What calling apps can I use in Thailand to receive calls like TextMe?

TextMe calling apps VoIP visa expat communication MagicJack Google Voice Fongo international calling Thailand

Jan 11, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

At home (Canada), I use an app called textme - my cottage has poor cell coverage but I have wifi.  So I call forward my cell# to my textme# and that way I receive all my calls over wifi.   This would be great to use in Thailand, but I have a feeling it won't work there?  Or are there other similar calling apps that work in Thailand?  Or would I need a VPN?

For past trips I subscribed to Skype's unlimited calling ($3 per month) which is great for making calls to landlines, but for people calling me, I end up just calling up my voicemail periodically to see if I have any messages since there is no way to get notifications.  It would be awesome if my calls just rang through to a web-based calling app like textme.

TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster is looking for alternatives to TextMe for making and receiving calls in Thailand over WiFi, as they currently use it in Canada but are unsure of its functionality abroad. Several users suggest alternatives such as TextNow, MagicJack, Google Voice, and Fongo, which provide free or low-cost calls to Canada and the USA. They note that TextMe operates globally if the app is installed in Canada first. A VPN may also be needed to access some of these services while in Thailand.

Chris *******

Create a Fongo account, they will give you a local canadian number, free. Calling back to Canada will then be free. You can add a cheap texting plan to it.

With wifi or our thai data/sim I was able to keep my phone number (ported to fongo).

People can call and text just like i was still in Canada, as long as you have at least wifi!

3 years ago

Craig *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ******

thanks I downloaded it earlier today. I also tried textnow, but it gives you a US number, so Fongo is better for me. Textme also probably works, so I've got them both. I also heard you have to be in Canada to actually download. Don't really need texting since I use WhatsApp and Line, plus have my Thai SIM. Communications so simple these days....love it.

3 years ago

Chris *******

@Craig ******

use a VPN change your location to canada if needed. If you are already here.

Dont know how long you are here but if its longterm, have a data plan hack for you.

3 years ago

Craig *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ******

I'm going next week, so downloaded already, but ya VPN should also work over there if I had to reinstall

3 years ago

Reply to

Craig *******

Philip **********

I use MagicJack . I’ve been using it since around 2011. I had the app on my tablet. When that broke I called MagicJack and they switched it to my iPhone. I receive calls. I don’t understand why you don’t hear it ring or it’s not connected to your cell. I pay around $50 cad a year. Unlimited. I use it a lot.

There is a text option also but I’m not interested in that. I have messenger or WhatsApp. I found Skype to be inferior to MagicJack.

3 years ago

David *********

Text Me works all over the world providing you have an internet connection you can make calls to Canada and United States for free and people can call you. But you must install the app in Canada. Many countries in the world this app is not available.

3 years ago

Marguyvin **********

Google Voice.

3 years ago

Craig *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks, for the longest time google voice wasn't available in Canada, but I see it is now!

3 years ago

Reply to

Craig *******

Garrett ***********

It works

3 years ago

Ray ***********

I use text now here. It works perfect. I call canada all the time and it's all absolutely free but you can buy an "ad free" version.

3 years ago

Ray ***********

Yep, it works just like you're in Canada

3 years ago

Craig *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks thats good, so you can also receive calls from people back home calling your text now number??

3 years ago

กะลาสี *****

I use Text Now also. Any of the free calling apps should work from Thailand for you (they do for me as along as I have internet access.) There is no need for a VPN.

3 years ago

Reply to

กะลาสี *****

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How can expats in Thailand keep their US number just for 2-factor authentication?

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