How to Text a Cell Phone from your Computer

By Jay White

February 11, 2015   •   Fact checked by Dumb Little Man

There are a number of different ways to text someone if you don’t have access to your cell phone. Maybe you are in a location that has wifi but not cell signal, or you left your phone at home, or you just prefer the size of a full computer keyboard rather than a tiny facsimile on a smart phone, or worse, a nine-digit keypad. Texting is easy by computer. Here are a few ways that you can do it:

1. Use your email account:

Every text number can be entered as an email address instead. If you know the provider that a person uses, you can use that in the email address. For example, if the phone number is 123-456-7890, and the person has an AT&T cellphone, the email address will be [email protected]. Some of the other account names include:
<ul>
<li>@messaging.sprintpcs.com</li>
<li>@tmomail.net (T-Mobile)</li>
<li>@vtext.com is verizon texting. Pictures and videos can be sent to @vzwpix.com</li>
</ul>

2. If you have an apple computer, imessage comes standard. PC owners can download the imessage app as well. You can send texts this way to anyone who has an iphone, and receive them as well if you own an iphone. If someone is in an area with wifi but no cell signal, this is a free way to speak back and forth with someone who has an iphone.

3. Check your carrier’s website for an online application to do computer-to-text. Some of them, like Verizon and AT&T, will allow you to text people directly through their website. All you need to know is their phone number, and they have a chat-like feature where you can speak back and forth on a laptop or desktop.

4. There are a number of free SMS websites online that will allow you to text people through a similar system as the carriers use. If you want replies on that site, you may need to register with them to get them. The requirements for this vary based on the quality and safety of the site.

5. Finally, there is a new way to work with Google Voice and turn your conversation by microphone into a text message. You need to know the carrier in order for this to work, and the information can come from your phone or email, or you can choose a new, google voice only phone number that recipients who receive your texts will see.

Jay White

I started Dumb Little Man many years ago so great authors, writers and bloggers could share their life "hacks" and tips for success with everyone. I hope you find something you like!

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