Text messages on Nexus 7 Wi-Fi?

UncleLes

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2013
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Is there a way to send and receive text messages using my N7 WiFi without having to pay for each text?

I have an old feature phone with no text plan. I'm not really in need of a smartphone, nor do I send a lot of texts so I don't really need to add unlimited texting to my cell plan, but it irks me to have to pay for each one I send or receive. I've searched, but haven't found an answer to this question.

If it can be done, how would I set it up?
Even If it can't be done without a charge to my cell phone, could I just set up the N7 to be used to send and receive texts ?

They say there is no such thing as a stupid question. I hope I haven't proven them wrong!
 
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Re: Text messages on N7 Wi-Fi?

Since SMS requires a cell signal, you can't do it directly with a wi-fi only Nexus 7. You could install Google Voice, but the phone number it's linked to would need a texting plan (see this support page) and the N7 would need to have a wi-fi connection in order to use it. Do you have a landline? Check with them--a lot of landline services now come with free texting (like my Comcast voice service), and you could link Google Voice to that number.

Other apps like WhatsApp require both parties to download the app, so that's not as clean a solution for you.

EDIT: I spoke too soon--I don't think Google Voice can be installed on the Nexus 7. I'll have to look into this a little more. Sorry for the bad info!
 
Re: Text messages on N7 Wi-Fi?

I have Google voice downloaded on my Nexus 7. You need it connected to your voice plan to work. I use mighty text (application in play store) To text on the nexus 7. Works great.
 
Re: Text messages on N7 Wi-Fi?

Ok, thanks. I see it now when I select Google Voice on the Google Play website. It was odd, earlier this evening when I checked, only my Nexus 5 showed up as being a device to install to, but now I see all of my devices including the Nexus 7.
 
Re: Text messages on N7 Wi-Fi?

Thanks BDiddy. I know about Google Voice, but that link says text messages will be sent thru my data plan, which I don't have. All I have is a voice plan. And even if my Comcast landline phone would let me text andn use Google Voice, it's my cell phone that most people automatically text to....

[/I]
I have Google voice downloaded on my Nexus 7. You need it connected to your voice plan to work. I use mighty text (application in play store) To text on the nexus 7. Works great.

Mighty Text requires that I download the app to both my tablet and Android phone. I only have a dumbphone.

It's not that i'm cheap....well maybe I am....but it aggravates me to have to pay extra for each text message I send or receive and I don't want to add the cost of a text plan to my cell phone plan. A FREE alternative which would utilize my N7 would be great if such a thing exists. Or least a way to use my tablet for sending and receiving texts.
 
Re: Text messages on N7 Wi-Fi?

I use Talkatone with my google voice number. Free texting. However, Talkatone sez they will be discontinuing service with google voice. I haven't looked into it further but now I will as it will end soon. Will keep you posted. For now, I can text over wifi to any cell phone.
 
Not only does Mighty Text allow you to text (send & receive) you can use their website on you desktop/laptop and/or use the Chrome extension to use it within Gmail on the Chrome browser.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 
How to Send Text Messages (SMS) Via Email for Free

This may not be news for a lot of people, but I just discovered that you can send text messages via email to most major cellular providers. This tip is stellar in that it is part stupid frugal trick (save money on texting from your cell phone by emailing for free), part productivity (you can probably type faster from a normal QWERTY keyboard than a phone), and part tech geek. You get the three-fer on this one! Here’s how to do it.

How to Send a Text Message (SMS) Via Email:
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