# How can i text from Canada to someone in the usa without a cell phone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126 "2013-10-24T16:44:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pauly01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/1 "2013-10-24T16:44:42Z")
Currently in canada. I only have a landline phone so i can call only in canada. My friend lives in the usa. He has his phone with him all day. Problem is he doesn’t sign on aim or skype during the day so i cant contact him using those programs… im signed onto these programs mostly on my computer. He does use a program called wechat that he is signed on all day… problem for me is i downloaded this on my computer but i cannot open an acct b/c it requires a phone number to receive a text message. I have landline and that is something i cannot do. Of course if i can talk to him on wechat, that would be good. I thought about using google voice number but that is just for calling. I Just want to text and receive text and i think google voice cannot do this? I also read there are free text programs out there. The only type of mobile device i have is an itouch which only has wifi. Can i use my itouch to text my friend to his cell phone in the usa with some program? If so, would it cost him any money to receive a text message from me since im in canada and he is in the us? He uses sprint and has unlimited everything… problem is its only us unlimited of course. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![AHarris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@AHarris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHarris)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/2 "2013-10-24T17:03:34Z")
Is there a reason that you can’t call him? You should be able to call USA numbers from Canada just fine. All that you need to do is dial 1 before the recipient’s 10-digit number (same as a long distance call in the USA). It will be a long distance call though (and those charges will apply). ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/3 "2013-10-24T17:32:54Z")
Most telephone providers support email-to-SMS gateways, where you send an email to a particular address, and it gets packaged as an SMS and sent to a phone. [Here’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SMS_gateways) a list. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/4 "2013-10-24T17:44:53Z")
> [@Pauly01](#): > > The only type of mobile device i have is an itouch which only has wifi. Can i use my itouch to text my friend to his cell phone in the usa with some program? My kids use Wifi on their iPods to send text messages to my phone, so there should be a way to do this. Being a dinosaur, I have no idea how though. ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/5 "2013-10-24T17:48:07Z")
Sign up for Google Voice. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/6 "2013-10-24T18:00:09Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > My kids use Wifi on their iPods to send text messages to my phone, so there should be a way to do this. Being a dinosaur, I have no idea how though. That implementation Apple-specific: Messages or iMessage. You can originate a text message from an iMessage client to an SMS address, so that would work, but that presumes you’re using an Apple portable product or PC on your end. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/7 "2013-10-24T18:06:26Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > Sign up for Google Voice. I know from reading another thread that he does have Google Voice. And you can use GV to send and receive texts. > **[Send & get text messages - Computer - Google Voice Help](https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115116?hl=en&visit_id=638762186932408454-2526041778&rd=1)** > > View the same content in français  ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/8 "2013-10-24T18:10:33Z")
TextPlus works for me! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/9 "2013-10-24T18:14:07Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > That implementation Apple-specific: Messages or iMessage. You can originate a text message from an iMessage client to an SMS address, so that would work, but that presumes you’re using an Apple portable product or PC on your end. No, I’m using a Blackberry. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/10 "2013-10-24T18:22:33Z")
Yes, you can text with Google Voice, I do it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/11 "2013-10-24T18:22:38Z")
Sounds like he has a smart phone. Just email him. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/12 "2013-10-25T00:58:35Z")
> [@Pauly01](#): > > Currently in canada. I only have a landline phone so i can call only in canada . . . I’m not seeing the problem here. You can’t make international calls on a landline in Canada? I find that hard to believe. Am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/13 "2013-10-25T03:03:55Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > I’m not seeing the problem here. You can’t make international calls on a landline in Canada? I find that hard to believe. Am I missing something? I suspect it’s “. . . without Mom and Dad finding out.” ---
**Author:** ![Pauly01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/14 "2013-10-25T03:22:26Z")
I only have unlimited canadian phone calls here in canada. I rented a furnished apartment here in canada. If i call the usa… i use my google voice number and call from my laptop. Can someone tell me how i can text with google voice from my laptop? ---
**Author:** ![Pauly01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/15 "2013-10-25T03:35:50Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Yes, you can text with Google Voice, I do it all the time. Are you doing it with your phone or on your computer? Can you do this on your phone? I have an itouch. Can i text with google voice on itouch and make phone call with it? I only used google voice on itouch. ---
**Author:** ![Pauly01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/16 "2013-10-25T04:02:24Z")
Also i downloaded textplus on my itouch. Is it free for my friend who receives those texts even though im in canada? He has unlimited everything with his sprint plan in the usa. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/17 "2013-10-25T04:08:29Z")
> [@Pauly01](#): > > Can someone tell me how i can text with google voice from my laptop? Would you also like someone to tell you how to use capital letters, apostrophes, and other grown-up things? ---
**Author:** ![listedmia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@listedmia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/listedmia)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/18 "2013-10-25T08:22:24Z")
I use gmail chat for this sometimes. Just enter the person’s number instead of their email address in the chat box. (On my setup, it’s on the lower left of the screen) Apparently it doesn’t work for all providers, though. And they will get charged for receiving your texts. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/19 "2013-10-25T08:31:27Z")
> [@Pauly01](#): > > … Problem is he doesn’t sign on aim or skype during the day so i cant contact him using those programs… im signed onto these programs mostly on my computer. …I thought about using google voice number but that is just for calling. I Just want to text and receive text and i think google voice cannot do this? 😕 What am i missing? You clearly have access to Skype. Why don’t you just send him an SMS via Skype? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126/20 "2013-10-25T11:06:42Z")
Yes, it’s free to him. And you. That’s the beauty of it! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-text-from-canada-to-someone-in-the-usa-without-a-cell-phone/672126.md?page=2)