Texting over wifi in MK

[Tequilamamacita]

I am coming from Canada so I dont want to use my Data if possible for texting my family. Does anyone have any good suggestions on what's app type programmes.. and maybe thats what I should use, for text using wifi?

 

[LisaCM614]

my kids like to use oovoo over wifi to communicate with their non apple product friends

 

[howaboutme]

The easiest is probably using Google since most people already have a google account. Just download "hangouts" and sign in using your gmail account.

 

[MegaSilver]

Lots of free texting apps around. Android or Apple? For Android, I know people who use TextNow. You get to choose your area code, and you get a real phone number assigned to you. Nobody would be the wiser. But, you'll have to let friends and family know about this new number while you are away

 

[alliecat523]

We just use iMessage on our iPhones/iPods. I've heard others use WhatsApp with success.

 

[jayohjayoh]

I've been using the app called WeChat while my husband has been in Shanghai. It works really well!

 

[wilkeliza]

I use WhatsApp.

 

[scrapquitler]

I am coming from Canada so I dont want to use my Data if possible for texting my family. Does anyone have any good suggestions on what's app type programmes.. and maybe thats what I should use, for text using wifi?

Husband, kids and I have almost completely stopped texting one another, we just use Facebook Messenger, and when we are on Wifi, it doesn't use any data.

Alternately, if you are all on iphones, you should be able to use iMessage instead of texts, I think.

 

[BrianL]

I used Tango when I was out of the country. You can also make calls with it. It saves on the high rates for being off network.

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

GroupMe is great!

 

[CAS239]

GroupMe is great!

This

GroupMe is a great app where you can have a conversation with just one person or have big group chats that any carriers/iPhone/android, etc can all be in

 

[kellyjeanie]

The easiest is probably using Google since most people already have a google account. Just download "hangouts" and sign in using your gmail account.

Google Hangouts is great.

 

[godders]

Everyone I know basically just uses Whatsapp instead of text messages these days and we have many group conversations including with some members who are in other countries (one group we have someone one in New Zealand, someone in South Korea and the rest dotted over the UK; also have a family group which works no matter where we are in the world)

I have however found the wifi to be spotty in the parks at busy times and often found it difficult to connect - very annoying when you've forgotten your next FP! Never had a problem at the resorts though

 

[GillianP1301]

You've already gotten lots of suggesting on apps, but I just wanted to point out that you can get out of country (US specific) travel plans added onto your cell phone plan (I'm also in Canada and do this every time I travel to the US). It's normally a months worth and you pay a flat rate for data, text, voice, or any combination of the 3. It may not be a bad idea even with the wifi, just in case you hit a wifi blackout spot and it flips to local carrier temporarily. It will just help avoid any surprises.

 

[NYTIGRE]

Another vote for whatsapp, can make calls too

 

[wilkeliza]

You've already gotten lots of suggesting on apps, but I just wanted to point out that you can get out of country (US specific) travel plans added onto your cell phone plan (I'm also in Canada and do this every time I travel to the US). It's normally a months worth and you pay a flat rate for data, text, voice, or any combination of the 3. It may not be a bad idea even with the wifi, just in case you hit a wifi blackout spot and it flips to local carrier temporarily. It will just help avoid any surprises.

On almost all cell phones you can turn off data and cellular. Easy way is putting the phone in Airplane mode and just turning wifi back on manually or you can go into the settings and turn them off. That is the only way to really prevent surprises. It is what i do on cruises or out of the US. My phone never came off airplane mode when we visited Canada.

 

[minnie mum]

I'm from Canada, too. If I just need to get in touch with family, I use Hangouts, since we all have it. DH gets an out of country phone/text/data bundle for his phone for the period we'll be away so he can stay connected for work.

 

[2buzzboys]

My kids use an app called text free.

 

[cyre]

i have a canadian friend who has a "disposable" Trac-type phone for these purposes... bought it during a trip, and since it was bought in the US it works for the US. She turns it off when she's back home.

 

[ShelleyTaylor]

FB messenger or whatsapp