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wifi, only wifi

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Kathleenmlk

Member
Did somebody say that it's possible to use a phone with wifi only? I know someone who's poor enough that might make sense. If you're just checking mail and doing occasional Web surfing, I guess that would work.
 
Using that phone just on WiFi for things like email, web browsing, and other apps will work without issues, there's not really any difference as far as online connectivity with WiFi or with cellular. The one issue to keep in mind is with WiFi the coverage range is quite limited compared to cellular -- it shouldn't be an issue if they stay at home but when traveling elsewhere it's always going to be a matter of finding viable, public WiFi networks to connect to.

Also since budget is a factor, even if your friend doesn't have an account with a cellular service, they can still use their WiFi-only phone to make phone calls if they use Google Voice. It's free so they can obtain and use their own unique phone number without fees involved. It also has a lot of features (voicemail, number blocking, etc.) that are all manageable via a web interface. Using the Google Hangouts app (with Hangouts Dialer app) they can make and receive phone calls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Voice
 
Would the camera still work without wifi? This is someone who has no wifi and would have to find a place to use it. What can a phone do without an Internet connection, anyway?
 
It would still be possible to use wifi later for backup, though? What else can a phone do without Internet service? Does any of this tie in with net neutrality somehow? I've been seeing a lot about that lately.
 
Kathleenmlk said:
It would still be possible to use wifi later for backup, though? What else can a phone do without Internet service? Does any of this tie in with net neutrality somehow? I've been seeing a lot about that lately.
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You would certainly be able to anything short of making phone calls once connected to WiFi. I do this with all of my retired phones. I use one for navigation (so I don't accidentally use data) and it resyncs maps when I'm home on WiFi.
 
And without an internet connection you can still take pictures and videos, listen to music (stored on device rather than streamed), watch movies or TV shows if you've downloaded them earlier, do navigation as long as you have an offline navigation app or have downloaded maps in advance, play games that don't require a live internet connection, update your calendar (but not sync), read ebooks, etc.
 
That sounds pretty good. I think there's something called Tapatalk or Talkatone that makes it possible to call for free also. Would you know anything about that? Is it a free app? Is there any spyware involved, or other bad things?
 
Kathleenmlk said:
That sounds pretty good. I think there's something called Tapatalk or Talkatone that makes it possible to call for free also. Would you know anything about that? Is it a free app? Is there any spyware involved, or other bad things?
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Tapatalk is an app to participate in online forums, not to make calls or texts. Talkatone is the kind of thing you're looking for. I can't say if it's good or not, or if it even works, but there has to be some merit to it given the number of installs and ratings. Be advised it does contain ads and allows you to make purchases, so you have to watch what you click on. I doubt it's malicious, though.
 
Question for discussion: Are there some phones, or branded phones (like Verizon) that won't work on wifi unless you buy phone service at least one time? The reason I ask is that many prepaid full size smartphones (like tracfone) are cheap (less than $20 new from Kroger supermarket) and the back of the phone package says something like that you agree to buy the phone service or don't buy the phone. Then, to me it seems reasonable that some companies would purposely block the wifi if you don't buy the phone service at least one time. I bought a lg tracfone from Walmart several years ago for less than $10 (included 4GB micro sd card). I never bought phone service; I just use the wifi, free google calls, mp3 player, video player, camera, etc. How did this make money for tracfone? From a business viewpoint, why don't all companies block the wifi unless you buy the phone service at least one time?
 
jimdays said:
Question for discussion: Are there some phones, or branded phones (like Verizon) that won't work on wifi unless you buy phone service at least one time? The reason I ask is that many prepaid full size smartphones (like tracfone) are cheap (less than $20 new from Kroger supermarket) and the back of the phone package says something like that you agree to buy the phone service or don't buy the phone. Then, to me it seems reasonable that some companies would purposely block the wifi if you don't buy the phone service at least one time. I bought a lg tracfone from Walmart several years ago for less than $10 (included 4GB micro sd card). I never bought phone service; I just use the wifi, free google calls, mp3 player, video player, camera, etc. How did this make money for tracfone? From a business viewpoint, why don't all companies block the wifi unless you buy the phone service at least one time?
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It's been reported on AF a few times that some Sprint phones are apparently locked to a proxy. Basically meaning they can't get any Internet service unless they have an active Sprint account and service, even on WiFi. So effectively the WiFi is blocked. I believe it's called MSL(Master Subsidy Lock). It is only for Sprint phones that I've seen this reported on AF.
 
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