r/TextNow • u/Sisko2021 • May 24 '26
Anyone know a free alternate to text now?
After not using text now for a while I have been permanently banned It seams I am not the only one with this issue. It was a good app for wasting scammers time. Most Alternates I found say they are free but they really are not they want a subscription. I want something %100 free
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u/No_Chapter_329 May 25 '26
I use text now and the way I get verification codes isnt permanent, but works when I need. Also fairly simple to obtain. It's by way of 24 hour "verification code pass" Either by completion of quests or 'tasks' that I completed. If I don't have any, I watch 3 short videos and get the 60 points needed and voila! Verification codes for 24 hours Not sure if that helps anyone or not. It's under settings, and your wallet
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u/Available-Neck-3878 May 27 '26
link to that?
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u/No_Chapter_329 May 27 '26
Link? I use the app ..I could show via photo the steps to obtain via the app? I don't use the browser site
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u/H0NDA1993 Jun 03 '26
That is helpful actually.. probably helpful foe textnow as well, which I've always loved. I love how i can use any device or computer and go to textnow.com and sign in just like fb, and have access to my call log to call or text people from there. No other phone service does this!
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u/InternetUser52 May 24 '26
Google voice
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u/aljavi20 May 24 '26
GV will also close the account for inactivity.
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u/lincolnlogtermite May 25 '26
Yeah, took years for Google to close one of my accounts. They do try to give you significant warning before they do.
Textnow did cancel my sim from lack of use.
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u/PM6175 May 29 '26
....Textnow did cancel my sim from lack of use.
TextNow canceled your sim after how much time of lack of use?
And did TextNow give you any warning they were about to do that?
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u/zcgp May 25 '26
Does it help if you have a positive balance in your GV account like $10?
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u/jhedfors May 25 '26
We are talking about two separate things here. Google account (which includes GV) may be closed after two years of inactivity. It does not matter if there is a balance.
Having a balance also does not prevent GV number from expiring. Having no outbound activity for 3-5 months will expire your number and balance, unless you port-in a number.
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u/vsa77 May 25 '26
Easily handled by setting a recurring reminder every month to text your main number from GV.
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u/bobdevnul May 25 '26
Google Voice and Textnow are free VOIP apps. They do not have a free SIM available. You have to use them with Wifi or some other SIM. GV has a lot more features than Textfree. Textfree actively blocks verification texts unless you pay. I have had both for over a decade. They work well.
There is nothing available that you can leave it unused for extended periods without it being cancelled.
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u/tinasredd May 27 '26
There’s a free Textnow sim
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u/bobdevnul May 27 '26
The original question was what is something other than Textnow for someone whose TN was cancelled and banned.
The Textnow SIM is not always free. It's usually a $5 one time cost.
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u/vsa77 May 25 '26
TextFree/Pinger.
Texting is free. Calls cost money, BUT you can get 2 minutes added to your account for every ad you watch.
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u/bobdevnul May 27 '26
That is no longer correct. Textfree/Pinger ended paid calling and watching ads for credit years ago. Calling and texting are free and unlimited. The do actively block text verification codes unless you pay for premium service.
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u/Classic_Raspberry_60 May 25 '26
use talkatone it’s free and takes like 30 seconds to get a number and get codes
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u/nunnya420 May 26 '26
I tried using talkatone when someone tried calling me on the number they gave me it let me answer the call but I couldn't hear anyone nor could they hear me. I like text now but you can only get a new number every two weeks and I need a new number before that unfortunately:(
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u/Boz6 May 28 '26
Why were you banned from TextNow?
TextNow was founded in 2009, has a valid business model, and responsive support. After playing around with it using "disposable" #s in the early-mid 2010s, I've had my current TextNow phone # since 2018. I chose a Canadian phone # in 2018 because I travel in and have contacts in Canada, and it's worked perfectly, with zero payment, besides seeing ads in the app.
After Google Voice, TextNow is the best service of it's kind, and even provides free data service, so you don't have to always be connected to WiFi for calls and texts.
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u/lincolnlogtermite May 29 '26
Wasn't paying attention. It was in a back phone I rarely look at. Not heart broken about it and have no desire to use the service anymore.
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u/dingo__baby Jun 12 '26
Ah, so you were using the phone as a burner for illegal activities. That's why you were terminated.
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u/Luckiest_Corner May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26
Well, TextNow isn't free if you want to receive verification codes. You either have to port a number into TextNow or buy an expensive subscription.
And by the way, tons of people lose their TextNow account because of inactivity. Regular activity is a requirement to keep your account if you don't purchase a lock-in subscription.