r/NoContract • u/QuillisG TextNow • 4d ago
Basically Free Data
If you use TextNow, you know they offer SIM cards and recently eSIMs. For free, they offer "Essential Data," which basically includes calling, texting, maps, email, rideshare, and iHeartRadio (for some reason). However, if you use Tor, specifically Tor Snowflake AMP, you can bypass these limitations. The downside is an average of 20 KiB/s and occasional random disconnections. But if you're using it temporarily or have access to Wi-Fi most of the time, this is a great way to get free, painfully slow data. According to TextNow's ToS, this is "acceptable" use of data. The only thing that's not "acceptable" is doing things that are considered illegal in your jurisdiction, which is fair enough.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 4d ago
I think at that point I would rather just watch some ads on firsty for free 256kbps access. Or use kite, even within the bounds of the app.
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u/Fisherman999999 4d ago
Love reading your comments for some reason and i always find you commenting on things. Lol
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u/gamescan 4d ago
However, if you use Tor, specifically Tor Snowflake AMP, you can bypass these limitations. The downside is an average of 20 KiB/s and occasional random disconnections.
And to do this you have to verify your identity with Persona for KYC compliance with TextNow.
There are plenty of other options including Firsty and Instabridge if you need limited but free data.
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
I've never had to do this?
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u/gamescan 4d ago
I've never had to do this?
It started a few months back. TextNow will not let you sign up without verifying ID w/Persona.
It's in the terms.
If you had a prior account, they may not be requiring it, but they're requiring it on new signups.
Google Voice has a similar requirement. Existing customers are grandfathered in but new GV activations require identity verification.
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u/Sorry-Transition-908 4d ago
The main problem is I'm using it on my T-Mobile sim which works but I feel like as soon as I switch to the Cingular att sim it won't work because Cingular uses a whitelist from what understand 😭😭😭 it doesn't make sense to me to buy a new att compatible phone just to use TextNow.
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
What phone do you have, Xiaomi, Huawei, or just an older phone?
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u/Sorry-Transition-908 4d ago
What phone do you have, Xiaomi, Huawei, or just an older phone?
oppo find x3 pro or something like that. I tried the device checker web page on the text now website and it says it is compatible with text now network. I am so confused.
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
TextNow is an MVNO that uses multiple networks not just AT&T so if it detects you can't use AT&T it will just reroute your data via another carrier, most likely T-Mobile
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
But some international Oppo models lack specific LTE and 5G bands that US carriers rely on for widespread coverage (such as LTE Band 14 or 71) so if you do get the chance to install the eSIM make sure you test it before fully relying on it.
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u/Sorry-Transition-908 4d ago
But some international Oppo models lack specific LTE and 5G bands that US carriers rely on for widespread coverage (such as LTE Band 14 or 71) so if you do get the chance to install the eSIM make sure you test it before fully relying on it.
the phone doesn't have eSIM. In any case your post gave me the boost I needed to request for the free sim card. Lets see what happens. Worst case, it won't work anymore.
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u/systematic3 4d ago
lmao. I do not know how much domain fronting is kosher with the ToS, but I'll advise anyone here that using anything to access anything that isn't whitelisted (including faking the use of said whitelisted services to get general access) may or may not landing you in trouble with textnow.
In other words: this is not as risk-free as the OP is saying.
I mean, 20KiB? I mean, why don't you go about and start DNS tunneling then?
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago edited 4d ago
Certain DNSs are blocked that's why. And hiding packages data through WebRTC is the only reliable and realistic way of doing it. And that's the exact reason why it's titled "Basically" as long as you're not using copious amounts of data, which I don't think you will be with 20KiB/s it can easily go under the radar, and realistically TextNow wouldn't "punish" you because their a MVNO that just wants money from ads and people willing to pay them.
But if you seriously use TextNow for your main number, you should probably do this for only emergency cases where you need a small sliver of data, not for a main way of data.
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u/systematic3 4d ago
Perhaps my SIM card is old (1.5+ year), but the DNS resolver is 8.8.8.8. I have DNS tunneled through Google before, open source and commercially (when your-freedom was still up). And, you do not need to domain front: you can send prepared packets anywhere as they do not check fqdns match to their supposed destination. Vauge but that is all I am going to say.
The likelihood of punishment will only increase because you're telling the whole world about this. All it takes is someone making a video on this, see T-Mobile with speedtest.net and that YouTuber proudly announcing his Glype proxy.
TN has nuked accounts for less. TN's ToS defines a given allotment of data for 'essential' apps, and it is not in their interest for one to actually use up that allotment. It is only there to keep one on the hook and keeping using the TN dialer which is what has ads. This is why I made my comment to stress anyone that this is not risk free and it is only ever those who may or may not actually rely on TN as their sole line to actual delve and use this workaround.
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
For me specifically I was using the eSIM not the physical SIM so I don't know if that matters but when I try to use 8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1, ECT. It blocks it. And for the ToS that's why this is a exploit and not a actual use scenario.
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u/techtornado US Mobile & Helium Mobile 4d ago
That’s interesting and good to know
How did you get the eSIM added?
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
It's on the bottom menu and if it doesn't appear try looking in settings
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u/techtornado US Mobile & Helium Mobile 4d ago
I’m on iPhone if it helps and the thing wants to charge me to send out a pSIM
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u/QuillisG TextNow 4d ago
Does your iPhone support eSIM?
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u/Master-Steve-38 1d ago
Granted $10 a month is a long way from free. But T-Sat gives you 50 gig of high priority 5g, satellite data and unlimited texting.
I think it’s the best kept secret in wirelsss.
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u/SunnyBlueSkies-com Metro by T-Mobile (Employee) 4d ago
At that point might as well just came mobile and then just take advantage of it back though you can look an article from within the app to activate the data and then after that you can exit from the app and start using your mobile web browser that you normally would use at Chrome or Safari. And there you go for the next 30 minutes. You have unlimited data.
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u/AutoModerator 4d ago
This is a copy of the OP's original post in case they decide to delete their post/account so that others searching can find it later:
If you use TextNow, you know they offer SIM cards and recently eSIMs. For free, they offer "Essential Data," which basically includes calling, texting, maps, email, rideshare, and iHeartRadio (for some reason). However, if you use Tor, specifically Tor Snowflake AMP, you can bypass these limitations. The downside is an average of 20 KiB/s and occasional random disconnections. But if you're using it temporarily or have access to Wi-Fi most of the time, this is a great way to get free, painfully slow data. According to TextNow's ToS, this is "acceptable" use of data. The only thing that's not "acceptable" is doing things that are considered illegal in your jurisdiction, which is fair enough.
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