How to send text messages from new ipod to regular non-smart phone.

February 8, 2015 11:50 AM

Have a newest gen (6th?) ipod touch and heard that I can use google hangouts to send normal SMS text messages, but after installing there is no way in the interface to send a message, other than a Hangouts message. I can call any phone number just fine, but would love to figure out a way to send free text messages. Have found "Text Free" and other similar apps...if Hangouts can't do what I want, what is the best alternative?
posted by jacobsee to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Google Voice should be able to do what you want.
posted by BungaDunga at 11:52 AM on February 8, 2015

Response by poster: Tried to sign up for Google Voice but they require an existing phone number.
posted by jacobsee at 12:45 PM on February 8, 2015

You select as if creating a new hangout, and it says 'type an email, name or phone number'... you can do it from there. It looks like a Hangout message but will have a SMS tag in the picture.
posted by canine epigram at 1:17 PM on February 8, 2015

Hangouts can do individual sms, but not group. canine epigram gives the correct answer.

Also, I think Google Voice requires a phone number to sign up, but once signed up, not one to implement. I use GV in my browser all the time. You could set it up with your phone number on your cell then use it on your iPod.
posted by 724A at 3:21 PM on February 8, 2015

I used to have a Gen4 iPod touch and I got TextNow, which worked amazingly well.
posted by Slinga at 3:13 AM on February 9, 2015

Response by poster: canine: On my ipod, I select new Hangout, it says To: and when I type in a phone number it search-filters on that eventually saying No results and doesn't allow me to push the send button.
posted by jacobsee at 10:59 PM on February 9, 2015