When you're using your iPhone over TextNow's Nationwide Wireless Network as your primary phone service, there are some minor differences compared to what you may be used to with your previous carrier. Most importantly, calling and texting work through the TextNow app! You can still use iMessage and Facetime with your Apple ID, although they will use the email address tied to your Apple account instead of your TextNow phone number.
That means that your TextNow phone number won't work if your fellow Apple users try to message you via iMessage or FaceTime. However, they can still contact you via iMessage or FaceTime by using the email associated with your iCloud account on your iPhone.
To use iMessage/Facetime with TextNow, you'll need to be on Wi-Fi or have a monthly data plan subscription. You can go here to see all of our available data plans, or click here to learn how to update your plan.
How to Configure iMessage
- The first step is to create an Apple ID if you haven't already. You can check out this article from Apple to learn how to create an Apple ID online, or create one on your iOS device by going to Settings > iCloud > Create a new Apple ID.
- Next go to your phone's Settings > Apps > Messages and turn on iMessage, using the switch next to the iMessage option. If the switch is already green, it's already on. Make sure to keep the Send as Text Message switch off, as seen below.
- Then, tap the Send & Receive option, and make sure that the only option that has a check beside it is the email address that you use for your Apple ID.
- Now you'll be able to use iMessage via your Apple ID.
Note: Since iMessage won't send as SMS if you ever have any issues with your data the iMessage will not fall back to SMS - you'll need to use the TextNow app to send text messages.
How to Configure Facetime
- Just like with iMessage, the first step is to create an Apple ID if you haven't already. You can check out this article from Apple to learn how to create an Apple ID online, or create one on your iOS device by going to Settings > iCloud > Create a new Apple ID.
- Next go to your phone's Settings > Apps > Facetime and turn on Facetime, using the switch near the middle of the page. If the switch is already green, it's already on.
- Just like with iMessage, make sure that the only option that has a check beside under the 'You can be reached by Facetime at' section is the email address that you use for your Apple ID.
- Now you'll be able to use Facetime via your Apple ID.