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Third Party Free SMS Apps?

are there any third party free sms apps?
i know google blocks free sms apps from the market
anyone know if any exist?

Wait, what? Google doesn't block free SMS apps at all. You must be thinking of Apple or something.
Look at ChompSMS (my personal favorite) or HandCentSMS

I don't think its possible. To use SMS you either need a data connection or an actual SMS plan. If you don't have either. How are you going to get the SMS out? If its only on WiFi, you can use meebo or aim and just text their cell number. But its not possible to get SMS for free using cellular signal.

h.nocturna said:
I don't think its possible. To use SMS you either need a data connection or an actual SMS plan. If you don't have either. How are you going to get the SMS out? If its only on WiFi, you can use meebo or aim and just text their cell number. But its not possible to get SMS for free using cellular signal.
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some networks/contracts have unlimited data plans but limit the calls/texts that you can use, im guessing he is after an app which will automatically use a site which provides free texts.
then again, if he wants that there is the option of going to the site through the browser

just get google voice and call it a day give your GV num to people and have them use that as your primary num.
GV app has txt msg in there and its all over data. so technically free (as long as you have an unlimited plan.

Texting that uses the data plan?

Is there an texting app that uses the data plan instead of text plan? I currently only have 200 txts per month and don't want to go over it. I believe iPhone has that type of app and hopefully Android would have one too.

i believe google voice does this

systoxity said:
i believe google voice does this
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Can confirm from personal experience -- just make sure you turn off SMS alerts in GV settings. In other words, the app on your phone checks for SMS but GV doesn't send a real SMS to your phone.

I don't know if this is still true, but almost every carrier allows txtx from emails.
Example everyone on att has an email address that it [email protected]
If you email them at this address (it will use your data plan), and they will receive it as a txt.
Not sure if ATT changed this you might want to verify that this will go over data.

Bjd223 said:
I don't know if this is still true, but almost every carrier allows txtx from emails.
Example everyone on att has an email address that it [email protected]
If you email them at this address (it will use your data plan), and they will receive it as a txt.
Not sure if ATT changed this you might want to verify that this will go over data.
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Click to collapse
That does work, but if that person receives your txt and replies back, I think it comes back to your phone as a SMS. So you still use one SMS.
Try Google Voice. You can send SMS from it and when they reply back it goes to your Google Voice number in lieu of your real cell phone number. That way it comes in to the Google Voice app. But just as someone else recommended, make sure you turn off SMS notifications, otherwise every time you get a voicemail or txt message google will send you an SMS message to notify you.

or use google talk, its quicker, and they have a BB/Android/iOS client... AND its already installed on your phone.

I just tried TALK last night, and I have Google Voice. I can get messages, but and reply to them.
But I can't figure out how to send a text to someone in my address book whom I have not received a text from yet. The only people who show up in the contacts list for TALK are people who have Google IM set up in email, and that is very few.
Any tips?

ewingr said:
I just tried TALK last night, and I have Google Voice. I can get messages, but and reply to them.
But I can't figure out how to send a text to someone in my address book whom I have not received a text from yet. The only people who show up in the contacts list for TALK are people who have Google IM set up in email, and that is very few.
Any tips?
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When I go into my regular contact list and tap Send Message I get the option to choose Messaging, Handcent or Google Voice to send the message with. What happens if you just tap send message on a contact?
Edit: Oh you said Google Talk. I didn't know you could send text messages using talk. Nevermind then! But you can use Google Voice. Additionally you can set Google Voice notification to e-mail instead of SMS so you'll be e-mailed when you get a new SMS.

That is interesting. It does NOT come up and ask me how to send it. It just tries to send it.
Now, here is something maybe: I did not ever see any insructions that I need to install Google Voice on my phone. I just now went to the market and searched for it, and am installing right now. (Google seems to me to be horrible about providing documentation/instructions).
....
Ok, it is installed. I just went to contacts, selected send message, and it is the same.
Another thing...I have seen demos that if you swipe a contact to the left it goes into message, and to the right it calls. It calls no matter how I swipe.
Another note: I do not have SMS messaging with AT&T, and in fact I have it turned off, because I don't want people sending me SMS that I get billed for. I wonder if that could have anything to do with this.
By the way, I had been told I needed Google Talk to get the TEXTs that others send me. But...that was when I was on a WinMo phone. Maybe I don't need Google Talk. Maybe I just need to figure out how to get Google Voice working on this phone. Alathough I will say that the text message I did get from a friend I'm trying to test with came in via Google Talk.

Got it working. The install of voice on my phone helped

brandonb81 said:
When I go into my regular contact list and tap Send Message I get the option to choose Messaging, Handcent or Google Voice to send the message with. What happens if you just tap send message on a contact?
Edit: Oh you said Google Talk. I didn't know you could send text messages using talk. Nevermind then! But you can use Google Voice. Additionally you can set Google Voice notification to e-mail instead of SMS so you'll be e-mailed when you get a new SMS.
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I'm pretty sure Google Talk is more like a chat IM service than a text messaging service. The person you are wanting to chat with has to have the client installed on their phone as well.
I think Google Voice is the best option for free text messages. You can get a free new phone number, then you just open Google Voice and text away. Anybody who replies to your SMS, their txt will come into Google Voice for free. You can send and receive free text messages all day long.

Not paying AT&T for a texting plan is definitely going to be nice! Thanks for the info.

derek4484 said:
That does work, but if that person receives your txt and replies back, I think it comes back to your phone as a SMS. So you still use one SMS.
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It will come back to you as an e-mail if you send it that way. I've texted my mom a few times this way and the reply shows up as an e-mail.

Google voice is open now. You'll have a new #, but free texts over data. Very good push integration too.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Yep Google talk is the way to go!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

derek4484 said:
That does work, but if that person receives your txt and replies back, I think it comes back to your phone as a SMS. So you still use one SMS.
Try Google Voice. You can send SMS from it and when they reply back it goes to your Google Voice number in lieu of your real cell phone number. That way it comes in to the Google Voice app. But just as someone else recommended, make sure you turn off SMS notifications, otherwise every time you get a voicemail or txt message google will send you an SMS message to notify you.
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Email method works. When the person replies, it would come to email, not as text... I used this method over an year, before I switched to google voice recently.

Ping chat works great
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897

[Q] google voice questions

so i just set up google voice today finally but i have some questions that i couldn't find the answers too easily online and i figured this was probably the best place to ask.
First off, is there anyway to choose certain people to always call using google voice?
and secondly, this one applies more to t-mobile, are calls through my phone using google voice count as minutes on my plan? because i'm hoping to use google voice so i can get on a cheaper voice plan.
thanks and sorry for the n00bish questions

neok44 said:
so i just set up google voice today finally but i have some questions that i couldn't find the answers too easily online and i figured this was probably the best place to ask.
First off, is there anyway to choose certain people to always call using google voice?
and secondly, this one applies more to t-mobile, are calls through my phone using google voice count as minutes on my plan? because i'm hoping to use google voice so i can get on a cheaper voice plan.
thanks and sorry for the n00bish questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Choosing which contacts to use GV for requires a 3rd party app thru the Market. GV doesnt seem to have a native selector. Voice Choice is pretty nice.
And using GV does take from the minutes, especially on T-Mobile unless you have the old MyFaves plan. Sprint, Verizon, & AT&T all have a plan where you may call unlimited to certain numbers and adding your GV number to it (usually) works. But T-Mo no longer offers MyFaves to newer subscribers.
If you want to reduce your call loads, there is another option for T-Mo, AT&T, & GSM users... Vonage over WiFi calling is a free app in the Market, and it does work fairly well. There is a CDMA version of Vonage, but thats for Verizon, Sprint, & Cricket, and it doesnt offer the WiFi calling.

NexusOneOwner said:
Choosing which contacts to use GV for requires a 3rd party app thru the Market. GV doesnt seem to have a native selector. Voice Choice is pretty nice.
And using GV does take from the minutes, especially on T-Mobile unless you have the old MyFaves plan. Sprint, Verizon, & AT&T all have a plan where you may call unlimited to certain numbers and adding your GV number to it (usually) works. But T-Mo no longer offers MyFaves to newer subscribers.
If you want to reduce your call loads, there is another option for T-Mo, AT&T, & GSM users... Vonage over WiFi calling is a free app in the Market, and it does work fairly well. There is a CDMA version of Vonage, but thats for Verizon, Sprint, & Cricket, and it doesnt offer the WiFi calling.
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very nice app there, a little expensive for a small function.
Right now i'm on myfaves but i'll be leaving it soon to go onto a family plan and i was hoping this would work like that.
With it not working like that, almost makes me wonder what the point is lol.
guess i'll give vonage a shot.

Try "Google Voice Callback" on the Market. You can set it up to set certain people to always be called via GV. You can also set it up to detect when you make a call and prompt you to use GV. When you choose to make a GV call, the app calls you and the person you're calling via GV (your phone will ring and then you answer which initiates the call). This way no minutes are used.
There's a free version and a paid version which are identical. The paid one is just there so you can make an easy donation.
If you want free incoming calls, you'll need to download and setup Sipdroid which is a little more complex since you need to find a SIP provider (I use Sipgate).

Google Voice for text?

How exactly does Google voice work? I want to set it up for text so I don't have to pay att the 20 dollars a month for unlimited text. For calls I'll stick with carrier I don't know how much data a call will eat up.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

You're going to want to Google that from your computer. You need to set it up from there
Sent from my CM9 ICS i897 Captivate

darkchyldx101 said:
How exactly does Google voice work? I want to set it up for text so I don't have to pay att the 20 dollars a month for unlimited text. For calls I'll stick with carrier I don't know how much data a call will eat up.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA
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keep in mind that mms also goes over text plan, so any mms would have to be google voice as well.

I really don't text much right now I pay 5 bucks for 200 text. But when I upgrade soon it seems I'll have a choice between $20/month for unlimited text or .20 cent for every text. Just wondering if Google voice is a better alternative.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

darkchyldx101 said:
How exactly does Google voice work?
...
For calls I'll stick with carrier I don't know how much data a call will eat up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gVoice does not work that way! A call is still a call, why go through the extra effort to make something VoIP when the current system for wireless audio transmission works very well. Google is never going to make the Android app do VoIP.
Also gVoice does not support MMS, thanks to social media sites/apps and web browers on the phone, there is no reason for gVoice to support them. Again another system exists that does a better job. The purpose to gVoice is not to bypass the services that wireless providers offer, it is to make managing multiple numbers an easier process (just as the video says). One other thing is that gVoice does not work with other text servers, only actual phone numbers. So no texting "LOL" to 12345 to vote for something on TV.
As to "how exactly" it works. Simply put gVoice is a redirection service.
They give you a what is essentially a mobile number that you hand out to whomever you wish, then you tell gVoice what numbers you want it to contact when it's number is called or gets a text. With the app it automaticaly adds your cell number to the list.
A call works like this: Person A dials the gVoice number, a computer answers and calls you, you answer and person A is forwarded to you. The exact opposite is true for the other direction. You > computer > person & forwards. If you watched the video explaining gVoice then you'll see that you can have gVoice dial multiple numbers at once on in-coming calls.
A text works like this: Person A sends a text to the gVoice number, a computer receives the text. At this point, it can either send you a text acting exactly the same as a call, or you can have it do nothing and rely on the app to let you know a text was sent to gVoice. Sending a text via the app is just like posting something via twitter or such except that instead of it going to a web site it goes to a computer that sends a text back to Person A. gVoice will figure out how to break up the message on its own for the size limit of a text, if sending to another gVoice number it sends the whole message and one piece.
If you want more exact then that you'll have to ask Google.
Now, due to the nature of the system there are a lot of neat/useful/mean things you can do. you can have gVoice block numbers instead of relying on the carrier. you can have all calls from one grouping of people get redirected to a specific number (to only your cell, or only to home,maybe even to one that is not actually yours ). you can set up some groups to be forwarded immediately, and others be given a prompt (your end) to screen their calls. you can save yourself from needing text messaging by relying on the app. you can give specific groups a different recording that they hear when they call and have to leave a message (if you use gVoice as your voicemail). Or you can do like me, and give some people the gVoice number and others only the cell number, so that if I ever have a reason to change the cell number the gVoice users are none the wiser.

I guess the best thing to do is give it a try. If its doesn't work the way I need it to I'll guess I'll have to choose the unlimited text plan. Thanks for the info.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

For what it's worth, i have the $5 / 200 text plan + Google voice. I use the AT&T mms on the 200 texts and Google voice for everything else. It works great for me because i can send text messages from my browser when i can't use my phone (plus i type faster on a full keyboard), and i don't have to worry about overages. I don't call that much, so minutes aren't an issue.
I liked that voice let he pick a number that made sense to me.
Also, if someone sends an mms to your Google voice number, you can have it set up to go to your gmail.

I use Google voice as a separate thing. I have a tmobile pay as you go plan on my captivate. As long as I have wifi. I get free texting through Google voice. Note, you get a separate number assigned by area. Porting your own number costs 20 bucks.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

I use Google voice to call people so they don't get my actual number, I also text on it, but you can't receive mms which sucks, but you can use Google Voice And Textfree for mms
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

[Q] Porting phone number from AT&T to Google Voice and using Straight Talk?

Should I port my number to Google Voice?
What are the issues with having your number on Google Voice?
I will soon be switching from AT&T to an MVNO (probably straight talk). I don't totally understand the process and benefits. It seems like people recommend doing this in order to avoid hassles when changing MVNOs. I know it costs $20 but it gives you some benefits like backing up your communications and more ownership of your number.
I have an unlocked T-Mobile Moto X.

Do you MMS?
Skip Google Voice
Texting isn't as reliable over data than via cell radios in my experience.
MVNO's have high data pings, if you can stand this then you are fine saving $15 a month, otherwise just go with GoPhone, same ping as postpaid, no data speed caps, roughly same coverage map, and you keep AT&T customer support.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

Almost 2 years ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice before switching to Straight Talk, primarily because it was my published business number and I wasn't comfortable trusting Straight Talk with it. About 5 months ago I switched to GoPhone, and a few weeks ago I ported my number from Google Voice to GoPhone, and posted "Why I'm ditching Google Voice as my public number" at Android Forums:
Almost 20 months ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice, bought a Galaxy Nexus, and activated it on Straight Talk (I've since switched to AT&T Go Phone). I told no one, and used my Google Voice number as my only number. Immediately I noticed the latency on voice calls, resulting in lots of me talking over the other party, or vice versa. During the 20 or so months of use, I've seen absolutely no improvement in this area. As a result, this morning I put in a port request to transfer my Google Voice number to AT&T.
There have been other issues too, like:
The crappy UI and pathetic attempt at threading GV conversations
The inability to use Google Voice for quick responses when ignoring an incoming call (the API and permissions have existed in Android since 4.3)
Lack of MMS support
Incompatibility with some services (i.e. banks) that send texts to mobile numbers
The concept of Google Voice is great - one number, forever and always. It made it very easy for me recently when I was testing out the Nexus 5 and Moto X - I could use either phone and no one knew I was changing phones on a (sometimes) daily basis.
For those who primarily use data and texting, and make/receive few voice calls, it may not be a deal breaker, but for me the frustration of the voice latency far outweighs the benefits, even if all the other issues I listed are fixed.
But... once my port is complete, I'll probably get another GV number for use as voicemail, and for exchanges with possible Craigslist buyers, or others I don't want to give my real number to. In that case, the benefit of anonymity outweighs the downside of the latency.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

pa5tabear said:
Should I port my number to Google Voice?
What are the issues with having your number on Google Voice?
I will soon be switching from AT&T to an MVNO (probably straight talk). I don't totally understand the process and benefits. It seems like people recommend doing this in order to avoid hassles when changing MVNOs. I know it costs $20 but it gives you some benefits like backing up your communications and more ownership of your number.
I have an unlocked T-Mobile Moto X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UncleMike said:
Almost 2 years ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice before switching to Straight Talk, primarily because it was my published business number and I wasn't comfortable trusting Straight Talk with it. About 5 months ago I switched to GoPhone, and a few weeks ago I ported my number from Google Voice to GoPhone, and posted "Why I'm ditching Google Voice as my public number" at Android Forums:
Almost 20 months ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice, bought a Galaxy Nexus, and activated it on Straight Talk (I've since switched to AT&T Go Phone). I told no one, and used my Google Voice number as my only number. Immediately I noticed the latency on voice calls, resulting in lots of me talking over the other party, or vice versa. During the 20 or so months of use, I've seen absolutely no improvement in this area. As a result, this morning I put in a port request to transfer my Google Voice number to AT&T.
There have been other issues too, like:
The crappy UI and pathetic attempt at threading GV conversations
The inability to use Google Voice for quick responses when ignoring an incoming call (the API and permissions have existed in Android since 4.3)
Lack of MMS support
Incompatibility with some services (i.e. banks) that send texts to mobile numbers
The concept of Google Voice is great - one number, forever and always. It made it very easy for me recently when I was testing out the Nexus 5 and Moto X - I could use either phone and no one knew I was changing phones on a (sometimes) daily basis.
For those who primarily use data and texting, and make/receive few voice calls, it may not be a deal breaker, but for me the frustration of the voice latency far outweighs the benefits, even if all the other issues I listed are fixed.
But... once my port is complete, I'll probably get another GV number for use as voicemail, and for exchanges with possible Craigslist buyers, or others I don't want to give my real number to. In that case, the benefit of anonymity outweighs the downside of the latency.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
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Correct me if I'm wrong but.... I'm under the impression that if you port your number to google voice you don't have to use the google voice app.
I'm sure you could just set up the call forwarding and avoid using the google voice app so you could still have the benefits of your own actual phone number?

drago10029 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but.... I'm under the impression that if you port your number to google voice you don't have to use the google voice app.
I'm sure you could just set up the call forwarding and avoid using the google voice app so you could still have the benefits of your own actual phone number?
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Click to collapse
There are two things to consider with Google Voice: calls and texting.
Porting your number to Google Voice does not necessarily require you to use the Google Voice app. You can setup the forwarding so that all calls to your GV number get forwarded to your real number. If you subsequently change your real number, you can easily change the GV forwarding to that new number and callers won't know the difference. For outgoing calls, you can choose to use Google Voice for no calls, all calls, international calls only, or to ask each time you make a call. If you don't use GV for a call, your real number will appear to the called party - ruining the transparency of Google Voice (that I enjoyed while testing phones). This may not be a problem for you.
For texting you have several options:
use the GV app to read and send "texts" - this maintains the transparency of Google Voice, and others send texts to your GV number and receive texts from your GV number
Skip GV and use another messaging app (including the stock app) - this totally eliminates the transparency since all texts are sent to/from your real number
Use GV's "mapping" feature - others send texts to your GV number, but the GV redirects them to your real number, making them appear in your default messaging app. The caveat here is that the messages you receive this way will appear to be from a number that's different than the number of the person that sent the text, but the message body will be prefixed with the senders name (taken from your contacts). If you send/reply to this other number, the recipient will see the text as coming from your GV number. To really make this method useable, you have to add these alternate numbers to each contact that you text. Also, until you receive a text from someone, you have no way of knowing what their "other" number is.

If you are rooted, you can use xvoiceplus which allows you to use other messaging app instead of Google voice to send or receive text message. You can even make google voice voicemail appear on the phone call log, so you never really have to use the Google voice app directly. But then voice mail thing is kinda buggy; old voicemails sometimes reappear as notification when you restart the phone.
If you can live with sms only then google voice can save you a few bucks every month. Since texting will be done through data instead of cellular signal, it won't be as good when you are in a bad signal area.