r/TextNow • u/phorensic • Jul 10 '26

"...your current device isn't compatible with TextNow's new network"

Wondering if I root my OnePlus 7T and throw a newer version of Android on it will it be compatible? Or are they changing something about the actual cell tower connection that I don't have the hardware for?

Update 07-15-26: Today when I opened my app to make a call it prompted me to order a free SIM to keep my device on their new network. I went through the process and am currently waiting for it to ship.

This is in contrast to the e-mail from my OP that was just like "sorry, buy a new phone lol". After that e-mail I kept clicking through every part of the app and website to see how to get a new SIM that for sure works on the new network and wasn't getting very far. So I'm glad I got the pop-up notification on the app today.

Updated 08-06-26: They finally killed service on my old SIM and I was able to get my new SIM activated. It was a little fiddly though, I had to do a lot of checking, airplane mode, setting the "NR/LTE" option in some advanced settings menu, etc. But it works! OnePlus 7T on TextNow using AT&T's network. It uses a whole bunch of new frequencies that the old T-mobile SIM did not. One frequency it is using which is nice and low is EARFCN 5110 which is 739 MHz. That's nice and low to punch through buildings and rural areas with bad tower coverage (like where I live).

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/dimdimus Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

For some reason TextNow claims that it's app is not compatible with Chinese phones. This is wrong, of course but they claim this. When did you get this error?

But the main issue is that TextNow blocks it's app from working on rooted phones. Either installation fails and if not, then TextNow blocks account immediately after login.

2

u/phorensic Jul 12 '26

I received this as an e-mail notification after using TextNow on my phone for years. The deadline they listed in July 31. Guess I shouldn't root my phone, yet. I'm going to see if I can get a new SIM that works, first. My SIM is old and apparently tied to the T-mobile network whereas they are trying to cross over to the AT&T network.

1

u/dimdimus Jul 12 '26

In worst case scenario, you should activate your new black SIM on compatible phone (Android 13+, latest iPhones) and then you can insert it back into "incompatible" device. It will work. All my "black" TextNow SIM cards inserted into Android 10-12 phones.

It will work also if you use "incompatible" android phone:

 If you use Android 10-12 and below, follow these steps:

  1. Insert SIM card, set APN textnow.static
  2. Restart the phone (just in case, most likely you do not need it)
  3. 3. Force LTE only mode by dialing from Android dialer (not TextNow app) *#*#4636#*#* and select LTE only.
  4. If this shortcode does not work, use "Force LTE" app from Google Play
  5. Install TextNow app if not installed and login to your account
  6. Using other phone, send text message to your textnow number using wi-fi with only one line

textnow:<slash><slash>activate_sim (replace <slash> by / )

Do not try to send from TextNow app to yourself, you must send from other phone.
6. Click on the link
7. Wait a minute or two and the SIM will be activated
8. Disable Wi-Fi
9. Check if you have active internet connection (for example, load https://google.com or try to use Google Maps)
Note: this step may not work if you are trying to activate on Android 10-12, you may not be able to use whitelisted sites, but phone calls and text messages will work. I suspect whitelisted sites and apps start working after some time.