Unread text cost anything?

[Checkka]

If you don't buy a text plan from VZW and pay per text message (to the tune of 20cents per text), do you get charged for received texts?

I'm considering transferring a number when I get a plan, but this number occasionally gets SPAM texts.

 

[Kelmar]

Yes, you get charge for RECEIVED texts, regardless of if you read them or not.

 

[Checkka]

Ah but if I use texting on Google Voice, I will not be charged any texting fees?

 

[Kelmar]

I don't use GV for texting so I can't tell you for sure.

I'm sure someone else knows the correct answer to that question though!

 

[Hrethgir]

Ah but if I use texting on Google Voice, I will not be charged any texting fees?

This should be correct. I did a bunch of texting yesterday with GV, and if I go to My Verizon, none of them show as texts used. GV uses the regular data like the internet to do texts, so kind of goes around the regular texting. I tried using GV on my iPhone, and it worked OK, except that every time I received a GV text, it would send me a regular text telling me I had a GV text! But that isn't happening on my DX, probably because the GV app on my iPhone wasn't official. But whatever, it's free texts on an Android device as far as I can tell.

 

[Vmanisme]

GV uses strictly data connection for texting so you will not be charged, but there is an option to send you text notifications to your number, those you will be charged for so make sure to turn that off (it comes turned off stock, so shouldn't be an issue unless you mess with options)

 

[UncleMike]

Ah but if I use texting on Google Voice, I will not be charged any texting fees?

This is correct for messages sent using GV, or sent to your GV number, as long as you configure Google Voice to NOT forward SMS to your phone, as indicated above. But regardless of whether or not you port your number, SMS sent directly to your mobile number (not Google Voice) will result in charges to your account. If you plan on using Google Voice exclusively, I would recommend having Verizon block messaging. But keep in mind that at this time, Google Voice does not support MMS.