Tips & Tricks
07.17.24
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DISCLAIMER: The prices you see on this or any other blog article are subject to change. Please check the TextNow app for the most recent pricing.
TextNow Basics
TextNow is the only free phone service provider with unlimited talk & text and essential data on the nation's largest 5G network. All in one convenient app.
You can download the app for your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. The app can work over your WiFi connection, or over your device's data plan. If you don't have your own data plan, and want to have access to your calls, texts, and some essential apps without WiFi, you can purchase a TextNow SIM card to access our 5G network! The one-time purchase will allow you to use the app, as well as email, maps, and rideshare apps for free, without ever having to pay for a data plan. But we'll get more into that later.
If you're more of a stationary person as opposed to mobile, you can also use TextNow right through your desktop's browser. Both the app and the browser are supported by ads, which means it costs you nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Goose egg. Free calling and texting to any number in the US or Canada for the very affordable cost of zero dollars. Cost: $0
And if you want to talk to people outside of the US or Canada, you can do that for a reasonable price too (some countries, like Mexico, will cost you nothing!)
TextNow Extras
If you want something a little spicier to go with your vanilla TextNow, we have a couple of ways to supercharge your experience with flexible add-ons.
Premium numbers: When you sign up for TextNow, you can either pick a number from our regular pool of numbers or pick from one of the Premium numbers. Premium numbers are "easy to remember" numbers like say 555-555-1001 or 555-555-1234. Buying a premium number subscription will lock the number to your account for as long as you have the subscription active. Cost: $4.99/year (US)
Lock-In Number: Even if you don't have a Premium Number, you can still buy our Locked-In number add-on, which will keep your number locked to your account for as long as your locked-in subscription is active. Also locking in your number allows you to receive verification codes from other services. Cost: $4.99/month
Ad-Free+: For those who never want to see an ad (plus other perks, such as a locked in number and call forwarding) there's Ad-Free+ which removes all the ads from TextNow – including banner and in-line ads. Cost: $6.99/week
Use TextNow Without WiFi
OK, but what if you're tired of the tyranny of WiFi and want to use TextNow everywhere you go with your phone's data connection? We've got you covered there, too!
TextNow wireless service: TextNow wireless service runs on the nation's largest 5G network. An offering you won't find from big wireless, with TextNow you can talk and text as much as you want, without WiFi, for free, plus access your email, maps, and rideshare apps. Again, for free. All you have to do is use TextNow and combine it with a one-time purchase of a TextNow SIM card. No monthly payment, no contracts – just free phone service. Cost: $4.99
And of course, you can still choose to upgrade any time with any of the extras or add-ons above, as you wish.
Get High-speed Data
And finally, if you need to add data to your TextNow plan for access to more apps (for streaming or browsing), you can! We have three flexible options available to fit your needs:
Hour Pass: Need to be fully online while you're out running an errand? Or perhaps you have a teen whose online access you'd like to limit, the Hour Pass is just the thing you need. It gives you full access to data for 60 minutes, which you can either renew, or let expire and move back to our Free Essential Data plan (where you'll still have access to your phone number and essential apps.)
Cost: $0.99
Day Pass: Similar to the Hour Pass, the Day Pass gives you full access to data for 24 hours, perfect for days when you're planning on being out and about, or again, for controlling online access for your kids.
Cost: $4.99
Month Pass: This option would be the most comparable to a regular monthly plan you'd expect from your mobile carrier. Get full access to data for a month (30 days). This option does auto renew for your convenience, but is also easily manageable through the app. Cancel anytime without having to contact someone, or pay any extra fees.
Cost: $39.99
Whew! That's a lot of options. We’ve published answers to commonly asked questions about TextNow if you’re looking to learn more, and if you’re ready to take the app for a test drive, download it today!
