How to Use Your Own Phone With TextNow: A Guide

Did you know that TextNow can be used as your primary phone service? While the app gives you access to a free phone number with free unlimited talk & text, it can also turn into your primary wireless service, giving you access to your number on the go, along with essential apps such as email, finance, maps, and rideshare for free.

In order to turn it into a wireless service, all you need is a compatible phone and a SIM card. A TextNow SIM card, to be exact — either a physical SIM or an eSIM, depending on phone model.

How can I make my phone compatible with TextNow?

There are three steps you should follow to make sure your phone is compatible to be used with TextNow's nationwide 5G service:

1. Check the OS version of the phone.

Since our service is run through the TextNow app, it's important that your phone can actually run the app itself. That is where your phone number and all your calls & texts will live.

• If you have an iPhone, make sure it's running iOS 15 or higher.
• If you have an Android, make sure it's running Android 8 or higher.
  

2. Check the compatibility of your phone.

There are some additional technical checks that we have to do to make sure your phone is compatible, involving network bands and other technical backend jargon. Fortunately, all you have to know is that we have a tool to do that work for you.

Just pop your IMEI number into the device checker (instructions are provided) and it will let you know if you're good to go!

3. Confirm that your phone is carrier-unlocked.

This is the last but most important step. Unfortunately, even if the previous checks are all green, if your phone is locked to a carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Straight Talk, etc.) it will not work with TextNow's nationwide network. Now, if you bought the phone secondhand, or are not sure on whether it's locked or not, you can use this handy guide we put together to find out.

How do I get a TextNow SIM card or eSIM?

Once you confirm that your phone is compatible to be used on our network, you will need a SIM card to access that network. Now, it can't be any SIM card or eSIM, of course, it has to be one that we issue to you.

You can purchase a physical SIM online or through your TextNow app. Shipping is free, and after this one-time charge, you may never have to pay for anything else again. Or, depending on your phone model, you may be able to download a free eSIM for instant connection through the app.

Can I use my own phone number with TextNow?

You absolutely can! You can start the process to port in your number during your initial sign-up on the TextNow app, or after you activate your SIM card — all for free.

You will be asked to fill out a form with the following information:

1. The phone number you're trying to port (transfer) in.
2. The name on the existing account of that phone number.
3. The account number.
4. The account's PIN.

If you're unsure where to get this information, we put together a help guide to porting based on the carrier currently serving your phone number.

And there you have it! All the steps you need to follow to bring your own phone (and number) over to TextNow so you can stop searching for a better — and more affordable — phone service. You've got better things to do with your time and money, like planning your next vacation, saving for a car, padding your savings account — whatever makes the cash you're saving work for you.