# Desperate text message help; have Internet but minimal cell service. Need answer fast. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 22, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569 "2017-10-22T18:06:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/21 "2017-10-23T17:12:50Z")
I often find myself working in SCIFs (that’s Secured Classified Information Facility, for the uninitiated). No phones allowed. Unfortunately, my other self teaches in the evenings and I have a gaggle of students who live and breathe by text. I’m not sure about T-Mobile, but with Verizon Wireless, I’m able to text via web interface by logging into my account through the unclassified system on my desk (personal email is blocked, but text seems to have snuck in under the wire). Works pretty well, in my experience. That’s the only nice thing I’ll ever say about Verizon. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/22 "2017-10-24T16:10:39Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > MySMS lets you send and receive texts from your web browser. It’s a browser extension for Chrome and you can set it up so if she texts your cell phone number, it will show up on your computer. The only drawback is that you’ll need to keep your computer on (and not let it sleep). > > [Here’s a link.](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search/mysms?hl=en) See if that’s workable for you. This uses an app on your phone that communicates your text messages back and forth over the Internet. If you do not have good cell coverage (as stated in the OP) it will not help. (I use MightyText which is basically the same thing.) > [@hajario](#): > > I agree that Whatsapp is a very good solution. It’s easy to install and works just like regular texting. Both users have to use Whatsapp. So it won’t work for Mrs. Devil who does not have a data plan, and as stated in the OP this is not the time for her to deal with a new app. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/23 "2017-10-24T23:33:41Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > This uses an app on your phone that communicates your text messages back and forth over the Internet. If you do not have good cell coverage (as stated in the OP) it will not help. (I use MightyText which is basically the same thing.) > > Both users have to use Whatsapp. So it won’t work for Mrs. Devil who does not have a data plan, and as stated in the OP this is not the time for her to deal with a new app. But it works over WiFi which she will have where she is. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/24 "2017-10-25T13:34:56Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > But it works over WiFi which she will have where she is. Please read the OP. > [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > I think she can technically connect to the Internet on her phone via wifi, but she’s never done that before and now is not the time to tell her to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/25 "2017-10-25T14:10:37Z")
Maybe this app?: > > > The texting and call app... > [@](#): > > Text Free: WiFi Calling App > > , > > Textfree is the free calling and free SMS app that gives you a real US phone number so you can send text anyone, even if they don’t have the app. Keep in touch with features such as free SMS messaging, group messaging, free MMS picture messaging, international texting & calling, voicemail and more—all for free. > > CUSTOM NUMBER SELECTOR – Choose your area code and search memorable numbers like, “(555) 414-SARA,” simple sequences like “(555) 500-2525,” or combinations that are, “JUST4U.” > > UNLIMITED TEXTS & PICTURES - Send unlimited SMS and MMS picture messages for free. Not sure how much purchase price of the app is, though. But free texts through wi-fi and your wife doesn’t need to download anything, just you. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/26 "2017-10-25T14:24:03Z")
It’s free. There are in-app purchases like custom phone numbers. But really, you should read the OP. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/27 "2017-10-25T14:36:24Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > But really, you should read the OP. Why don’t you just tell me what I missed? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/28 "2017-10-25T15:52:34Z")
It’s right after the bit quoted by **CookingWithGas**. > [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > She is not in a position to install any new apps. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/29 "2017-10-25T15:57:05Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It’s right after the bit quoted by **CookingWithGas**. > > > [@](#): > > > > She is not in a position to install any new apps. I wrote this in my post: \* “and your wife doesn’t need to download anything, just you.”\* Which I got from the description which I quoted in post 25: > [@](#): > > so you can send text anyone, even if they don’t have the app. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569/30 "2017-10-25T16:04:42Z")
Perhaps _I_ really needed to read your post. _Mea culpa_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-text-message-help-have-internet-but-minimal-cell-service-need-answer-fast/799569.md?page=1)