I have no network signal, can I text via wifi?

[raphster24]

no network signal, text via wifi?

in my office i have little to no at&t network signal, i do have access to wifi though.
is there an app I can use to send/receive text messages via wifi while keeping my cell #? or maybe a settings change to enable sending/receiving text via wifi?
Here's some additional info:

Network - AT&t
Phone - Samsung S4
OS - 4.4.4
Unlimited text and data plan

 

[cpaight]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

There's plenty of messaging apps that basically work like this (What'sApp, Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, and many others), however the person you're messaging also needs to have the app.

The only thing I've come across that offers true SMS over wifi is Google Voice, but then that requires to you to use a number other than your usual phone number.

 

[raphster24]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

thanks for the reply, I updated my question to include "I'd like to keep my cell #".
whatsapp is great, but not all my contacts use it.
really surprised that there are no apps that would utilize wifi when a network is not available. seems logical.

 

[cpaight]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

If you find it I'd love to know too! Google Voice was integrated in my Sprint phone and was perfect....it used MY real number and seamlessly moved from network to wifi for texting....but once I switched carriers that all went away.

 

[raphster24]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

any suggestions?

 

[dm3ready]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

I can't vouch for this bc I haven't used it but I've seen it mentioned in different articles...it may be worth a try. MySMS app - can also be used on computers and tablets: mysms - SMS texting from phone, computer & tablet

 

[cpaight]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

I've tried it, but the problem is that you still need to have a cell connection...so you can send true sms from a device that normally wouldn't like a tablet or pc, but if you're in a place without a cell connection it's not really useful.

 

[raphster24]

Re: no network signal, text via wifi?

perplexed that this is an issue for android phones as iphone SMS texts can be seen and replied to on a wifi only ipad. Hard to accept that iphones has a better SMS app.