.

 

[3happypenguins]

I tried using Beetalk too, but a) I don't understand how to send an sms in the app AT ALL, and b) I downloaded the Beetalk connector for for mysms's websms to send an sms through it (supposedly it will use my mobile number but through wifi only?) but I can't figure out how to sign in. Nothing will work.

For example, when I "sign up" in the Beetalk app, I enter my phone number and my name (which then is my username?) and it sends a confirmation number via text to my phone. I enter the confirmation number and then it logs me in. But in Mysms, I check it off to enable it, and then attempt to enter my username (at least what I think is my username?) and then I've tried the confirmation number as the password, my "BeeTalk ID" as my password... I have no idea. How do I know my username and password? BeeTalk doesn't even require a password. I tried logging out and then clicking "Log on", but then it gets me to do the process over again; phone number, name, confirmation number; then logs me in.

I am SO confused!

 

[Digital Controller]

I don't think any offer what you're suggesting. I know Google Voice lets you send free texts and such over wifi but it means you have to use a new number.

 

[fdbryant3]

As Digital Controller said Google Voice is the only solution I know of. Although possibly Hangouts since they have added SMS (I'm not sure how they go out since I use Google Voice/Voice+).

You can use your number with Google Voice but it be $20 to port your number to them.....the real issue though is if your on a contract you may trigger an ETF by doing so.

 

[Digital Controller]

As Digital Controller said Google Voice is the only solution I know of. Although possibly Hangouts since they have added SMS (I'm not sure how they go out since I use Google Voice/Voice+).

You can use your number with Google Voice but it be $20 to port your number to them.....the real issue though is if your on a contract you may trigger an ETF by doing so.

Hangouts uses either your Google+ information, meaning only over Wifi and the other person needs a Google+/Gmail/Google account.

Otherwise you can use SMS, which uses your carrier number.

Google has not yet integrated Google Voice with Hangouts, however, I have heard rumors of an update that patches GVoice into Hangouts that will be released somewhat soon.

 

[3happypenguins]

Google Voice works great... if I'm texting to American numbers. But I live in Canada so I will be texting primarily to Canadian numbers. And it can't text to Canadian numbers.

Also, I found my answer for mysms out: What is mysms out? | mysms



Looks like I can't text to US and Canadian numbers with mysms out.

Anybody ever use BeeTalk? Does anybody know how to figure out your username and password to set it up with Websms? I contacted the company, but they're not responding.

 

[mikedt]

Google Voice works great... if I'm texting to American numbers. But I live in Canada so I will be texting primarily to Canadian numbers. And it can't text to Canadian numbers.

Also, I found my answer for mysms out: What is mysms out? | mysms



Looks like I can't text to US and Canadian numbers with mysms out.

Anybody ever use BeeTalk? Does anybody know how to figure out your username and password to set it up with Websms? I contacted the company, but they're not responding.

Think this is a Chinese app. When did you contact them? Some people have started their holiday already and gone home, if that's the case you might not get a response for a month. If you want to get a fast response from many companies here, now is not the best time.

BTW Happy New Year.